There is a lot of excitement going on around the launch of the iPad, but is the iPad worth all the excitement and is the iPad more than a consumer device?
Apple positions the iPad device between the smartphone and the laptop and claims that the iPad is the only device that can actually claim that position because it gives users better experience with browsing the web, e-mail, photos, video, music, games and e-books. This as opposed to Netbooks which are just small laptops.
The iPad is as easy to use as an iPhone and with its low weight, its dimensions and large screen it will be a great experience for users. It is better to handle at home on your couch than a laptop and you can consume information better than on an iPhone.
When you think of iPad applications for professional use, you can think of two target groups: the white collar and blue collar users.
To start with the first group, the white color workers (i.e. sales people), they probably already use an iPhone or other smartphone to manage their appointments, contacts and access documents with background information. However, using the iPad to access background information (i.e. during meetings) is much more effective. And while the iPad is already on the table, notes and appointments will also be made using the iPad. So for this group it is mandatory that the information they use can be synchronized between smartphone and iPad.
If we look at the second group of blue collar workers, then we can conclude that these people are using company wide mobile solutions to streamline their workflow. They either use smartphones, laptops or large tablets. Smartphones are slow and don't suffice for presenting lot's of information (like schematics or instruction books). Laptops and tablets are simply too heavy and not easy to use and interact with. The iPad could be the ideal candidate to unlock volumes of information to the mobile field worker in an easy way.
The iPad fits in the vision of Everdune Mobile to create life simplifying mobile software and services that connect people with eachother and with relevant information based on their location and on what they are doing. The iPad really can be more than a consumer device.
From a development point of view the iPad is also good news because it uses the same software development kit (SDK) as the iPhone. This means that there is no learning curve for experienced iPhone developers.
If you have an idea for a great iPad App then please fill out our contact form.
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