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Analysts Weigh In Ahead of Apple Media Event

MacRumors said:
predicts that an LTE "4G"-capable iPhone will likely not be available until a mid-2011 revision as carriers begin to build out their infrastructure
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I don't understand the logic behind this... 4G is backward compatible with both 3G and 2G, there's no reason to wait for the 4G infrastructure to put the radios/chips in devices this year.

Apple could still release a 4G iPhone and it could still work with existing 3G networks and since Verizon and many other European carriers are already starting to build out their LTE networks, the phone could take advantage of that by year's end.
 
My bet is that the wireless connectivity will be free. Like the kindle and Amazon.

Apple will work a deal with Verizon to incorporate the connection fee into the content download, just like Amazon does for the kindle.

The Apple Tablet will have wiFi connectivity for general internet browsing. In addition it will have "free" content subsidized download capabilities for content such as movies, songs, books, apps.

Verizon is the best carrier for that type of connection because 3G coverage is much more extensive and faster 4G is currently rolling out. AT&T is way way behind and GSM is inferior to CDMA for data bandwidth and coverage per cell tower.
 
lilo777 said:
I believe that for most people 3G connection on a tablet (or any 9"+ device) is not important. Very few people would carry such device outside their residence anyways. Because of that, there is no way that the tablet will require such a plan. It could perhaps allow for one but not require it.
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I would ONLY use one outside the house, inside the house I got a real computer that can do real work, a tablet for me would be used like an iphone, but without the constant scrolling around due to the small screen.
 
:apple: TOUCH THE FUTURE

Tablet will have an iMac like stand and a bluetooth keyboard available for home use. 3G wont be required, but available. All Apple computers are headed for touch capability, but will still have other input options. iMac touch will be "off the meat rack"!
 
bytethese said:
Two points I suppose:

1. While I have heard a lot of speculation of this, I hope the tablet DOES NOT come with any subsidies for a wireless carrier. I already have an iPhone and pay a boatload for service. if I had to sign up for another $40-$50 data plan for a tablet, I don't care how much it costs, I ain't buying it. Either Apple offers it, sans carrier or at least make it an option at slightly higher pricing.
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(not just calling you out) Why is there so much narcissism in this Mac community? Just because YOU have a data plan already doesn’t mean EVERYONE else does too. And that aside, if you are a fan of Apple- meaning you love seeing them sell a lot of their stuff to buyers- wishing away an option that will deliver latest-and-greatest Apple gear at a much lower price than the TOTAL price Apple will want for this thing, makes no sense at all.

bytethese said:
Either Apple offers it, sans carrier
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Hopefully not, as that makes it weaker at doing something that Kindle does: the ability to buy and download media whenever and wherever you want. I think it MUST come with built-in 3G, as I don't think wifi- but preferably wimax- will sufficiently cover the need for what is supposed to be an ultimate mobile device.

bytethese said:
or at least make it an option at slightly higher pricing.
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And this is my favorite... coming up in thread after thread. Look to the iphone pricing subsidized and unsubsidized and let that be your guide. If a subsidized iphone is $200 and an unsubsidized one is $600, the odds in "slightly higher" unsubsidized seem pretty long. This is Apple you know.

Again, not picking on just you. I just see this same general chain of thought in Tablet thread-after-thread, along with...
  • iTunes media will be heavily discounted on this Tablet. Why? Because the publishers/producers will happily cut their own profit throats to help Apple sell more Tablets?
  • this will come with a super low 3G data-only plan. Why? Because AT&T & Verizon wants to cut their very lucrative 3G profits by enabling completely mobile VOIP cheaper than just about any 3G phone plan?
  • this will come with free 3G just like Kindle. Kindle's is not really free (another rumor this morning shows that it cost 15 cents per megabyte) which is built into the price of the media you buy. And Kindles "free" 3G is not "open" 3G, meaning there are very significant constraints what you can do via 3G (not general browsing the internet like you'll want to do in Safari for example, nor watching YouTube video, etc).
  • this will get the high-priced college textbooks cut down to dirt cheap prices. Why? Because the publishers who enjoy the fat profits on those textbooks will choose to cut their profit throats to help Apple sell more Tablets?
  • this will be the next-gen Apple TV. Why? Because it makes sense that a device meant to be pretty much attached to your home HDTV will go with you when you are on the go, leaving other family members with no Apple TV to watch when the Tablet is out with you?
  • this will be the ultimate meeting tool for taking notes, etc... except you can't voice-to-text while some other speaker is presenting (without being called out as rude), and a virtual keyboard does not offer a very fast way to capture notes (and the problem of having the screen and the keyboard on the same plane), and a stylus for handwriting recognition is so... 1990's.
  • This will be a super remote. Why? Because we want this super mobile device sat on, in the dog's mouth, dropped on the floor, etc (all like your current remotes), and, for those with families, we want the family mad at us for taking the "good remote" when we leave the house?
  • This will let us get all of our favorite TV programs for a subscription rate 30-75% cheaper than what we are paying our cable company. Why? Because the very same companies that own the pipes through which the broadband content flows- who are also the same companies that own the wifi/wimax hotspots and 3G service, will happily cut their very lucrative cable subscription model profits to help Apple sell more Tablets?
I know I'm missing a few. But com'on people. Dreaming is nice and all, but as soon as the dreams are hooked to OTHER companies sacrificing their business revenues to help make the Tablet more appealing, you are truly dreaming.

