Geospatial Data Collection on an iPad 2

I picked up the latest ESRI ArcUser magazine and saw that there's an article called "Developing a Custom ArcGIS Application for the iPad 2." This is a great new development and something that I've been anticipating for a few months now. I just want someone else to develop that app. The writer explains how to develop your own mobile app but I think I'll just wait until it's available on iTunes, thank you very much. Readers of this blog have expressed an interest in mapping on an iPad so everyone should go check out the article. It's free.

I did notice one early comment that the writer made and should be mentioned. He talks about how the rise of iPads and mobile internet and geolocation all in one, may spell the demise of the PC (I guess he means Windows machines). He says: "Using ArcGIS on a mobile device in the field, in combination with geolocation (GPS), provides the context missing from existing GIS interaction." Missing? Not when you're using the original Windows-based tablet PCs in the field. GIS interaction in the field has been available on a mobile device since the early 00s. But perhaps the writer means missing from the "I-hold-the-internet-in-my-hands" iPad tablet PC.

But anyway, this is promising for those who wish to map using their iPad 2s.