Apple January 26th Event 'Confirmed' by Internal Source? Focus on 'Mobility Space'?

[wizard]

Interesting response - agree and disagree.

A number of things to consider here.
One. The Macbook Air has not been refreshed in a while which could mean that the tablet is its replacement.

I'd rather see Apple fix the mistakes they made with AIR because right now it should be an embarrassment. The unfortunate thing here is that tablets can't replace laptops. The use cases aren't interchangable.

Two. The tablet, if released now, will need to be running full OS X since there would be no lead time for software development.
(Notice I said release and not announce)

That is BS as many iPhone apps could run fine on a tablet right now. The provisions for higher resolution displays is already built into the SDK. Of course some won't but that happens with any hardware/software revision. The biggest problem areas are likely to be graphics intensive games. Given that there would be fewer issues than trying to run kegacy Mac IS apps on the thing. Plus if it runs ARM you really wouldn't want Mac OS on the thing for marketing reasons.

Three. If this device includes full OS X, it will need a completely new way of interacting with the screen which combines touch capability while giving the user complete point and click control they are used to with a mouse.

It is beginning to sound like Apple has put a lot of work into this device. As such I've imagined a number of possibilities all of which work to minimize the chance of running Mac OS on the tablet. In any event think about the development issues here, with iPhone OS as the base for the interface you can innovate without pissing off a large number of users or developers.

Think finger motion tracking over the display with pressure click sensitivity.

I also believe that there is the possibility that Apple will include a software version of the iPhone or iPod Touch interface where you could run a large number of the touch apps inside of this environment.

Why? If it is an ARM based machine why not run the apps as is? I'm not convinced that windowing iPhone apps is required but it certainly could be offered as an option. The reality is the app owning screen metaphor works well with Touch tablets.

Lastly, it is my firm belief that Apple has been grooming us for some time now for the use of an on screen keyboard given how the most recent keyboards are now all flat.

I don't know about that. In the end the user either accepts the interface or he doesn't. Of course there is a lot more to acceptance than the interface as AIR demonstrates. The Tablet could flop simply because Apple doesn't get the I/O right. That is if you accept that AIR flopped more for what it didn't offer rather than for what it did.

Now if Apple does a 180 and puts an Intel processor in the tablet then all bets are off. I don't think that will happen though because the only way to get enough processors into the tablet, to do the job, is via ARM processors. Cites and parallel processing will make the Tablet hum.



Dave

 

[DakotaGuy]

Easy - because it wont be until 2015 where you can go all the places Verizon has their CDMA 3G network now and will have 4G/LTE network access.

So Apple can wait 5 years for a pure LTE phone that works seamlessly on Verizon's network, or they can intro a CDMA iPhone and capture another 10M in annual US phone sales.

In 2011 maybe we see the 4G iPhone, but even then its LTE/GSM/CDMA to work on AT&T's and Verizon's networks because LTE coverage wont be everywhere.

I don't think we will see a Verizon iPhone. It is easily possible and profitable to build one that works on a CDMA network, but that's not the reason. We won't see it because AT&T will do whatever it takes to keep the device exclusive. Yes, AT&T sells other phones, but the iPhone is what has kept them growing at a record pace the last few years. Apple has stated before they value AT&T and think AT&T is the best service for their phone.

Apple has commercials that say Verizon is not acceptable because you can't surf and talk at the same time. Now are they going to turn around a month after the commercials ran and say... oh yeah forget what we said about Verizon, we are going to be partners with them? Not likely. At least not this year.

I'd say the possibility of an iPhone on Verizon at the present time is highly doubtful and not because it is not possible, but because AT&T will do whatever it takes to keep the iPhone exclusive. I doubt Apple is going to slap AT&T on the face if they are a partnership they value so much.

 

[Bye Bye Baby]

It would be nice if the iSlate or whatever could have the power of a macbook and that it could be paired with a bluetooth keyboard and then used either as a tablet or as a laptop. That would be cool. Just a tablet- I just can't see it working.

