So, Steve did it and the iPad (which is winning right now the “worst name for an electronic device” award) is finally here. Out of the hype and out of the lots of critics, which appear to me as a part of an already seen scheme, I hereby state that this is going to be an interesting game changer. In a couple of months the device will be out, and I’m ready to bet, it will be a huge success. Yes, even without a built in camera. Yes, even without e-ink screen. Some people say that it is just an oversized iPhone/iPod touch. And it is, indeed. But the whole is always more than the sum of its part. And an iPhone with a 10″ display could be a tipping point product.

This thing could be great to enhance the experience of reading a newspaper or a magazine, as you can see, right now, with the NYT application. I strongly believe that it is possible to take advantage of the iPad features to enrich the experience of the news, not only through movies or big photos, but even putting people inside the news through interactive infographics and explorative environments. This seems to me the right place to experience something like the great Play the News.

Now, onto games. I was really disappointed in seeing just another FPS and a racing game as a showcase for the device. Apple should look less to EA and the big giants and more to indie developers, which have already understood one simple concept: touch devices aren’t PSP or NDS, they need to completely reinvent the game dynamics, taking advantage of the multitouch capabilities. As for the iPad, I see this thing at the center of a table, with four people controlling the device togethere. It’s a huge space of possibility (and think about social games as Farmville). And it could be more, if only it will be possible to connect and play with other iPads/iPhones.

So, these are just two simple examples. And more will come, I believe.

Tagged as: Apple, Digital Lifestyle, ipad, Videogame