The GamePad, in my opinion, provides several things: asymmetrical multiplayer, off-screen play, easy web browsing, and a bunch of extras like five-player local multiplayer. So that is the point of it: to allow consumers to play and share their games in new and different ways. If you don't like the GamePad, I would suggest going with a Pro Controller or Wii Remote, as I mentioned in your other thread on this subject.

2nd screen, like motion before it, is there to allow NEW software.

And the vitality sensor could also do this.  But, Nintendo didn't bother to release that.  It isn't about the theoretical potential of a feature enabling people to do new things, it is also that what the feature provides is something people want to do.  The big issue is about what is gained by by the second screen.

The whole point of a new console is to create a new level of gameplay not possible on the preceeding technology.
Historically this was always based on power alone (and that was enough to make huge leaps in gameplay) Nintendo took a different path with Wii. It wasn't really more powerful than the preceeding gen (about on par with Xbox) but had three distinquishing features - motion controls, online and avatars (Miis). They got mimiced on avatars quickly and quickly lost ground (and abandoned ship) on online and eventually motion controls were mimiced too, leaving Wii with no advantage over competing systems.

Along came WiiU. But again, it's not really any more powerful than the preceeding gen. So it needs something other than power to create NEW gameplay experiences. Problem is, the second screen fails at that. Except for a very few asymetrical minigames and arguably ZombieU it's purely an unneeded novelty. WiiU games are basically identical to Wii or PS360 games that preceeded it. This extends to all upcoming games as well. It all feels very last gen, like we're being asked to buy another console for no other reason than to give away our money to Nintendo. Aside from NintendoLand and Game & Wario all Nintendo WiiU games could/should have been Wii games. All that HD power has not changed anything about how the games are played. This is a huge problem. In fact, aside from motion/Miis/online all of Nintendo games are basically unchanged since Gamecube gameplay wise.

The second screen was intended to change that but has failed even in Nintendo's own games which is the worse offense.

You guys love to predict the most obvious shit and prattle on incessantly like hens dont you?

Jesus, they already merged there hardware and software R&D

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The Gamepad gives people new ways to play their games.  You should be asking why Sony wants to copy the strategy with the PS4 and Vita.

The second screen is just another option to interact with the software, nothing less, nothing more.

It´s not mandatory to use it, see the example of games like Need For Speed Most Wanted and Injustice: they make minimal use of the second screen but still are as playable as their counterpart on PS3 and Xbox360.

Nintendo tried to sell the idea of the touchscreen being a differential, but it seems that they notice what really stands out in a console is its library of games. So much that they have a good lineup for the WiiU this last quarter.

The same can be said about Kinect on the XboxOne: MS is not promoting the new console based on it, at the contrary that everyone believed one year ago.

To be fair Nintendo havent really released many first party games for the system yet, and they will be the main ones to innovate use of the pad. Already we have seen snippets of really good concepts in Nintyland and Game and Wario. The only third parties that have grasped gamepad use is Ubisoft, Rayman Legends is the definitive version on Wii U due to its use of the second screen. Zombi U is also very innovative with its use of the gamepad. Watch dogs looks to have good gamepad implementation too, and find me any console on the market that offers off screen play.

If Playstation 4 and Vita combined offer a similar experience to Wii U, im sure 2nd screen gaming will suddenly become the most amazing concept ever.

Yes... it´s that simple, isn´t it? Just a new option to play your games and to use your console.

I really don´t understand why some people makes such a fuzz about that. If that was such a terrible idea, then why would Sony and MS spent time and effort trying to mimic it with PS4/Vita and Smartglass ?

It´s good to have options. Pikmin 3 is a great example of it, anyone can play it with their controller of choice. In the end, what really makes a difference between consoles is the game library.

What's gained is different per game and developer design. I find just being able to take it off the TV as more than enough already. Additionally games like ZombiU have proven it can provide intensity and game immersion not availble without a 2nd screen.