About the iPad

After a long wait, the Apple tablet saw the light of the day today. We at Nordkapp are as excited as you are, and here’s a few thoughts on what this might be all about;

The new old media

One of the most obvious uses for this is naturally the “old” media and the publishing industry. I am not probably very much off if I propose that the iPad, along the whole interaction paradigm, will breathe a new kind of life to the industry at a brink of being left behind. It will change the way how we see both form and content and the papers themselves. It will not happen overnight but  I feel that we’re approaching the tipping point on this quite soon. After more than a few not-so-successful attempts to bring the magazine experience to a digital medium (Flash newspapers anyone?) we’re finally on the verge of reaching the sufficient levels in technology, business ecosystem and last, but not least —interactions.

For a taste of what I’m talking about, here’s two examples: First, the GQ iPhone app which delivers a somewhat familiar magazine format spiced with video content for your iPhone. Buying an issue €2.99 a pop hasn’t ever been this easy. And once done with that, the Mag+ concept for Bonnier R&D by BERG London will most likely blow your mind.  What’s cool about it, the concept is very much implementable for iPad right away. And believe me, these both are only a taste of things to come.

The iPad as a prototyping platform

Which takes me to this: From our point of view, the greatest thing about iPad isn’t that it’s the business ecosystem, eBooks or even the possibility for quite slick and carefree couch surfing. What’s really cool about is that having roughly a 10″ multitouch tablet-like device with a proper, modern web browser. This means an easy access to a super capable platform for prototyping *anything* portable, with or without touch interaction. A clean slate if you will.

To illustrate the possibilities, a few uses from the top of my head would be concept, prototyping and development of a store cash register replacement, musical instrument or a sampler, a medical assistant or even a multi purpose communicator/support device for the elderly people. The natural interactions and ease of use are all there, while the technical capabilities are far beyond what’s needed. Very much of this of course is possible on iPhone + iPod Touch as well, but  the physical size is a major factor here.

What the iPad will *not* do is replace laptops and work machines at the office anytime soon. As Casey Reas pointed out— it is mostly about consuming media instead of producing, at least on a large scale.

Elsewhere;

— Pentagram’s Luke Hayman has posted a fairly good analysis on the publishing industry: Five ways the iPad will change magazine design.

— Gizmodo makes a very good point on Apple iPad just tried to assasinate laptops.

— New York Times’ David Pogue’s first impressions on the iPad.

— POPSCI Hands on, including video. Especially the browser behaviour looks super smooth.

— It’s all about the context according to Brendan Dawes.

— And of course, there’s always the nerdgasm/aftermath on Twitter