Microsoft Reportedly Scheduled to Introduce Tablet Today

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/06/microsoft-reportedly-scheduled-to-introduce-tablet-today/)

The New York Times reported (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/05/ahead-of-apple-microsoft-and-hp-to-reveal-slate-pc/) last night that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is set to introduce a new tablet device during his keynote address tonight at CES in Las Vegas.On Wednesday, Mr. Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive, will unveil a novel take on a slate-type computer during his evening keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, according to people familiar with Microsoft's plans. The slate will be made by Hewlett-Packard and possibly available by mid-year, these people said.According to the report, Microsoft's tablet will be positioned as a multimedia device offering e-reader and multi-touch functionality, very similar to the rumored capabilities of Apple's tablet device. Apple's tablet is rumored to be introduced later this month (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/04/major-new-apple-product-on-january-27th/), with multiple (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/04/apple-tablet-scheduled-to-begin-shipping-in-march-two-different-material-casings-being-considered/) sources (http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2010/tc2010015_996508.htm) reporting that it will begin shipping in March.

Several months ago, Gizmodo published a series of articles highlighting Microsoft's prototype "Courier" multi-touch booklet device (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/22/microsofts-prototype-multi-touch-tablet-booklet/). It is unclear what relation, if any, today's rumored release has to the "Courier" project.

Article Link: Microsoft Reportedly Scheduled to Introduce Tablet Today (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/06/microsoft-reportedly-scheduled-to-introduce-tablet-today/)

[Lesser Evets]

God, I really really really really want to see this train wreck of a device.

Most likely has no special features and costs very little, but if you can get by the viruses, it's good enough for a grandma.

[wattsin]

Trying to steal some thunder!

[miles01110]

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=844534

[hhaeschen]

I would actually like that! Not that I want to buy MS's product, but this way Apple has to offer more than what has been expected during the last couple of months if they want to be groundbreaking. Competition drives innovation!

[sartis]

Novel and Microsoft in the same sentence is not right.

[PutzMan]

Good luck to Microsoft. I seriously hope that they prove every single one of you fanboys wrong.

You know full well that if this device had an Apple logo on it, you'd go out and buy it and say it's the best thing like sliced bread.

[flopticalcube]

Apple is either shaking in its boots or quietly smiling to its collective self. I think the latter.

[MrCrowbar]

Woo, this is war I guess.

I'm not so sure how I feel about $1000 tablets in general. Same price as a fully fledged laptop, but you can't do as many different things on it, at once, with choice.

[HyperX13]

If Micro$oft is spelled like that, can we spell Appl€ like this?


LOL.

[bobsentell]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

I'm hoping it is the Courier. The "iSlate" sounds to be marketed toward those desire mobile entertainment. The Courier would be marketed to businesses and college students. If it is the Courier, then Apple and MS aren't technically competing.

[HyperX13]

Good luck to Microsoft. I seriously hope that they prove every single one of you fanboys wrong.

You know full well that if this device had an Apple logo on it, you'd go out and buy it and say it's the best thing like sliced bread.

If Microsoft came out with this after iSlate, ok, maybe. But since they are coming with it before iSlate, there is not much to copy. Since MS can't innovate, I can guarantee you that this thing will suck. Give it a year, and maybe. But then it will probably freeze like their little MS driven smart phones.

[Lesser Evets]

If that courier device is the working design, I am curious what MS is aiming for. Foldable devices are inconvenient and yesterday's design limitation.

It makes the screen area divide up, so gaming is limited, apps limit, but book reading seems like book reading... which is stupid. The point of a book isn't to read two pages at a time, it was to put information in a form which is protected from dirt and water and fire, etc. (the elements). People had scrolls before books. The point wasn't the form, the point was to convey information.

Thus, if they cling to form over benefit of function, they're putting the horse before the car.

Good luck to Microsoft. I seriously hope that they prove every single one of you fanboys wrong.

Aw. Poor baby.

[jeznav]

If the Apple Tablet includes pen based input for sketching/note-taking, and looks more intuitive than Microsoft's Courier, then I'm in. Competition is a great thing! Looking forward to this CES and Jan 27.

[Bubba Satori]

So much angst in such a young thread. Impressive.
I predict hundreds of hand wringings and cries of outrage.
This should be fun.

[darthraige]

Hahahahaha. This is hilarious. What's the matter Microsoft? Don't want to show if off after Apple introduces theirs? Don't want to be embarrassed, again?

[dwd3885]

Should be interesting to see! Hopefully it's a really good product. The people who vote this negative is why I HATE Apple fanboys.

[dwd3885]

Hahahahaha. This is hilarious. What's the matter Microsoft? Don't want to show if off after Apple introduces theirs? Don't want to be embarrassed, again?

so microsoft is first to the tablet game and it's their fault?

[OllyW]

Hahahahaha. This is hilarious. What's the matter Microsoft? Don't want to show if off after Apple introduces theirs? Don't want to be embarrassed, again?

It might just be ready to show. The world doesn't revolve around Cupertino. :rolleyes:

[Bubba Satori]

Since MS can't innovate

Surface?

Windows tablets have been around for years.

Apple, not so much.

But don't let the facts get in way of your rant, though. Carry on. :rolleyes:

[tillathenun]

It looks fantastic!

I dislike Microsoft as much as the next Apple fanboy, but the Courier concept looks great - and being a designer, taking inspiration from everywhere, it's actually exactly what I'd want for writing and sketching ideas.

Of course, I've no doubt that Apple's tablet will do whatever it does much better/slicker, but let's all grow up a little bit and agree that:

1) The Zune HD does actually look pretty good
2) The XBox is a decent console
3) A bit of competition is good (and badly needed) for Apple
4) Windows isn't the train wreck it used to be
5) Macs aren't necessarily more reliable than similarly-priced PCs

See? That feels better - I have a zen-like calm now.

[teleromeo]

If Micro$oft is spelled like that, can we spell Appl€ like this?


LOL.

no
it's App£€

[Xavier]

Release it, patent it, and hope that Apple was planning on using the same tech. so can sue them.

[Lesser Evets]

so microsoft is first to the tablet game and it's their fault?

His meaning was clear. I think you need to browse the lolcats sites and leave this one alone.

The point made, and it probably true if this happens, is that Microsoft is jumping in front with an announcement despite shipping far in the future because they don;t want to seem like they are always trailing behind Apple. Don't forget that 99% of the public has no idea about what is coming, unlike people here who have been following forever.

Zunetbook. With two amazing choices of shell materials: toilet brown and urinal yellow.

[Maserati7200]

so microsoft is first to the tablet game and it's their fault?
Microsoft isn't even first, there are already plenty of tablets out there. I love how everyone says that MS is copying an Apple product that they didn't even release yet.

[*LTD*]

Around 20 minutes of pure comedy. Can't wait!

Release it, patent it, and hope that Apple was planning on using the same tech. so can sue them.

Uh . . . Apple's already way ahead. LOL.

[Elzlaik]

If it is the Courier and it functions as well as the CG demos Gizmodo has showed, then I will be a bit worried for Apple. Although the Courier doesn't have much in the way of apps (basically Notepad, IE, Windows Calendar and Mail) it does have an impressive UI and a solution to the screen protection issue. It has handwriting recognition (something I pray Apple includes) and an intelligent stylus that allows for awesome practical uses (highlighting, drawing and snipping web/photo content).

If it is the Courier then I hope Apple has designed something amazing, which includes all the hyped features plus handwriting recognition and a smart stylus for writing, sketching and snipping from the web. C'mon Apple we have waited too long to be disappointed, especially by being overshadowed by the folks in Redmond.

[dwd3885]

I love how everyone says that MS is copying an Apple product that they didn't even release yet.

I agree. Apple hasn't done anything nor announced anything to show at all. Microsoft might come up with a great product, Apple fanboys will mock and laugh. Apple might come out with a similar product and they will claim Microsoft copied and sucks. lol. I don't get it. Why can't good technology be good technology. There doesn't have to be a hate Microsoft, love Apple relationship. They are tech companies and hardware tools for consumer and business use. They aren't a religion.

[DipDog3]

Didn't the release tablets before and they all sucked.

What else is new?

[HyperX13]

Surface?

Windows tablets have been around for years.

Apple, not so much.

But don't let the facts get in way of your rant, though. Carry on. :rolleyes:

And how many people use those tablets? LOL. Impressive numbers there.

[Padraig]

The reactions of some of the Apple fanboys on this thread is an embarrassment to the Mac community.

[cvaldes]

So much angst in such a young thread. Impressive.
I predict hundreds of hand wringings and cries of outrage.
This should be fun.
These tablet discussions are utter train wrecks. I have read some of the most ludicrous predictions ever in these threads.

Apparently over 75% of commenters have absolutely no understanding of designing, building, and selling a mass-market consumer electronics product. Many of them focus on highly esoteric features that have little appeal to the general marketplace.

Others have zero vision and are tunnel-vision impaired into only seeing a giant iPod touch or a keyboardless computer.

Quite a few have almost no financial acumen and can't even do a 15-20 second mental walkthrough of the costs associated with such a device.

I assume this thread will be no different.

:D

[tiguk]

I agree. Apple hasn't done anything nor announced anything to show at all. Microsoft might come up with a great product, Apple fanboys will mock and laugh. Apple might come out with a similar product and they will claim Microsoft copied and sucks. lol. I don't get it. Why can't good technology be good technology. There doesn't have to be a hate Microsoft, love Apple relationship. They are tech companies and hardware tools for consumer and business use. They aren't a religion.

+1

But that sort of common sense argument won't be heard here, I think.

[wobudong]

Good luck to Microsoft. I seriously hope that they prove every single one of you fanboys wrong.

You know full well that if this device had an Apple logo on it, you'd go out and buy it and say it's the best thing like sliced bread.

I guess every group has a fringe to it, but the Apple fringe seems more justifiable than the MS fringe, which is as shaky as a flying carpet. Apple's OS is based on more credible grounds than is MS, which is a massed collection of
programs that are difficult to mesh and do cause problems that are not simple to fix. Apple's OS isn't perfect, but it is better than Microsoft's OS.
Or are you only concerned with Apple fans rather than what works?
(Rhetorical question.)
:cool:

[electronboy]

Wondering if Symantec is planning to release Norton Anti-Virus Tablet Edition?:rolleyes:

[Thomas Harte]

In 2001, Bill Gates predicted that the pending Microsoft Tablet PC would become "the most popular form of PC within five years" (EDIT: source (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/11/12/ms_tablet_pc_70_per/)). Microsoft have not only been in this market for years but if they're at all sensible then they've had an opportunity to learn some serious lessons. I therefore wouldn't write this off.

That said, until they fix their idiotic backwards approach to typography there's no way I'm using one of their devices for serious reading. They need to at least kill the aggressive hinting and learn to pair kern. Though hopefully their device will be of the 160+ppi range, at which point at least the former stops being so much of an issue.

[Kwill]

Look for faux pas during introduction like: "This is the best Mac tablet on the planet!" or "We are building a remarkable iTunes store with great apps!" or "Developers, um..., developers, developers, developers..."

Having said that, the MS tablet actually looks to have great potential.

[owen-b]

Good luck to Microsoft. I seriously hope that they prove every single one of you fanboys wrong.

You know full well that if this device had an Apple logo on it, you'd go out and buy it and say it's the best thing like sliced bread.

Huh.

Not if it's ugly, under-featured, clumsy, flawed, over-priced, packed with bloatware, or any of the other things that MS-branded hardware so often is.

[Primejimbo]

I agree. Apple hasn't done anything nor announced anything to show at all. Microsoft might come up with a great product, Apple fanboys will mock and laugh. Apple might come out with a similar product and they will claim Microsoft copied and sucks. lol. I don't get it. Why can't good technology be good technology. There doesn't have to be a hate Microsoft, love Apple relationship. They are tech companies and hardware tools for consumer and business use. They aren't a religion.

Well said!! I love technology and it great seeing all these neat toys coming out.

[ppdix]

It sucks that other companies always beat Apple to a new game... And although Apple's tablet will certainly be better, it still loses the impact of being the first to which everyone else wants to catch up to and emulate... :mad:
Everything that has been done with the iPhone has been like that. It started off with a 2 MP camera, now just 3.2MP, when Nokia phones have had 5MP for years. We had to wait 2 years for copy and paste, still no Flash Plugin and although there are 100000 apps, the operating system and its look and feel can't be altered without jailbreaking the iPhone...
I hope Apple doesn't release a half-ass tablet that will be just a bigger iPhone. Apple needs a device to compete with the netbooks. The tablet needs to be a Mac Tablet not an iTablet... I, for one, hope they are smart enough to release 2 models: A small 7" iTablet and a 10" Mac Tablet that runs a simplified version of Mac OS X...
We'll see...

[cvaldes]

Good luck to Microsoft. I seriously hope that they prove every single one of you fanboys wrong.
As a Microsoft stockholder, I would love for them to actually increase shareholder value in a substantial manner, not just track the S&P 500 as they've done over the past 5-6 years.

But since I'm also an Apple stockholder, I'm okay if Microsoft doesn't succeed with their tablet.

AAPL has increased shareholder value in recent years, very satisfactorily I must say.

:D

[owen-b]

Around 20 minutes of pure comedy. Can't wait!



Uh . . . Apple's already way ahead. LOL.

Way ahead of what? Apple, these days, doesn't really make brand new products, they observe what's out there, how it's doing, what it's strengths and weaknesses are, how it could be streamlined and improved, and then they basically make their own version several years down the line that may not hold a torch to the competition spec-wise, but runs vastly superior custom in-house software. That's how they succeed, not by forging ahead with whole new products.

Tablets have been around for YEARS. I'm a big follower of Apple but even I'm not as blind are you perhaps are. I'm certainly not as juvenile. :)

[shaolindave]

1) The Zune HD does actually look pretty good
2) The XBox is a decent console
3) A bit of competition is good (and badly needed) for Apple
4) Windows isn't the train wreck it used to be
5) Macs aren't necessarily more reliable than similarly-priced PCs

1) matter of opinions, but I personally thing it looks like crap. especially compared to iphone and ipod touch.
2) no, it's not. i worked with a guy who had to buy 3, because red ring of death kept coming up and microsoft's warranty sucks (don't ask me why he kept buying them)
3) I 100% agree with you on that one. lack of competition is arguably what made M$ suck so much. in fact, creating lack of competition was their business practice, rather than creating good products.
4) yes it it. i still use windows for gaming (that "creating lack of competition thing i was mentioning? it's the only reason for direct X to exist) and windows improves in short leaps and bounds only to be bogged down again within weeks.
5) yes they are. they're more reliable that PCs that are prices two to three times as much.

