As we move toward the official release of the Apple iPad on April 3, Apple and developers are apparently in a rush to deliver iPad-enhanced applications to show off the power of the platform. The alternative, letting users run iPhone applications on a bigger screen, isn’t likely enough to convince users beyond Apple’s core fanboy base to plunk down cash for yet another computing device. The New York Times details the mad rush, noting that most developers are being forced to develop on software-based simulators, rather than on the device itself, which is being closely guarded by Apple until its formal release. That opens up the risk that those apps won’t run perfectly when installed on first-generation iPad hardware.
Writes NYTimes.com:
The few companies that did receive the device — including Major League Baseball, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times — have been subject to Apple’s long list of rules. The companies must agree to keep the iPad hidden from public view, chained to tables in windowless rooms. This although the basic look of the iPad stopped being a secret in January.
And Apple has told all other developers who have downloaded its iPad programming tools to remain silent about their apps until later this month. Apple’s addiction to secrecy does not seem to have damped enthusiasm among developers.
“There’s something about the newness of the iPad that’s driving an even greater level of excitement than what existed in the last year for the iPhone,” said Raven Zachary, president of Small Society, an iPhone software company in Portland, Ore.
Connected Planet’s take, Sarah Reedy:
Apple’s strict policies for iPad app testing are not surprising, but they are especially interesting after a few conversations I’ve had with device and app testing companies in advance of CTIA. Outside of designing and developing a mobile app, developers have a significant challenge in testing it to make sure it is optimized for the screen size, device type, network, geography and a host of other factors, as one testing company told me. A lot of this is done in a virtual environment, but there’s no substitute for having an actual device to work on (same reason Google’s Nexus One online-only sales route hasn’t been that effective).
Considering that the Apple iPad represents an entirely new category, actually testing the apps on it would seem to be relatively important. Luckily, when you are Apple, you can get away with being tightly guarded. A number of developers are finding other ways to test on the iPad, and Apple is granting physical access to a select few. It knows that apps will be extremely important to the success of this new device. Its functionality seeps into other areas of digital life, including e-book reading, video consumption, email creation and music. If it is going to do so many things, it better do them well enough to give consumers a reason to fork over the cash.
Maybe it doesn’t need 150,000 apps like the iPhone, but the right selection of well-tested, iPad-optimized apps is a must. Apple isn’t hurting for developer excitement, although some are waiting it out. In the meantime, MLB.com, New York Times and even the Amazon Kindle are a good start.
That’s our take on this. Let us know what you think in the comments section below:
Nice article except to the derogatory reference to “fanboy base” users. While most articles of this nature are verbose upon the technical issues and delights, seldom identified or appreciated is that all the “security” measures including developers “forced to develop on software-based simulators, rather than on the device itself” are and is part of Apples real strength – masterful marketing strategies and tactics. The rules, measures, and security are native to this industry, but also parallel another hugely successful industry – the enviable fashion industry.
Good read on the iPad! When the iPad was first announced I was some what disappointed. But after thinking more about the product I get excited about its unlimited applications and use both in the home and on the road. The digital home is the right target for Apple. Between the desktops the notebooks, the iPhone and it iTouch and Apple TV the iPad is a perfect solution to navigate the web, show off photos to friends and family, watching movies, and video programs, iBook, etc. With this device I can freely use the product in place of my iTouch in the family room while watching TV to navigate the web, send and receive emails, link into Facebook, and other stuff without being fixed to the desktop. Also a nice alternative while sitting at a coffee house to read, do emails, etc.
For sales guys a perfect one-on-one presentation presenter, beats lugging around a PC and projector and has excellent graphics (at least advertised that way).
Just wish it had a camera, to take pictures, and to get on-line for video conferencing with family and friends.