Device could attract new types of apps

Although many developers have just begun creating apps for Apple's new iPad tablet, analysts expect the device to attract a wide range of apps with different layouts and pricing models than current offerings for the iPhone and iPod touch. While current App Store titles carry price tags that average approximately $1.90, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster anticipates iPad versions to command prices closer to $4.

"The reason why people buy an iPhone is because there are 140,000 apps and you can change your iPhone into anything you want," said Munster.

Apple has disclosed plans to release iPad-optimized versions of its iWork utilities. The productivity software provides document creation and editing functions that would have been difficult to utilize on the iPhone platform. The iPad's larger screen and faster components, however, are claimed to enable the advanced functionality.

The iWork apps will also mark Apple's highest-price software titles in the App Store, with each of the three utilities to be sold for $10. The company currently offers three free apps for the iPhone and iPod touch, along with a $5 Texas Hold'em game.

Although the iPad will allow users to run unmodified iPhone apps, the interfaces will be either enlarged to fill the large display or presented as a small box in the center of the screen. This may work for some apps, but the layout could prove troublesome for certain software, such as games, that is designed to make use of multi-touch gestures on the smaller 3.5-inch displays.

Many developers are expected to retool their current offerings to take advantage of the larger screen area. The 10-inch LCD potentially allows the controls for games to be placed outside of the visual field reserved for gameplay, allowing the user to keep both hands on the 1.5-pound device.

Analysts also believe the 10-inch screen is a better match for certain groups of apps that have yet to gain significant popularity on the iPhone and iPod touch. Apple has touted the device as perfect for reading traditional print content such as books, magazines and newspapers. The company has even created its own reader app, iBooks, which links to the iBookstore portal. The larger device may also attract other apps such as utilities for physicians. [via CNN]

by MacNN Staff