[stridemat]

I withhold judgement until the announcement is made. Microsoft need to make money, so I would expect the tablet to be 'ok', but nothing mind blowing. However when Apple finally releases its tablet incarnation I expect it to be 'mind blowing'.

[ronnyek]

I embarassingly own more apple hardware than I honestly care to admit, because I like the hardware... but if this is the courier product as demoed a few mo ago, and the ui is anything like it... ms is going to have a hit.

Its REAL easy as mac fanboy's to automatically put down ms... yes they have a bad recent history of releasing products... but like I said... how many of you have actually LOOKED at courier?

You folks make me embarrassed to be a fan of the apple hardware. ****... apple is slowing down their innovation and ignoring their customers, forgetting about their products.

Quit acting like a bunch of idiots, and start thinking objectively. Any company is capable of producing quality software/hardware. How about we see a product before we bash.

[shaolindave]

As a Microsoft stockholder, I would love for them to actually increase shareholder value in a substantial manner, not just track the S&P 500 as they've done over the past 5-6 years.

But since I'm also an Apple stockholder, I'm okay if Microsoft doesn't succeed with their tablet.

AAPL has increased shareholder value in recent years, very satisfactorily I must say.

:D

if this were pre-intelimac lauch or pre-iphone lauch, i'd say sell your Microsoft stock and buy more Apple.
the tablet doesn't seem to be as sure as a deal for me.

[owen-b]

It sucks that other companies always beat Apple to a new game... And although Apple's tablet will certainly be better, it still loses the impact of being the first to which everyone else wants to catch up to and emulate... :mad:

Wow, you're actually upset? Do you people have, you know, lives?

Come on, it's just a tech company. Does it make you sad that a tech company doesn't 'beat' another tech company to releasing a brand new product? I mean come ON people. it makes you sad that Apple didn't beat everyone to the tablet market? Dude, tablets have been around for years and years and years. AND YEARS.

What Apple does is take products they believe are reaching a mass-market saturation point and innovate their own software into them, simplifying and polishing.

Can't believe people are upset like it's their favourite sports team losing a match. Who honestly cares? Really? So long as the products they do release work well and are cool, it's all good in the hood. I for one personally welcome as much competition and 'beating Apple to market' as possible, it keeps Apple on it's toes. Mind you, they're pretty arrogant - they don't really care about competition - see the Copy/Paste fiasco.

Anyway, the first generation of new Apple tech is always underpowered and underdeveloped compared to what they're producing by the third generation. It's a fact, fact-fans.

[HyperX13]

What I love about this thread is actually there is a Microsoft voice in here. 4 years ago, we would all be Apple thumping. Now there are some Microsoft thumpers as well. Means that the community is finally balancing itself out. Even though I am a HUGE Apple fan, (switching about 6 years ago from MS), I absolutely HATED the Apple community (as a GOP voter it was hard for me to admit I even had an Apple product). Even though I have no faith in this tablet, I am liking what I am seeing.

[gnasher729]

Of course, I've no doubt that Apple's tablet will do whatever it does much better/slicker, but let's all grow up a little bit and agree that:

1) The Zune HD does actually look pretty good
2) The XBox is a decent console
3) A bit of competition is good (and badly needed) for Apple
4) Windows isn't the train wreck it used to be
5) Macs aren't necessarily more reliable than similarly-priced PCs

See? That feels better - I have a zen-like calm now.

1. Not really. Sony makes things that look good. Samsung does as well - they even make printers that look good. Microsoft and the Zune HD are nowhere near.

2. When it doesn't burn.

3. Apple is actually quite good at competing with itself. They kill a product that sells well as soon as they can produce something better, as demonstrated by the iPod Mini and several old generations of Nanos, by many successful iMacs etc.

4. Took them how many? Eight? years to improve on Windows XP. That's a bummer.

5. Evidence?

[DudeDad]

If the MS tablet is made as well as the inexpensive netbooks, it will be a bust. Have you played with the netbooks? It really is true....you get what you pay for!

I'm an apple user, and I do think that whenever there is a rumored product, the expectations usually are way too high, and the "fanboys" will always be disappointed. Those expecting the iSlate to run Mac OS X will be disappointed (I would like it to run it, but I don't think it will - not yet, at least). Apple's advantage with the tablet is the tie to the iTunes store -- it is positioned to be a provider of subscription services, such as interactive magazines -- with magazine sales plummeting, imagine what doors will be open for these companies to create tablet subscriptions that are interactive. MS does not have a distribution network for content the way Apple does.

Ballmer is a goofball -- he thinks he will be stealing Apple's thunder...his track record is a thud when he tries.....maybe this time will be different...maybe....

[bdkennedy1]

I'm sitting on the edge of my seat.

[baryon]

This is going to be fun! Microsoft only made a tablet to do it before Apple, not because they have some innovative idea. Companies should only do something if they have a good reason to, not just because everyone else is doing it.

[skinnylegs]

I'm here at CES and have taken a picture of the new Microsoft Tablet. It's a little thicker than I thought it would be but it looks really sleek and I dig the minimalistic control scheme. Damn them! They're even rubbing in the fact that Apple has yet to sign the Beatles on!

[Vulpinemac]

As has already been mentioned, nearly everyone is trying to steal Apple's thunder. Now, whether or not they succeed depends on the features and capabilities of the current round of offerings as compared to what Apple releases--assuming that what Apple's announcing is a tablet of some sort. This also means that Apple has managed to significantly influence innovation by effectively forcing all these others to try and not only predict what the new product will be, but its capabilities as well. We'll just have to see how well they do it.

In my own case, I'm not a strong fan of what Microsoft previewed a few months ago; to me it's simply too limited, though I admit I like the dual-screen folding 'book.' On the other hand, the drawback with that concept is that it may still be too clumsy to use while standing or walking if you're wanting to take notes. The other devices seem to have their limitations too, though I won't say for sure until the official announcements and demonstrations. If you think about the old slate-style chalkboards used in the old one-room schools or the paper tablets once used by doctors in hospitals (before the laptop computer became so ubiquitous) then you'll understand what a tablet really needs to be--not just a media device, not just a reading device, not even a basic web device; all those already exist--it needs to be a productive device that can do all of the above, and more. In many ways, it could completely change how the average person uses a computer.

Yes, desktop computers will be needed in one form or another for a long time, but portable computing today is nothing but making the desktop go where you want to go; it's not efficient. Notebooks, Netbooks, smart phones, all try to give some sense of mobility to computing; but they all fail in one aspect or another. Smart phones just don't have the power or usability needed for on-the-go computing, while the -book computers don't have the simplicity or the mobility--you have to put them down on something to use them. At the moment, the new round of tablets look more like enlarged smart phones; that may not be enough. We'll simply have to wait and see.

[kingtj]

This late in the game, Apple's product is fixed. If the MS tablet turns out to do cool things that Apple didn't think of, it'll be the superior product for the length of the next product cycle.

I agree though.... competition means consumers win. But honestly, I find it really hard to imagine that Microsoft has spent years developing a tablet like this themselves, parallel with Apple. I'm 99% sure this is just a bad attempt at jumping on the train before it pulls completely out of the station.

Microsoft doesn't want to be left out of a whole new market segment, in case tablets become the new device everyone wants to own.... But their history of version 1.0 products is .... well..... pathetic.


I would actually like that! Not that I want to buy MS's product, but this way Apple has to offer more than what has been expected during the last couple of months if they want to be groundbreaking. Competition drives innovation!

[ronnyek]

Whats really fuel on the fire for me is that I think Apple's handle on the iphone world has been arrogant, and irresponsible. I dont know what makes people think that they can lie and say things like "...we lock it down to be more stable..." and then proceed to inform us on how they intend to take 30% of app prices.

This model wouldn't fly anywhere else (except maybe the music industry), because its asinine. Android is taking off, and while I dont think its flawless in any sense of the word, I do think that its a much nobler approach to hardware/software for a mobile device.

I dont know why apple guys are so creaming themselves over the un-announced apple tablet, because you know apple will be up to their old tricks if and when it does hit.

And to top it all off, they will just walk away from it like they did with the iphone.

So I say... welcome competition! I hope MS makes apple work a little harder at their game. They are business people, but somehow give me that "...we aim to take every last penny from you and in return we'll give you the feeling you are in control, and you have decisions..." impression whereas companies like google give me the whole "... we have the products and power to take every last penny from you, but care more about the greater good and thus we charge REASONABLE fees for our products" impression.

[SteveSparks]

Will the new device have instant on or do we wait for 3-5 minutes while windows boots, we make a note and then 2 minutes for it to shutdown?

[SteveSparks]

If the MS tablet is made as well as the inexpensive netbooks, it will be a bust. Have you played with the netbooks? It really is true....you get what you pay for!



But the masses can afford the device and then when they sell a bunch, more are produced, more copied, more users, more, more, more and if my $300 computer is broke then I get a new one.

At $1000 its a flat macbook air with a target market and few users compared to the netbook and limited changes, few choices and just another expensive toy verse a utility that you can use day-to-day.

[MattBaker]

The Courier demo that was leaked a few weeks ago looked like a replacement for a smartphone.

Apple's product is rumored to cost $1000, which means it has to be more of a replacement for a notebook computer.

If Microsoft reveals the Courier this week, it could be a successful product and not compete at all with Apple's new offering.

[RogueWarrior65]

This whole tablet land rush reminds me of the MP3 player gold rush around the time the iPod was introduced. Now, the term iPod has become part of common language like Xerox and Kleenex. Here's hoping Apple can pull off the same thing. To do so, however, they're going to have to have software that kicks ass as much as the hardware. I have a Creative Labs player before I bought a iPod. The hardware kicked ass because it was smaller, had way better battery life, and a Firewire interface. But the software wasn't annoying on the iPod like it was on the Nomad. And eventually, hardware makers will rev the product to include the latest buzzword features so Apple has to do what it does best: make the user experience a pleasure.

[pacohaas]

Hahahahaha. This is hilarious. What's the matter Microsoft? Don't want to show if off after Apple introduces theirs? Don't want to be embarrassed, again?

Actually sounds completely logical to me. Why not get your product out ahead of a competitors?

[thecartoonguy]

The reactions of some of the Apple fanboys on this thread is an embarrassment to the Mac community.

But there is some truth behind the rants. Microsoft will throw something out there just to appear like they are still in the game. Apple will get it right and test it before anything is released. Sure there are some exceptions, the cube for one. However, with the cube it proved a computer can be smaller. MS has far more failures than most companies because they want to be in the game. If they would just stop trying to act like they are on top of things and actually create something that is worth wild, then they would have a game changer.

[Lone Deranger]

I think that whatever MicroSoft comes out with tonight (wether it will be good or bad) will be overshadowed by the mere anticipation of "What can Steve Jobs and Apple do?" Apple has got a certain self perpetuating momentum in the media right now that MicroSoft will have a hard time trying to catch up with.

Having said that, I'm glad that MicroSoft is out there making an effort. It will force Apple to try even harder.

[Glideslope]

Should be interesting to see! Hopefully it's a really good product. The people who vote this negative is why I HATE Apple fanboys.

Let's not forget "Fangirls." Only has a chance if it does not run Win Mobile. :apple:

[*LTD*]

Whats really fuel on the fire for me is that I think Apple's handle on the iphone world has been arrogant, and irresponsible. I dont know what makes people think that they can lie and say things like "...we lock it down to be more stable..." and then proceed to inform us on how they intend to take 30% of app prices.

This model wouldn't fly anywhere else (except maybe the music industry), because its asinine. Android is taking off, and while I dont think its flawless in any sense of the word, I do think that its a much nobler approach to hardware/software for a mobile device.

I dont know why apple guys are so creaming themselves over the un-announced apple tablet, because you know apple will be up to their old tricks if and when it does hit.

And to top it all off, they will just walk away from it like they did with the iphone.


What the hell are you talking about?

Let the other guys take the "nobler" approach (whatever that's supposed to mean), while Apple will take the approach that actually works, and has been working wonders so far.

[notjustjay]

Way ahead of what? Apple, these days, doesn't really make brand new products, they observe what's out there, how it's doing, what it's strengths and weaknesses are, how it could be streamlined and improved, and then they basically make their own version several years down the line that may not hold a torch to the competition spec-wise, but runs vastly superior custom in-house software. That's how they succeed, not by forging ahead with whole new products.


Exactly. They take a product that's out there, but not necessarily executed well, or high in consumer "headspace", and they make it into the hot product that everyone and their grandma wants.

1977: Computers? Those massive things only used by scientists and big businesses? Sure, there are a few geeks soldering up their own boxes with switches and lights, but what would I ever do with one?

1984: Personal Computer? Oh, you mean those IBM 8088 compatible devices running DOS on black and amber monitors. You type commands in with the keyboard. Graphical interface? "Mouse"? That's science fiction!

2001: Playing mp3's? That's kid stuff. You can only fit a couple of songs onto one of those little 64 MB players, and at crap bitrates. Sure you can get one of those Nomad things, but what's the point of storing gigs of music if you can only play them for 4 hours on a battery charge? Nah, I've got my Discman, I've got my case of CDs, that's all anyone needs.

2007: Smart phones? You mean Blackberries? Those are only for business executives. What would a regular guy like me ever do with a smart phone? All I ever do is make phone calls and send text messages. Besides, I've got my Palm PDA.

2010: Tablet PCs? Yeah, right, we've all seen how well those are selling...

[ltcol266845]

But [Microsoft's] history of version 1.0 products is .... well..... pathetic.

Come'on, Apple's isn't much better and you know it...

[Mattie Num Nums]

Well, I have an HP 2730P Tablet with Windows Seven Enterprise on it and I must say the thing is amazing. Tablets have been around almost 10 years now and Microsoft has been at the Forefront of integrating it with Office and Windows. To say Microsoft would be copying Apple would be a joke. Again, Apple is just innovating an idea that has been in place for years. Thats what they do.

[Vulpinemac]

What Apple does is take products they believe are reaching a mass-market saturation point and innovate their own software into them, simplifying and polishing.

