Analyst: Apple Executives Share Thoughts on e-Book Market, iPhone Profits

[uraniumwilly]

Exactly how would the EB make an ereader interesting? If it can surf the web you got what you need.

My point wasn't about making an ereader interesting. It was just something I thought was tre cool to have on such a device -- content I would use for the rest of my life. 1) I'd like to have the Britannica & Great Books accessible as content without the need for internet access; 2) I use the internet for content now but expect to find the EB easier to access, more definitive, often more elaborate & sometimes better researched. If some day it comes to pass that we carry our own little libraries around I want the choice of having them accessed locally.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

eBook already available from Apple.

Apple has already launched an eBook (or "Digi-Book", as it is called in iTunes,) that smacks of full-function 'tablet' as the target device.

Level 26: Dark Origins is an eBook for sale on iTunes (as an "iTunes Extras movie".) It is an eBook combined with movies and other content. (an iPhone app is also available.)

While it works fine in iTunes (and theoretically also on Apple TV 3.0,) the interface just screams out to be used on a tablet-style device. (I'm tempted to buy the iPhone app, too, if for no other reason than just to support such a creative author.)

 

[justrumor]

If you combine this article with the recent trivial update to long-time "hobby project" AppleTV, it makes me wonder if the new Tablet isn't going to be a dockable AppleTV.

Just throw a hard disk and a big screen on the iphone os, and you have a portable AppleTV. That way, you can have it serve both video and book markets.

 

[JonHimself]

If you combine this article with the recent trivial update to long-time "hobby project" AppleTV, it makes me wonder if the new Tablet isn't going to be a dockable AppleTV.

Just throw a hard disk and a big screen on the iphone os, and you have a portable AppleTV. That way, you can have it serve both video and book markets.

While it would be cool to have it be portable, it would also be a pain for people who don't live alone. If it's a portable device and I take out during the day with me, if a roommate or significant other is at home then all of the content we have wouldn't be watchable on the TV because I would have the device with me

That's not to say it WON'T be dockable, but I'm not sure it's fair to call it a replacement of the AppleTV.

 

[justrumor]

While it would be cool to have it be portable, it would also be a pain for people who don't live alone. If it's a portable device and I take out during the day with me, if a roommate or significant other is at home then all of the content we have wouldn't be watchable on the TV because I would have the device with me

That's not to say it WON'T be dockable, but I'm not sure it's fair to call it a replacement of the AppleTV.

Hmm... A 2nd hard-drive in the base unit would fix that. Makes it all the more valuable that way.

 

[SandynJosh]

I think they ARE going to re-invent the tablet market.. by NOT just putting OSX on it and pretending that it's a laptop replacement.

Over the past couple of months I've been downplaying the device to nothing more than OSX Mobile (or whatever you want to call) that will run similar to the iPhone but have background apps and expose-like window/app switching. I'm doing my best to tell myself that this is NOT a replacement for a laptop, but instead a device more portable than a laptop for consuming media (reading, watching, listening via itunes store content and the web at-large).

My best guess is that they're targetting people who want a portable solution but don't need a full computer on-the-go, just something that's a little bit more like a "real" computer than the iPhone is. Targetting people that don't need a portable computer that's meant to do heavy lifting. Maybe they'll even create versions of the iLife/iWork apps as well, but I really think it's going to be more like an iPhone than a macbook, though borrowing some elements of the full computer.

I totally agree with you. This course of action also cuts around the position where Microsoft has a stronghold and opens up a route for Apple to dominate.

I may be over-stating it, but I think Apple has the strength to create a new closed standard in this new portable arena by leveraging off their app store platform experience and app base.

Raw computer power seems to be less of an issue than battery life in this new power-sipping arena. Where Word and Excel file compatibility is more important than actually running those programs.

 

[japanime]

The part that says the iPhone is "free in some markets" is interesting. I know you can get the iPhone 3G free of charge (with a two-year contract) here in Japan. In what other countries is that true?

 

[Sydde]

Actually, it doesn't need to be much more powerful than an iPhone or run full Mac OS, as long as there is a good remote access app for your Mac or PC

I believe this is exactly where they will aim. The ARM and iPhone OS are severely limited, but by having the option to buy "iPhinder" to gain access to your Mac or PC, you can sit on the porch while working or playing on the computer upstairs, read a book or check the news or your e-mail at the corner cafe, jot down an idea or a diary entry anywhere you have it.

For a huge segment of the market, this would be all they need, something for web and mail and not much more, malware-resistant, mobile, easy to use. And for those who want more, there are Mac Minis and Time Capsules. They would be foolish to ignore the potential here, there are millions of people out there who have far more computer than they want, need or have room for, this would fit their needs perfectly. Whether the economy will support it is another matter entirely.

 

[BVeritas]

Franklin Notebook

I'm surprised that nobody is drawing any analogy to the Franklin Notebook.

I really want something where I can use a pen and take notes in whatever manner I choose. I want to annotate and highlight my readings.

People love to write notes, phone numbers, things to do, etc. But I want it on my tablet along with all of the great books, media, songs, you name it.

Bottom line, it must have handwriting input. The new Newton, the Franklin. Come to think of it, with something this large, I could write with my finger and pinch it, Eureka, that's it.

 

[uraniumwilly]

The new Newton, the Franklin. Come to think of it, with something this large, I could write with my finger and pinch it, Eureka, that's it.

