Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

Last Friday, Apple told developers that in order to be considered for the App Store at the launch of the iPad on April 3rd, we had until this coming Saturday, the 27th, the get our apps in to even be considered for Day Zero. I wasn't sure if I was going to have something ready but there's nothing like a deadline to get your ass in gear.

I've been working on iPad concepts since the device was announced in January. For the first three weeks, I doodled and fiddled but didn't really produce much and wasn't sure what direction my apps would take. I've always known I wanted to do something along the lines of Vegas Mate but it wasn't clear how that would translate to the larger display - a significant user interface adjustment.

Well, I'm, happy to announce that v1.0 of Vegas Mate for iPad has been submitted to Apple for review. I can't tell you if it will be in the App Store on 4/3 but we've got a good chance.

Continue after the jump to learn more and see what the thing looks like.

I truly believe that Vegas Mate, as it exists on iPhone, is very well suited to a small screen form-factor. It's an app for finding places to eat and things to do when you're in Las Vegas - something to keep in your pocket, like an old-school paper guidebook might be for some people.

Vegas Mate for iPad has a difference focus... or, I should say, it 'will' have a different focus in the future. This is a very early draft of what I hope turns into the ultimate travel planning tool for your Vegas vacation. Where Vegas Mate for iPhone is about on-the-ground info, Vegas Mate for iPad is destined to be something you use before your trip to get things sorted. I have big plans, with many features on the drafting board for future releases.

The first version of Vegas Mate for iPad is a bit of a 'technology preview' - a glimpse of what's to come down the road. In that spirit, the introductory price will be set at $1.99, the same price as the iPhone version. This is a very limited time offer.

I eventually expect the iPad version of Vegas Mate to be in the $10 range but the features aren't there yet so it will be discounted for now. If you're not interested in buying it until it's more fleshed out - well, that's fine, I won't hold it against you. Anyone that purchases the app will get future versions (though perhaps not all content - there may be some premium features) for free, a relative standard on the App Store.

I think if you like Vegas Mate for iPhone, you'll have some fun with the iPad version. It includes all the great content that you're used to in Vegas Mate, along with a new photo gallery feature, all re-designed for the iPad interface.

Something important to note: Based on my testing, Vegas Mate for iPhone works fine on the iPad, in both 1x and 2x modes (though it doesn't look great in 2x, I admit). You can continue to use that version on iPad and will always be able to.

Interested to see what Vegas Mate for iPad v1.0 looks like? Here are some screenshots of the app in action:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lasvegas/sets/72157623556607757/