What is the advantage of an iCloud mail account?

I recently updated to iOS 5 on my 64GB iPad 2 +3G. I signed up for iCloud using the same Apple ID I have been using all along.

I was also able to create a new iCloud mail account using @me.com. What is the advantage of having this new email account?

I kind of understand the function of iCloud. It enables me to access the same content via all my iOS devices. If I have a photo in my iPad 2, for example, iCloud could push that same photo to my iPhone if I had one. (It is not much use to me now as I have no other devices besides my iPad 2. I guess I could use the computer at the library and access stuff at iCloud.com.)

The two email accounts I already have are already accessible using other devices.

I can access the same Yahoo account using my iPad 2, an iPhone, or a computer at the local library. So, why do I really need this iCloud account?

I have seen postings from others who have had prior Apple IDs, @me.com accounts, and something called MobileMe. My head spins when reading those posts.

I am new to the Apple world, so luckily I don't have those problems concerning the use of previously established stuff.

I used the same Apple ID I already had to set up my iCloud, but I used a slightly different variation of that email address to set up the iCloud mail account.

Was that a mistake? I am now wondering if I should have kept it all the same. It tells you you cannot change the @me.com address once it is established anyway.

Also, the iPad is considered superior to other tablets because of the wealth of apps available (140,000). Isn't that a little hyped?

There seem to be a lot of duplicative apps that are not too useful. For example, there are tons of calculator, alarm clock, and reminder apps in the app store.

Thanks for any insights you can provide.