
My son, Harry, who likes most kids his age, loves screens: computer, video games, and television. "Screen Time" is our house is limited and a reward for good behavior. He, of course, was very aware of the launch of iPad and wanted one. (Me too)
So after a good report card, I acquired an iPad. Right now we're using it to play Blokus, a game that we have played together as family for years in its analog form. The game teaches strategy and visual skills. The iPad version lets you play against the CPU, in tournaments, alone, and with others, including multi-players. It has a coaching mode so you can improve strategy. I also found a coloring and drawing app that my daughter is enjoying, although I must admit that I'm having fun with it too.
The device isn't just a toy for the kids (or me.) I also have been exploring the iPad professional uses. So far, it is useful for note taking, live tweeting at conferences, and checking email on the go. I also admit that the first app I downloaded was one for google analytics - it's great for browsing data. Most of all, I like using it to read web content over coffee away from my desktop. I like it better than my smart phone because I don't need 300x reading glasses to read the screen and it is nice and light.

So, I was curious when I saw the question from the Chronicle of Philanthropy on Twitter about nonprofits and the iPad. The post points to an interesting article about the iPad user experience by Jeremy Rue. In short, the iPad is a lean back versus lean forward media. The post muses about the implications for nonprofits:
Organizations that think about how they can build an experience that truly captures their missions will have an advantage in attracting people who use tablets.

While acknowledging that thinking about integrating iPad apps is something that isn't yet widespread, the Chronicle is wondering what iPad apps early adopter nonprofits are working on for constituent engagement? This might be something along the lines of an interactive game that engages people around a cause.
This may not require the development of a native app, it could be something interactive on a web site that can be accessed via your iPad. In fact, I was able to join LiveStrong's Join the Ride Online Event using my iPad. This online event allows you to create your own virtual bike and race through the California landscape using your story to invite more people to join us in the fight against cancer. (BTW, their Partners RadioShack will donate $75,000 if LiveStrong can get 10,000 to join in the next 48 hours.)

I ran into Peter Conlon, the CEO of Ammado, an online giving platform, was eager to not only show me his iPad, but that one could make a donation online using their widgets.
One area of iPad development are "productivity" or "enterprise" apps that allow users to link back to a CRM or other database. Computerworld wrote about enterprise apps mentioning one from Blackbaud. So, not only is there front-end, but there is also a back-end, which assumes that the nonprofit has the iPad.
There is also another area for development and that is iPad apps for program/service delivery. Take for example this app that allows deaf people to test their hearing. Or VolunteerMatch which launched an iPhone and iPad app recently.
Conclusion
Amid the hype around the iPad and apps, there will be lots of potential ways that nonprofits could use iPad apps to support their missions - from engagement, fundraising, enterprise and program delivery as there is more widespread adoption by end users. Right now, nonprofits should recognize that we're still in the early stages and there's no compelling rush to get seduced by shiny object syndrome.
We'll no doubt watch a few nonprofit early adopters test the waters with native iPad app development, although it's bound to be expensive until we have other options. In the meantime, iPad can also be used to access web content, so easy place to start is to see if you're getting web visits via iPads and then make sure your web site content is iPad ready
What's your take on iPads and Nonprofits?