15 days before launch, is there an iPad content crunch?

Pre-orders for Apple’s iPad have reportedly been strong and the initial ennui over the system seems to be drying up as it gears up for its April 3 launch – but will that launch be marred by a lack of exclusive content?  

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is still trying to lock down deal with content providers, including TV programmers and newspaper publishers, despite the imminent launch of the system. Royalty negotiations look to be the sticking point – as these industries attempt to avoid being put in the same position as the music industry, which lost virtually all of its negotiating power with Apple after the iPod became a must-have item.

Similarly, the companies are looking to protect their current revenue sources, as Apple looks to lower the price of TV programming in the iTunes store.

Apple, as you might expect, won’t comment on the report.

Game companies, though, seem solidly on board, which might increase whispers that the iPad is Apple’s first true gaming device. Flurry Analytics notes that 44 percent of the applications being tested on the iPad right now are games.