Roundup: iPad mania begins as experts predict long lines and best apps

Here’s the latest (iPad) action:

iPad’s influence will extend beyond units sold – Sarah Rotman Epps predicts that Apple will only sell 3 million of its iPads in 2010, but it will still change the way the world thinks about portable computing.
Milo.com tells you where to find your iPad — The web site, which allows people to research local deals, will have real-time stock updates for Best Buy stores on Saturday morning with the iPad goes on sale.
The iPad may actually be good for Amazon — While many assume it will be a Kindle-killer, the iPad might actually stir up business for the online retail giant, generating thousands more e-book customers. The WSJ has more analysis.
Memeo bringing Google Docs reader to iPad — On Saturday when the iPad officially goes on sale, Memeo will release its Connect Reader application, allowing users to download and natively access all of their Google document and spreadsheet files on their iPads.
The Early Show previews iPad early — CNET senior editor Natali Del Conte gave viewers of the CBS Early Show a sneak peak at Apple’s iPad today, also suggesting that a new version of the device will probably be released next year. See the video here.
How stupid iPad apps might still make good — PC World looks at some of the dumbest applications set to launch on the iPad after its Saturday release. Despite criticism, the article argues that at least five of these apps could still make good money.
USA Today predicts iPads to sell out by Saturday afternoon — With all the hype over the iPad already reaching fever pitch, analysts are saying that the tablets will sell out by early afternoon on Saturday, the same day they officially go on sale. Lines are predicted to be longer than they were for the iPhone.
And here’s two non-iPad items for good measure:
Smith Electric Vehicles nabs $22M — The British company specializing in electric fleet trucks has just received $22 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. According to Earth2Tech, it might be building up to an IPO.
IBM launches Global Entrepreneur Initiative — Hoping to bring promising startups into its fold, the computing giant is launching its own version of Microsoft’s BizSpark program, giving startups that join the program access to product development resources and business software.
Tags: ipad
Companies: Apple, IBM, Memeo, Milo.com, Smith Electric Vehicles