 

[OSX10.6]

The iSlate name really makes me mad. I hate that name.

I liked MacTab or Macsipad better. iSlate sounds so... weird

 

[ermir4444]

This is my opinion about what will go down on Jan 26th.

PART ONE - LAPTOPS

- Jobs will come on stage and say that this event is all about mobility.
- He will start off with the MacBook Pro's. All of them will be updated with the base 13" going to 2.66 and the 15 and 17 getting arrandales (like the Imac 21.5 and 27). Same goes for the Macbook air wich will have glass track-pad and glossy display
- New MBP need to go with updated Cinema Displays. Dont have any idea on size but one thing is for sure all will be LED backlit

PART TWO - IPHONE, IPOD TOUCH

- A lot of bragging about iphone sales worldwide and all that crap
- New iphone 3gs 8 GB and ipod touch with camera

PART THREE - ONE MORE THING

- ISLATE ISLATE ISLATE - Nothing like you thought it would be

 

[applesupergeek]

Well, duh. The theory is that these users would use a tablet, instead. An even-lighter-than-the-MBA product. For some it will be enough.

And calling any current Apple laptop "thick" is just stupid. They feel like paper compared to Dell machines.

Yeah but they feel like bricks compared to the air.

The tablet can't and won't replace the uses of the air. It's just a different device. It's a reading/video/music/light email type of device, it's not a thin and light notebook, it wont run os x. Thin and light notebooks are the hypest thing in the tec world and the most practical for people on the go, and have been so for a few years.

Apple made a stunning entry with the air and there's no chance in hell that they take it out of their line up. They didn't go through the pains of a super low gb hd or ssd, or a custom cpu, in the first iteration, to have it vanish into thin, well, air in a few years. The air is a device with the future in mind above all, made thinner than then tec would allow, verging on too thin for its own good even, but positioned to take advantage of the revolutions in tec in these coming years.

If there's one outcome actually it's the completely opposite of this inane "prediction" that the air will be replaced by the tablet: it's that the air will become an even better, even more of a powerful mac than ever before, really coming along. Until eventually the macbook pro gets as thin as the air, and then only will apple possibly stop producing this iconic computer.

 

[rdowns]

Apple has commercials that say Verizon is not acceptable because you can't surf and talk at the same time. Now are they going to turn around a month after the commercials ran and say... oh yeah forget what we said about Verizon, we are going to be partners with them? Not likely. At least not this year.

That wouldn't even factor into Apple's decision. Nobody wants to watch video on a screen the size of the iPod's. A month later the Video iPod was introduced. Just one example, Apple has done this many times.

FWIW, I don't think Verizon will ever see the iPhone.

 

[thejakill]

Yeah but they feel like bricks compared to the air.

The tablet can't and won't replace the uses of the air. It's just a different device. It's a reading/video/music/light email type of device, it's not a thin and light notebook, it wont run os x. Thin and light notebooks are the hypest thing in the tec world and the most practical for people on the go, and have been so for a few years.

Apple made a stunning entry with the air and there's no chance in hell that they take it out of their line up. They didn't go through the pains of a super low gb hd or ssd, or a custom cpu, in the first iteration, to have it vanish into thin, well, air in a few years. The air is a device with the future in mind above all, made thinner than then tec would allow, verging on too thin for its own good even, but positioned to take advantage of the revolutions in tec in these coming years.

If there's one outcome actually it's the completely opposite of this inane "prediction" that the air will be replaced by the tablet: it's that the air will become an even better, even more of a powerful mac than ever before, really coming along. Until eventually the macbook pro gets as thin as the air, and then only will apple possibly stop producing this iconic computer.

Agreed. The air and a tablet would fit into different categories. I have an air and it does not disappoint.

Why are all these people hoping the tablet runs full OSX? Just get a laptop. The tablet will run iPhone OS.

