Poll:What kind of Apple Digital Device do you want to see next?

[MacRumors]

Vote: Poll:What kind of Apple Digital Device do you want to see next? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=76&ref=forums.macrumors.com)

[Wash!!]

Apple please bring back the PDA!!!!!! HELLOOOOOOOOO!!are you listening!!! Bring back the newton OS on a PDA!!!!!
:D :D

[Flickta]

PDA YESSS!!! The Right choice. Newton was too good... Now is the time!

[pimentoLoaf]

A portable video device -- imagine Gollum in your pocketses...

[lmalave]

A PDA would have to be combined with a phone at the very least. The market is moving toward convergence of devices. People just don't want to carry around a phone, PDA, and MP3 player if they can combine those functions into fewer devices. For example, here's an elegant device that combines all 3:

http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/showroom/showcase/coming_soon_7135.htm

It's a full Palm PDA with the form factor of a phone (unlike the awkward Treo design that doesn't have real phone buttons). And the Kyocera phone can also play MP3s and is expandable with a SmartMedia card (for more memory, Bluetooth, etc). I currently own the Kyocera 6035 smartphone (also a full Palm PDA) and I use it as a phone 10 times more often than I use the PDA features. The fact is, voice is the killer app for a PDA. Once you start using your PDA as a phone, you'll never want to go back to carrying two separate devices.

So basically, I hope Apple's success with the iPod convinces it that it should go after more consumer electronics markets. But if it's going to make a PDA device, I hope it combines PDA, phone, and MP3 features with the elegant design and ease of use that Apple is known for. I would say this is a much more competitive market than the MP3 market, though, so Apple's got its work cut out for it...

[Timothy]

It warms my heart to know that nearly 50% of the respondents chose an ultra-portable computing device.

I suspect that most who are wanting a "tablet" would be satisfied with what I think Apple would do with a PDA. Something that bridges the gap between the current PALM and PocketPC devices and the much too large and bulky TabletPCs that MS and their ilk are developing. You know, about the size of the Newton! ;-)

The cry for an Apple PDA will never fade away; ultra-portable computing is an important part of the digital lifestyle. Those of us devoted to the Apple platform need a solution that is as elegant and inspiring as our desktop/laptop computing solutions. To date, we don't yet have that solution. Apple introduced such desires to us with the Newton, and then pulled it out from under us.

Apple ignores the ultra-portable computing market to it's own detriment. Why? Because for many of us, this is a vital aspect of our digital lifestyle. And, we want something that is tightly integrated with our chosen desktop. If Apple chooses to ignore this need, there will be many who will stay with or move to the Window's platform and the PocketPC platform.

We need an Apple PDA solution.

[Timothy]

Portable MPEG4 Video Player

As a standalone device, this is way too niche. The iPod works as a single idea device because we listen to music while we do other things. Everyone listens to music. Very few people have a need for or would want a singularly capable type device. That being said, I fully expect that when Apple releases their next PDA, this functionality will be included.

Tivo/ReplayTV like SetTop Digital VCR

This is not Apple's market, and there is no need for an Apple-branded device such as this. The price-point of these style units is going to continue to drop, and the feature set will stabilize in much the same way that the VCR feature set is relatively stable. What would Apple bring to this that you won't be able to get from a Tivo or SonicBlue device? Nothing. There is no significant way to differentiate products, and the big boys will fight this battle out.

Digital Picture Frame w/ iPhoto Rendezvous Support

I actually really like this idea. But, here's a thought. Why not just include this functionality in the forthcoming Apple PDA. It's basically a screen-saver. You could provide a stand for the device that combines power to recharge it, and it then displays photos much like the screen saver built into OSX already.

Stereo/MP3 Settop Device w/ iTunes Rendezvous Support

I already use my iPod in this fashion. I connect it to my home stereo. Why would I want to spend hundreds of dollars on a device that just sits in my living room, when I already have a device that does that and is also portable?

Digital Camcorder/Digital Camera

This market is already very well served. Again, there is nothing that Apple could bring to this market that would make it significantly more attractive than what Canon, Sony, Nikon and others already bring. I love both my digital still and dv cameras (Canon). Optics are not Apple's specialty; digital interfaces are. The digital interfaces to these devices is secondary to the camera. Now, I wouldn't mind a simple camera solution much like the Sony PDA camera, and Apple could integrate that with their forthcoming PDA.

Digital Wallet

Fully supported in the forthcoming Apple PDA.

Phone?

Though I like the idea of not having to carry 2 devices, I have my doubts that Apple will go down this path. The reason? The phone market is too fractured. Apple would have to choose either one phone technology, thereby reducing the already small market that would buy such an Apple device, or make multiple different versions of their device, which would increase costs and marketing efforts. In the end, I think it may be a bit too much for them to bite off...unless!

Cell phones could get extremely small, and incorporate bluetooth. So, essentially, your cell phone would be a small ear piece, manufactured and sold by the typical phone giants (sony, ericcson, motorola, etc.) and then through iSync, the small earpiece would "sync" with the Apple PDA, allowing you to dial and communicate through your phone. In other words, Apple wouldn't have to build/manufacture the phones, they would just integrate the functionality with their forthcoming PDA.

[hal9000]

The next Apple Digital Device I want is a satellite system with -

- Firewire and Airport connections to the Mac

- two-way high-speed Internet capability

- capable of viewing programming from DirecTV or Dish Network, including HDTV channels

- streaming audio/video content for QuickTime and iTunes

- streaming downloads of software applications and operating system updates.

[surfnsell]

1.
It should be compatible to an HDTV mpeg4 standard and down the list to good ole 30 fps TV or even 24 fps.

It should use the latest in CCD tech.

I should be a digital camera of the 5 megapixel generation with on board memory of course.

When connected to an iPod, it should evolve to a 2.5 megapixel camcorder capable of the frame rates mentioned above in a widescreen format.

Combine it with some good expandable audio capabilities up to 5.1 channels.


This is truly the next evolution for Apples digital device.


2.
How about a 100 gig video recorder with slot loading multi DVD drive (DVD recording available). BlueTooth it for digital cameras, Airport, firewire 2, USB 2 as well for things I don't know yet.
Make it 1u like the Xserve and market a TV stand to go with just for it.

3.
Get into bed deeper with Harmon Kardon and make a 1u stereo that fits into the same TV stand that has a separate DVD reader, tuner, capable of MP3 cd roms, SACD, DVD audio, MP3 pro, and a few other audio formats.

4.
How about a Digital TV tuner that also can tune into an Apple channel via broadband. that is half the width of the Xserve and again 1u. The other half could be an Apple Video game console. Get permission to rebox the Gamecube's next evolution (which probably includes a DVD drive) of course licenced legally.

5.
How about a TV



All of these items will of course be able to be hooked up to the Mac OS's X and above. I'm sure with all of these ideas that Apple could come up with some kind of xtra sauce that make these systems hook up to be more and seamlessly. I also think this could work. And cmon, if Steve J doesn't want the iPod used as a remote control. Is a picture frame really all that important.

My thoughts, not yours.