Apple Asking App Developers to Prepare for Large Screen Demos Next Month?

[HiRez]

That would be hilarious, if all these tablet rumours were simply about the same form factor device, but with a higher resolution screen. The more I think about it, the more I doubt it's a tablet. Unless the tablet could fold, or was still close in size to the existing device.

Yep, I think it's very likely just a new iPhone iteration with a higher resolution screen, instead of a tablet. The more I think about it (from a developer standpoint), the more I think scaling the iPhone OS up to a tablet-sized screen (essentially a small laptop screen) is full of tricky issues that need to be worked out with special API/OS enhancements to handle it well. Some of these things the developer can do, but others are really up to Apple to provide solutions for, for example adding support for multi-column table views, split panes, scalable toolbars, etc. Like if you take a scrolling list view on the iPhone (say your Contacts list) and scale that way up, you end up with either a tiny list and a lot of wasted space on the screen, or gigantic text that isn't using the extra pixels efficiently. Yeah, you could use it, but it'd be an awful user experience and very un-Apple-like. I think a tablet interface would require a major modification of the iPhone OS. It sounds easy when you first think about it, but it's not, and desktop OS X is not the answer either (even less so IMO).

 

[Peace]

Apple's been working on this project as long as they did with the iPhone. If I'm not mistaken it was being worked on at the same time the iPhone was being worked on so it's been in the labs for quite a while.

I'm sure they have it running on different chips too. Just like OSX.

I wouldn't underestimate Apple when it comes to multi-platform development.

 

[Skoal]

This tablet will shake the foundations of modern computing just like the Air did!

 

[Stormbringer]

And why couldn't this be iPhone 4G with a higher resolution screen?

 

[kingcobra2010]

Total failure

Who wants a large Iphone. Really, I would like to see a poll on this subject. For those that are mislead into thinking that the device will have Mac OS X. Think again. Why would apple want to build a device that is in the $600 range and loss revenue of selling you a $1200 device. Those people speculating about the apple tablet do not understand the apple philosophy. They will not make a true portable p.c. at the $600 range. They will make a peripheral device like the iphone in the $600 range to compete against the kindle. It will not have the mac os x functionality. It will be strictly for the web, ebooks, & multimedia. It is a device once again to lead you to the central apple product line aka macbook & imac.
Seriously, the iphone apps are good for smartphone uses but they are not any good for the mobile warrior. Iphone OS may be based on OS X but that is just the kernel. There are no other similarities. Just like other devices that have Linux kernels. They are butchered versions of the main OS so that the device can provide BASIC functionality.

Apple has failed before MobileME, AppleTV, & Newton. This will be there next failure.

Lets do a poll. Who would purchase a larger iphone so that they can have the ability to see videos and books on a bigger screen -> 7 inches VS 3.7 inches? Who would purchase a tablet that had tablet MAC OS X for $1800 and a 10 inch screen (sorry you will not get that in 2010 but I am just asking the question hypothetically)?

 

[*LTD*]

Who wants a large Iphone. Really, I would like to see a poll on this subject. For those that are mislead into thinking that the device will have Mac OS X. Think again. Why would apple want to build a device that is in the $600 range and loss revenue of selling you a $1200 device. Those people speculating about the apple tablet do not understand the apple philosophy. They will not make a true portable p.c. at the $600 range. They will make a peripheral device like the iphone in the $600 range to compete against the kindle. It will not have the mac os x functionality. It will be strictly for the web, ebooks, & multimedia. It is a device once again to lead you to the central apple product line aka macbook & imac.
Seriously, the iphone apps are good for smartphone uses but they are not any good for the mobile warrior. Iphone OS may be based on OS X but that is just the kernel. There are no other similarities. Just like other devices that have Linux kernels. They are butchered versions of the main OS so that the device can provide BASIC functionality.

Apple has failed before MobileME, AppleTV, & Newton. This will be there next failure.

Lets do a poll. Who would purchase a larger iphone so that they can have the ability to see videos and books on a bigger screen -> 7 inches VS 3.7 inches? Who would purchase a tablet that had tablet MAC OS X for $1800 and a 10 inch screen (sorry you will not get that in 2010 but I am just asking the question hypothetically)?

Funny thing, when I'm reading this, I keep hearing Steve Ballmer's voice, circa June 2007.

 

[kingcobra2010]

Is there doubt that apple failed on netwon, Mobileme, or Apple TV. If there is then you need to search on the topic. You probably should not wait for businesses to advertise their failures.

 

[cmaier]

Is there doubt that apple failed on netwon, Mobileme, or Apple TV. If there is then you need to search on the topic. You probably should not wait for businesses to advertise their failures.

No one is saying newton, mobile me, or apple tv have taken the world by storm. But I wouldn't write off a product you haven't even seen yet.

 

[satcomer]

I tend to think it will be new Mac Book Pros with that new Intel chip. The full screen thing is the demo on the large screen behind Steve. Apple wants the third party applications to shine on that big screen.

