The Basement Like a blog, only interesting.

Why iPad?

For those just tuning it, I'm starting a business developing software for the iPad. When I tell people that I'm targeting iPad I get mixed responses. Fanboys want to gush about how the iPad will forever change the destiny of man.  Critics want to talk about netbooks, iPad's missing features or the forthcoming Microsoft Courier.  Other folks want to describe an application that they've dreamed up that they think I should write (like I don't have anything else to work on) or people tell me that I should write software that can run on all the mobile devices iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, Palm, etc. - you know, because cross platform development is easy.

What almost everyone has in common though is that most folks don't understand why I'm targeting iPad.

In fact, lots of folks make assumptions that are completely wrong. I'm not targeting iPad because it's cool (at least not entirely).  It's not a get-rich-quick scheme (although getting rich quick wouldn't suck). It's not riding the wave of hype surrounding the iPad (but I'm not ignoring this either). It's not (just) because I'm not a fan of Microsoft.

What you might find surprising is that I'm actually quite skeptical about iPad's success as Steve Jobs laid it out in his keynote. I don't think the iPad will be the ultimate internet browsing experience - I think that title will stay with our desktop and laptop computers. I think the absence of Flash and an (albeit large and responsive) touchscreen keyboard will substantially  hinder the web browsing experience. When we fantasize about being seen hanging out in the coffee shop with our shiny new iPad I think most people underestimate the predominance of text entry in the web browsing experience. The web browser, after all, was born on the desktop and is a desktop centric paradigm - it hasn't translated well to mobile devices, or television, or refrigerators.  Sure, some bookmarked content will be great on the iPad, but as an all purpose "ultimate internet browsing device" I think it will fall short.

And since the iPad won't fit in your pocket, you have to make a special effort you to take it with you. Once you've made the decision to lug along a device, the question is - What device will it be?  The somewhat limited but super sleek iPad or the truly versatile if not entirely aesthetically pleasing netbook or laptop?  The bottom line is that the iPad is not a netbook/laptop replacement (by Steve's own admission) and when given the choice between the two, most folks will pick the lappy. And if you already have a lappy, will you shell out another $500+ for an additional device?  I think most won't.

At this point folks ask me "Matt, if you think the iPad sucks, then why are you building a business around it?"  The answer is that I don't think the iPad sucks - rather I think it will be really, really good at something other than the perceived primary use case - namely point solution business applications. As I see the world I think there are hundreds of applications where laptops or other traditional computer forms are simply too cumbersome for business applications but where a well designed touch computing platform can excel. Anywhere where someone is carrying around a clipboard with forms or check lists, anywhere people are dealing with non-text data in a mobile environment, anywhere where a conversation is happening where a traditional computer would be distracting is an opportunity for touch computing.

Sure, there have been mobile computing platforms out there for decades from people like Microsoft, Symbol, Intermec, and Psion - but these platforms have been too expensive for smaller point solutions, too cumbersome in terms of UI/UX and too difficult to develop for. Historically there's also been a lack of easy to understand, reasonably priced and ubiquitous wireless connectivity for these devices.

The focus has been on "mobile computing" and not on "touch computing".  What's the difference?  Mobile computing is about trading usability and performance for mobility.  Touch computing is about a fundamentally different user experience - a user experience that's better that the previous paradigms.  Sure touch computing platforms like the iPad will also be mobile, but if designed well users will prefer using their touch computing device for some activities even when sitting at their desktop computer.

The opportunity is to recognize the applications that have been underserved by traditional computing, or mobile computing and exploit then with well designed touch computing interfaces. The secret to success for these touch computing applications is great design from which follows great usability and user experience. Applications designs must minimize required text entry, and rely more heavily on information visualization, and visual metaphors for data manipulation.

To do this effectively designers and developers need a great development platform, a stable and consistent hardware platform, and consistent user interface metaphors.  For wide spread market adoption we need a hardware vendor that is familiar and credible for end users, that has a good track record of being able to keep up with supply and support. The user experience is critical - so we need the most responsive touch interfaces with support for multitouch and advanced gestures.  And we need well established distribution channels for easy deployment.

Over the next year or so we'll see dozens of touch computing platforms enter the market. Some with price points way below the Apple iPad. When I survey the landscape I see only one platform, vendor and ecosystem that already exhibits all of the characteristics necessary to succeed with business focussed touch computing applications: the Apple iPad.

With our new business venture, Architactile, we hope to change the way the business of architecture is practiced through the application of touch computing. At least for now, the iPad provides us our best shot at doing it.

Author: Matt Galloway

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