Ipads in education?

As my district contemplates future purchases, the Ipad discussion begins. Are Ipads the future of textbooks? Are they more cost effective? Are they a diversion, as President Obama suggestions, or a "means of emancipation"?

The following article hits on some of the most frequent issues dealing with Ipads in education: http://www.convergemag.com/classtech/Impact-iPad-K12-Schools.html

Also, check out the trial launch of iPads in Chicago Public Schools....http://www.convergemag.com/classtech/CPS-iPad-trial.html