Once developers truly get what the iPad is about, watch out
The iPad itself is nothing but a support system for its software. Years ago, a company — I think it was Exidy — tried to sell software as just a plastic bag full of electrons but they encountered considerable consumer resistance. Ever since then, no company has been so bold as to try to sell apps without some sort of computer out there for it to run on.
And the iPad is certainly the single most software-focused computer on the market. Apple emphatically makes this point with every step of the iPad’s design: it’s a picture frame for software. And like a real picture frame, if you take notice of the frame instead of the software then something’s definitely gone wrong somewhere. Either you’ve got a gaudy picture frame or you’ve got deathly dull kids who will probably make their living designing tax forms or standing outside telling people where they can’t park their cars.
The iPad has been available for a few weeks now and I’m disappointed to find that one of my predictions seems to be coming true: the iPad won’t truly be “out” for another few months, when developers have finally had enough time with a real iPad in their hands to design true iPad-focused apps. Most of the freshman class seem to be either embiggened editions of iPhone hits or apps that bear the fingerprints of mouse-and-keyboard user interface design.
Read more: MacWorld.com
Comment on this story | Comments Off on iPad apps: Get ready for the second wave
Loading ...