I'd have to say you're wrong, here. Rather than "... mass-market saturation point... " Apple has been taking things that are being essentially ignored by the mass market and making them desirable.

Consider USB -- Before Apple, USB was created as a new connectivity standard that was essentially ignored by users and manufacturers alike. Apple made it the standard and default connection on the iMac, and everyone scrambled to manufacture devices and adopt it for the PC market in general.

Consider the iPod -- I don't deny that Creative, Sony and others had MP3 players out, and most of them were pretty good, though not necessarily easy to use. In fact, MP3 player sales appeared to have already peaked and were falling when Apple introduced the iPod to the Mac community. Because of its ease of use and even easier method of loading through iTunes, demand skyrocketed--to the point that even Windows users wanted it. It was the proof of simplicity and functionality that sent the iPod to the top of the heap, not just the name or the software.

The iPhone? Again, Apple produced a product that was being ignored by the mass market. They produced a smart phone for the masses rather than a business phone for the enterprise. Interestingly, despite its lack of enterprise acumen, business people wanted it over supposedly-superior Blackberry devices already readily available. Why? Because it was easier to use and did what the majority of its buyers wanted it to do.

And now we have the tablet. Yes, for years Microsoft has offered a 'tablet-ready' version of Windows, and different manufacturers have built tablet PCs that use it. The problem is, Windows isn't really a tablet-ready OS. The only difference between tablet-ready vs regular Windows was the fact that you used your finger as a mouse pointer. You really couldn't do anything differently than you did with a simple mouse. Apple realized a long time ago that for a tablet to be fully functional, the UI had to be intuitive and easy to use; like a pen on a sheet of paper. The iPhone OS seems to be at least a forerunner of what Apple's tablet is likely to have. I can only guess that the tablet will take it several steps farther ahead.

[Mattie Num Nums]

Come'on, Apple's isn't much better and you know it...

27" iMac, 10.5.0, 10.6.0+, 10.4.5 and under, OS 9, 8, 7, iMac 17/20 Non ALS, etc etc etc.

Apple is susceptible to the same issues as everyone else.

[zacman]

I remember when MS came up with project Natal at E3 and nobody really knew before what it was and how it would work. And everyone was surprised when they had a nicely working prototype. Sony looked pretty pissed at their press conference the day after because they had nothing to compete against it. Some shock and awe...

Also MS has probably one of the best handwriting recognition software out there included in OneNote. And it's been out for almost 6 years now. And with MS Speech Recognition Server they also have experience with that and it is working really niceley for business users.

If they really show Courier tonight and if it actually does what it is said to do, I'm sure every competitor is at least a bit worried.

(And don't forget the iSlate is rumored to be only more or less a bigger iPod touch with iPhoneOS4)

[Mattie Num Nums]

I remember when MS came up with project Natal at E3 and nobody really knew before what it was and how it would work. And everyone was surprised when they had a nicely working prototype. Sony looked pretty pissed at their press conference the day after because they had nothing to compete against it. Some shock and awe...

Also MS has probably one of the best handwriting recognition software out there included in OneNote. And it's been out for almost 6 years now. And with MS Speech Recognition Server they also have experience with that and it is working really niceley for business users.

If they really show Courier tonight and if it actually does what it is said to do, I'm sure every competitor is at least a bit worried.

(And don't forget the iSlate is rumored to be only more or less a bigger iPod touch with iPhoneOS4)

The Handwriting recognition in Windows Seven is amazing. It recognizes my horrible English writing and my remedial Korean writing.

[emotion]

I'm really trying to like Microsoft these days after many years using nothing but Linux/MacOS/OSX/IRIX (maybe put it down to age) but somehow I doubt they'll deliver here.

The irony now is that with the Google-Apple bond well and truly broken I see an Apple-Microsoft tie-in more and more likely. Maybe that is what's making me want to like MS?

[Lone Deranger]

TBut honestly, I find it really hard to imagine that Microsoft has spent years developing a tablet like this themselves, parallel with Apple. I'm 99% sure this is just a bad attempt at jumping on the train before it pulls completely out of the station.

Well said. I just cannot imagine Steve Balmer being as strict, determined and simply as much of a product visionary as Steve Jobs. Canceling concept after concept for many years to ensure perfection as Apple is believed to have done.
I suspect the MicroSoft approach is rather to throw obscene amounts of money at the problem to get something out quickly before they miss out on whatever market Apple is planning to carve out.

[muskratboy]

You know full well that if this device had an Apple logo on it, you'd go out and buy it and say it's the best thing like sliced bread.

Yup, cause that's how it works.

like the Cube. and the apple tv.

both HUGE successes, because apple people just buy the logo and say it's great. :rolleyes:

unless, of course, you've ever been on these forums. then you might be aware of SLIGHTLY more bitching. slightly.

[HLdan]

I would actually like that! Not that I want to buy MS's product, but this way Apple has to offer more than what has been expected during the last couple of months if they want to be groundbreaking. Competition drives innovation!

I gotcha, but you do realize that regardless of what Microsoft introduces tonight won't change what Apple has already created with their forthcoming Tablet device. So saying that Apple has to offer more won't matter, it's already done now. I hardly think Ballmer will introduce anything remotely as good as what Apple will introduce later this month.

[wesleyh]

Why is everyone hating on this so much? This thread is pathetic. Competition is good. The courier concept looked good. I hope it succeeds. And I hope the islate succeeds as well. All the better for us, the consumer.

[Winni]

Trying to steal some thunder!

Just for the record, Bill Gates already publicly introduced a Windows-powered Tablet PC in the year 2002 -- LONG before you guys started to dream of an Apple Tablet.

Microsoft actually invented the Tablet PC. Who's the copycat now?

[Simplicated]

Coincidence!!! Must be coincidence. :cool:

[emotion]

Why is everyone hating on this so much? This thread is pathetic. Competition is good. The courier concept looked good. I hope it succeeds. And I hope the islate succeeds as well. All the better for us, the consumer.

I agree. Thanks for a nice balanced post.

[ShiftyPig]

But there is some truth behind the rants. Microsoft will throw something out there just to appear like they are still in the game. Apple will get it right and test it before anything is released. Sure there are some exceptions, the cube for one. However, with the cube it proved a computer can be smaller. MS has far more failures than most companies because they want to be in the game. If they would just stop trying to act like they are on top of things and actually create something that is worth wild, then they would have a game changer.

Worst post in the history of MR?

MSFT net profit, 3 months ending 9/30/09: $3.574B
AAPL net income, 13 weeks ending 9/26/09: $1.665B

iMac 27".

Get a grip man. Apple isn't the second coming and there are other companies that, shock, outperform Apple and produce great products.

[Vulpinemac]

Just for the record, Bill Gates already publicly introduced a Windows-powered Tablet PC in the year 2002 -- LONG before you guys started to dream of an Apple Tablet.

Microsoft actually invented the Tablet PC. Who's the copycat now?

Actually, no. Microsoft didn't invent the Tablet PC, somebody else did. Microsoft merely modified Windows to use the touch-screen capability. In other words, it's not really a Tablet, it's a laptop without a keyboard.

[Rodimus Prime]

Way ahead of what? Apple, these days, doesn't really make brand new products, they observe what's out there, how it's doing, what it's strengths and weaknesses are, how it could be streamlined and improved, and then they basically make their own version several years down the line that may not hold a torch to the competition spec-wise, but runs vastly superior custom in-house software. That's how they succeed, not by forging ahead with whole new products.

Tablets have been around for YEARS. I'm a big follower of Apple but even I'm not as blind are you perhaps are. I'm certainly not as juvenile. :)

Oh so very true. Apple biggest products have been more of a copy of an ideas already in the market just improved apon and changed to work better and time really well to take advantage of the take off of the product

For example

iPod -- It was not the first MP3 player nor first HD mp3 player. Apple saw what was out there and made it better and fixed a huge problem in MP3 players at the time and that was software on the computer side making syncing and organizing the libraries/play list of the music to the MP3 player. Top it off timed really well to match with the mp3 player market taking off.

iPod shuffle- Complete copy of other flash drive MP3 players out there. Just tied it into iTunes with no one else could do.

iPhone -- Not the first touch screen, Not the first smart phone. Apple saw the smartphone sector of the cell phone market was going to grow and they saw touch screens becoming the new thing in phones. So what does apple do. They make a touch screen phone taking advantage of the new multitouch technology they got their hands on. Tied it in to the iPod success in the music. They also took advatage of the fact that everyone else laid the groundwork for them and they did not have the draw backs like they had. They could start fresh and not worry about losing everyone. RIM for example is limited on what they can do to the OS because if they change it to much they would loose there customer base. Apple had no base so they could move straight into it with much fresher ideas and no limitations.
Great way to take advantage of the smart phone taking off in the consumer market.

iPod Touch- iphone spin off. Most of the R&D was already done for the iPhone so it was a cheap easy product to get out the door and people wanted it. Cheap and easy profit.

Mac Book Air -- not the first unltra light computer. Just saw that is what other companies were doing and people like them. Apple did the same and look for ways to cut even more weight and make it smaller. Changing the battery was the biggest help and offering Solid state hard drive helped as well.

In 2001, Bill Gates predicted that the pending Microsoft Tablet PC would become "the most popular form of PC within five years" (EDIT: source (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/11/12/ms_tablet_pc_70_per/)). Microsoft have not only been in this market for years but if they're at all sensible then they've had an opportunity to learn some serious lessons. I therefore wouldn't write this off.

That said, until they fix their idiotic backwards approach to typography there's no way I'm using one of their devices for serious reading. They need to at least kill the aggressive hinting and learn to pair kern. Though hopefully their device will be of the 160+ppi range, at which point at least the former stops being so much of an issue.

If you know much about Microsoft R&D you learn pretty quickly they are really good at out pacing technology. They hardware requirements for what they want to do just are not up there yet. A good example is WinFS. Microsoft came up with the idea and had a lot of the research done on it way back in 1995. Problem was the processing power was no were close to what was needed to make it work well. Hell when Vista came out the processing power for it was not even there yet. That puts an idea from microsoft well over 10 years ahead of hardware and that is just one of the more well known ones. I have talk with people who have met some of the R&D staff at private presentations of the projects they were working on and they told me that some of the stuff is jaw dropping at the time and is years a head of its time. The problem they run into is hardware limitations. That had PDA ideas that we see now days that back then we just lack the battery power and CPU power to make it workable and marketiable.

It been describe to me that Microsoft R&D department is more like a University than a business R&D. that mains big budget projects that might will be years long and decade to more before it is even feasible for it to be put into production. You have people with Doctor degree working on pure research and nothing more.

I think back in 2001 the tablet idea was well a head of its time and really only now are we getting to the point were the hardware to make it work well is becoming economically feasible.

[Mattie Num Nums]

Actually, no. Microsoft didn't invent the Tablet PC, somebody else did. Microsoft merely modified Windows to use the touch-screen capability. In other words, it's not really a Tablet, it's a laptop without a keyboard.

So are you saying that Apple copied Microsoft because they used touchscreen technology first?

[arkitect]

Hmmm.

Apple's late January event has not yet been confirmed, has it?

Which tantalisingly leaves the possibility that should Microsoft come out with something that beats Apple's product, Jobs just might pull the plug (Kind of like taking his toys away… ;)) and send everyone back to the drawing board.

I am no fan of Jobs… but he does have a highly developed sense for what is a show-stopping/industry changing product.
If his ego feels he has been trumped by Microsoft he will not release the Apple tablet.


Just a thought.

[darthraige]

Actually sounds completely logical to me. Why not get your product out ahead of a competitors?

Because Microsoft knows that if they were to release their Tablet AFTER Apples, no one would care. Look at the hype Apples Tablet is getting. We all know that this thing will blow any other competitor away.

Microsoft products are a joke.

[AidenShaw]

Consider USB -- Before Apple, USB was created as a new connectivity standard that was essentially ignored by users and manufacturers alike. Apple made it the standard and default connection on the iMac, and everyone scrambled to manufacture devices and adopt it for the PC market in general.

Mainstream PCs had USB ports before the Imac - and the industry was preparing for the Windows 98 release with native OS support for USB (Win95 had some add-on drivers, but support was, shall we say problematic.)

It should be obvious that the USB devices depended upon silicon controller chips that were already being sold when the Imac was announced.

Apple definitely kick-started the USB era, but the main "scramble" for manufacturers was to change their existing plans to use translucent plastic instead of beige plastic for the injection molding. ;)

[Vulpinemac]

Worst post in the history of MR?

MSFT net profit, 3 months ending 9/30/09: $3.574B
AAPL net income, 13 weeks ending 9/26/09: $1.665B

iMac 27".

Get a grip man. Apple isn't the second coming and there are other companies that, shock, outperform Apple and produce great products.

Hmmm... let's think ratios for a moment.

Microsoft: Roughly 90% of the computing market all-told. $3.574B. That's roughly a 2.51:1 ratio, market to money.

Apple: Roughly 10% of the computing market all told. $1.665B. That's roughly a .60:1 ratio, market to money.

Who's really making the better income for effort? It looks like Apple is coming out 4x better than Microsoft in this comparison.

[Flavioparentiq]

I find hilarious that microsoft is announcing a tablet that's already an "slate-killer".. without having any slate to look at... let's call it an anticipated kiss of death :D

[darthraige]

Hmmm.

Apple's late January event has not yet been confirmed, has it?

Which tantalisingly leaves the possibility that should Microsoft come out with something that beats Apple's product, Jobs just might pull the plug (Kind of like taking his toys away… ;)) and send everyone back to the drawing board.

I am no fan of Jobs… but he does have a highly developed sense for what is a show-stopping/industry changing product.
If his ego feels he has been trumped by Microsoft he will not release the Apple tablet.


Just a thought.

It's been confirmed. Press releases have gone out already. Also, Microsoft is years behind Apple's technology. (Except gaming, at the moment.)

[*LTD*]

Just for the record, Bill Gates already publicly introduced a Windows-powered Tablet PC in the year 2002 -- LONG before you guys started to dream of an Apple Tablet.

Microsoft actually invented the Tablet PC. Who's the copycat now?

ZZZzzzz . . . .

Apple isn't copying here. They're taking something poorly implemented and doing it right, giving it mass appeal and very likely ushering in a new phase of computing. And the Newton existed long before 2002. Its development started in 1989.

