Right after Steve unveiled the iPad yesterday, I started wondering what was the developers’ reaction to the product. I had the chance to chat with Michael Flarup, a graphic designer who’s currently working at Robocat. We reviewed Robocat’s first application, Outside, and we loved it.
Enough for the presentations, let’s see what Michael thinks about the iPad.
Hi Michael!
So, the iPad has been unveiled, the whole internet is talking about it right now, Twitter is literally exploding because of it. What were your initial impressions about this long-awaited product?
No problem Federico, always glad to be asked, if not only to calm the guilt of not having posted my latest article on http://pixelresort.com yet.
Initial impressions are quite good. After a few years on the hype wagon, I’d like to think that I’m drinking the more laid back cool-aid when it comes to these keynotes. There where a lot of unreasonable expectations for this device and, short of curing baldness, there seemed no end to what this as-of-today unconfirmed product couldn’t do. It was almost as if the entire concept of the tablet computer rested on Apple to finally prove that this type of device would actually be desirable. As the wide-eyed audience sought to fill the gap of previous failed tablet computers by other companies, they unnecessarily filled that gap with almost religious hopes of what a successful tablet could finally achieve. Needless to say, when Steve pulled out what looked liked an oversized iPod Touch, it took a few minutes for people to come down from that craze. I personally think that what we saw today is the first generation of a successful Tablet. It’s mainstream consumer oriented, which both plays in favor and against it. So yes, we didn’t see pressure sensitivity, haptic feedback, webcam with facial recognition or a completely revised new UI. What we did see was a very affordable, and soon to roll off the factory-floor, mass marketable, multi touch device that has more screen real-estate and power than an iPhone. All the hype aside, I’m personally pretty excited about that.
When Steve started talking about the iPad during the keynote…were you listening to him as a user..or as a developer? Did you immediately think about the new possibilities it offers to developers?
You caught me. I drooled a little by the prospect of doing apps and games in 1024x768.
What you like more, what you like less. Many people are saying this version of the iPad is running an “incomplete” version of the OS, which will probably evolve before the official release. Which features would you like to see implemented, besides the ones Apple confirmed?
I think they’ve been working on this interface for a very long time, and from what I’ve seen I don’t think it looks ‘incomplete’ by any length. The only thing that immediately struck me as something I had hoped for was multitasking. Running and swiping through multiple apps would have been nice.
Do you think developers will switch from iPhone development to iPad development - or they’ll just keep creating apps for both the devices?
As of this writing there’s 42 million iPhones out there. I don’t think developers will stop doing iPhone apps for some time. I do however think that we could experience a smaller scale ‘gold rush’ for the new iPad targeted apps, and that’s kinda fun.
Judging from your tweets, it seems like you guys are playing around with the SDK and the iPad simulator. Can you tell us something about it? What about the new APIs?
Can’t say too much from the short time we’ve had with it.
You’re a designer, so I just can’t avoid this question: what about the revamped UI of the iPad? It seems like Apple took iPhone OS’ UI elements and used them to create a new interface for the new product. What do you think? Wise move, or design suicide?
As much as I would have liked to see something new and cool, we have to realize that Apple has trained millions of people to work the iPhone interface. They recognize the elements and are familiar with the ‘bells and whistles’. From a usability point of view it makes sense to continue to build on your existing conventions. I’m sure it will have its quirks (like the iPhone) but overall I can see why Apple went in this direction.
Last question: will Outside ever come to the iPad? Or, will Robocat develop for the iPad?
Outside is in continued development and we have a lot more things we want to roll out before even thinking about an iPad version. We’ll see if it makes sense in the future.
I am however quite sure that Robocat will develop for the iPad. The boys and I are attending the Nordic Game Jam this weekend, and if the rules allow it, we might enter the contest with the first iPad game. If you’re attending, come say hi and drink a beer with us.
Thanks for chatting with us Michael. We can’t wait to see what you have in store. Keep up the great work!
No problem, follow me up on Twitter - or if you have access, this fun new thing called dribble where i’m leaking all sorts of fun stuff.
Keep warm people.
