Developers, Not Apple, Will Make Or Break The iPad

The iPad's fate isn't in the hands of Apple. Jobs & Co. has done their part and made the device. The iPad's success lies solely in the hands of developers. Because unlike the iPhone or iPod touch, the iPad doesn't really have a core function. The iPhone is nothing more than a glorified telephone and the iPod touch is just another PMP. But what's the iPad? A big iPod touch? None of the iPad's functions seem to define it. Ebook reading? That may turn out to be just a novelty feature for many buyers. Web browsing? Maybe, but the Internet is formatted for a mouse and keyboard, a tablet simply doesn't offer much, if any, advantage over a netbook or computer running a full OS. Early reports are even suggesting that the iPad isn't even a solid media player because of its 4:3 aspect ratio. Then there are the millions upon millions of apps Apple has accumulated over the last two years. They, and new iPad-specific ones, are the key to success for the iPad. Without them, the iPad would just be another concept-of-function device, targeted at a small crowd with its limited capabilities of web browsing, task management, ebook reading, and media playback. The apps will likely prove to be the justification many people will need to purchase the iPad.