It is also dreaming to imagine a "shockingly low" unsubsidized price from Apple. On what have you seen that before?
 
Richard Doherty said:
Among the most provocative of predictions comes from Richard Doherty of Envisioneering Group, who takes a longer-term view and sees four products in Apple's pipeline: two different tablet models in the 7-to-9 inch range, a gaming-focused "iPod touch on steroids" with a screen of approximately 5 inches, and a touchscreen iMac as has been recently rumored.
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This might be pretty accurate. Steve Wozniak is part of Envisioneering's "team."
 
mjtomlin said:
I don't understand the logic behind this... 4G is backward compatible with both 3G and 2G, there's no reason to wait for the 4G infrastructure to put the radios/chips in devices this year.

Apple could still release a 4G iPhone and it could still work with existing 3G networks and since Verizon and many other European carriers are already starting to build out their LTE networks, the phone could take advantage of that by year's end.
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That's (futureproofing) good for the consumer logic. The business model is to sell something a little better than last year, then get you to upgrade ASAP again next year or so. That's the model now. By playing ball, we consumers support that very profitable logic (good for shareholders).
 
lilo777 said:
I believe that for most people 3G connection on a tablet (or any 9"+ device) is not important. Very few people would carry such device outside their residence anyways. Because of that, there is no way that the tablet will require such a plan. It could perhaps allow for one but not require it.
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You obviously don't understand the demographic for this device.

This device is being designed specifically as a mobile content device. You will use this device anywhere. At the beach, in the park, mountain tops, in the air, at the restaurant, etc. etc. It will be a replacement for our magazines, books, newspapers, on the go music, portable video gaming, videos, web browsing, email, texting, note taking, text books, interactive teaching aids, podcasts, turn-by-turn navigation, control panel for other devices, etc.

Why would you not want to use this device on the go? Think about it!
 
simulacra said:
I would ONLY use one outside the house, inside the house I got a real computer that can do real work, a tablet for me would be used like an iphone, but without the constant scrolling around due to the small screen.
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That may be just about the best summary of where this thing might "fit" that I've seen. I have a hard time seeing it be a big hit with those who have a "real computer" for the road (laptop) and/or who already have an iPhone/iPod touch... but I'm hoping Apple will surprise us all anyway.
 
Sadly

I don't mind the idea of tiered data plans.

But what do you want to bet that every single one of them except the lowest one (10 megs a month!) is equal in price to or more expensive than the current iPhone data plans?

-fred
 
zombitronic said:
Let me tether my 3G connection via my iPhone!!

I already pay two internet bills per month (Time Warner for home and AT&T for mobile). I will not sign up for a redundant third.
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I do this all the time when I'm on the road. It took me about 10 minutes to enable tethering, and it works flawlessly.
 
zombitronic said:
I know that you CAN tether 3G to computers via the iPhone (just not officially with AT&T). The real question is whether or not the tablet will support this.
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I would think not via AT&T (for the same reason you can't with iPhone). Besides, why lug 2 "big screens" (tablet and laptop) if you want to use the Laptop for a lot of 3G web browsing? just get a 3G card, USB stick or a MIFI or similar and save the cost of the Tablet (plus enjoy an even bigger screen for this coming media playback).
 
fredfnord said:
I don't mind the idea of tiered data plans.

But what do you want to bet that every single one of them except the lowest one (10 megs a month!) is equal in price to or more expensive than the current iPhone data plans?

-fred
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It almost has to be that way. If this Tablet comes out with a cheap 3G plan, then mobile VOIP would be unchained from a wifi access point. It would be true mobile VOIP- just like the experience one gets with a 3G phone plan. AT&T, Verizon, etc would be fools to shoot themselves in the foot by making the Tablet the cheapest 3G "phone" service in the world.

And before someone posts about not wanting to hold a 10" screen up to your ear, think about how one does VOIP on a laptop. Hint: headphone with microphone, or iPhone earbuds with microphone.
 
New Macbooks

Did anybody notice on the Fox news broadcast that ended at 1:00pm Eastern, that both hosts were using big black laptops with the Apple logo. They were bigger than the last black macbooks sold. Maybe they painted them to reduce the studio light glare. Or is this Apples way of leaking a new product?
 
MacRumors said:
Among the most provocative of predictions comes from Richard Doherty of Envisioneering Group, who takes a longer-term view and sees four products in Apple's pipeline: two different tablet models in the 7-to-9 inch range, a gaming-focused "iPod touch on steroids" with a screen of approximately 5 inches, and a touchscreen iMac as has been recently rumored.
...
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These Richard Doherty predictions make little sense... and when you read the details it makes even less sense. How can you get an analyst’s job when your analysis doesn't seem insightful even to a lay-person?
 
NT1440 said:
I take it you don't understand what a promise is vs speculation.....
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uhh, seriously?

This IS MacRUMORS, right? Please tell me they didn't go and change it to MacPROMISES.

I remember way back when talk of the MBP update was talked about more than the tablet...those were the days...

Fact of the matter is that an already existing Apple product will be updated with an already released processor is more of a sure thing than any of the unverified claims of the not-yet-released and unseen tablet. Both will probably happen, but no one knows for sure...that's why you and I and everyone reading this is on a RUMORS website.
 
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