There is nothing new or best in the iPad. There are better slates and tablets on the market. It has no multitasking, no flash support and costs 499 for 16 Gb? Please…
But the whole udea of slates at the table is very appealing.

The first thing I thought of when I saw the iPad was how it could be used. I’ve got a PDF reader on my iPod Touch, and use it to read and reference DMG and PHBs, but it’s too small, and I can’t easily switch pages, etc. It’s more useful for reading page by page while in line, or waiting at the dentist’s office.
I think the iPad will improve on this, giving you the ability to really use it to its full game potential. I think Wizards would be failing themselves if they didn’t come out with a DnD Character & Encounter creator for the iPad, as well as a mapping tool.
I’m looking forward to seeing what people come up with.

his sounds like the beginning of what we’ve been waiting for.

Perhaps not the iPad itself, but this kind of technology – I’d love to have a 6×8 touchpad table.

Perhaps once iPads can be set next to each other and share graphics – like a huge mosiac tile – you could literally use them as a gaming table surface. (but don’t use mine as a coaster please).

Being able to reference all the docs and sheets on the iPad would rule … though you can’t sketch on it.

Yet.

Also, having a GM app to track things like intiative would be awesome. For that matter, at some point (when these are cheap and universal enough) there’s not reason everyone’s ‘character sheet’ couldn’t be networked, so the GM can see a running total of your HP, monster HP, AC’s, bonuses, spells, etc …

Now if only we could get a big one to use as a map …

I’m really interested in this topic. While there are other notepads, etc., Apple brings the software that makes it intuitive and the development environment to make it easy to create apps for.

The main problem I see is content. If I wanted to run a 4e game with a tablet, I’d have to create everything myself, unless Wizards themselves devote the resources to create an awesome app themselves.

As an iPhone/iPad developer, I’d love to create a great DM’s app. But figuring out a way to do that without stepping on IP makes for a difficult design process (and ultimately, makes your app less useful). I really don’t see a way around it, short of devoting an app to a more open game system and then trying to promote that (which will drastically reduce your target audience).

Actually, an App that could talk between iPads, Touches, and iPhones (sharing say, D&D game information) could be awesome – either working over Bluetooth, Wireless network, or the ‘net …

Hmm.

Point taken about the IP problems, though. WotC rightly wouldn’t want to open up their content to just everybody. Perhaps some kind of deal could be reached with Paizo …

Wolfgod said:

“Actually, an App that could talk between iPads, Touches, and iPhones (sharing say, D&D game information) could be awesome – either working over Bluetooth, Wireless network, or the ‘net ”

You should really check out iplay4e.com (that’s my site, for full disclosure). We’re a stone’s throw from having wave-style instant updates distributed to all the members of a party.