It took over a decade to make a decent touch-screen device, because our technological capabilities hadn't yet caught up to our aspirations. Now that we can, m-commerce is the fastest growing segment of e-commerce, which is the fastest growing segment of commerce in general.
Basically, the iPad succeeded because the technology behind it had finally matured, and Apple paid close attention to all of the mistakes that were made over those 20 years.
I may be wrong, but only time will tell for sure. Right now we are still in the phase where companies creating hybrid devices are making a lot of mistakes. I'm betting that someone is eventually going to get it right.
Basically, the iPad succeeded because the technology behind it had finally matured, and Apple paid close attention to all of the mistakes that were made over those 20 years.
I may be wrong, but only time will tell for sure. Right now we are still in the phase where companies creating hybrid devices are making a lot of mistakes. I'm betting that someone is eventually going to get it right.