There has been a lot of hype and speculation regarding today’s announcement by Apple of its tablet computing device. The anticipation was high enough to cause an 8-10 minute delay on Twitter a full hour before the actual event.

While the official iPad announcement ends years of speculation regarding the device’s existence, it also confirms that we are moving towards affordable information mobility. It has reaffirmed the existence of “apps” as a programming model. It has placed the contents of the internet, at one time shackled to a desktop, into the hands of nearly anyone and nearly anywhere… including where there is the potential for an emergency.

So how does this change things for Public Information Officer’s utilizing Social Media?

• Mobility is a driving force in the consumer world and this continues to fuel the fire for further mobile development with the iPad being the latest innovation
• The way our target audiences are consuming information is changing quickly
• The types of information our target audiences are consuming is changing quickly
• Our target audiences want the experience to be as conversational as possible and not just a one way broadcast
• Agencies that either haven’t already or don’t soon start using and embracing Social Media to create content, build trust and identity, which can then be harnessed by the apps themselves will be left behind by those that do
• Social Media PIOs will have to think about effective mobile strategies for their content and their message including the possibility of app development

What do you see the announcement of the Apple iPad doing for your world? Share your thoughts in the comments below…

Related posts:

1. 10 Essential Skills for Social Media PIOs
2. 5 Reasons and Methods For PIOs To Develop and Distribute Social Media
3. 5 Video Production Tips for Social Media PIOs
4. Facebook Fan Pages for PIOs and Responders