iPad for the Church?

After nearly a decade of rumors Apple finally unveiled the much hyped Apple Tablet, the iPad. While this device could never live up to the mass hype that internet has built over the last decade, most people seem to be disappointed in Apple’s latest gadget. Not me. I see a tool that can help pastors and the church. After the break I outline few a reasons why this device will help you.

Is it revolutionary? No. Is it going to change the face of how we consume media? Maybe. Will it save the struggling print media outlets? I think so. Whatever your feelings are about the iPad, one thing is clear: Apple wants to create a new market segment in it’s product offering. For anyone who wanted this to be a laptop killer, it won’t be. It just doesn’t make sense for Apple to launch a new device that would replace their strong lineup of MacBooks and MacBook Pros. What we need to understand about this device is that Apple has created a new platform for developers, and really it’s only limited by their creativity. So here are my reasons why I think this device will not only sell really well, but also help pastors and the church.

1) Ebook Reader On Steroids
I really wish Apple spent more time on how this is going to kill the Kindle. Apple is going to be able to leverage their iTunes buying experience and bring books into the fold. This will be a huge benefit to pastors, who can download books instantly for study. While the iPad lacks any E-Ink technology, I think people will overlook this and really use this to download and read e-books.

2) Sermon Research
Imagine that you take this iPad in your bag with you where ever you go. It’s only 1.5lbs, so in my bag, it will be very light. Your sitting at your local coffee shop with your iPad, browsing websites, looking for inspiration. Imagine if Evernote took full advantage of the larger screen to let you save images, text, notes and sync them to all your other computers. I can’t think of a better experience of taking digital notes.

3) Twitter / Facebook
Let’s face it, a lot of us are always checking our profiles, updating our status, and posting great links for everyone to enjoy. If TweekDeck can take their Air App and bring it over to the iPad, so we can run all of our views on one screen, this would make for a great way to enjoy Twitter.

4) Media Creation
Ok, Apple isn’t stupid. They have re-worked and are bringing iWork to the iPad at launch. I have no doubt that they will bring a new version of iLife to it as well. We got to see what Brushes could do after only two weeks of working with the new iPad, there is no way Apple will overlook the creatives out there who want to also create while on the go. Also, I think developers will take advantage of this new size and really go crazy with applications that will allow us to do all types of creative on this device.

5) A New Way To Reach People
This thing will sell. Love it or hate it, Apple will sell a ton of these, and this will provide churches another way to connect with people. Churches are already launching iPhone apps, now imagine what you can do with a iPad app. Embed full size video, sermons, notes, and bible verses. This could be really big for churches in this area.