Current tablets are ****. Bet on Apple to change all that.

iPod, iPhone, now tablet. It's pretty simple.

[JMax1]

1) The Zune HD does actually look pretty good
2) The XBox is a decent console
3) A bit of competition is good (and badly needed) for Apple
4) Windows isn't the train wreck it used to be
5) Macs aren't necessarily more reliable than similarly-priced PCs



I agree with these points. I think MS is still a viable competitor in the market. Granted, I don't think the devices will be terribly different, but it's nice to offer choices to the user. In fact, I hope that it turns out to be a nice little product. That way more people will get it, and then my iTablet will still be a nice little rare gem. Kind of like my iPhone was the day it came out. Now that the market is flooded with iPhones, it's not quite as novel as it was (read: i don't feel as special). But in the end, it's competition.

[arkitect]

It's been confirmed. Press releases have gone out already.

Where has it been confirmed?
Apple's last Press release : Apple’s App Store Downloads Top Three Billion (http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/01/05appstore.html)


Hmm. Then it might be up to the Apple HiFi Mk II. :D :eek:

I Microsoft is years behind Apple's technology.
We know that how?

[darthraige]

I find hilarious that microsoft is announcing a tablet that's already an "slate-killer".. without having any slate to look at... let's call it an anticipated kiss of death :D

Yup. Once again, another cookie cutter company trying to beat the best.

[zacman]

Apple isn't copying here. They're taking something poorly implemented and doing it right

We don't even know what Apple has to offer yet. So that's a pretty tough statement. It could be a new iPhone, iPod class product or it could be a new AppleTV, MacBook Air or (remember that?) QuicktimeTV.

[ChazUK]

iPod, iPhone, now tablet. It's pretty simple.

For the sake of fragmentation, please say it aint so! :eek:

[NT1440]

Uh, wasn't the rumor that Steve Ballmer was going to into HP's tablet today? How did this get turned into MS releasing its own tablet? :confused:

[Vulpinemac]

We don't even know what Apple has to offer yet. So that's a pretty tough statement. It could be a new iPhone, iPod class product or it could be a new AppleTV, MacBook Air or (remember that?) QuicktimeTV.

How many of us are using Quicktime TV now? Ummm... does your video programming come down from a satellite? Odds are you're using Quicktime TV right now.

[kdarling]

Wow.

Anyway, I wonder how much MS actually had to do with whatever this thing is.

HP is the one who's been doing a lot of touchscreen app development on their own.

HP is to Windows desktops and laptops, as HTC is to WinMo and Android phones... they add value by actually creating nicer user environments on top of the base OS.

[Mattie Num Nums]

ZZZzzzz . . . .

Apple isn't copying here. They're taking something poorly implemented and doing it right, giving it mass appeal and very likely ushering in a new phase of computing. And the Newton existed long before 2002. Its development started in 1989.

Current tablets are ****. Bet on Apple to change all that.

iPod, iPhone, now tablet. It's pretty simple.

I suggest you test an HP 2730P with Windows Seven. Again, I don't believe for a second that you even give fair comparisons to the products you bash. Its my job for a living to QA and test everything from Android phones to Mac Computers, Avid Bays, and other Technology for a Major Conglomerate so I see a lot of the technology and how its implemented. You just look at the damn labels.

[darthraige]

Where has it been confirmed?

All the media outlets keep talking about it. End of the month event, going on sale on so and so specific date.

We know that how?

Vista carried technology Apple has been using for a few years and Microsoft thinks its the newest stuff around. Then you got the Microsoft nerds who have never seen this desktop technology before thinking its the greatest interface ever. Had they gone Mac, they'd realize it's been around for a while.

Microsoft even copied the layout of the the Apple Stores for Christ sakes. Same wood paneling and everything. It's just an ongoing joke with MS.

[scroto]

Doesn't matter who makes a tablet it's still gonna suck. A totally useless device nobody needs.

[*LTD*]

I suggest you test an HP 2730P with Windows Seven. Again, I don't believe for a second that you even give fair comparisons to the products you bash. Its my job for a living to QA and test everything from Android phones to Mac Computers, Avid Bays, and other Technology for a Major Conglomerate so I see a lot of the technology and how its implemented. You just look at the damn labels.

No, I just look at Macs, OS X, the iPod line, iPhones, and it's pretty obvious that Apple knows EXACTLY what they're doing. Apple's "label" acutally stands for something in this industry.

Apple releases their tablet, and we'll see the rebirth of the tablet industry, as if it never really existed before Apple entered it. Same with smartphones. Same with mp3 players, etc.

Who cares about your job?

[fat phil]

It is fairly amusing that they've started replacing the word tablet with "slate" now.

[darthraige]

Doesn't matter who makes a tablet it's still gonna suck. A totally useless device nobody needs.

It'll only be worth it if you can do some crazy Photoshopping and Illustrator stuff on it.

[OllyW]

All the media outlets keep talking about it. End of the month event, going on sale on so and so specific date.

It's still an unconfirmed rumour (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/04/major-new-apple-product-on-january-27th/).

[fat phil]

Doesn't matter who makes a tablet it's still gonna suck. A totally useless device nobody needs.

Like the wheel!

It's pretty pointless till you find something to do with it.

[ctdonath]

At $1000 its a flat macbook air

Awesome! Add a Bluetooth keyboard & mouse for suitable needs, carry around tablet alone for most use. Assuming a breakthrough paradigm-changing UI, and I'd be thrilled - best of both worlds in a great package. Where's my credit card?

[zacman]

How many of us are using Quicktime TV now? Ummm... does your video programming come down from a satellite? Odds are you're using Quicktime TV right now.

:confused:

No, my "video programming" (whatever that is?) doesn't come from a satellite. I just press record on my Topfield TF 7700 and it saves the HDTV stream to the HDD... :confused:

[pbellamy]

This is great. Innovation and choice in the tablet arena.

If Apple's is better I'll buy it. If Microsoft's comes out top on features then thats the one for me.

I'll buy on features and performance, not brand.

[Harun]

Should be interesting to see! Hopefully it's a really good product. The people who vote this negative is why I HATE Apple fanboys.

Totally agree. Microsoft creating an awesome tablet makes it so Apple has to make something even better. In deciding what functionality to include and what it will cost, having competition from Microsoft means in both areas the purchaser (us) wins.

Not saying they have created an "awesome" tablet since I haven't seen it, just saying I hope they do so Apple has to keep connection prices low and the device more open. Because if they don't, Microsoft will be more than happy to step in and give people what they want (and hurt Apple).

[arkitect]

All the media outlets keep talking about it. End of the month event, going on sale on so and so specific date.
.

Still not confirmed by Apple though is it.
;)

It's still an unconfirmed rumour (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/04/major-new-apple-product-on-january-27th/).
Exactly.

I still think Apple are waiting to see what is released before they confirm the event…

[paradox00]

If they do announce a tablet, it will have a pretty face and boost large feature list like other Microsoft media related products. It will look good in pictures and people will ohh and awe at the spec sheet, but it will fall flat in usability. Windows Media Center should be vastly superior to front row, but I don't like it at all and navigating their remote is dumb. The ZuneHD is more of a dedicated media player than an iPod touch, but it is still more difficult to adjust the volume and change tracks on it.

[diamond.g]

How many of us are using Quicktime TV now? Ummm... does your video programming come down from a satellite? Odds are you're using Quicktime TV right now.

I don't follow what you are getting at. Could someone explain Quicktime TV?

[Rot'nApple]

RATS!!!

It would have been interesting to see if there were "campers" at the Microsoft store or any store. It would be interesting to see if NYT's David Pogue writes a MS Tablet song. It would be interesting to see the hype for the product or not. It would have been interesting to see the initial sales numbers, etc had MS had a January announcement and a March release and Apple had a late January announcement and a "mid year" release. ;)

Let's hope the product "talked" about today by Steve Ballmer, won't be delayed because they see something in Apple's item that is a must have... Just put it out there MS, and copy, er fix it later! :rolleyes:

[notjustjay]

Mainstream PCs had USB ports before the Imac - and the industry was preparing for the Windows 98 release with native OS support for USB (Win95 had some add-on drivers, but support was, shall we say problematic.)

I definitely remember reading PC magazines of the era that were saying how modern PCs were starting to ship with USB ports (in addition to serial, parallel, PS/2 ports), and you could buy a PCI upgrade card for your older PC, but the general feeling was, ".... but why? There's nothing out there yet that runs on USB that you can't already get on PS/2, serial, etc."

It was a chicken and egg scenario. Nobody wanted to make USB devices if there weren't enough people with USB-equipped PCs to use them, and nobody wanted to add USB to their PCs if there wasn't a compelling reason to do so (e.g. no devices).

Apple's decision to use ONLY USB connections on the iMac meant that suddenly there was a demand for USB devices (since they couldn't use the PS/2 or serial port equivalents), and that helped break the deadlock.

[MacRumorUser]

It looks fantastic!

I dislike Microsoft as much as the next Apple fanboy, but the Courier concept looks great - and being a designer, taking inspiration from everywhere, it's actually exactly what I'd want for writing and sketching ideas..


I agree with you completely.

Regardless of who releases something like that, it would find a home in my day to day life instantly. It's exactly what I want NOW out of a tablet device, (heck even more so than my laptop) and the promo video is vastly more appealing than the idea of a 10" movie playing glorified ipod touch.

And I actually like the idea of utilizing dual screens also.

Whether the promo design concept comes close in the real world, I'd buy one regardless of price.

I'm hoping the Apple tablet at least offers the same functionality, but we wont know until Jan 26th or so I guess.

[Mattie Num Nums]

No, I just look at Macs, OS X, the iPod line, iPhones, and it's pretty obvious that Apple knows EXACTLY what they're doing. Apple's "label" acutally stands for something in this industry.

Apple releases their tablet, and we'll see the rebirth of the tablet industry, as if it never really existed before Apple entered it. Same with smartphones. Same with mp3 players, etc.

Who cares about your job?

Because its relevant to my point. My point is exactly what you said. You're opinion is absolutely worthless because as you stated pretty clear here, you speak. You speak out from your rear end about products you have no clue about.

[inlovewithi]

Haven't tablets PC been out forever? Stop acting like Apple invented everything. I mean I know it's new in the Apple universe and gets a lot of press on Apple related websites, but there are other products besides the ones Apple makes. That's what I hope some of you realize.

[darthraige]

It's still an unconfirmed rumour (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/04/major-new-apple-product-on-january-27th/).

Are we really gonna play this game? We all know Apple will have this event. We all know the Tablet is coming out at the end of this month. Rumor shrumor.

[Mousse]

I'll wait until someone can "hackintosh" this thing before I get excited. I'm not interested in any variant of Windows Mobile.:rolleyes: It might pipue my interest IF Linux can be installed on it.

[zacman]

I don't follow what you are getting at. Could someone explain Quicktime TV?

QTV was announced in 1999 and it was designed to stream media on the Internet. So you can watch BBC, ABC, Disney, etc. on the internet (also "interactive TV"). Have a look here (http://www.macworld.com/article/15357/1999/10/quicktimetv.html).

In 2005 some ex PayPal guys decided to do it the right way and launched youtube :D

[NT1440]

Haven't tablets PC been out forever? Stop acting like Apple invented everything. I mean I know it's new in the Apple universe and gets a lot of press on Apple related websites, but there are other products besides the ones Apple makes. That's what I hope some of you realize.

There have been very few to do a tablet in any way that has a mass market appeal. Apple usually takes a type of device, then does it what soon becomes the standard way, thats why people are getting excited. This, if done right, could have the potential to be Apples 4th market(/world) changing device.

[Cander]

Going to be a shame if it is just the HP TM2 he shows off. Another tablet that is nothing more than a hybrid and totally misses the mark. At least the Lenovo IdeaPad has a detachable touchscreen and is closer to what I expect an Apple tablet to be.

But I still have hope Ballmer will show off the Courier and it is close to the awesomeness the concept videos showed.

[B. Hunter]

Good luck to Microsoft. I seriously hope that they prove every single one of you fanboys wrong.

You know full well that if this device had an Apple logo on it, you'd go out and buy it and say it's the best thing like sliced bread.

You know I think back prior to the release of the Zune. Especially when Bill Gates said something about Microsoft will not get into the hardware business. But here they are about to release a new improved door stop.

[MacFly123]

Apple is either shaking in its boots or quietly smiling to its collective self. I think the latter.

I think the latter as well lol. But I am getting nervous. There has never been this huge of a preemptive response from all the competition so early! It makes me feel like Apple has waited too long and should have launched this thing last year without delay!

This week with CES and the month with the 27th feel like they are going by soooooo sloooooow! I can't wait to see what happens.

I don't think there is anyway that Microsoft could have an actual production ready Courier this soon. Microsoft is notorious for responding with vaporware and then scrambling to try and whip something up so as to not be completely shafted by the competition lol! The fact that they leaked the Courier last year amid Tablet rumors and are doing this announcement before Apple just reenforces that.

All I know is, that the current state of tablet frenzy are hype and so on, are just continuing proof of the AMAZING influence Apple has on the entire tech industry!

[*LTD*]

There have been very few to do a tablet in any way that has a mass market appeal. Apple usually takes a type of device, then does it what soon becomes the standard way, thats why people are getting excited. This, if done right, could have the potential to be Apples 4th market(/world) changing device.

This.

And really, no one's going to be buying anything until they know exactly what Apple has to offer.

[NT1440]

Another tablet that is nothing more than a hybrid and totally misses the mark.

Thats what I feel perfectly describes the tablet market current. Lenovo has a great concept so we will see, but "tablet" as it stands now in most peoples minds is just a hybrid laptop.

IF the currier or w/e it was called turns out to be real, sign me the hell up, it is exactly the kind of digital companion i've been dreaming about for years.

I'm highly interested in what Apple has to offer though.

[HLdan]

Around 20 minutes of pure Boredom. Can't wait!



Uh . . . Apple's already way ahead. LOL.

Fixed that. ;)

[AidenShaw]

Apple's decision to use ONLY USB connections on the iMac meant that suddenly there was a demand for USB devices (since they couldn't use the PS/2 or serial port equivalents), and that helped break the deadlock.

True, that's why I said that "Apple definitely kick-started the USB era" in my post. The infrastructure (silicon) was already in place for Apple to use, though.

Intel's 440LX chipset (P6, released May 1996) had chipset support for USB. When the Imac shipped in August 1998, some PCs more than 2 years old already had USB ports.

