Irish developers begin to prepare iPad applications
By Adrian Weckler
Irish iPhone developers have already begun to programme software applications for Apple’s latest product, the iPad.
‘‘It’s a pretty exciting device from a developer’s point of view,” said Vinny Coyne, the developer who created Eirtext, a free texting service. ‘‘I’m already in the process of sketching out some ideas for my existing apps, along with some new concepts.”
The Irish iPhone developer community has mushroomed in recent years, with websites such as apps.ie being created to show off their wares.
Launched last Wednesday, the iPad is being pitched by Apple as a larger, more powerful device for custom-made apps.
The company ’s existing 140,000App Store applications will automatically work on the new device.
Developers are confident that the ten-inch touchscreen tablet will prove to be a big consumer hit.
‘‘The price point is pretty impressive,” said Dermot Daly of Tapadoo, another apps developer.
‘‘I think they pulled a master stroke here. For such an ‘I want’ product, you just know it will sell like hot cakes.”
Although not yet on sale, the iPad has attracted mixed comments from the first reviewers.
While praising its ease of use and speed, some experts have criticised its lack of camera, USB, Flash and multi-tasking support.
Nevertheless, Irish developers are preparing for a rush in app sales later this year.
‘‘I most certainly will be planning apps for the iPad,” said Steven Troughton-Smith, a 21-year old developer with eight apps to his credit.
‘‘The iPad blows open the doors for developers working on the iPhone and will start to bring desktop-class applications to the platform.
‘‘There are an awful lot of trade-offs when you’re writing iPhone apps due to the small screen size and processing power. The iPad’s bigger screen will allow for amazingly compelling software.”
The iPad will cost $500 (€350) for the entry-level 16GB wi-fi version.
The high-end 64GB version, which has wi-fi and 3G, will cost $830 (€600).