 

[SirOmega]

I don't think we will see a Verizon iPhone. It is easily possible and profitable to build one that works on a CDMA network, but that's not the reason. We won't see it because AT&T will do whatever it takes to keep the device exclusive. Yes, AT&T sells other phones, but the iPhone is what has kept them growing at a record pace the last few years. Apple has stated before they value AT&T and think AT&T is the best service for their phone.

Apple has commercials that say Verizon is not acceptable because you can't surf and talk at the same time. Now are they going to turn around a month after the commercials ran and say... oh yeah forget what we said about Verizon, we are going to be partners with them? Not likely. At least not this year.

I'd say the possibility of an iPhone on Verizon at the present time is highly doubtful and not because it is not possible, but because AT&T will do whatever it takes to keep the iPhone exclusive. I doubt Apple is going to slap AT&T on the face if they are a partnership they value so much.

And after all the shenanigans on AT&T's network in places like NYC, Chicago and SF, I don't think AT&T really wants too many more iPhones on their network. They love the higher per-device revenue but they don't like the network infrastructure investment.

And remember, Apple has to agree, and if there was an extension of the exclusivity, Apple could ask for AT&T to put a SLA in the contract so AT&T would be forced to keep their network from falling apart in major metro areas. Remember - Apple loses out on device sales when people skip over AT&T because their network cant handle that many devices. Apple loses money when AT&T's network sucks.

 

[applesupergeek]

Agreed. The air and a tablet would fit into different categories. I have an air and it does not disappoint.

Why are all these people hoping the tablet runs full OSX? Just get a laptop. The tablet will run iPhone OS.

Ι 've kept my powerbook g4 12" which to me is probably the best notebook ever created, because of the some minor quibbles with the air (screen opening max angle, size of ssd, no matte option) but I am very much looking forward to an air as soon as some of these minor issues are ironed out, I am sure I am going to love it.

Of course what with the new air and tablet I better start saving some money!

 

[wizard]

Nazis no, but technology moves on.

I would imagine they would tune 4.0 to previous models...ie turning off certain features, etc. They aren't complete upgrade nazi's are they?

Considering todays iPhone/Touch hardware is twice as fast as my 3G I could see great difficulty in running a more complex version of iPhone OS on it. Combine that with a possible hardware refresh that takes performance beyound 2X and you would have to agree that the 3G is aging fast. Even so I'd like to get another 6-12 months out of it running current software.

So no they are not Nazis, I just don't want to be left out in the cold with an iPhone that is sluggish running the latest OS. On the otherhand there may be room for optimization in 4.0. I say that because 3.0 seemed to be a performance regression. A new set of libs, Safari with a new Javascript engine and a few other refinements could lead to performance improvements. So I'm hopeful but at the same time fully aware that cell phones age real fast.


Dave

 

[jimoase]

As you should...

Foxnews.com is part of the Murdoch empire. As such they could tell me the sky is blue and I'd feel the need to go outside and check.

Since the beginning of time we are individually responsible for our own choices and actions. There seems to be a growing need to verify our sources of information from all sources including media, government and even school books. Its unfortunate.

We as a society get more of what we pay attention to. If our information sources are suspect we the people need to research and question these sources. In the end a better educated society is our key to free us from misinformation.

We the people are going to need to do more than point fingers, we are the problem and the solution.

 

[jasonv1]

I dumped my Kindle DX a few weeks back in anticipation of an upcoming Mac tablet. I liked the device for viewing my (PDF) tech books but I really wished it did more for the price.

Assuming a tablet is announced it should be able to do way more, keep a similar footprint (the Kindle keyboards are essentially wasted space in my opinion), and not cost a significant amount more in terms of price versus a Kindle DX (from a money per feature standpoint anyway; I figure the tablet will have to be at least $700 if not $800).

Just my worthless opinion anyway.

Jason

 

[Speedy2]

This is my opinion about what will go down on Jan 26th.

