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Unsurprisingly, children's publishers are rushing to create iPad-worthy apps and e-book editions. "We are seeing a lot of interest from publishers," said Sheryar Khan, CEO of developer Ubermind. "It's all about taking physical books that are out there today and digitizing them. "
Mr. Khan's thinking is informed by his own at-home experience with the iPad, including what his 2-year-old did when he got his hands on it. "I just handed it to him and he immediately knew how to swipe page to page. He has his favorite apps, he knows where they are and how to use them. I haven't trained him," he said.
Among the devices that the iPad could replace is, of course, the TV itself, which would be as disastrous for the economic model of cable TV as streaming shows on the web. Consumers may be willing to pay once, but are unlikely to pay monthly for many networks now bundled into their cable subscription.
Another hurdle is that installed base of iPads remains small, so expect a lot more souped-up iPhone and iTouch apps for kids than native apps that take advantage of the iPad's size. So far, Nickelodeon has made one iPad app, a "Dora the Explorer" coloring book. The next will be a "SpongeBob" game where kids can design their own levels.
"Our pipeline will have a lot of iPad-specific apps that take advantage of its size," said Steve Youngwood, exec VP-digital, Nickelodeon Kids & Family. "I also see in my own house my son is as happy watching video on this device as he is on TV."
The iPad apps changing kids media
COST: $3.99
WHAT IT DOES: An iPad version of the acclaimed iPhone/iTouch app. Make music with ambient colorful bubbles.
