The iPad Mini has arrived, and, like any Apple release, the internet is buzzing.

The Apple tribes are salivating, the Android tribes are snarking and the Windows Phone users are still smug at how awesome their UI looks.

However, we at Jam don’t want to dwell on how cool or not cool the Mini is. Rather, we want to focus on two major knock-on effects of this new device: 

Apple has sold more than 100 million iPads to date. A new, less expensive iPad will mean a lot more iPads on the market.

Even now, the iPad accounts for 90 percent of all tablet-based Internet traffic. Your web and app design now has to optimised for mobile and tablets, iPad (and Mini) specifically.

Sites and apps either need to be fully responsive, adjusting themselves to each individual device display, or purpose built for each individual mainstream device size.

Responsive design is the easier option. However, there’s one great thing about device-specific designs – individual user experiences segmented by device (like the awesome Skyfall site).

It’s also worth noting that people are using their iPads instead of their desktops or laptops. Their entire computing experience is as mobile as they like, although the evidence points to people using tablets at home, in the early mornings and evenings.

Also, it’s hardly worth kicking this dead horse, but Flash is dead as a doornail. If you’re still running a Flash-based site, update immediately.

Dan Osburn is Brand Manager at Jam.