But, Apple gave USB mindshare that it didn't have before the Imac.


...Bill Gates said something about Microsoft will not get into the hardware business. But here they are about to release a new improved door stop.

Check the original story again: "The slate will be made by Hewlett-Packard..."

MS will show an HP tablet, not an MS tablet.

[Vulpinemac]

:confused:

No, my "video programming" (whatever that is?) doesn't come from a satellite. I just press record on my Topfield TF 7700 and it saves the HDTV stream to the HDD... :confused:

Are you sure about that? You don't have Cable? You only receive 'on-air' programming without the need of any device other than an antenna on your roof? (and I don't mean 'dish' type.) If you get more than 5 channels on your TV, then you're probably receiving either cable or satellite. If you are, Quicktime has been the standard compression format for about 10 years. Yes, with HD there are newer formats, but that doesn't mean they have totally replaced Quicktime yet.

[RyanR.]

This could make things interesting. I am on the line of being an appl€ fanboy, but I believe in checks and balances and that is exactly what M$ is to :apple:, as are we as consumers.

When I first read this article, my first thought was. "Well if the M$/HP tablet is better, then we will never see the mythical :apple:slate". I mean Steve is the kind of guy that would scrap a project in a second if it doesn't shine(or is not thinner:p).

Second thought,"OS X, Rocks!"

SideNote:
I really don't see why the iSlate would not run iLife. I mainly use my mouse. Plus, the iPhone 3GS has shown us that it could be capable(Video Editing/cropping).If it can do that and the same as the iPhone then I'll get one. I would like a quickbooks App or to be able to put QB on the slate it self though.

[*LTD*]

Apple is either shaking in its boots or quietly smiling to its collective self. I think the latter.

Apple very likely has the entire tablet industry figured out for the next 5-7 years. Actually, you can probably go right ahead and call this a lock for Apple. Looking at everyone else's offering, whether before Apple's tablet is released or after, is purely a formality. It's a courtesy, at best.

[zacman]

If you are, Quicktime has been the standard compression format for about 10 years. Yes, with HD there are newer formats, but that doesn't mean they have totally replaced Quicktime yet.

What are you talking about? Digital SDTV is MPEG2 and HDTV is MPEG4. And analogue cable TV is neither (guess why...) and still delivers around 40 channels (at least in Germany).

And what does it have to do with internet streaming and QuicktimeTV (1999)? :confused:

I think you're mixing some things up here.

[conradwt]

Apple is either shaking in its boots or quietly smiling to its collective self. I think the latter.

Apple is in a much better strategic position to make their announcement later in the month because a lot of people have only speculated on what product will be introduced. It could be a laptop/desktop refresh, iPhone 4.0 beta SDK, and/or a new tablet. Thus, they are clearly in the driver's seat. If it's a new product, you can best believe that they have put several years of R&D into it. The initial iPhone was 2+ years of R&D.

[MAG.]

Since MS can't innovate, I can guarantee you that this thing will suck.

Yeah, you're right. All Microsoft's 90,000 employees can't "innovate". On the other hand Apple employee's can because they come from a different planet where they have secret connections with Jesus.

[flopticalcube]

Apple very likely has the entire tablet industry figured out for the next 5-7 years. Actually, you can probably go right ahead and call this a lock for Apple. Looking at everyone else's offering, whether before Apple's tablet is released or after, is purely a formality. It's a courtesy, at best.

Apple is in a much better strategic position to make their announcement later in the month because a lot of people have only speculated on what product will be introduced. It could be a laptop/desktop refresh, iPhone 4.0 beta SDK, and/or a new tablet. Thus, they are clearly in the driver's seat. If it's a new product, you can best believe that they have put several years of R&D into it. The initial iPhone was 2+ years of R&D.


I'm hoping for some real Apple magic this time. Enough to make me sell my 2 month old netbook.

[*LTD*]

Because its relevant to my point. My point is exactly what you said. You're opinion is absolutely worthless because as you stated pretty clear here, you speak. You speak out from your rear end about products you have no clue about.

My beloved tech-enthusiasts on this site simply don't understand the market. They don't understand that the company that targets the Average User successfully and pushes simplicity above all else, will have a lock on the bulk of the market, whether it's the largest segment of the market, or a segment they create and dominate by themselves. Apple's device can become the Gold Standard in either scenario. Apple's entire approach to tech will ensure their success almost every time. They approach tech and the user's relationship to it, from an entirely different place.

The tablet's a big project. We know that now. It's something Apple takes seriously. Betting against Apple in this area is just silly.

[fat phil]

Has anyone ever owned a good HP computer?

[Macsterguy]

Isn't a coffee table going to be heavy to carry around? :)

[Macsterguy]

Has anyone ever owned a good HP computer?
Nope, but I have had 3 bad ones...

[Vulpinemac]

What are you talking about? Digital SDTV is MPEG2 and HDTV is MPEG4. And analogue cable TV is neither (guess why...) and still delivers around 40 channels (at least in Germany).

And what does it have to do with internet streaming and QuicktimeTV (1999)? :confused:

I think you're mixing some things up here.

Maybe you should look at the MP2 and MP4 specifications. Even your 'analog' cable programming was digitized starting in the late '90s so more data could be fed through existing satellites in orbit. It wouldn't necessarily be in the receiver/cable box in your own home, but it would be on the uplink/downlink side where it's sent to and received from the satellite itself.

So yes, nearly everybody has been using Quicktime for about 10 years without even knowing it. The codec has changed now, but the new codec hasn't yet replaced all of the old Quicktime channels.

[omahajim]

removed

[*LTD*]

Quite simply, I trust Apple to get it right. I don't have that same trust with Microsoft.

Apple has gestalt. MS doesn't. It doesn't just magically appear. It comes from your attitude to tech, and to how the user should interact with it.

[paulyras]

Hahahahaha. This is hilarious. What's the matter Microsoft? Don't want to show if off after Apple introduces theirs? Don't want to be embarrassed, again?

Trying to resist sophomoric joke about physical attributes....

[kdarling]

Has anyone ever owned a good HP computer?

Sure. I have two HP TouchSmart desktops in my home. Both have been powered up for well over a year now.

One's been in the kitchen and subjected to heat, spills, you name it.

They've been a great experiment in how touchscreens both can and cannot be useful for daily tasks and entertainment.

[*LTD*]

Look back over the last decade. That's all you have to do. Macs. OS X. iPods, iPhones, etc. Figure out why these are such successful, desirable products, then assume the logical thing - that Apple will take all their experience in this area and apply it to their NEXT big product - like they've done before, and you'll have your answer. Shouldn't take more than a minute of deep thought.

[fat phil]

Sure. I have two HP TouchSmart desktops in my home. Both have been powered up for well over a year now.

One's been in the kitchen and subjected to heat, spills, you name it.

They've been a great experiment in how touchscreens both can and cannot be useful for daily tasks and entertainment.

Oh dear, and I seem to recall the last Surface demo I saw involved a bar and placing drinks on the screen...

[Reed Rothchild]

I agree. Apple hasn't done anything nor announced anything to show at all. Microsoft might come up with a great product, Apple fanboys will mock and laugh. Apple might come out with a similar product and they will claim Microsoft copied and sucks. lol. I don't get it. Why can't good technology be good technology. There doesn't have to be a hate Microsoft, love Apple relationship. They are tech companies and hardware tools for consumer and business use. They aren't a religion.

Amen to that :).


Some of the comments on this thread make me feel embarrassed to admit to using Apple products. From my understanding of the current state of affairs, Apple have not mentioned that they have a fabled tablet to announce, nor have they announced a release date. It's amazing that some here are knocking Microsoft for actually talking about a real product.

FWIW, the mock-ups of the Courier look extremely well conceived. I hope that they will present something that comes even close to that. I also hope that Apple will come up with something that looks equally appealing, but won't be surprised if they end up with a super-sized iPod Touch umbilically linked to their iTunes store. Whatever happens, competition is such a great thing.

[Fatum]

Good luck to Microsoft. I seriously hope that they prove every single one of you fanboys wrong.

You know full well that if this device had an Apple logo on it, you'd go out and buy it and say it's the best thing like sliced bread.

Ok Putzy, relax, here is a Lithium and here is a Prozac. Now let me help you get into your winter coat, the one with the very long sleeves.

[soultr4in]

Maybe you should look at the MP2 and MP4 specifications. Even your 'analog' cable programming was digitized starting in the late '90s so more data could be fed through existing satellites in orbit. It wouldn't necessarily be in the receiver/cable box in your own home, but it would be on the uplink/downlink side where it's sent to and received from the satellite itself.

So yes, nearly everybody has been using Quicktime for about 10 years without even knowing it. The codec has changed now, but the new codec hasn't yet replaced all of the old Quicktime channels.

I never post on here, but this is just a bit too misinforming to let slide. There is nothing "Quicktime" about MPEG-2 or MPEG-4. Quicktime, in its original form, used licensed video codecs from, amongst others, Sorenson. It used H.263 compression technology, which was standardized as a telecommunications standard through ITU-T. Apple was not a part of the standardization process. The current Quicktime uses H.264 compression technology, again standardized by the ITU-T (albeit this time with some - limited - contribution from Apple).

Bottom line: Apple did not invent either video streaming nor video compression. They made it easy to set up your own stream using Quicktime Broadcaster, a program that was unfortunately not used by many and that Apple quietly discontinued without much fanfare.

Quicktime does video compression and used to have applications associated with it for streaming. It wasn't an Apple invention, no matter how much people would like to revise history books in its favor.

[Friscohoya]

The courrier concept is a great one, but does not go far enough. The ultimate portable tablet consists of a foldable screen that allows it to be both pocket-sized yet big screened. If a 10" screen can fold down to something pocketable, then you are cookin with Crisco! Until then, its just low saturated fat oils that are good for you, but fall short on taste. This is where we need to go....:rolleyes:

http://tommasogecchelin.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/macbook-touch-beta-20.jpg?w=510

But alas, we are not there yet :(

Sorry the picture is so big!

[gibbz]

FWIW, the mock-ups of the Courier look extremely well conceived.

I disagree. With the book type setup, will people be forced to use it lying lat on a table?

[Mattie Num Nums]

Look back over the last decade. That's all you have to do. Macs. OS X. iPods, iPhones, etc. Figure out why these are such successful, desirable products, then assume the logical thing - that Apple will take all their experience in this area and apply it to their NEXT big product - like they've done before, and you'll have your answer. Shouldn't take more than a minute of deep thought.

That has nothing to do with anything you say. You are talking about numbers. Numbers mean people buy but that doesn't show something is inferior or superior. Apple is very Trendy right now, but trends change especially since people are becoming more aware of Apples Totalitarian product management.

[*LTD*]

Amen to that :).


Some of the comments on this thread make me feel embarrassed to admit to using Apple products. From my understanding of the current state of affairs, Apple have not mentioned that they have a fabled tablet to announce, nor have they announced a release date. It's amazing that some here are knocking Microsoft for actually talking about a real product.

FWIW, the mock-ups of the Courier look extremely well conceived. I hope that they will present something that comes even close to that. I also hope that Apple will come up with something that looks equally appealing, but won't be surprised if they end up with a super-sized iPod Touch umbilically linked to their iTunes store. Whatever happens, competition is such a great thing.

An Apple tablet-like device is a certainty, and it'll be introduced this year, with all signs pointing to later on this month.

Just one piece of evidence among many:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/12/23/apple_developers_told_to_prepare_full_screen_apps_for_jan_demo.html

[*LTD*]

That has nothing to do with anything you say. You are talking about numbers. Numbers mean people buy but that doesn't show something is inferior or superior. Apple is very Trendy right now, but trends change especially since people are becoming more aware of Apples Totalitarian product management.

Apple's been "trendy" for a little over a decade now. The trendiness has kinda become a habit.

Who exactly is becoming aware of "Apples Totalitarian product management"? You mean the developers that keep flocking to the iPhone and its App store that just keeps growing, or the consumers that hand Apple record quarters in a recession (in all areas)? The tech industry is on the edge of its seat waiting for Apple's Next Big Thing, and consumers are ready to stand in line to hand over their cash. Apple's "product management" is the most successful its kind, for everyone involved.

[Lesser Evets]

Apple is very Trendy right now, but trends change especially since people are becoming more aware of Apples Totalitarian product management.

Insane.

I've never met one real person that ever said, "I won't buy Apple products because of their TOTALITARIAN PRODUCT MANAGEMENT (whatever that means)."

Sure, there are people who have any reason to not buy something. THAT is not a major reason why people don't buy Apple. Apple has always been trendy and upscale since the days of Mac. So over 25 years they should have become less trendy because of their xxx or yyy... they've become more popular and probably will continue to be popular for a good while longer. There's a good reason they are popular: well designed, easy to use, reliable products aimed to benefit specific markets. Most PC stuff is throw out for mass markets, not refined, and usually not aimed to specific use but to do everything that could make money in any niche.

[AidenShaw]

What are you talking about? Digital SDTV is MPEG2 and HDTV is MPEG4.

ATSC in the US is MPEG-2, and MPEG-2 is even one of the formats used on Blu-ray Discs. (At 30Mbps, MPEG-2 is quite good.)

Other geographies do vary.

[iphones4evry1]

My best guess is that rumors were flying that the Apple Tablet will be $999, and Ballmer looked at the other execs at MS and said "Hey, we could do that for about $599, right?," and the rest is history. Sure, it won't be as good as an Apple; it will be like comparing an HP laptop to a MacBook, but hey, I'm glad to see tablets coming to market one way or another. Tablets aren't for everyone, but for those that can use them (anyone who moves around in their job and doesn't just sit at a desk, like a doctor or a field worker will benefit).

UPS, FedEx, AppleStore employees already use touch devices in their jobs. A tablet is simply a larger version. Doctors and hospital workers will likely benefit a lot from tablets.

[IntelliUser]

Ok, so we either get a revolutionary tablet which is ruined by Windows, or a crappy tablet which is ruined by Windows. That is vs Apple's tablet which will run either OS X, iPhone OS or something between the two. Wow, that sure is a hell of a competition! It'll be so hard to decide which one to buy...