What I wish for is the AppleTV functions rolled into a TV and/or the Mac Mini.

 

[kingcobra2010]

I do not need to see a bigger iphone to tell you it will be a failure. Very simple. There are obvious reasons that apple succeeded when others stated that they would fail. They provided stability and provided a better product for the mainstream. Their motto give regular people computers. Make it look good but KISS. One mistake that Apple has made is that they think the world revolves around their product. They control everything. That maybe good for pc but not for much more. Iphone might be good now but I suspect that google will be fast on apples heals.

 

[cmaier]

I do not need to see a bigger iphone to tell you it will be a failure. Very simple. There are obvious reasons that apple succeeded when others stated that they would fail. They provided stability and provided a better product for the mainstream. Their motto give regular people computers. Make it look good but KISS. One mistake that Apple has made is that they think the world revolves around their product. They control everything. That maybe good for pc but not for much more. Iphone might be good now but I suspect that google will be fast on apples heals.

"Bigger iphone" == exactly the same as an iphone, but bigger? Aside from the fact that there's no way that's what this is, I'd agree with you that it would be a dumb idea.

"Bigger iphone" == based on Cocoa Touch, running on ARM? Not a dumb idea, and likely to be a huge success.

 

[kingcobra2010]

enlighten us on your success theory. What features make it a success?

 

[cmaier]

enlighten us on your success theory. What features make it a success?

You haven't learned by now that you can't predict apple's success by running down a checklist of features? I mean, before iPhone was announced, if you had asked this question about the iPhone, the resulting list wouldn't have been that impressive, would it?

It's all about how all the features tie together, how easy they are to use, and how they tie into a larger ecosystem.

 

[kingcobra2010]

actually iphone was predictable. It was not innovative. It was not a first. It relied on palm making a huge blunder and microsoft not making their own phones/KISS os. If palm had advanced its phone into the a better net interface and push email. The iphone would be a mute discussion.

So entertain every one with your theory on apples new tablet.

My call it will be a failure. Next call google will set the iphone up for defeat. Iphone just on one carrier (fools dream just like Apple to ask for others to change for their product aka GSM on verizon). Google will be on several carriers, they will come out with a better tablet. Market share will shift. Google will take the top spot and apple iphone will be number two. Google will have a more functional tablet. Google is not MS. This company is more a threat to apple then any company that Apple has seen. Do not believe, I do not care because you will see it.

There is your future.

 

[cmaier]

actually iphone was predictable. It was not innovative. It was not a first. It relied on palm making a huge blunder and microsoft not making their own phones/KISS os. If palm had advanced its phone into the a better net interface and push email. The iphone would be a mute discussion.

So entertain every one with your theory on apples new tablet.

My call it will be a failure. Next call google will set the iphone up for defeat. Iphone just on one carrier (fools dream just like Apple to ask for others to change for their product aka GSM on verizon). Google will be on several carriers, they will come out with a better tablet. Market share will shift. Google will take the top spot and apple iphone will be number two. Google will have a more functional tablet. Google is not MS. This company is more a threat to apple then any company that Apple has seen. Do not believe, I do not care because you will see it.

There is your future.

Ok. You're entitled to your opinion, though your response is sort of a non sequitor. I note you have posted here about 5 times - I take it you joined just to diss on the tablet? There's a word for that, if so.

 

[kingcobra2010]

You haven't learned by now that you can't predict apple's success by running down a checklist of features?

Yep but I can predict their failures.

 

[kingcobra2010]

Actually, my point is based on more than opinion. So you know I guess?

Really, I think you are more scared of the debate and facts.

I own a MBP, Mac Mini. Several windows devices. I have doing pc before it was cool. Back when VIC 20 was out and people had floppies and tape drives that used regular audio tapes.

So, I see everyone is misguided into thinking that apple was a first. That is not the case.That made what was out better but it has not reached the best product yet. No product out currently is the best smart phone. So there is room for improvement and a company to take the top spot.

You might be happy because you do not know where the road can lead. You wait for others to lead you.

 

[cmaier]

Actually, my point is based on more than opinion. So you know I guess?

Really, I think you are more scared of the debate and facts.

I own a MBP, Mac Mini. Several windows devices. I have doing pc before it was cool. Back when VIC 20 was out and people had floppies and tape drives that used regular audio tapes.

So, I see everyone is misguided into thinking that apple was a first. That is not the case.That made what was out better but it has not reached the best product yet. No product out currently is the best smart phone. So there is room for improvement and a company to take the top spot.

You might be happy because you do not know where the road can lead. You wait for others to lead you.

I think I don't know what you are trying to say. My first computer was a TRS-80 model I. What's that prove? No one is saying apple was first. We're just saying the tablet, even if it doesn't offer new features, is likely to be successful because Apple does a good job of making features easy to use and integrating things with ecosystems in a way people like (app store, itunes store, etc). I don't know what this business about "roads" is all about.

