After months of speculation Apple have finally put an end to the rumours and announced the highly anticipated iPad. It’s neither an iPhone or a PC but something in the middle, the third category. We’ve heard what it can do but what does it all mean for gaming. After all the iPhone has reinvented handheld gaming, will the iPad revolutionise the wheel further? Here’s what we had to say…

Graphically Capable?

By Sam Morris

I’m never the best person to go for speculation and opinions on technology; I’ll never be able to live down calling those Playstation 3 Slim photos fake. Nevertheless I’m willing to put my neck on the line and call the iPad, the first big hardware failure of the decade, or at least whatever failure looks like to Apple.

What we’ve seen doesn’t exactly look technically great and although that was never the point in the iPhone, on a larger screen graphics matter. To be honest they wouldn’t have to be that great but something approaching the original Xbox would be almost necessary.

It will be interesting to see who will part with their cash. Gamers have consoles or gaming rigs that can amaze them with HD blockbusters and then they have smartphones and handheld devices that charm them with simplistic, clever and quick experiences while on the go. The iPad’s interface is just tuned to the latter category and for the price, the return won’t be worth it. Unless these new iPad only games are stunning then I don’t think we’ll find this illusive third market that Apple are so sure exists. A glorified eBook reader it might be, but a gaming platform it isn’t.

An Attractive Device

By Jason Joo

Even though everyone was skeptical about Apple’s claim that the iPhone and iPod touch function as gaming devices, both casual games and console-like titles have proved to be successes on their mobile platforms. However, what the iPad means for gaming is a mystery. iPad won’t be the (mobile) game changer the iPhone and iPod touch were. The iPad, incorporating not only new iPad-optimized games into its library but also existing iPhone OS games, can prove to be an attractive device to consumers because of its multifunction-purpose.

At the same time, Apple will probably not advertise this as a gaming device. Will it rock and revolutionize the game industry? No. But because of the iPad’s hardware, we may see more companies developing iPad games that are very much like console titles. Perhaps it can introduce these more full-featured games to people that aren’t familiar with them, which would in turn possibly get them to buy a dedicated gaming device and more games. Casual games, however, will perform the best in terms of sales, given the consumers that will likely purchase this.

I’m curious as to how developers will utilize the iPad’s features for games given the lack of buttons and the size of the device. It seems tiring to use the device as a steering wheel for driving games, or even to just hold the device in the air with one hand. I suppose it’s a matter of waiting to see what developers come up with.

As far as answering any questions, is it a threat to other mobile gaming hardware? Not likely, with this pricepoint. Is it a threat to console gaming? Nope.

Apple Giveth With One Hand And…

By Sam Giddings

Steve Jobs looked like a man who’d been shrunk before being made to hold a normal iPhone. Worse, the continuing decision to ignore Flash applications, coupled with a weedy 1GHz processor, leaves major holes in an otherwise intriguing piece of kit. The omission of a camera is more forgivable, since the iPad’s heft is not conducive to on-the-move snapping in the same way as its pocket-sized forebears.

Despite this, the iPad has enormous potential. Functioning as an e-reader (complete with swish page-turning animations), a handheld console, and a laptop (of sorts), it offers a huge amount of versatility. It has bluetooth, wi-fi, and – best of all – apps. Wi-fi is, alas pre-pay only for now, but all models are unlocked from the get-go, allowing you to choose your provider. Models run from 16gb to 64gb, with prices running in tandem from $499 to $829. For all the iPad offers, that’s a great deal.

The gaming aspect is perhaps one of the most intriguing areas. With solid graphics, and a large enough screen to minimise any ham-fingered hangovers from the iPod Touch, the prospect of big franchises on an affordable new handheld is a juicy one. Need for Speed looked very impressive.

Certainly, the iPad will polarise opinion once again – but I’m sure Microsoft and Sony will be looking over their shoulders with growing alarm, even if Ninty aren’t. It may not be quite there yet, but Apple are gaining ground.