[hindmost]

Ballmer is King Midas, sort of. Everything he touches or predicts turns to not gold....but fecal matter. He sneered at the iPod and he predicted zune success and iPod failure. He said the 'internet not created for something like the iPhone' and predicted failure. He beat the drums for 'Vista' only recanting slightly when the entire world (Grandma's included) said it was a dud. So, this woose should be the last guy to try and be like Steve Jobs playing role of CEO as media spokesman). He should join Dick Chaney in a hidey place.

[*LTD*]

Insane.

I've never met one real person that ever said, "I won't buy Apple products because of their TOTALITARIAN PRODUCT MANAGEMENT (whatever that means)."

It means that Apple controls the User Experience to ensure it meets certain speicifc standards, all the time, across all of their products. Which no one else really does. Which incidentally is one of the cornerstones of Apple's success.

[ct2k7]

It means that Apple controls the User Experience to ensure it meets certain speicifc standards, all the time, across all of their products. Which no one else really does. Which incidentally is one of the cornerstones of Apple's success.

I have.

[steve_hill4]

The courrier concept is a great one, but does not go far enough. The ultimate portable tablet consists of a foldable screen that allows it to be both pocket-sized yet big screened. If a 10" screen can fold down to something pocketable, then you are cookin with Crisco! Until then, its just low saturated fat oils that are good for you, but fall short on taste. This is where we need to go....:rolleyes:

[snip]

But alas, we are not there yet :(

Sorry the picture is so big!

[Wipes drool from chin]
Guess what I'm going to be dreaming about tonight....

[*LTD*]

I have.

You have what?

[Cander]

Tablets aren't for everyone, but for those that can use them (anyone who moves around in their job and doesn't just sit at a desk, like a doctor or a field worker will benefit).

UPS, FedEx, AppleStore employees already use touch devices in their jobs. A tablet is simply a larger version. Doctors and hospital workers will likely benefit a lot from tablets.

That is the issue Apple needs to address. Apple isn't going to shoot for such a market. If they are going to release a tablet, they are going to go for the consumer market. And to do that, they need to do something to convince the consumer they will want it. And I think the key will be how it fits into the Apple digital lifestyle. What that means and entails, I do not know. But I can only assume it will work with most if not all of Apple's other products in some way.

[miketcool]

Ballmer is King Midas, sort of. Everything he touches or predicts turns to not gold....but fecal matter. He sneered at the iPod and he predicted zune success and iPod failure. He said the 'internet not created for something like the iPhone' and predicted failure. He beat the drums for 'Vista' only recanting slightly when the entire world (Grandma's included) said it was a dud. So, this woose should be the last guy to try and be like Steve Jobs playing role of CEO as media spokesman). He should join Dick Chaney in a hidey place.

It's Dick Cheney, and the man isn't in hiding. His predictions were at least accurate.

Let's be honest, what would you say about a rivals products when speaking to shareholders. "Don't worry, our own products may stink, but if you don't sell us all off now, we promise to have one good hit in 15 years..."

The guy obviously has to have a ton of bias, it's actually his job.

[Reed Rothchild]

I disagree. With the book type setup, will people be forced to use it lying lat on a table?

I think if it's a "book type" then people will use it like a book :). The prototypes that have been flying around the net are two 7" screens that can be folded over just like a book.

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/images/4/2009/09/500x_courier4.jpg


I like the idea of dual screens and making it "book like". For one, it protects the most delicate areas when folded up, and it probably applies at a sub-conscious level to those wary of high-tech gizmos but who can comprehend an "electronic book". You can even use the hinge area for storing bits and pieces (a stylus if you want to do real handwriting say). Overall it's a great looking concept. Not entirely sure this is what will be displayed at CES, but if so then way to go MS :).

Oh, and I'd also hope that it wouldn't be running a stripped down "tablet PC" version of Windows. I think they should take the hint from Apple and concentrate on the presentation requirements for the device - e.g. a digital notebook - and hide the OS as much away as possible...

[HLdan]

It sucks that other companies always beat Apple to a new game... And although Apple's tablet will certainly be better, it still loses the impact of being the first to which everyone else wants to catch up to and emulate... :mad:


Man, you're not serious about what you wrote right? Who cares who's first. Apple has proven that being first isn't necessary. Um, are you forgetting that the cell phone industry really wasn't all that innovative or competitive until the iPhone arrived? Now every damn company is trying to make an iPhone killer. Copycat iPhone interfaces, bezel design and touch features. Apple was certainly the last to bring out a phone and all of a sudden other companies are following their lead.

[ct2k7]

Man, you're not serious about what you wrote right? Who cares who's first. Apple has proven that being first isn't necessary. Um, are you forgetting that the cell phone industry really wasn't all that innovative or competitive until the iPhone arrived? Now every damn company is trying to make an iPhone killer. Copycat iPhone interfaces, bezel design and touch features. Apple was certainly the last to bring out a phone and all of a sudden other companies are following their lead.

To be honest, iPhone isn't the best mobile phone...

[Vulpinemac]

<snip> Apple is very Trendy right now, but trends change especially since people are becoming more aware of Apples Totalitarian product management.

Apple has been 'Trendy' and 'Cool' for almost 12 years now. Why? If it were just trendy, then wouldn't sales have stopped or even reversed by now?

Oh, I admit that sales of iPods have finally leveled off, but iPods still hold roughly 70% of the mp3-player market and the reduction of sales is more an indicator of people replacing old ones, not that something else is taking the market away from them.

On the other hand, if Apple were merely trendy, would sales of Macs, both laptops and desktops have slowed to match the rest of the market during this economic downturn? Why, when they are considered so much more expensive than other brands, have Mac sales been increasing by an average of 17% over the last two years while PCs, other than netbooks, have, at best, increased only 5% and for most companies actually fallen by 15% or more over the same time period? Only netbooks--the sub-$300 sub-notebooks--have shown any significant growth, and even their numbers are starting to fall from their incredible highs.

Yes, people are learning about Apple's so-called Totalitarian manufacturing processes, and they're appreciating what it means for the product itself. Why else would a running 50% of all new Apple buyers be people who have never owned an Apple before?

[kernkraft]

Will Apple’s tablet ever come out? The whole thing is just speculation, yet people bash actual products and ones with announced launch date. Has Apple Inc announced the Tablet? We don’t even know what it will be called, but some treat it as it is already out and anything else is just worthless junk. Has Apple linked the product with the end-of-January event where it is supposed to be ‘released’ and be available for shipping in March? Apparently Apple asked some developers to prepare for a demo. I don’t know, but there is so much speculation that it obviously makes people lose their sense of reality. I think an actual product is better than a rumour. If we believe these rumours, we will not have an Apple tablet until March. That is probably one of the longest product 'campaign' (I mean speculation and free advertising) in recent times. 'Constipation' is the word that might be used here.

I know that my jailbroken iPhone supports touch-screen. OS X does not. Windows 7 does. I don't like the mega-hyper glossy screen of my MacBook Pro. I prefer the Kindle for reading. So I don't know, what to expect from Apple. With so much disappointment with first generation Apple products, I might wait. But I'll keep an open mind. Unfortunately, on this site this is a rare virtue.

Why is it impossible that somebody else other than Apple is able to produce something nice? The industry is moving on, hopefully Apple is not getting lost in its own microcosmos.

[benfilan]

If its anything like that courier concept it'll be frakking amazing.

[Peace]

If MS/HP delivers this in the 2nd half of 2010 and Apple delivers theirs in March who really came out with it first ?

[miketcool]

If MS/HP delivers this in the 2nd half of 2010 and Apple delivers theirs in March who really came out with it first ?

Elisha Gray in 1950 :p

[ct2k7]

If MS/HP delivers this in the 2nd half of 2010 and Apple delivers theirs in March who really came out with it first ?

MS/HP :)

[thunderclap]

The point made, and it probably true if this happens, is that Microsoft is jumping in front with an announcement despite shipping far in the future because they don;t want to seem like they are always trailing behind Apple. Don't forget that 99% of the public has no idea about what is coming, unlike people here who have been following forever.

It's my understanding that Apple announcing some sort of tablet PC is still speculation. There isn't an "official" announcement, is there? How does anyone know that Apple is in fact releasing a tablet this year?

[QCassidy352]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

If "HP + Microsoft" doesn't equal "trainwreck," I'll eat my hat.

[Friscohoya]

I think if it's a "book type" then people will use it like a book :). The prototypes that have been flying around the net are two 7" screens that can be folded over just like a book.

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/images/4/2009/09/500x_courier4.jpg


I like the idea of dual screens and making it "book like". For one, it protects the most delicate areas when folded up, and it probably applies at a sub-conscious level to those wary of high-tech gizmos but who can comprehend an "electronic book". You can even use the hinge area for storing bits and pieces (a stylus if you want to do real handwriting say). Overall it's a great looking concept. Not entirely sure this is what will be displayed at CES, but if so then way to go MS :).

The screens need to be contiguous or else it falls short of its full functionality in landscape/canvas mode and that is where tablets really shine in my opinion.

[gibbz]

If MS/HP delivers this in the 2nd half of 2010 and Apple delivers theirs in March who really came out with it first ?

This still confuses me about MS. The hardware is HP, not MS. While MS *could* be able to make a nice software package for the tablet, they are reliant on an outside company to make the hardware. So really this is nothing more than Microsoft saying "Hey HP is releasing tablet hardware that can run our software".

I think I'd much rather take my chances on an Apple designed hardware/software package.

The screens need to be contiguous or else it falls short of its full functionality in landscape/canvas mode and that is where tablets really shine in my opinion.

My thoughts exactly

[Cander]

It's my understanding that Apple announcing some sort of tablet PC is still speculation. There isn't an "official" announcement, is there? How does anyone know that Apple is in fact releasing a tablet this year?

No one knows for sure of course but I think there is too much noise for it not to be true this time. It was like this right before the iPhone was announced.

[ct2k7]

This still confuses me about MS. The hardware is HP, not MS. While MS *could* be able to make a nice software package for the tablet, they are reliant on an outside company to make the hardware. So really this is nothing more than Microsoft saying "Hey HP is releasing tablet hardware that can run our software".

I think I'd much rather take my chances on an Apple designed hardware/software package.



My thoughts exactly

For all we know, it could be a complete joint venture in which Microsoft has a say in the building process.

[VenusianSky]

This still confuses me about MS. The hardware is HP, not MS. While MS *could* be able to make a nice software package for the tablet, they are reliant on an outside company to make the hardware. So really this is nothing more than Microsoft saying "Hey HP is releasing tablet hardware that can run our software".

I think I'd much rather take my chances on an Apple designed hardware/software package.



My thoughts exactly

It may be a Microsoft-branded product from HP, just like the Google-branded HTC phone. HP has been in the touch screen computing market for years now and maybe that is why Microsoft went with them, if this is indeed a MS-branded product. Microsoft does not manufacture hardware. From what I understand, the Xbox is not even made by Microsoft. They contract other companies to do it, and brand it as Microsoft.

[MAG.]

It may be a Microsoft-branded product from HP, just like the Google-branded HTC phone. HP has been in the touch screen computing market for years now and maybe that is why Microsoft went with them, if this is indeed a MS-branded product. Microsoft does not manufacture hardware. From what I understand, the Xbox is not even made by Microsoft. They contract other companies to do it, and brand it as Microsoft.

This also applies to Apple.

[surferfromuk]

I wouldn't be surprised by a low-end basic touchscreen device built on netbook internals running Windows 7 for $300.

Microsoft will then attempt to control the 'value proposition' behind owning a tablet by astro-turfing public perception that this will accomplish 80% of what the 'upcoming Apple' device will be but at 20% of the cost.

I really can't see anything in HP's manufacturing line that could act as a base for a truly revolutionary slim-line table device and there is nothing in Microsoft's OS arsenal that hints at a courier branch.

In Apple's case we know they've got a) The Macbook Air b) iPhone OS 3.0 c) The iPhone.

It's not hard to see how Apple could fuse these three together but it's a lot harder to see how Microsoft could get their OS AND HP upto that level without a clunky 1st Gen device.

Finally, Microsoft doesn't play in high-end devices.

However, I think Apple's device will be built upon a Apple publishing framework developers kit that is free like the App developers kit and puts your 'magazine publication' onto iTunes Magazine rack. This will be the difference and is what will put the publishing revolution into Apple's hands. They may not even ANNOUNCE a tablet at the end of Jan - just the framework app!

[iphonegeek786]

It looks like this. BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

Edit:http://gizmodo.com/5365299/courier-first-details-of-microsofts-secret-tablet

[Vulpinemac]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

If "HP + Microsoft" doesn't equal "trainwreck," I'll eat my hat.

Please note my username as I say this:

Hewlett-Packard has produced some good products. They still do produce good products. That said, if you go for the cheapest stuff you can get, no matter what the brand, it's going to be Junk; this includes the Compaq brand as far as I'm concerned.

Microsoft has produced some good products. They still do produce some good products. However, if you have to adapt to any piece of junk out there, the end result becomes junk; this is why Microsoft's reputation is so bad.

These statements do not consider Microsoft's attempts to manipulate the market as accused and litigated by both the US Justice Department or the European Union. If Microsoft had tried to play fair back then, it's very possible they wouldn't have the bad reputation they have today. Of course, if you really study Microsoft's history all the way back to the original MS-Dos, you might find that they never really tried to play fair from the outset. Yes, Bill Gates can be likened to the railroad barons of the 1800's, and like them, his tactics worked... until he got his hand slapped. Even so, like those railroads of old, we're down to two Class A operators and a number of 'mom and pop' operations.

Microsoft and Apple are the top OSes in both market and mind share. Linux, Amiga and other operating systems fill very specific desires and needs, though Linux is seeing a visible rise in its market. But when you compare Apple to Microsoft, it's like comparing the Northern Pacific Railroad to the UP, SP, Santa Fe and Burlington Northern combined--they've been told from the beginning they could never compete with the 'big boys,' and yet they continue to grow by taking a different route entirely--doing things differently. It worked in the 1890's; it's working today.

[kernkraft]

Microsoft does not manufacture hardware.

That's exactly how Apple has its hardware manufactured from computers to earphones, from iPhones to keyboards.

[Sirmausalot]

Have you ever used dual screens? The point isn't two text pages facing -- it's for complementary information. Different web pages, a document facing images a spreadsheet and a report. Dual screens means not having to drag and resize windows all of the time. I think someone got it right. This will be geared towards students/business people who want to get some work done. I hope it's a great device as I hope Apple's is insanely great

If that courier device is the working design, I am curious what MS is aiming for. Foldable devices are inconvenient and yesterday's design limitation.