Plenty of questions about the interface... whether or not it will be a stylus, blackberry-like keyboard or touch keyboard. To take notes maybe there will be space or we'll be able to make space and type.

 

[Rot'nApple]

The executives also confirmed comments made during the company's most recent earnings conference call claiming that Apple has managed to maintain its iPhone profit margins and subsidies received from carriers in markets that have transitioned from exclusive agreements to multiple-carrier models.The news could temper concerns that Apple might be reluctant to pursue a multiple-carrier model in the United States once AT&T's exclusivity window closes for fear of sacrificing per-unit economics.

What Apple needs to do is forget Verizon CDMA technology... but rather put in the GSM chipset that would favor T-Mobile. Why?

T-Mobile just introduced the "Even More Plus Plan" that has no annual contract, free nights and weekends, free overage alerts, whenever minutes and the BIG KICKER... their 500 minute plan includes Talk + Text + Web for $59.99! What's it at AT&T? $79.00 for 450 minutes / unlimited data plus $5.00 for SMS totaling $84.00! Hmmm... $60.00 versus $84.00... Keep $24.00 in my pocket or give the phone company my $24.00... hmmm... decisions, decisions.

Plus, we all heard about MS and Sidekick and data loss that fortunately is being restored but who wants to deal with the possibility of going through that again.

Also, wasn't the FCC telling Apple due to their high data demand device they were possibly going to have to look for a new spectrum...

Lower price plan and the $99.00 iPhone would rock the industry.

Heck T-Mobile's just announced Unlimited talk plus text, plus web is $79.00. That is still cheaper than the lowest phone minute / data plan / SMS from AT&T... T-Mo $79.00 versus AT&T $84.00

But more importantly, a rate plan of $59.99 is only $17.00 more a month them I'm paying T-Mobile now and is something I can handle financially right now whereas, the higher AT&T basic iPhone plan doubles the rate I am paying now.

Plus, I viewed the coverage map and the surrounding cities in the area where I live, and it is shown to have excellent 3G coverage and great Voice coverage...

Which combine them altogether, and I (and many others similarly situated) can be part of the iPhone generation sooner rather than later and I wouldn't have to port over my number, another plus!

Just wishful thinking on my part.

But just in case, "Hey Apple are you listening?"

Check it out folks! Maybe AT&T and Verizon will follow suite...

T-Mo 500 minute voice plan unlimited text/web plan (only$59.00): http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/...tb1&rateplan=Even-More-Plus-500-Talk-Text-Web

T-Mo Unlimited voice, unlimited text/web plan (only $79.00): http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/...teplan=Even-More-Plus-Unlimited-Talk-Text-Web

 

[greygray]

I for one will be really disappointed if the “Apple tablet” turns out to be an e-Book reader/iTunes content player.

Apple needs to reinvent the tablet market, not ship a super-sized iPhone that now does e-Books.

+1. I'm only going to get the tablet if it is more than an e-Book reader. I believe will give it some better stuff other than just those stated. They are surely trying to downplay the Tablet rumors IMO. BTW, the iPhone does have an application to read e-Books.

 

[spanading]

Imac pictured is a white iMac

Hi

Although the problem of poor flash performance may be real (I cannot say that this is something that I have experienced after installing Snow leopard from scratch with out overwriting leopard) the Mac the video features is definitely one of the old style white polycarbonate enclosure macs not an aluminium version. You can just catch the edges in the video of the top and side. Hence this will be a Core2Duo 2.16Ghz (like my 20 inch) at best and at worst a 1.8 Ghz (I think) PowerPC G5, however they should all give better performance than seen. Assuming the internet was not being slow I would advise reinstalling Snow leopard from scratch (i.e. boot from CD, format, and install) as this seems to have improved things for me. Be warned though some of the printer driver fixes that worked for OS 10.5 may not work in 10.6 in such a fresh install my OKI 3200N now will not print using OKIs driver for 10.5 and the patch they suggest does not function either (suggestions welcome).

Spence

 

[king974]

Three possibilities:
1. They were never interested in online books/newspapers/magazines
2. They were interested until they actually entered negotiations that didn't go to their liking
3. They are planning(or hoping) on selling these things anyway, and just don't expect it to be a big hit like music or movies

My guess is #3.

I think you are on the mark. I would add that Apple seems to be struggling to find a reason to make the tablet.

So if its not an e-reader that eliminates another use and adds another reason to think that a tablet will be a flop.

 

[Lynxpro]

I for one will be really disappointed if the “Apple tablet” turns out to be an e-Book reader/iTunes content player.
Apple needs to reinvent the tablet market, not ship a super-sized iPhone that now does e-Books.

Amen.

I don't want to see Apple come in and destroy the e-book reader market. That's just developing and it would be nice if it didn't get blurred with laptop/mobile phone/touchpads.

If we want to see e-books take off, we need devices with screens that resemble actual printed text. And currently that requires e-Ink screens which the "iTablet" won't be using. For that reason, I want to see the B&N Nook become a success. The device is everything that the Kindle and the Sony e-readers aren't.

I also think us Apple fans shouldn't bash Android so much. As long as Android wipes out Windows Mobile then its success is good for Apple. In that regard, it is a "positive" competitor.

 

[JonHimself]

Hmm... A 2nd hard-drive in the base unit would fix that. Makes it all the more valuable that way.

I understand what you're saying, but maybe I'm just not following. If there was a second hard drive on the base unit that was able to play the videos while the tablet wasn't docked, what would be the point of docking the tablet? (Not attacking you, just trying to follow).