Actually I think Apple are stuck between a rock and a hard place with this and don't know what to do.
They have never been in this area before and it's uncharted territory for them in a way.
As an example, lets look at the PS3 and XBox360 as comparisons which is quite good to relate a iPad2 to.
All 3 systems, iPad2, PS3, Xbox360 are enhancements to an earlier version.
All 3 systems can run the software from the earlier generation product.
Xbox360 launched, and had titles such as Kameo: Elements of Power, and Project Gotham Racing 3, which could not run on the original Xbox, and showed off the new model, Microsoft wanting people of course to upgrade the the new machine, and hence the industry moves forward.
PS3 launched, and had titles such as Resistance: Fall of Man & Ridge Racer 7 to show off the new hardware, also the old machine PS2 could not run them obviously, and again, Sony wanted people to move onto the new machine and again the industry moves forward.
But as I said, Apple don't do this. They like to think they can keep everyone happy and support old hardware for quite a few years.
Also funnily enough Mac owners are not used to this either. They to are used to relying on Apple to support them in the long term.
Not that this is a bad thing. Though it could potentially slow down progress as your forward movement could theoretically be restrained for fear of upsetting previous gen buying customers.
If Apple had paid a couple of devs to bring out some jaw dropping high end games that pushed the iPad2 on launch day to it's limits, then they are saying to iPad1 customers, we're moving on now, and would like you to upgrade as from now on it's forward onto the new format.
So as I said, they seem like they are sort of stuck. They don't want to upset iPad1 users, but they also want to make the most from iPad2.
Or course, in 12 months we may well have the same again with a, hopefully faster iPad3.
I of course hope all devs make the very most of the new iPad.
The worst thing is if development it held back due to past systems.
I don't think general apps with be that affected. Twitter clients, home shopping, news, weather, I can't see really causing issues as they don't need power anyway.
Games would naturally be the 1 place where this is going to hit hardest. As a game developer it's all about quality of graphics and speed, and you generally will soak up as much power as is available to you.
I hope we see iPad2 versions, and I also expect higher prices for iPad2 enhanced versions.
As I said in my 1st post, as a dev you would be crazy not working flat out to make iPad2 enhanced software. With the system about to launch, new owners are going to be mad to buy any apps/games that are enhanced to full use your new machine. And high end game would almost be guaranteed to get right into the top10 charts overnight with people eager to see what they new model can do.
