If you pay the slightest bit of attention to new technology then you are probably aware of the launch of the MAC iPad yesterday. Early impressions have left some gasping with excitement and others just saying its an over-sized iTouch. Whichever camp you are in doesn’t matter, because the implications for the advancement of mobile gaming and media are profound.
I’ll admit I am a fan of Sony products but they have really been slipping in the last few years in several markets. The PSP go is the biggest waste of R&D money, and with it Sony missed the opportunity to take over the mature hand-held entertainment market . Then in the mobile phone market they made the mistake of hitching their wagon to the extremely buggy WIN mobile 6.1 with the $1000 Xperia (not so) smart phone as well as a slew of recalls on the Aino and Saito smart media phones, and they are now having to play catch-up in the mobile communications business as well.
Its almost funny that the one piece of legitimate technological power equipment Sony has released in the last decade, the PS3 was lambasted for its early life as too expensive by the same people who ran out and spent $800 on an unlocked iPhone. That being said with the inception of Apples new iPad the stage is set for the hearts and mind of the mature mobile gamer to be won over. With a sleek 9.5 inch touch screen and already a vast library of legitimate games produced for the iPhone and itouch on hand, Sony better have an ace in the hole in the form of a much improved PSP2 or the long awaited PSP phone ready by TGS or fold up shop and give up in the handheld gaming market. I say Sony and not Nintendo because the big N is happy catering to the child market and making toys. They know that a parent will buy there 10yr old a 180 dollar dsi but wont even consider the 499 and up for that iPad.
The newspaper and book publishers are hailing the iPad as thier savior but if I want to read a book I’m going to read a book without the glare of a computer screen to hurt my eyes. So the degree of how much this new device will be used for that function is debatable. However EA and several smaller devs have already announced intentions to produce games for the new device and the demo screens from the NFS demo at the launch event look quite nice. Besides that how many people do you see using the device to replace their iPhone as the increased size is not very conducive to lugging around to all the places you would carry your phone but as a mobile gaming and entertainment device the potential is endless.
Very nice read. I don’t see iPad really taking over,I mean it’s a great multi-media device and all but I don’t think it’ll have a huge impact on the gaming industry.
Sure it will sell well and sure companies like EA will take full advantage and launch some of their titles on the thing..
But it’s no where close to being a full blown gaming console; the thing looks like an overgrown iPhone…
I want it yes, but to play? No.
I really don’t think the iPad is a gaming device, as much as it is competition to Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes & Nobles Nook, and the netbooks.
I really don’t understand the point of this device at this time. Maybe time and Apple will help show the potential buyers what it is, but I don’t see it.
I agree the iPad will not sell like hotcakes and as far as gaming I don’t see it rivaliving the big 3 but as far as having books on it I think if you can afford the iPad you aren’t worried about spending 150 on a college book but for me if I had it I could save alot of money by buying ebooks versus the hard copy. We will have to wait and see how well the iPad sells and takes hold but there is 25 million iPod owners out there that would gobble up anything apple produces it will definetly be interesting to see the sales on this in the upcoming future.
It’s going to sell well I mean come on Steve jobs says we need it so we obviously need to buy one :p
I have to admit I want one but I’m waiting for next years model. As far as gaming I don’t see it really taking Sony and definately not nintendo out at all. I don’t really see it even giving them competition. As far as EA making games for it no biggy they would probably make games for a toaster with an old school black and white tv if it existed lol.
hmm. I actually don’t see it selling very well. I think that people who are die hard apple fans and must buy everything they come out with will go out and get it, but I don’t think its very appealing to most people. Even the cheapest one at $499 is in the same price range as a decent laptop with way more power and features.
I agree with all of the above comments. During the entire debut (Engadget’s live posting) I found myself repeatedly saying, “Ok nice, but why?” And the basic $499 seems to be a marketing price. I find those schematics for a rumored PSP Phone (http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9725675-1.html) to be more interesting to me.