Ipad is it really worth it?

The new ipad is stirring up quite the buzz but is it even worth $499? from what the videos have shown its seems to have the same functionality as an iphone or ipod touch ..ooooOOoo you can import apps >.>…..really  heres the statement that had me laughing  ”this is not a netbook (macbook air) then going on to say its more powerful then a phone less powerful then a macbook ….  being that its currently 2010 i would at least expect a frontward facing camera. i mean >.> its not like its out of our reach as far as technology goes. Here is another question why did apple decided to make there own processor ?? when the new i7 mobile is out is this to cut down the cost?  In all im far from impressed with the ipad and being that there is no cd port this is nothing more then a glorified netbook. If apple was more open like google with there sdk’s then i would hold better promise for the ipad but since owning a iphone  it has taught me that apple are nazis. But time will only tell  i would rather have an open source pad that i can do much more with then a limited one . the keyboard seems nice and it would be perfect for hospitals ,schools ect but the first thing that comes to my mind is what else could i make this do? im looking forward to harddrive hacks and possibly an add on for a front faceing camera. what about augmentation being that its in early stages  augmentation in my opinion would fit well with this ipad. but untill it hits a 200$ price range i don’t see myself looking towards this device anytime soon  would love to get my hands on this and see what it has to offer or is this a laggy iphone reminiscent device. I would hope not.