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iPad… The new 10 inch home of the App Store

The brilliance of the iPad is in Apple’s decision to run the iPhone OS on it.  The iPhone OS was a great choice for the iPad, as supposed to porting their standard computer operating systems, like Windows has been doing since 2001.  The iPhone OS’s amazing multi-touch interface and low power consumption is a natural fit for the iPad.  But the real gem here is including the iPhone OS App Store and ensuring that all iPhone and iPod Touch apps work on the iPad.

The App Store combined with the iPad’s form factor and capabilities make it a sort of tablet chameleon.  Combine a driving simulator with a 10 inch screen and an accelerometer and you have a killer car racing game.  Combine the WiFi, 10 inch touchscreen and word processing software and you have the perfect intake form at a doctor’s office.  The iPad wasn’t designed to replace your current laptop or desktop.  The iPad was designed to replace the way we do a great many things.  Playing games with our families, checking email, reading books, or watching movies on a plane.  It’s verbs, not nouns that Apple was after.

I believe that we will see iPad competitors recognize the importance of including an app store in their next devices.  Google’s rumored slate device will likely include the Android Market.  HP’s recent purchase of Palm will likely result in the Palm WebOS and app store showing up on future HP tablet devices.

Thus, the iPad will be as good or as popular as the software that is created for it.  And in that regard, I think it will be quite popular.  For myself, the iPad would certainly not replace my laptop nor would my wife give up her MacBook for an iPad.  However, in a few years when our kids become school age, I can see the iPad being standard equipment for family vacations and long car trips.  How nice to be able to bring streaming TV, all of our favorite board games, and a great way to look at maps all in one device!

May 10, 2010 - Posted by Keith Forsythe | Business Strategy