Mike Bantick
Friday, 29 January 2010 09:56
Opinion and Analysis
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Who exactly is Apple thinking will be attracted to the new iPad device? Some believe the device will revolutionise portable computing, others are less impressed.
Is it an eBook reader, a portable gaming platform, a substitute for a netbook or a weapon for business road warrior? The
Apple iPad could in theory be used by consumers in all of these markets, but will these people flock to Apple’s new pantheon?
eBook fans that have not already gone down the Kindle path may be attracted to the classic intuitive iPhone interface now gone epic in the iPad.
Then there is the colour, lustre, flexibility and sheer sexiness of the device itself, flipping from landscape to portrait while perusing the New York Times (in colour) is a definite selling point over the Kindle. Combine that with the iTunes-music-store-style set pricing for content, as well as the new iBooks interface and the package for the eBook consumer is compelling.
The question mark is whether a backlit IPS screen can be comfortable in long reading sessions up against the familiar paper feel of eink.
Gamers will be attracted to the iPad, bringing all the benefits of iPhone portable gaming infrastructure to a higher resolution platform may steer some away from their PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS and even iPod Touch or iPhone. Given Steve Jobs made a point by showcasing games such as Need For Speed: Shift – a game more associated with the PC, PS3 or Xbox 360 – as comfortably playable, the gaming market is significant in Apple’s eyes.
Even local mobile game developer Firemint, creators of Flight Control, one of the App Stores top selling applications were
quick to give out information about a reengineered version of their game for the iPad. Nobody will buy the iPad purely for games initially, but many a developer will be attracted to create game software for the device, and down the track this library of choice will attract the tech-hungry gamer.
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