Was just reading this post from Robert Heiny asking one burning Microsoft question: Why Should I buy a Tablet PC?
An evolving challenge for Microsoft and Tablet PC hardware manufacturers is to decide whether to offer mass access to Tablet PCs for most of us, or to reserve the tool for the elites of education, journalism, business, and healthcare.
Mr. Heiny is correct, it is currently being marketed as a niche tool. If it was for the masses then we'd see it in more stores, we'd see Microsoft support it in every application that it can. Either by intention, accident or circumstance, Microsoft has left open a huge door for third party developers which is another reason I'm excited about the Tablet PC.
It's been written before that the Tablet PC won't be mainstream until there are more mainstream killer apps. Think along the lines of apps that sell the systems like Nintendogs is currently doing for the DS (although it's not that great of a game).
I realize the tablet does have some killer apps, but not enough for the higher price to appeal to enough mainstream users. Please, if you disagree, write in the comments or trackback with your list of killer tablet apps.
The Tablet PC is a huge opportunity for developers. One downside for fellow developers I see is what if you develop something cool and then Microsoft blends the functionality into one of their own apps? If Microsoft doesn't buy from the developer, it's a bust as far as time and energy. I can see this being a concern for some developers but I still am keeping a close eye on the tablet and my mind is whirring with ideas for ink-friendly apps. I've developed a basic app for my own use that's getting more defined. In time, if my interest is held and somebody else doesn't release a similar product first, I should be sharing this app with others someday.