It makes the screen area divide up, so gaming is limited, apps limit, but book reading seems like book reading... which is stupid. The point of a book isn't to read two pages at a time, it was to put information in a form which is protected from dirt and water and fire, etc. (the elements). People had scrolls before books. The point wasn't the form, the point was to convey information.

Thus, if they cling to form over benefit of function, they're putting the horse before the car.


Aw. Poor baby.

[Reed Rothchild]

It may be a Microsoft-branded product from HP, just like the Google-branded HTC phone. HP has been in the touch screen computing market for years now and maybe that is why Microsoft went with them, if this is indeed a MS-branded product. Microsoft does not manufacture hardware. From what I understand, the Xbox is not even made by Microsoft. They contract other companies to do it, and brand it as Microsoft.

True, MS don't manufacture HW but they do brand things like the Zune, Xbox, heck even their mice and keyboards. No different than what Google have recently done, and what Apple have pretty much always done. I'm personally doubtful that we'll see an MS branded "tablet" this evening. I think they'll leave their name on something interesting like the courier concept. What we'll probably see here is just another HP tablet, c/w swinging out keyboard. If so, then "big deal" would be a fair response. But who knows, maybe Balmer will do his monkey dance and pull a Courier out of his ass :eek:.

[Vulpinemac]

This also applies to Apple.

Yes -- and no.

Most of the devices you're talking about are designed by the third-party manufacturer--perhaps to the specifications of the brand-name company, but still designed outside of that brand. Apple, on the other hand, does almost all the design and engineering, adapting components, perhaps, but creating the product in-house, then having the third-party manufacturer build and assemble it.

[LagunaSol]

Windows tablets have been around for years.

Apple, not so much.

But don't let the facts get in way of your rant, though. Carry on. :rolleyes:

Sounds like someone has never heard of the Newton.

But don't let the facts get in way of your rant, though. Carry on. :rolleyes:

[Westside guy]

If Micro$oft is spelled like that, can we spell Appl€ like this?

¥es we certainly can.

BTW why are the MS and Apple fanbois on this thread only aware that their opposite numbers are fanbois, while somehow they themselves are assumed to be rational?

[diamond.g]

Sounds like someone has never heard of the Newton.

But don't let the facts get in way of your rant, though. Carry on. :rolleyes:

So the Newton went from a PDA (like Palm) to a tablet device? Or are we saying they are the same thing?

[LagunaSol]

Apple is very Trendy right now, but trends change especially since people are becoming more aware of Apples Totalitarian product management.

I love how Microsoft can have 90%+ of the desktop OS market for many years yet no one ever calls them "trendy." Yet Apple starts having a streak of success and it's derided as a passing fad.

(Oh, and I am impressed by Apple's amazing power to turn common adjectives of derision into proper names. You forgot Evil, Arrogant and Overpriced.)

And no, there's nothing totalitarian about Microsoft, now is there. :rolleyes:

The anti-Apple fanboys are as ridiculous as the Apple fanboys you rant about.

Apparently Apple will always be Anti-Mattie Num Nums though (hat tip to the commenter who first coined that phrase).

[hugo7]

Have you ever used dual screens? The point isn't two text pages facing -- it's for complementary information. Different web pages, a document facing images a spreadsheet and a report. Dual screens means not having to drag and resize windows all of the time....

Are two physical screens really necessary? Couldn't the same separation of information be achieved with a single widescreen? Isn't there a new "snap-to" feature in windows 7 which does exactly that (ie maximise and horizontally align two windows)? I feel that close emulation of the book concept is flawed. Hopefully the advent of the tablet (be it from apple, google or whoever) will lead to a paradigm shift for interacting with surface-based devices.

[Rodimus Prime]

That has nothing to do with anything you say. You are talking about numbers. Numbers mean people buy but that doesn't show something is inferior or superior. Apple is very Trendy right now, but trends change especially since people are becoming more aware of Apples Totalitarian product management.

You might as well give up. *LTD* is a apple troll. Yes I am calling him a troll.

If you look threw all his post is quite often just says how great *blank* apple product is. he will bash anything with out an apple label on it. He refused to look at anything more than a bashing.

Just learn to pass over his post and learn he is what you call a true apple fanboy/troll.

[miketcool]

The anti-Apple fanboys are as ridiculous as the Apple fanboys you rant about.

Some of us just Think Different, ya know?

[Eidorian]

This is hopefully going to be interesting after seeing the Lenovo Hybrid.

You might as well give up. *LTD* is a apple troll. Yes I am calling him a troll.

If you look threw all his post is quite often just says how great *blank* apple product is. he will bash anything with out an apple label on it. He refused to look at anything more than a bashing.

Just learn to pass over his post and learn he is what you call a true apple fanboy/troll.

Some of us just Think Different, ya know?It does become very predictable.

[Cander]

Some of us just Think Different, ya know?

Everytime I hear that phrase it reminds me of The Simpsons when Bart got an earring and Lisa said "How rebellious of you. In a conformist sort of way"

:p

[enil8tr1]

I use my ipod touch to check email, surf more at home than my mac,like a whole generation of people.. I think a tablet where I dint have to do all that pinching zooming would be great. I would want to hook up to a monitor and key board at home and replace home pc over time . Portable item life span is only 2-3 years so would only buy below $400-$500. Ms tablet looks like a good mass market start.

[LagunaSol]

So the Newton went from a PDA (like Palm) to a tablet device? Or are we saying they are the same thing?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Newton

You might as well give up. *LTD* is a apple troll. Yes I am calling him a troll.

Wow, that's rich, coming from you.

he will bash anything with out an apple label on it.

Whereas you will bash anything with an Apple label on it. What's the difference?

Just learn to pass over his post and learn he is what you call a true apple fanboy/troll.

And you're just a fanboy/troll sitting on the other side of the fence. The interesting thing is that you choose to hate on Apple on an Apple-oriented website. Pretty pathetic.

Before throwing out the "troll" card, you might want to try a mirror sometime.

[Rodimus Prime]

hmm so your defense of him is that. If you noticed I do not bash apple products but I do refused to buy the hype and try to remind people to take a look at them with a grain of salt.

Just because I refuse to worship at the Church of Apple and worship the god known as Steve Jobs does not make me an apple hater or basher.

Or is it because I think differently. Means I refuse to buy everything apple says as the best way.

I also only tend to chime in when the trolls gets out of hand. I have stayed out of the apple tablet thread because there is nothing to say on it other than I am interested in what it will be. Yes I have my worries on apple control freak ways doing more harm to it. but I still have hopes that they open it up and allow people do have more freedom of choice on it.

I also am not the only person who has pointed out the problems with LTD. I am just the one who calls him on it. True Apple trolls/Fanboys are worthless even on an apple fansite because they can not even bother looking at negatives. They just go LOOK HOW GREAT *Blank* is. Nothing worth worth talking about. I guess you want everyone to be a blind follower of the church of apple.

[diamond.g]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Newton

I get that (having owned a MP 120). I just am amazed that it went from being the grandfather of PDAs (I still think the handwriting recognition got a bad rap) to being the grandfather of tablets. That would basically imply that the iPhone and iPod Touch are already tablets since they are the successor to the Newton (IMHO).

[ShiftyPig]

Hmmm... let's think ratios for a moment.

Microsoft: Roughly 90% of the computing market all-told. $3.574B. That's roughly a 2.51:1 ratio, market to money.

Apple: Roughly 10% of the computing market all told. $1.665B. That's roughly a .60:1 ratio, market to money.

Who's really making the better income for effort? It looks like Apple is coming out 4x better than Microsoft in this comparison.

Since Apple doesn't reap any revenue from iPhone, iPod, iTunes, MobileMe, AppleCare, AppleTV, or the physical machines it makes, right?

Yet further proof that you can't talk business with someone who can't read a 10-K. If you did you'd notice that, from a software standpoint as you cited, the two are about as efficient, just with Apple being much, much smaller. Apple makes its bank from things other than its 10% OS market share.

[LagunaSol]

I get that (having owned a MP 120). I just am amazed that it went from being the grandfather of PDAs (I still think the handwriting recognition got a bad rap) to being the grandfather of tablets. That would basically imply that the iPhone and iPod Touch are already tablets since they are the successor to the Newton (IMHO).

I dunno, how does one define "tablet?" 5" screen or bigger? 7"? 10"?

I guess I would define a tablet as something you interact with directly on the screen without any other direct input source. A single "slate" if you will. In which case yes, the Newton was essentially a tablet, as were the PDAs that followed it. And the iPhone/iPod touch.

Of course the product category is about to be redefined again, by Apple and others.

The Newton was certainly ahead of its time, which spelled its doom. The bulkiness didn't help either.

[Reed Rothchild]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Newton


I get that (having owned a MP 120). I just am amazed that it went from being the grandfather of PDAs (I still think the handwriting recognition got a bad rap) to being the grandfather of tablets. That would basically imply that the iPhone and iPod Touch are already tablets since they are the successor to the Newton (IMHO).


Didn't you get the message? Jobs can trace his ancestry and that of his company back to Moses and the tablets. Apple have prior art ownership on every writing device since the dawn of civilization! There are many things that supposedly haven't been invented yet that Apple and its disciples already have patents for. They're just waiting for you to make the first move :).

[pale9]

Update: BoomTown reports that while Ballmer may show off tablet-like devices as part of his keynote focusing on Windows 7 and the company's "software plus services" positioning, there will be no formal introduction of a slate-style tablet device or its "Courier" device in particular.4

If this is true, then this will confirm my suspicion that Balmer is a total idiot that MS should have gotten rid of years ago. "hello, bill, you left the store with an imbecile in charge, did you know that?"

[rva1]

Good luck to Microsoft. I seriously hope that they prove every single one of you fanboys wrong.

You know full well that if this device had an Apple logo on it, you'd go out and buy it and say it's the best thing like sliced bread.

Reply: That's because it would be. Microsoft has been out of touch with the consumer for a very long time. You actually have to be a bigger fanboy of MS to keep purchasing their products. With Apple it is easy, they really do make great stuff.

[LagunaSol]

Didn't you get the message? Jobs can trace his ancestry and that of his company back to Moses and the tablets. Apple have prior art ownership on every writing device since the dawn of civilization! There are many things that supposedly haven't been invented yet that Apple and its disciples already have patents for. They're just waiting for you to make the first move :).

Captain Straw Man makes his appearance. :rolleyes:

[*LTD*]

Update: BoomTown reports that while Ballmer may show off tablet-like devices as part of his keynote focusing on Windows 7 and the company's "software plus services" positioning, there will be no formal introduction of a slate-style tablet device or its "Courier" device in particular.4

If this is true, then this will confirm my suspicion that Balmer is a total idiot that MS should have gotten rid of years ago. "hello, bill, you left the store with an imbecile in charge, did you know that?"

Possibly.

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/01/06/ces-microsoft-and-h-p-to-show-slate-but-not-a-big-surprise/

CES: Microsoft and H-P to Show Slate, But Not a Big Surprise

By Nick Wingfield

Steve Ballmer plans to show a slate-style computer during his Consumer Electronics Show keynote Wednesday night. But don’t get too excited.

People familiar with the matter say the device to be shown by Microsoft’s CEO, built by Hewlett-Packard, is not some surprise response to Apple’s expected tablet or Amazon.com’s hit Kindle. Rather, they say, it’s an extension of existing keyboardless designs that H-P and others have made with Microsoft’s help since the 1990s. It runs Microsoft’s recently introduced Windows 7, for example, not some brand-new operating system.

These people add that the H-P device, reported in a New York Times blog post last night, isn’t related to Courier, a Microsoft concept for a dual screen, book-like electronic-reading device. Mock-up designs of Courier leaked onto the Internet in September and caused quite a stir.

Photos and a video posted by Gizmodo at that time indicated Courier could handle both touch-sensing and capture handwriting through a stylus. People familiar with the matter at that time said the material was put together by a design firm working with Microsoft, adding that the device would not be shown at CES and might never become a real product.

Just to add to the confusion, Hewlett-Packard on Wednesday separately announced the TouchSmart tm2–its latest “convertible” laptop model. That means that people can use it like a conventional notebook PC or flip the screen to use it like a tablet. It features multi-touch technology, and is expected to expected to go on sale in the U.S. on Jan. 17 at a starting price of $949.

[Reed Rothchild]

Didn't you get the message? Jobs can trace his ancestry and that of his company back to Moses and the tablets. Apple have prior art ownership on every writing device since the dawn of civilization! There are many things that supposedly haven't been invented yet that Apple and its disciples already have patents for. They're just waiting for you to make the first move .

Captain Straw Man makes his appearance. :rolleyes:



Ha ha :). You (http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=9048097&postcount=196) were the one who was (incredibly) linking the Apple Newton with the future Apple tablet. My reply was perfectly apposite to yours. I believe straw man accusations are only brought up when the respondent has run out of valid responses, so congratulations to you Worzel :).

[cumanzor]

Update: BoomTown reports that while Ballmer may show off tablet-like devices as part of his keynote focusing on Windows 7 and the company's "software plus services" positioning, there will be no formal introduction of a slate-style tablet device or its "Courier" device in particular.4

If this is true, then this will confirm my suspicion that Balmer is a total idiot that MS should have gotten rid of years ago. "hello, bill, you left the store with an imbecile in charge, did you know that?"

So Balmer is an idiot because the whole main stream media is saying he will release the Courier, and some even completely ignored the fact that HP was working with them...

I hate Balmer as much as I hate Jobs as much as I hate most CEOs out there, but saying it's his fault is just too convenient.

[cmaier]

So Balmer is an idiot because the whole main stream media is saying he will release the Courier, and some even completely ignored the fact that HP was working with them...

I hate Balmer as much as I hate Jobs as much as I hate most CEOs out there, but saying it's his fault is just too convenient.

It's fairly poor control of the message.

[jnschnitzer]

Update: BoomTown reports that while Ballmer may show off tablet-like devices as part of his keynote focusing on Windows 7 and the company's "software plus services" positioning, there will be no formal introduction of a slate-style tablet device or its "Courier" device in particular.4

If this is true, then this will confirm my suspicion that Balmer is a total idiot that MS should have gotten rid of years ago. "hello, bill, you left the store with an imbecile in charge, did you know that?"

