Leapfrogs ⇥

Shawn Blanc:

Here’s a thought: the iPhone and iPad are testing grounds for one another.

He proceeds to make a decent case for this, until…

The iPad has 3G data connectivity without a carrier contract. The iPhone doesn’t (yet).

The iPhone is available off-contract. I think Blanc is referring to the ability to activate/de-activate 3G service on a whim, which is iPad exclusive.

Sometimes the iPhone gets it before the iPad, and sometimes the iPad gets it before the iPhone.

I don’t think it’s this arbitrary. The newest technology ships first on the device that requires it first. The A4 chip was needed to power the larger display of the iPad; it was later miniaturised for the iPhone 4. The iPhone got FaceTime first because it’s a communication device. Each will ship newer and better technology when it requires it, and then that enhancement will find its way to the other product (and to the lowly iPod touch every September).