The iPad, which has received mixed reviews, is expected to ship four million tablets this year, writes Ciara O'Brien

THE LAUNCH of Apple’s long-awaited iPad last week has opened up new possibilities for software developers. The device, which is expected by some to revolutionise mobile computing, brings one crucial thing to the table – more space.

A larger screen means developers can add new features into applications, making using web browsing or reading newspapers or books a better experience. It also widens the potential audience for their software.

Apple will allow developers to build a universal binary – a single file that will be compatible with all iPhone OS devices, which includes the iPad and its little brother, the iPod Touch.

“For existing iPhone developers, the iPad is good news,” says Finbarr Brady, Irish developer of iPhone apps such as Jelly SMS and Extra Extra. “All of our apps already work on the iPhone OS, and having it on more devices means more potential users.

“When applications specifically tailored for the larger screen are released, this is when the true potential of the device will be realised. Because iPad apps are no longer limited by screen size, applications can be as feature rich as the programs on our PC or Mac such as Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Word,” Brady adds.

“Users are willing to pay more for productivity apps like these. However, the iPad differs from a regular computer in its distribution network: the App Store. This lures people in because of its simplicity when purchasing. It really is the killer app on the iPhone OS.

“The key to success here is sitting down and figuring out not what extra features to add to an existing iPhone application, rather, what features should I strip from a fully fledged desktop application.”

The iPad has had a mixed reaction, but in general, developers have embraced the new platform, with some larger Mac developers already planning to port their software to the iPad.

“It is pretty clear to any developer paying attention that the iPad is just the start of a whole new generation of computing, a world where you can manipulate objects with your fingers and where there’s no such thing as a ‘file system’,” says developer Steven Troughton-Smith.

“Many developers believe that this is the biggest change to come to computing since the original Macintosh in 1984 introduced the mouse and a desktop to the general public.”

The App Store could also provide an income stream for those who find themselves temporarily unemployed, Brady says.

“I started learning the language, Objective-C, and developing apps when I came back from travelling and was unemployed for a couple of months. It was possibly the wisest move I’ve made and I would recommend anybody who has been hit by the recession to seriously look into getting involved.”

However, while the iPad is expected to stimulate innovation in one respect, some critics claim Apple’s tight grip on its systems will stifle innovation. The device lacks support for Adobe’s Flash – a deliberate move by Apple – it won’t multi-task yet and all applications have to be approved by the App Store before they are available to users

Apple has some competition, though. Google has stepped into the mobile phone market with its Android OS and there are rumours of plans for a tablet computer running its Chrome system.

The Android market is attracting developers and currently has more than 25,000 apps compared with the 140,000 available for the iPhone OS, but it is expected to increase in the coming months as device such as the Nexus One fuel interest.

“Primarily, Android is popular among those who have ideological objections to how the iPhone, the App Store or even Apple itself works,” Troughton-Smith says.

“There’s no doubt that Android will gain significant market share, and quite possibly exceed the iPhone’s market share, but that is mainly because it’s open source and freely licensed to any phone manufacturer or carrier that may want to implement it.”

The iPad is due to launch in March. Analysts expect Apple to ship four million tablets this year, with the tablet market predicted to rise significantly in the near future.

“We’re only just entering a new chapter of computing, so it’s far too early to declare a winner,” Troughton-Smith adds. “Android and the iPhone OS are not just platforms, they’re philosophies. I think both will be part of our lives for the foreseeable future.”