Personally I don't like Apples walled gardens. Since the Adam will be using Android. Anyone can program anything for it. I think it will be no time at all before students and other open source aficionados will have many useful applications. I don't think it would be long before we find Open Office available for it. But it might take that year you suggest before open source applications are fine tuned for a touch screen.
The real question will be if and when the Adam has access to the Google Marketplace.
Personally I think it is too early to successfully predict the Adams success or failure, but I will never bow down before Steve Jobs house of worship. I'd rather be the "Martin Luther" that posts a list of all of the faults of the church of St. Steve Jobs on the door of One Apple Way. But there are those that are completely satisfied with that religion and would defend it to their dying breath. I'm sure glad I live in a free country.
Etienne66