Sometimes a product comes along that forever changes the way we think about communication and media … like the TV, the transistor radio, the Walkman, the PC, the mobile phone, or the mp3 player.

I think it’s fairly safe to say that the new Apple iPad will introduce another revolutionary new medium. At an initial cost of $500 – 1000, it won’t be long until they’re even cheaper … and absolutely everywhere.

While there will always be room for printed material, put an iPad next to a conventional brochure and the limitations of paper become obvious. Imagine a product brochure where you can twist and turn the product to see it from all angles. Then click on it to get the technical specifications, watch a film of it in action, go to a forum and see the customer reviews and then send the brochure to a colleague … all at the touch of a finger.

Clearly it’s not worth investing a lot of money in these interactive brochures while the audience remains so limited but it’s a good idea to get prepared. Maybe a first step is to see the iPad as a presentation tool for salespeople where they sit down with prospects and use it to explore products, services, and even simulate the customer’s own earning potential. Or they connect the iPad to a projector to create a live and compelling multimedia presentation.  Get excited, get creative … there is a whole new world of opportunities to discover.