iPad verdicts

OK, I haven't seen it live, touched it or used it... so this post is simply a starting point for further investigation into Apple's iPad.

Here are a few different viewpoints on its usefulness, drawbacks and potential:

* Mashable post #1 offers an overview of the new device

* Stephen Fry adds his unique perspective

* Mashable (#2) highlights the geographical limitations of iBook functionality

* Creative Review asks the fundamental question: what is the iPad for?

Whatever the reality/your own view, it must be true that this is yet another medium designed with applications in mind.

Developers - get your thinking caps on!

Black Hawk Down (on your iPhone)

According to a recent post on online social media guide Mashable, the US Army has launched its own app - available free from the News category within the App Store.

While the reviewer expected it to be "little more than a recruitment app", the new tool actually offers access to the official US Army site (which links to all the Services) and its database of facts on equipment and vehicles - including Black Hawk helicopters.

And to prove that US Forces are 'with it' in marketing terms, the website's Home page also features a video and a link to a social media page that includes dozens of entries on Flickr, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Google not so smart with Nexus One

The launch of the Nexus One smartphone has proved frustrating for U.S. consumers - and less than successful for Google, according to a BBC report.

Americans can buy the phone from Google for $529 or get it with a T-Mobile contract for $179. Only new (not existing) T-Mobile customers qualify for the deal, fuelling many complaints. Meanwhile, other new users are moaning either about the level of support available or 3G connection problems.

All of this comes in advance of the arrival of the phone in the UK (through Vodafone) although prices and launch dates have yet to be confirmed.

Let's hope - for Google's sake and on behalf of their customers - that these issues are resolved by the time the phone does go on sale here.

App development tips

The latest issue of "Wired" magazine focuses on the apps boom - and how to jump on the bandwagon.

As well as including lots of interesting facts and figures (some updating the ones I offered up when starting this blog), the article also includes an inset piece on 'How to build an iPhone app' with a 5-step approach that is logical and realistic - and certainly advice worth following.

I especially like the first tip: Read the iPhone Human Interface Guidelines (HIG).

App Store Avalanche Continues

Yesterday, Apple announced that more than 3 billion apps have now been downloaded from the App Store.

Here's how some of the IT news outlets reported the announcement:
Information Week
TechCrunch
ZDNet

Not surprisingly, all of the items I've read suggest that the timing of this announcement was intended as a spoiler for Google's launch of the Nexus One smartphone, which it hopes to rival the iPhone at some point.

The question is, will the avalanche bury the newcomer without trace? I doubt it.

(Image courtesy of Maistora on Flickr)