iPad Encouraging New Levels Of Tech ObsessioniPad Encouraging New Levels Of Tech Obsession

Techies, geeks and Apple fanboys alike are exhibiting alarming symptoms of obsession over the iPad. Apple is doing its own part, too, to fan the flames of excitement with its controlled mitigation of minutia.Apple began alerting those who pre-ordered the iPad for delivery on April via via email the other day. Anyone who charged the iPad to their credit card before March 27 received a notification that their devices were shipping. Apple even supplied UPS tracking numbers. Of course, everyone tracked their impending delivery immediately, and discovered that their iPad was still stuck somewhere in China.

(This alone spawned a post from The Boy Genius, wherein he reveals his obsession with tracking UPS packages and alarming knowledge of how it all works behind the scenes.)

Next, Apple debuted an entire series of videos that demonstrate how to use the iPad for various functions. Want to see exactly how Safari, Mail, Videos, Photos, YouTube, iPod, iTunes, iBooks, Keynote, Pages and Numbers will work on the iPad? You can watch all 11 of the videos here. Apple hasn't posted the guided tours to YouTube, and it isn't sharing viewership statistics. I'm sure they're seeing a lot of traffic.

Let's not forget that a day has passed, and people are double-, triple, and quadruple-checking to see where their iPads are. Oh, look, it moved from one city in China you've never heard of to another city in China you've never heard of! But it's still on track for an April 3 delivery.

Today, those who pre-ordered their iPads for in-store pickup began receiving emails letting them know that they can swing by anytime between 9AM and 3PM on April 3 to score their iPads.

Let's not forget Twitter. It's been aflame with iPad posts. Apple and iPad have dominated news aggregators Google News and Techmeme the last few days, and that's likely to continue at least through April 5.

Not only is the tech press obsessed with Apple, but so are geeks and techies in general. Apple, in its secretive manner, has fostered an entire cult of frothing maniacs who jump at every bit of information, no matter how trivial.

If you're not already used to it or immune, I suggest you toughen up. It's going to get harder and harder to avoid Apple and its doings.