After about a month of speculation, rumors, and hype about the new tablet, Apple finally unveiled the iPad to the world outside its cloistered chambers.

The tech and geek community reacted with collective ire, “How could Apple possibly release a hobbled version of the product on which we had pinned our hopes, dreams, and aspirations?” All the relentless speculation the month prior became a study in faith and salvation by the “JesusPad,” as it was jokingly referred to in some quarters.

I hate to say this to those of you who are wallowing in your post-announcement disappointment: it’s NOT about you.

The iPad is about bringing a consumer-friendly, practically zero administration, larger handheld, surface computing device to the mass market. The iPhone and iPod touch have shown that it can be done for the small form factor. Apple’s now showing it can be done with something more practical for bigger computing tasks.

Yes, it’s closed–and developers still need to get Apple’s blessing before iPad users can install their wares. But, in fact, that’s really a feature–not a detraction. [1]

If we seriously want computing appliances to fade into the background and put the focus on what they can do for their users, such safeguards and gating are necessary today. [2]

The general consumer doesn’t want waste too many brain cells worrying about if they have the right operating system versions or if a particular app may be hostile or polluted. Like the iPhone and iPod touch before it, the iPad will provide a similar low friction administration experience.

But, this desire to “just work” is just one of the key features of the iPad. The real killer feature is its larger, multi-touch surface.

Although many have used multi-touch on the iPhone and iPod touch, a ten-inch version is a whole new game.

We were wowed by Microsoft’s demonstration of their surface technologies a few years back. With the iPad, we finally get to immerse ourselves in surface computing with our own two hands.

The best apps will make extensive use of the capabilities that a large touch interface can provide. As people get used to touch, the venerable keyboard and mouse will appear as more isolating and detached.

As an app developer, I’m already in the midst of developing apps for the iPad. Many of these apps are very different than what you’ve come to expect from the traditional mobile app; they are much more intimate and personal. The focus is on content and use and much less on technology and features.

I’m looking forward to the new magic of larger surface computing, where the “computer” really fades in the background and the content rules.

Bill Heyman
bill@codemorphic.com

[1] As a developer, I have to admit that I hate code signing and the App Store approval process. It’s a royal pain in the butt. However, I believe that the success of the iPhone is partially attributable to and not despite this process. I’m watching the Android ecosystem with interest and would love to see me proven wrong.

[2] I hope that technology will advance to make the review process unnecessary and redundant in the future. But, until we get there, we have to live with what we’ve got.