How Will Apple’s Tablet Change the App Marketplace?

Rumors are flying at a heightened about the Apple Tablet, as an announcement regarding the rumored product is expected later this week. A report from Flurry Analytics shows that there may be some app testing going on for the Apple Tablet at the company’s headquarters in California. Additionally, the data Flurry was able to garner suggests that Apple’s Tablet may be running OS 3.2, which would be rather similar to the operating system currently powering the iPhone.

What this means for developers is that the Tablet could be another viable option for devices which run their mobile apps. If Flurry is correct in its assumptions, developers have already begun testing apps on the Tablet. Ensuring that apps created for the iPhone and iPod Touch also work on the Tablet will be a good way for Apple to retain its relationships with its developers.

For the Tablet and other larger-screen devices that may soon be running a plethora of mobile apps, there will likely be a shift in consumer behavior around the types of apps that are used. Different devices for different purposes seemed like an unecessary variable for the mobile space, though things have changed in the past year. A Tablet with a larger screen could attract different developers and consumers all together, with certain apps that have seen little success on the iPhone due to screen size limitations getting another chance.

Additionally, such relationship maintenance with its developer community could also insure Apple’s ability to push the Tablet as a desirable device. Consumers are falling in love with mobile apps–they can make or break one’s decision on whether or not to get a particular mobile device, and the ability to run apps is an increasing priority for buyers. Relying on third parties to make a device particularly attractive to consumers is a tactic we’re likely to see more of in the coming year or so.

This is particularly true of companies beyond Apple, as several of them are beginning to create mobile devices that run apps. Even companies that don’t specialize in mobile phones or devices are taking to the trend, creating devices that perform assigned functions but also run apps. The additional revenue that can be incurred as a result is incentive enough for manufacturers and platform owners, while the inclusion of app stores on the growing number of mobile devices makes them appealing to consumers.

For Apple, remaining at the forefront of these trends helps it to continue to create standards around the mobile app industry. Having been the first to market, Apple is still dominating the scene on a global scale. Creating devices and upgrades to ward off the upswing of competition is something Apple is rather good at, and it doesn’t look like Apple is stopping any time soon.