I think you're pretty much spot on, apart from the new MBPs. There's no way we'll see Arrandale in a MBP anytime soon. Way too much power consumption. The Arrandale notebooks that are available right now are pretty crappy in terms of battery life, weight, thickness and fan noise. Apple can't do magic in this area.

I say instead: MBPs will get a spec bump and that's it.

BTW, the new iMacs use desktop-class CPUs only, so they can't serve as basis for predictions about MBP or MB developments anymore.

 

[applesupergeek]

Since the beginning of time we are individually responsible for our own choices and actions. There seems to be a growing need to verify our sources of information from all sources including media, government and even school books. Its unfortunate.

We as a society get more of what we pay attention to. If our information sources are suspect we the people need to research and question these sources. In the end a better educated society is our key to free us from misinformation.

We the people are going to need to do more than point fingers, we are the problem and the solution.

Sure, but it doesn't help at all that some people are actively involved in misconstruing or concealing reality, the media being a prime force there. And of course you have to consider that most people are both very easily swayed (and that's why propaganda is ripe) and not intelligent enough to discern. Add to it that most of us lack the time and resources, especially the former, to research every conceivable interest field, which makes honesty in reporting in the media all the more pertinent.

 

[Speedy2]

Since the beginning of time we are individually responsible for our own choices and actions. There seems to be a growing need to verify our sources of information from all sources including media, government and even school books. Its unfortunate.

Well, I don't see how this was different in the past. It's not that the sources became unreliable, it's more the fact that we have many more sources now and at the same time the possibility to verify their claims by comparing them and getting to the bottom of things. It takes time and effort tho. Still way better than 20 years ago when we could believe what TV or newspapers told us or basically go to hell.

So when Fox News tells us "jump" and some people jump, well, it's basically up to them because they could always find out if we should really jump. Free country. And no, I wouldn't jump.

 

[Detlev_73]

Hmmm....

Let's see: the ugly, white, polycarbonate "education" MacBook is reduced as per a Page 2 thread. There are no other products currently called "MacBook". The MacBook Air, although beautiful for its thinness, only has two models: hard-drive based and SSD.

I can see it now. Steve Jobs walks on stage, starts giving stats on iTunes, apps sold, market share increase in the iPhone, etc. to continue the excitement buildup.

Then he announces "Starting today we are discontinuing the MacBook Air; it's history. Also we are discontinuing the Macbook. Say hello to the [insert tablet product name]!" Pictures of the beautiful, physical keyboard-less tablet comes up, and EVERYONE in the room makes a standing applause wave that lasts for many minutes with Jobs grinning until he tells everyone "shut the f*** up! You got what you wanted!"

 

[Black Belt]

The Tablet is coming! It is more than just a "big iPhone", it will do all of that of course and be a superb web-browser, but it will also be a direct competitor to the Amazon Kindle and take it even further - Electronic Textbooks. Apple has always been tied in with education, what better way to further that mission than to transform the textbook market by delivering textbooks on an e-reader, with notation capabilities and the works. Cheaper books, no lugging around 40 pounds of pulp. It will feature a new section in iTunes - books and textbooks and also allow teachers to publish notes (much like you publish a podcast) for deliver as a companion to textbooks. And as a competitor to Kindle it will do what Kindle won't, deliver full-color books and PDFs along with full-color VIDEO. AND WIRELESS! You can read your book and do your papers and homework on the same device. And being LED backlit, it will hopefully provide a superior battery-life than previous Apple devices.

And the iPod Touch with camera is coming as well, so look out for new Apps that take advantage of the camera feature to read bar codes, etc. Finally Evernote will be fully featured for the Touch as well!

 

[iMacmatician]

My (somewhat vague) predictions (which I am likely to modify closer to the event but here goes…):

1. Possible updates before the event

MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines may be updated the week before January 26.

2. Small updates at the start of the event

iPod touch with camera? Other small iPod/iPhone updates?

3. Main product

iSlate tablet, 7" and 10", runs iPhone OS with additional features and apps.

