Apple is aiming to make a big splash with its iPad tablet next week and hopes that games from Electronic Arts will help generate interest in the product. While the iPhone and iPod Touch market is one of the fastest growing segments in the gaming industry, Apple hopes that developers will flock to its upcoming tablet. EA’s games could serve as an example to other developers. According to The Wall Street Journal:
Apple is also working with videogame publisher Electronic Arts Inc. to show off the tablet’s game capabilities, according to one person familiar with the matter.
While I’m sure the iPad (or iSlate or iTablet) will be a success, I’m certain that it will only do a fraction of the numbers the iPhone has done. A lot of people need phones and love the extended multimedia capabilities the iPhone offers. The iPad, on the other hand, appears to be a pure luxury; nobody needs a multimedia tablet with Internet capabilities. With that in mind, the installed base of the iPad will be a fraction of the iPhone’s, making it less appealing to developers.
The important thing to remember is that since both products will presumably be using iPhone 4.0 software, developers can write the bulk of the code for the iPhone and (again, presumably) optimize code for the larger tablet. Theoretically, it shouldn’t add too much additional work. I’ll ping some of my developer friends and see what they think.
If Apple and its partners deliver a healthy dose of games for the iPad, will that make the device more appealing to you?
I don't think this device is practical for me, I'm pretty fond of my Phone for on the fly computing and my laptop for expanded use. I just don't see myself needing an in between. but since the announcement is next week you can bet I'm excited to hear what Apple has to offer. They usually have more than a couple of curve-balls in their press conferences.
Apple related: I didn't get a chance to play Chinatown Wars until now but I'm pleasantly surprised how much fun the game is for iphone. the controls take some getting used to but this is one of the better games ever released on iphone if you ask me
I use my laptop all the time. I can't see myself using a flat tablet over my 13inch MacBook. I can't possibly use it in class. I feel the viewing angle would be quite poor with overhead lighting, privacy concerns, taking notes with a virtual keyboard, etc all make this device impractical for my needs.
However if I were gifted one, I'd use it at home perhaps. Perhaps not if I can't load software on it that doesn't come from an app store.