The Apple iPad could be the next big thing in Internet for your grandmother – but only after it cuts the apron strings to its desktop parent.

WebTV and Peek have proven to be great all-in-one solutions to getting older folks online at low cost, low complexity, and high reliability without a big need for tech support.

Will the Apple iPad be next?

Back in 1998, WebTV was the cheapest way to get on the internet without a computer. It wasnt the best experience, but it was definitely usable and filled an important void in the market.

I got one for my (then) 60+ year old aunt, who is very non-technical. I was glad to see she picked it up quickly and loved it.

At some point, she stopped using it, but it had a long run and it was nice to be in contact with my godmother.

Fast forward to Christmas 2009. Time to try to get my aunt back on the internet. Its 10 years later though, and she’s in her 70’s.

What’s the answer?

I needed something I could send her that she could setup and manage herself. Something affordable for both the device, and for internet access so I could pay it for her. Something she wouldnt need support for and was unlikely to break.

Answer: The Peek Email Device

Now the Peek ain’t perfect. It’s got its shortcomings. The screen and keyboard are small and there is no web – its an email-only device with photo support.

But the trade-off is that 3G access is only $14.95/mo with no contract and its as portable as a cell phone.

She set the device up herself at home, but she did have to call me for help. Although I was able to take over and do the setup over the web, I did talk to the Peek support line, which answered very promptly and could have easily talked her though it – they were outstanding.

Now she emails all the time and I can send her pictures of my daughter, which she loves. Its a great solution.

This morning I was thinking about how the Apple iPad could be the next great solution for internet for older folks.

It’s got email, its got a great browser, its got a great screen and it has an ebook reader (sorry Kindle
!). 3G Internet is only $30/mo with no contract. It sure isnt going to take up much room in a small apartment, and the SDK makes sure the apps are easy to use and understand from one to the other.

The $629 ( 16GB + 3G ) price point will be a big issue for those on a fixed income, however.

The one remaining usability obstacle is that iPhones and iPod Touches require a computer in order to keep themselves updated with the latest software and to manage media.

This is long, long overdue to end.

It’s been 3 years, and the iPhone and Touch still cannot live on their own in the wild without a computer parent (well, at least if you want to buy music and videos on it and not lose them forever, or keep the system software updated).

The Apple iPad launch would be a great time for Apple to provide automatic online backup services for user’s media libraries and to make their devices fully autonomous, cutting ties to desktop iTunes forever.