One year ago, the iPad was announced.  

A little over two months later, on April 3, 2010, a bunch of knuckle head friends all convened at some crazy early hour in the morning to make the trek to the Apple Store LaCantera in San Antonio so we could stand in line to buy an iPad.

SalesBy5’s Chief Inspiration Officer, Nan Palmero joined in, as did Wes Wilson, CEO of Upstack and Brandstack, who bought one to do presentations for potential investors and partners.  Ryan Kelly, CEO of Pear Analytics bought one because his company has an app for the iPhone and wanted to explore the idea of replicating it for the iPad.  Rackspace’s Robert Taylor, bought one for his personal use.  He is an Apple fan and thought it was important buy one and be an early adapter.  (note how Mr. Taylor and I are wearing the same Apple Mothership T-Shirt.)

Almost one year later.. I still love my iPad.  

I'm using mine primarily as a content platform to read and keep on my desk to watch my social stream while I work.  I also like it for trade shows and conferences, so I don't have to lug my regular MacBook Pro to the show.  It's great for movies when I am up in the air.

Very Interesting InfoGraphic from OnSwipe

So, how about you?  

Did you buy an iPad?  Waiting for the refresh model?  Maybe getting or got a Samsung or other brand?  Waiting for Honeycomb?

Chime in and leave a comment.  

Last night I had the opportunity to take part in watching a series of new company pitches based on a method known as 3DayStartup.  As its name implies, participants spend an intense three days with the end game of trying to start a technology company in three days.

Most of the students were from Trinity University, and mirrors the initiatives that local entrepreneurs and investors Pat Condon and Dirk Elmendorf have taken with the recent creation of a new entrepreneurial program at Trinity University.  Recently, Trinity announced the hiring of Luz Cristal Sanchez Glangchai as Associate Director of the program.

The video here are interviews from four people I spoke to, three of which -  Pat Condon, Matt Reedy, John Engates are local entrepreneurs / investors, and the final interview is with Cam Houser, who is a Director with 3 Day Start Up.  I also have a CinchCast interview with Dirk Elmendorf who elaborates about the Trinity Center for Entrepreneurship.

Special thanks to  Ryan Kelly and Vid Luther, who invited me to the event. Ryan and Vid collaborate on running locally based, Pear Analytics.