iPad: Powerful Enough to Change the Future of Business?

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

While the launch of the Apple iPad has eagerly been anticipated by Apple (News - Alert) fans everywhere, this latest innovation from the maker of the coveted iPhone is expected to do more than just satisfy those craving from such technology. According to a recent PC World piece, this latest release could impact key vertical markets, changing their outlook.

According to developers, the opportunities for the iPad extend beyond standard imagination to include uses never before explored with other devices. While many cannot yet be discussed, many will be specialized to fit into specific industries to revolutionize the way business is done.

Three industries especially could be dramatically impacted by the technology offered in the iPad, including healthcare, hospitality and print journalism. Let's take a closer look at PC World's take on each industry and the role the iPad will play.

Healthcare: Death to the Clipboard

For those who have visited their general practitioner in the past few years, it is likely this change has already been witnessed as more and more health care providers moved away from clipboards to software-based records. It is becoming more common for the nurse to bustle into the exam room with a laptop or netbook than with a clipboard.

Here is where iPad can easily slip into the medical environment. The size of the iPad screen is ideal for pulling up medical records, recording information from a specific visit and attaching voice notes to a patient's file. One developer in Mobclix's network is working on a medical iPad app and is exited about the potential in this niche market.

Hospitality: Would You Like to Hear Our Nightly Special?

While it certainly isn't meant to replace the hostess or the server, the iPad provides a perfect outlet for developers working on apps for high-end restaurant chains. The powerful tablet can replace paper menus and apps can show dishes and information, even videos pertaining to specific dish preparation.

Such apps are still in the early stages and these high-end chains must crunch the numbers to determine if offering such capabilities as a drill down to the type of fish or spice in a dish delivers value that can be measured in hard dollars.

Newspaper: Survival of the Print Media

It isn't any secret that print newspapers are on their last leg, but there could be an opportunity for revival with the iPad. The Wall Street Journal announced plans for an $18 monthly iPad subscription, building on the potential to save this industry. Other major players set to have iPad apps include: NPR, the New York Times, USA Today, Bloomberg, the Associated Press and Reuters (News - Alert).

While there is still much to do to drive the success of the iPad and its apps within these industries, the potential that is available is substantial - especially for developers. For those industries that are looking to the iPad for salvation, it will significantly cut into the market potential for competing products, such as the HP Slate. The outcome will be fun to watch, so stick around for the ride.

(source: http://business-solutions.tmcnet.com/topics/business-solutions/articles/80801-ipad-powerful-enough-change-future-business.htm)