I'm not surprised although I am a little disappointed because I do like the Courier mock-up demo. I would buy the Apple tablet (or even a Microsoft tablet)if it is anything close to that. I'm sick of writing notes on different notebooks and then losing the info. I would also love to be able to have an e-book and highlight and jot down notes with a stylus.

Yes Balmer is an idiot I agree. I'm sure that he's smarter than I because he is where he is and I am not LOL however I do respect Bill Gates or someone like J Allard much more than that ape of a human.

Just my 0.02$

[DMann]

It's fairly poor control of the message.

The high profile distribution of concept videos didn't help the matter.

[zacman]

In other news:

iSlate won't be MacOS X compatible, no x86 apps but only AppStore stuff:

http://gizmodo.com/5441816/more-confirmation-apple-will-use-its-own-chips-for-the-apple-tablet

[DMann]

Yes Balmer is an idiot I agree. I'm sure that he's smarter than I because he is where he is and I am not LOL however I do respect Bill Gates or someone like J Allard much more than that ape of a human.

Just my 0.02$

Do not confuse 'smarter' with an ambition driven by general lack of conscience, morals, and sensibility.

I am not regretful of leaving a highly lucrative business 15 years ago which sold products which were sub-par, problematic, and were a source of frustration among consumers.

Had it not been for the Windows-Office lock-in, he would not be where he is today.

[Eidorian]

In other news:

iSlate won't be MacOS X compatible, no x86 apps but only AppStore stuff:

http://gizmodo.com/5441816/more-confirmation-apple-will-use-its-own-chips-for-the-apple-tabletThat's definitely not what I wanted to hear.

[cmaier]

That's definitely not what I wanted to hear.

They call PA Semi a "foundry," so you can hold out hope that the rest of the article is equally mistaken.

But it's not.

[Hugh]

Are you sure about that? You don't have Cable? You only receive 'on-air' programming without the need of any device other than an antenna on your roof? (and I don't mean 'dish' type.) If you get more than 5 channels on your TV, then you're probably receiving either cable or satellite. If you are, Quicktime has been the standard compression format for about 10 years. Yes, with HD there are newer formats, but that doesn't mean they have totally replaced Quicktime yet.

Don't you mean MPEG-2? Satellite uses MPEG-2 compression for most of the channels. I don't know what they use for HD channels.

Hugh

[cmaier]

Don't you mean MPEG-2? Satellite uses MPEG-2 compression for most of the channels. I don't know what they use for HD channels.

Hugh

Echostar/Dish has moved mostly (entirely by now?) to MPEG-4.

[Eidorian]

They call PA Semi a "foundry," so you can hold out hope that the rest of the article is equally mistaken.

But it's not.Get ready for Super iPod Touch?

[kernkraft]

Who friggin cares that you're *trying* to be objective. I DON'T. Like you're doing all of us a favour. IF ANYBODY CAN DO A FAVOUR, THAT'S ME. BUT SO FAR, I'M STILL HERE.

There, I fixed it for ya! APPLE!!!!!! :apple:

[MattBaker]

I would also love to be able to have an e-book and highlight and jot down notes with a stylus.



That sounds like a LiveScribe SmartPen?

Sure, you want paperless. But this would do 98% of what I think you're describing, you can buy it today, and it's cheap.

[MattBaker]

The screens need to be contiguous or else it falls short of its full functionality in landscape/canvas mode and that is where tablets really shine in my opinion.

I agree. The gutter in between screens means that you can't watch a movie across both screens. And it means that apps are artificially limited to working in only half of the available real estate.

------

My guess on the Apple tablet is that there's a new UI that allows the vast majority of activity to happen without even a virtual keyboard. Touch & drag, with a small row of soft "buttons" along one edge. (And I may give up on those buttons if I think through all the possible gestures.)

Then you get a virtual keyboard that drags up from the bottom of the screen for those times when you have to type.

Maybe another keyboard layout that puts the letter buttons along both edges so that they land underneath your thumbs when you hold the device in your hands.

[cjmillsnun]

Hmm this could be interesting.

Of course, Microsoft have tried and failed many times with the tablet concept (like they did with the smartphone).

However Windows 7 is undoubtedly an improved product over XP and Vista. Maybe, just maybe they can learn from their mistakes.

Either way with Microsoft showing their hand, the game has been stepped up.

[cmaier]

Hmm this could be interesting.

Of course, Microsoft have tried and failed many times with the tablet concept (like they did with the smartphone).

However Windows 7 is undoubtedly an improved product over XP and Vista. Maybe, just maybe they can learn from their mistakes.

Either way with Microsoft showing their hand, the game has been stepped up.

Windows 7 is undoubtedly an improved mouse and keyboard OS. It might be an improved stylus OS. But it's still not a very good touch OS.

[Rodimus Prime]

However Windows 7 is undoubtedly an improved product over XP and Vista. Maybe, just maybe they can learn from their mistakes.


Everytime I read something like that it proves yet again Microsoft marketing for windows 7 worked like a charm and proves that Vista was nothing more than the tool to take all the heat for the changed from XP.

After all the service packs were out for Vista and the software makers adjusted to it it works great. Vista problem was it was a big change from XP so there were bound to be a lot of problems. Microsoft releases Vista to take the heat for the change. After all the bugs get worked out from all the software devs on the change they release Windows 7 with some under the hood changes for the most part. People love windows 7 but I am willing to bet if I put a windows 7 and a current windows Vista computer right next to each other most people would not be able to tell the difference in using them.

Hell I would not be surprised if Microsoft learned something from the Mohnivo or what ever experiment they did (and ran ads for) to figure out that Vista just had a bad rap but really was good and people liked it when they though it was something new.

[DMann]

Windows 7 is undoubtedly an improved mouse and keyboard OS. It might be an improved stylus OS. But it's still not a very good touch OS.

Ironically, the touch feature was touted as the 'killer feature' during W7's announcement.

Everytime I read something like that it proves yet again Microsoft marketing for windows 7 worked like a charm and proves that Vista was nothing more than the tool to take all the heat for the changed from XP.

After all the service packs were out for Vista and the software makers adjusted to it it works great. Vista problem was it was a big change from XP so there were bound to be a lot of problems. Microsoft releases Vista to take the heat for the change. After all the bugs get worked out from all the software devs on the change they release Windows 7 with some under the hood changes for the most part. People love windows 7 but I am willing to bet if I put a windows 7 and a current windows Vista computer right next to each other most people would not be able to tell the difference in using them.

Hell I would not be surprised if Microsoft learned something from the Mohnivo or what ever experiment they did (and ran ads for) to figure out that Vista just had a bad rap but really was good and people liked it when they though it was something new.

This actually is not a bad theory.

Vista did have major problems, namely: memory management, audio management, file browsing interface, networking, search, copying and moving files, UAC, DRM, to name some few.

Whether Vista was an intentional buffer, or not, MS would have been better off releasing something of the likes of W7 first, and then follow that with an improved version.

Vista was not ready for prime time, and its premature release did nothing more than to reinforce the shoddy reputation of Microsoft.

In hindsight, riding out XP while the development of compatible drivers neared an acceptable level of completion would have been the better option.

[cumanzor]

Windows 7 is undoubtedly an improved mouse and keyboard OS. It might be an improved stylus OS. But it's still not a very good touch OS.

Well, Windows 7 already has the technology to allow it to be a good touch OS. With multi touch, all we need now is a different shell with a finger/touch friendly paradigm. Tablets are not a failure, they are just a very niche market.

Apple is known for changing paradigms, they took a business approach and made them into a consumer phone with the iPhone. Perhaps this can happen again with the tablet, although a LOT of companies are bringing their own tablet devices already.

We'll see.

[cmaier]

Well, Windows 7 already has the technology to allow it to be a good touch OS. With multi touch, all we need now is a different shell with a finger/touch friendly paradigm. Tablets are not a failure, they are just a very niche market.

Apple is known for changing paradigms, they took a business approach and made them into a consumer phone with the iPhone. Perhaps this can happen again with the tablet, although a LOT of companies are bringing their own tablet devices already.

We'll see.

The "all we need now" part has proven to be the hard part for MS. Look how many years they've been pushing crappy, inappropriate interfaces on tablet PC users and windows mobile users.

[DMann]

The "all we need now" part has proven to be the hard part for MS. Look how many years they've been pushing crappy, inappropriate interfaces on tablet PC users and windows mobile users.

Why should this matter?

From SB's POV: Consumers will use whatever's out there. We've gotta get it out there - if it's good enough, then it's good enough, they'll buy it. That's the way it works - I oughta know.

[cumanzor]

The "all we need now" part has proven to be the hard part for MS. Look how many years they've been pushing crappy, inappropriate interfaces on tablet PC users and windows mobile users.

Regarding Tablet PCs.... I wouldn't call them crappy, just not touch friendly. I had no problem whatsoever playing around with a tx2something some time ago. I just did some web browsing and tried OneNote to test the writing recognition. It was pretty impressive and this happened some time ago. I guess the current line of tx2s must be better.

Regarding WM, I cannot argue with that. It plain sucks. It took a long time of tweaking and testing roms, and install apps, to make me love my old Treo 750. I loved the level of customization you had though and my nature is to tinker around with every device I have and I love that. Vanilla WM is ****, plain and simple. WM 6.5 is the same ****, more touch friendly, but still ****.

My believe is that WM is just too stylus dependent. Ignore any other 3rd party app or OEM app, the default WM touch keyboard is simply impossible to use without stylus. HTC has made A HELL of a job making WM user friendly. HD2s are sexy mother****ers. Palm also did a good job with the hardware button and keyboard integration with the Treos too.

[cmaier]

Regarding Tablet PCs.... I wouldn't call them crappy, just not touch friendly. I had no problem whatsoever playing around with a tx2something some time ago. I just did some web browsing and tried OneNote to test the writing recognition. It was pretty impressive and this happened some time ago. I guess the current line of tx2s must be better.


I've owned two, primarily used by my wife. I've been unimpressed with both. OneNote was fairly nice, but the pen features were not well integrated throughout the OS, and it felt awkward and weird having to use a pen to cllck window-maximize buttons, etc. Sort of like having to operate a calculator by clicking the buttons with a pencil.

[Compile 'em all]

Well, Windows 7 already has the technology to allow it to be a good touch OS. With multi touch, all we need now is a different shell with a finger/touch friendly paradigm.

I don't think you know how major is the difference between an OS that runs on a touch device and a normal desktop OS.

[Pommy]

It is fairly amusing that they've started replacing the word tablet with "slate" now.

The terminology's been around forever

Tablet PCs (historically) fall into two categories, slate and convertible

A slate doesn't have a keyboard
A convertible does have a keyboard (e.g. it's a laptop with a digitizer-capable screen that turns and folds, optionally with touchscreen)

[AidenShaw]

People love windows 7 but I am willing to bet if I put a windows 7 and a current windows Vista computer right next to each other most people would not be able to tell the difference in using them.

A Windows 7 user would notice within seconds. It might take a Vista user much longer.

(Reason: No Aero Peek or Jump Lists on Vista - two huge timesavers.)

[chill.]

google phone release was very meh, i'm really excited about this. if it's anything like the concept videos then it will be huge

[charlituna]

If Microsoft came out with this after iSlate, ok, maybe. But since they are coming with it before iSlate, there is not much to copy.


the catch is, when will the Microsoft device go on sale. cause it sounds like this is just a prototype announcement not a ready for sale one.

so they announce with an expected date sometime later in the year. Then Apple announces and puts their device on sale. Microsoft starts off losing ground and perhaps rethinking their design (depending on what Apple does)

[iObject]

so did they announce anything?

speaking of microsoft products, did anyone watch stephen colbert where he uses a surface(?) monitor and draws on the pictures al la perez hilton

well the delay the monitor had was almost painful

here's a link http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/260726/january-05-2010/sign-off---stephen-draws-woodstock

[ArrowSmith]

Who cares: Microshaft is a joke company and Apple rules the multiverse. :apple:

[cumanzor]

I don't think you know how major is the difference between an OS that runs on a touch device and a normal desktop OS.

he he he he.... care to en-light me?

I'm talking about a PC touch device such as an HP's or Lenovo's current tablet PCs. I said that all it needs now that W7 has multi touch support, it only needs a shell that is more touch friendly than Windows.

If you are talking about embedded devices, PDAs or phones, then of course there is a fundamental difference between those and a desktop OS, starting by the architecture.

[Skoal]

so did they announce anything?

speaking of microsoft products, did anyone watch stephen colbert where he uses a surface(?) monitor and draws on the pictures al la perez hilton

well the delay the monitor had was almost painful

here's a link http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/260726/january-05-2010/sign-off---stephen-draws-woodstock

Ouch, kinda like the delay my iPhone has during texts or transitioning from landscape to portrait!

[Anaemik]

has the stream for this started yet?

I'm checking on http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/ but I don't get anything other than a splash screen. I'm assuming the site hates OS X even with Silverlight installed so I can't be certain that I'm not meant to be seeing anything yet.

Edit: seems like it's off to a swimming start. This is probably why the stream isn't on yet

6:36PM This is not a good way to kick off 2010 guys. Steve is probably bashing someone's face in right now.

6:36PM Half of the computers up on stage have died. They're now manually restarting them, but they've missed a few.

6:35PM This would explain the completely dead screens.



6:35PM "Good evening ladies and gentlemen... if anyone would remain in your seats... we're having a small power problem." What!?

6:33PM The lights are down! Sort of... they seem undecided right now. But the main screens are off.


http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/live-from-steve-ballmers-ces-2010-keynote/?sort=newest&refresh=15

[*LTD*]

has the stream for this started yet?

I'm checking on http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/ but I don't get anything other than a splash screen. I'm assuming the site hates OS X even with Silverlight installed so I can't be certain that I'm not meant to be seeing anything yet.

Some sort of power problem, apparently. But doesn't it start late every year?

EDIT:

Engadget is saying they have to restart some of the onstage computers becuase of power issue.

[*LTD*]

there are a lot of engineers on stage trying to fix the demo pc's that went down with the power issue.

Great start.

[Eidorian]

Silverlight is working fine here and not destroying my CPU.

[*LTD*]

LOL, press release is up:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2010/jan10/01-06CESKeynote.mspx

Looks like it's some sort of HP tablet pc with touch features.

[Anaemik]

Please hurry up and fix it so I don't have to listen to this godawful "please hold" muzak any more.