IMHO, I think the real problems Retina sized graphics causes for mobile users are limited mostly to Apple's ecosystem, and they affect users with smaller capacity devices (like a 16GB iPhone). Suddenly, as the size of apps balloons to accommodate retina displays, the number of apps they can fit on theirs devices is lowered. A lot of this will depend on the developer's strategy for deploying Retina graphics though. At any rate, I'd be surprised if 16GB is even an option for the next iPHone or iPad. I think 32GB will be the new low end offering. People want to consume more and more data over mobile. LTE is here. Apps are the last things that are going to be causing the problems as we meet this demand. Streaming video and multimedia is the biggest problem for enabling timely delivery of content over mobile. EDIT: right now, on 3G, I can't watch a YouTube video without it buffering. I download apps from the app store all the time. Making them twice the size or more isn't going to be a problem. The faster networks that solve my YouTube problem are going to obliterate any app size problem that may or may not have existed from a speed perspective. EDIT #2: last one I swear.
Did you know that Blackberry has amazing data compression technology that results in basically HALVING the amount of data the phone uses? And that they educated theirconsumerson this and touted it as a major selling point? http://blogs.blackberry.com/2011/01/blackberry-datasmart/
As it turns out, nobody cares and it didn't matter. Just because a system is more or less efficient, that doesnt mean it will manifest in user behavior or concern. Twice as much available data sounds pretty amazing, but not as amazing as having a cool phone with cool apps.
It's crazy, 15 minutes from a major metropolitan center, and they are off the grid. But I agree, downloading/updating apps is never an issue. YouTube is always an issue.
- LTE will let you download apps much bigger in less time.
Not if you're AT&T and they are throttling you. You might as well be on EDGE. :(