Friday Takeaway: The iPad OS Delay

The iPhone is getting a robust OS update this summer, possibly even next week during the WWDC. The jump to OS 4.0 will provide a slew of new features and once again put Apple either in line with the competition or in some ways ahead. But the iPad is not getting the same firmware update until the fall. Why is that?

It doesn't seem entirely logical for the iPhone and iPad to have such firmware disparity; they're both running the iPhone OS, so why not sync up the two devices? Our guess: The two devices, even though they look similar, have different goals and offer some different functionality. So although they are built on the same platform, the devices are, can, and will be used for different ends.

So what could a multi-month delay of the iPad's firmware upgrade mean? Probably additional features that Apple has yet to reveal or confirm. Here's what we expect:

1. Windowed Multitasking

Multitasking is confirmed for the latest firmware update, but on the iPhone, it's really just a tricky process of mixing saved states and specific app processes running in the background. Anything more really doesn't make sense given the iPhone's small screen. The iPad, however, has enough screen space to reasonably have two apps running side-by-side. Obviously apps would have to be reworked to take advantage of such a function, and Apple would probably limit the types of apps that would allow this, but it would be a fantastic feature to include. Did you notice that during his speech, Jobs never showed a demo of how the iPad's multitasking would look? Suspicious indeed.

2. iPhone Tethering

Starting next week, you can tether your iPhone to another wireless device to provide it with Internet access (for an extra fee, of course). Will that work on the iPad? Steve Jobs says no. TechFlash elaborates on this by saying its simply a software issue. This could mean that come this fall, the iPad's firmware update could make this a reality. It would certainly benefit those who do not have a 3G iPad, and given that a tethered connection will likely not be as good as a native 3G signal, it probably wouldn't dampen 3G iPad sales.

3. Apple TV Connectivity

Rumors of a new $99 Apple TV are coming hard and fast, but sources indicate that it's unlikely we'll get confirmation of that at WWDC. Apple is a stickler for perfection, after all, and with the official unveiling of the next iPhone taking center stage, they'll likely hold off for awhile. Say, until the fall, when the iPad gets its new OS. Apple TV and iPad could potentially work together to create a unified media consumption experience, but Apple will need to work out all the kinks and make sure this collaboration would be more than just a Remote-esque app on the iPad. How about streaming movies from one device to the other, for starters?

Now, we're sure we'll hear more savory details about OS 4.0 next week, things Apple has kept tucked away; Apple needs some wow-factor given that we've already seen a prototype of the new iPhone. But even more so, don't be surprised if some of these features will be iPad-specific. The two products need to be differentiated, as Apple wants you to buy both of them. It's a delicate balance between keeping the iPhone attractive while at the same time creating new demand for the iPad. We'll keep you posted on all the details as they are revealed next week.