In case you hadn’t noticed, Apple introduced a new product yesterday, the iPad. All kidding aside, it’s a tablet computer that has an iPhone-esque user interface.

There are many people who can tell you a lot more about the device than I can so I’m not going to waste time on that. Instead, I’m more interested in the market movement it’ll create.

Apple already has a strong position in digital music sales and that market is expected to only grow in the next few years. The company also offers more than 100,000 apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch in its App Store.

E-books and e-publications are the next big thing. The iPad gives Apple a form factor through which to sell more electronic content and the availability of wi-fi and 3G connectivity testify to that. Moreover, the screen is not e-ink (which is a downer for e-books) but it does allow the iPad to be a suitable video carrier/streamer.

In sum, the iPad is not Apple’s “most advanced technology in a magical & revolutionary device at an unbelievable price”. It is, however, a clever play to carve out a larger share in the content distribution market.

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