CPU, RAM, and flash memory are increased by 2x-4x over the iPhone and iPod touch.

Apps that are made to fit the larger display of the iSlate are demoed.

New Apple software (e-book reader?) on the iSlate.

Apple software, either updates to existing software or new software, that ties into the iSlate (iGuide?). iTunes update is likely.

 

[shadowbird423]

iPhone OS 4.0

I think that 4.0 will not be announced until closer to the release date of the next gen iPhone. iPhone 2g & 3g support will have to be included because the 3g is still being sold today, which puts it in the update window. The 3g and 2g are extremely similar, so the 2g will probably be included because of its shared components. Major optimization of the OS is necessary in order to maintain a consistent user interface. They certainly have their work cut out for them....

 

[Shall22]

3D Interface

For what it's worth, I think Steve will be appearing on stage and designating 2010 'the year of 3-d'.

Imagine a tablet that can sense where your eyes are (via a behind the screen camera) and thus display a true 3-d image without polarising glasses; that uses the perception of depth and the touch screen to take the OSX interface to a whole new level of engagement, intuitiveness and interactivity; that can offer developers an SDK to build interactive 3-d games and applications as well as creating a whole new means of expression for magazine and newspaper publishers (thus creating a whole new itunes marketplace).

It would also be a tablet that could play Avatar, in full 3-d glory.

All the above technologies are published Apple patents; I think they just might be brought together this January to create the killer gadget to end all gadgets.

Now wouldn't that be fun?

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Hold Up, I bought a new iPod on the 26th of December... Are you telling me that in a month, there will be a new iPod with the camera? This is BS.

Well - I predict something else for this event.

1. Refreshed MacBook Pro 13", 15" and 17"
2. Refreshed Mac Pro (New Look, Six-Core or Eight Core)*
3. New LED 30" Display*
4. Announcement of iPhone OS 4.0
5. Tablet (iSlate)

*Does not go with the Mobility Theme

Agree w/ 1 & 5. MP & new 27" display (yes, not 30") will wait for another day in late Feb or March. Lately Apple has not mixed consumer toys w/ consumer toys.

iPhone 4.0 won't come until WWDC. Bank on it. However, we might see iPhone 3.3.

iPod updates unlikely. Apple's not going to screw w/ it's now-traditional Fall launch period. iPhone 3GS 8GB, maybe as the warm-up act.

iLife '10 also a possibility -- though I get the feeling it's fallen off Apple's annual to-do priority list given the lame updates the past few years.

 

[Xibalba]

I can only chuckle that in this age of technology, social networking, and spread of information that Apple has been able to keep us all completely confused about this new "big" event.

People have postulated new iphone, tablet, mac pro, appletv, ipod, cloud computing, etc and everyday a new rumor pushes one closer to the top only to be dismissed the next day.

I am amazingly confused but patiently waiting...kudos Apple.

 

[lilo777]

For all we know, the "mobility space" could just mean super thin Steve Jobs. I guess my speculation is as good as anyone's. The noise to news ratio in Apple "mobility space" is clearly too high.

 

[Rocketman]

That Lee guy is probably guessing like everyone else that's why he's openly talking about it.

(Those Chinese translations are dangerous )

I think he is simply reinforcing those public rumors he feels most likely to be true. He is better positioned to TALK about the sift wheat from chaff than anybody else who does know or is talking.

The event is likely to announce a new ecosystem and show prototype hardware that will be released at a future date. There is an above average chance developers will be able to buy prototype hardware for application development.

This means the 10.1" variant will go now and by the time of actual release the 7" variant will have a dense enough display to have similar resolution. This will allow only a single second resolution to be out there for developers to work on. Gamers are pixel junkies so the iPhone's fixed screen res is important to them.

For years we had expected 10.6 to have a resolution independent scaling capability, but it appears this is a feature not yet ready for prime time.

We are still in Apple II pixel counting mode.

Rocketman