iPhone News Updated

Seybold’s take: Applications for the iPad

I am not one who believes that the iPad will be a huge success, but I do believe it will be successful in its own right. The iPad simply is not in the same class as the iPhone. Still, there are opportunities for developers to provide content by way of the iPad and make money doing so, as long as they do not view the iPad as simply a larger iPhone.

While many developers are likely to simply adapt their existing iPhone apps for the larger iPad screen, I believe the iPad will be used differently because unlike the iPhone, most customers will not carry their iPad with them all of the time. This means that many of the applications that have become hits on the iPhone will not find the same success on the iPad. Rather, what is needed is a newer set of applications that take full advantage of the new screen real estate while providing services that make the iPad a success as an occasional-use device.

The primary functional difference I see between the two devices is that the iPhone is an unconscious-carry device that is always with us and the iPad is a conscious-carry device that we won’t always take with us. This means that there must be a different thought process used in the development of the applications if they are to propel the iPad toward success.

For starters, many iPad users will not opt for a full wide-area wireless broadband subscription. Instead, they will use it for communications when near a Wi-Fi hotspot or subscribe to an occasional-use wide-area broadband plan. Applications that assume full wireless connectivity anytime the iPad is on will not be as well received as applications that are developed for occasional use. Many iPhone apps are constantly updating the information they provide, but iPad applications that require a constant or almost-constant connection will not be as functional.

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zoomIt expands storage, connectivity for iPhone/iPod Touch

zoomIt is a hardware-app combo that looks quite promising in helping iPhone and iPod Touch users increase the functionality of their devices. The device connects to the iPhone/iPod via the 30-pin dock and houses an SD card slot. Media can be placed on the SD card, and then accessed via the zoomIt app.

Supported media includes photos, music, video, and documents such as Microsoft Office and PDF. Media can not only be viewed, but also shared via email, Facebook, and Flickr right from the device.

This holds a lot of promise to expand the capacity of the iPhone/iPod, but also make it easier to import, use, and share media. For example, a you could directly insert a SD card from your camera rather than first importing into iPhoto, and then syncing the device.

“zoomIt is creating an entirely new way for Apple iPhone and iPod touch users to access and use content on the go,” said Chris Fisher, President, zoomMediaPlus. “Consumers want to be able to view, listen to and share their content instantly using the device they always have with them—not wait until they can connect to their MAC or PC and synch. In seconds, you can access content and ‘zoom it’ to your iPhone/iPod touch, your friends, family, co-workers and the web.”

ZoomIt should work with all shipping iPhone and iPod Touch devices. It’s expected to ship in April 2010 for $59.95. The company is taking pre-orders, which include a limited time $10 discount.

[Thanks: http://www.insanely-great.com]