Just like the iPhone the iPad will have a GPS in it so no need to import. Actually, my iPhone acquires signal far faster than any of my dedicated GPS units. Oh, and I got all the Navionics charts for the eastern US and the plotter program for $10. I doubt the iPad is weather-resistant so the Garmin will stay handy for crappy conditions.

It has a few I/O possibilities. The connection at the bottom is the standard Apple dock connection (like the iPhone/Touch) but the cable terminates in a USB plug. It should also support wifi and bluetooth. That said, I have NO idea what data streams will be supported.

There ARE remote apps already available and various dongles (including IR) to make it a remote. The problem with IR remotes though is that they're line of sight. We currently use the iPhones as remotes for the laptop at the nav station which works with wifi. That way we can control volume/tracks/playlists/whatever from anywhere on the boat.

The iPad will include a browser which will work from a hotspot or from AT&T's 3G network (at least with the 3G version.) That means that you could check weather on the internet anywhere you have a cell signal. The really cool part is that there's no contract (it's prepaid) and you can have unlimited data for $30/month. Plus, you can turn the service on or off directly from the device whenever you want.

Another thing Apple is claiming is 10 hours of runtime on a charge. IF that is true I'll be REALLY stoked.

Sorry for sounding like an Apple commercial, I guess I do like their stuff.