Despite the availability of its own version of iWorks, Apple's new iPad remains an entertainment device, not an obvious business tool. Still, it has possibilities. For business applications, in the hands of talented developers, the iPad could turn into something useful, if not revolutionary.
The iPad as a business tool:
- E-readers are becoming business tools and the iPad looks like one heck of an e-reader. Some business users will buy an iPad just to read newspapers, magazines, and books. And that use alone might justify the purchase.
- Custom reference material will doubtless be loaded onto the iPad, making it a carry around service and support library in some applications. Video content could also be loaded for use in the field.
- In reference and education applications, the iPad is likely to be a big win. But, those are merely business extensions of the consumer applications for which the iPad was designed.
- iPads, as noted previously, could be excellent presentation tools. This is another extension of entertainment apps, but making presentations is core to almost all businesses. I can imagine many salespeople carrying an iPad to use with customers.
- iWork, Apple's business productivity suite for Mac, will be offered as iPad-enhanced versions of its three individual apps, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. I have a bit of an imagination gap as to why I'd want to use an iPad to create presentations, documents, and spreadsheets. But, I can see editing and sharing them on such a device, with the iPad being much easier to pass around at meetings.
- Runs existing iPhone apps. This will give people something to do until real iPad applications are developed.
- With the SDK easily available, some enterprises might develop their own apps for the platform or buy commercial software for applications like Point-of-Sale.
Writen by: David Coursey, PC World
