iPad Application Design
Matt Gemmell’s detailed look at a number of the new interaction models on the iPad.
By releasing the iWork suite on the iPad on day one, Apple has done two crucial things. First, they’ve set a pricing expectations for both developers and consumers. I would guess some developers are immediately turned-off by prospect of being able to charge no more than 99 cents for their app. Apple is charging $9.99 for each of the three iWork applications. While that price tag may still be modest for a robust application, I suspect for some it’s going to be more lucrative than the iPhone app ecosystem.
Secondly (and more importantly), the iWork suite (as well as some of the built-in apps) offer solutions to a number of iPad-specific interaction problems. While many of the iPhone interaction conventions will translate to the iPad without a hitch, the scale of the iPad introduces a great deal of new possibility. I’m going to wager that the overall user experience of scaled iPhone apps on the iPad will leave much to be desired.
Update: Similar sentiment from Gruber.