 

[kingcobra2010]

Why you might ask why use a windows mac when you have windows. My mac keeps me safe on the net that is about it. Windows is a big target for the mischievous users out there on the net. Windows however provides me functionality several times greater than the Apple so I use my PC for everything else. I am not see little college student that brags about my apple but yet has no idea of its functionality. I know what Apple can do and it is not much.

Tablet - windows doing since 2006

Smart phone - windows was doing it long before iphone

Driver support/ functionality/Business - Windows all the way

Safety on the net - Apple

Looks - my unibody MBP

Apple with SCSI dead, apple with firewire dead, NO Bluray, ETC.

There is your answer.

Do not just follow. Think. I do not like to follow. Apple has done some good things, but not everything they do is good.

 

[cmaier]

when you ready to debate instead of crying, you can try again. I point out failures but then you go back to stating that apple has made everything they have into a success. Really. I pointed out apples failures. Apple TV out for years. Still flopping around waiting to die.
Your point is flawed. But I guess it is hard to argue with people that just follow. ?blinders?

No one has said Apple hasn't had failures. I specifically listed mobile me, apple tv, etc. as being less than successful. Why is it you are trying to start a flame war?

 

[MikeDTyke]

Why you might ask why use a windows mac when you have windows. My mac keeps me safe on the net that is about it. Windows is a big target for the mischievous users out there on the net. Windows however provides me functionality several times greater than the Apple so I use my PC for everything else. I am not see little college student that brags about my apple but yet has no idea of its functionality. I know what Apple can do and it is not much.

Tablet - windows doing since 2006 Utter crap, clear example of ms not getting it.

Smart phone - windows was doing it long before iphone ****, and oh look their userbase they took 12 years to establish with numerous partners has been overtaken by a company who's been in the business 2 & 1/2 years

Driver support/ functionality/Business - Windows all the way You don't work in IT, it shows....Exchange, Active Directory & Group Policy, the few things for IT MS does right.

Safety on the net - Apple

Looks - my unibody MBP

Apple with SCSI dead, apple with firewire dead, NO Bluray, ETC. SCSI is dead for everyone, get out of the 90's. MMM, i seem to be able to get firewire on any Mac i like, doesn't seem that dead to me. Blu-ray, so what? Apple didn't like the licencing, if thats a deal killer for you, adios. I don't watch 1080p on my computer that's what a tv is for.

There is your answer. What answer, you've rhymed off a load of mindless, non-relevant twaddle.

Do not just follow. Think. I do not like to follow. Apple has done some good things, but not everything they do is good.

If there's one thing you can't argue, Apple never follows the herd.

 

[kingcobra2010]

it is debate.

I point out something then you cry and state that I can not verify/provide prof my comment.

I ask for facts in return. Then everyone screams. What is going on here. There is no name calling. Just stating the facts.

Obviously you did not read the other comment about my facts. No name calling there?

Get real.

 

[kingcobra2010]

actually windows owns the business sector. Might do a google search. No debate.

My points about winmo and win xp tablet was to show they were first long long time before had the idea. No comment about there position.

 

[kingcobra2010]

FINAL

Apple tablet = failure

come back when you want to find out how you did with your debate. The prediction will still be here. But as you can see others also predict it would be a failure.

 

[MikeDTyke]

when you ready to debate instead of crying, you can try again. I point out failures but then you go back to stating that apple has made everything they have into a success. Really. I pointed out apples failures. Apple TV out for years. Still flopping around waiting to die.
Your point is flawed. But I guess it is hard to argue with people that just follow. ?blinders?

Eyeballs, check. no they're perfectly dry.

If you are going to point out failures, your gonna have to try a lot harder and put in a little research. Mobile Me as mentioned started out poorly, The cube was a disaster of design, as was the 20th century mac. The 3rd gen ipod's touch sensitive buttons was pretty poor. The iMac G5, whilst it sold well had terrible fan noise. The remote with the Apple TV & Macs is shockingly bad.

Everything you've argued so far has been pretty subjective and hard to call a failure unless you have something to compare it with. I mean sure MS has sold 30Million odd XBox360s, but we have no idea how many users download movies or playback music on them. Apple hasn't announced any numbers for AppleTV and people slam it as a failure, why? Cos it doesn't fit their perfect definition of a streamer? Cos if it were really successful Apple would be bragging it in their end of quarter reports. Maybe it's less about hiding a failure and more about not letting on to your competitors how many your selling when the market your wanting to get is just forming.

Perhaps they don't sell many of them and perhaps that's exactly in line with what they are expecting based on what media they can get from the studios for it. How much R&D they're prepared to spend on it. Whether they think the market is ready for it. The average broadband pipe speed in the US is something like 1.2mbps. In the UK i believe its 1.6-2.0. That's pathetic, especially with bandwidth caps of 2GB, 10GB & 20GB from most ISPs.

Remember kids, it's just a hobby.

BTW, Blinkers is what you put on a skittish horse to prevent them seeing sideways and freaking when other horses come up to overtake them.