Apple Netbook Touchscreen Rumors Continue to Gather Steam

[kzin]

I posted this (as part of a longer post) in yesterday's thread, but here's what I'm expecting:


Imagine an iPod Touch with a 9" or 10" screen, running real Mac OS X (but with an alternate Finder view that looks like the iPhone, and the ability to run iPhone and iPhone-like touch apps), that has not only the portrait and landscape keyboards (only the landscape keyboard would be finger size, like one of the mock-ups, instead of thumb size), but also translucent split thumb keyboards that can be used in landscape mode. Also, with a screen this big, a portrait thumb keyboard still gives you a usable amount of screen real estate for viewing the app you're working with. Then imagine a docking port on one of the _long_ edges (not one of the short edges, where it is on the iPhone/iPT), that can be hooked into a docking station for use with a real keyboard ... or that can be clipped into a clamshell case that gives it a more standard netbook form factor (that would only be bought by people who wont mind a slight "ugly factor").

 

[farmboy]

.... Remember Jobs saying people didn't like netbooks, ... I don't know why Jobs says people do not like them! Maybe HE does not. The hackintoshes are popular.

Job never said that.

"There are some customers which we chose not to serve. We don't know how to make a $500 computer that's not a piece of junk, and our DNA will not let us ship that."

"As we look at the netbook category, that's a nascent category. As best as we can tell, there's not a lot of them being sold. You know, one of our entrants into that category if you will is the iPhone, for browsing the Internet, and doing email and all the other things that a netbook lets you do. And being connected via the cellular network wherever you are, an iPhone is a pretty good solution for that, and it fits in your pocket."

When asked about netbooks during his "special guest" appearance on Apple's quarterly earnings call, Jobs said that there are "not a lot of them getting sold," and Apple's "entrance into that category" is the iPhone. But then he admitted that Apple is going to "wait and see" how the category evolves and "we've got some pretty interesting ideas if it does evolve."

I'm just tired of the constant misquoting as the basis for opinions.

 

[beyondonesmeans]

Apple, Please do it right if you are going to make this.

I really hope that Apple doesn't cut corners if they decide to make a tablet/netbook/ebook or whatever you want to call this thing. I would definitely consider replacing my MBP with one since all I use it for is the web/chat/ and blog posting anyway.

Things that I hope apple includes.

1)Universal remote software. I love my harmony remote, but imagine if you could have all that functionality and more all in one devise. The ability to connect to home automation would be great too.


2) Enough power to run all the ilife/iwork programs.


3) Make the touchscreen keyboard extremely user friendly and functional. The keyboard on my iPhone isnt bad, but I hate typing long things on it. Im sure it will only improve with size, but if they screw this up, no one will want it. If they are going to go keyboard free they better make it great the first time.

4) USB. I will need to be able to plug in peripherals like keyboard and mouse just in case.

Apple, those are my requests. Please take them into account!

 

[Lesser Evets]

I'm just tired of the constant misquoting as the basis for opinions.

It is sickening. Also the belief that people's strategies NEVER change. You change strategy based on the times, not on some weird, psychotic grasp on past markets.

Most likely the netbook fever is pushing Apple to make a run for something competitive.

iMacmatician made a good point about the product gap between iPod and Macbook. It's a good chance this new item will sit in there and maybe knock out the $999 Macbook. How able this product will be is just a guess. Hope for more and be disappointed--that's Apple.

 

[BTW]

Cool, gonna get one!

iPad!

I'll believe it when I see it. Then I'll start drooling.

 

[DubOverdose]

While I am interested to see what Apple comes out with without Jobs around, I doubt we'd see anything yet that he wasn't pushing for. I don't know how big he is on a touchscreen notebook, because I think we would have seen one by now if it were high on his list.

 

[SwiftLives]

eBook reader + multimedia device? Now we're talkin'. This is starting to make sense.

Jobs mentioned they were not in the market for making an eBook reader, since people really don't read anymore. So, supplement that capability with magazines, comic books, daily newspapers, local publications, plus Wifi for Email and web browsing, then I think we're almost there.

I've always thought some sort of wifi-capable handheld device is what needs to happen to save the newspaper industry. But the problem is this - will the publishing industry embrace it? Will we view a special "iTablet"-only layout of these publications? Or will it be strictly via mobile-Safari? I would hope the former of the two.

Time will tell.

 

[GQB]

I reckon $599/$699 w/ data plan.

NO DATA PLANS!!!! Wi-fi (or direct connect) only!
Last thing I want is to be tied to ANY carrier for my computer, pad, netbook or other.
This ISN'T A PHONE!!! I don't want a bloody PHONE!!!

 

[Schizoid]

Various Screen Sizes!

Wow this is great news!

I have a Mac Pro at home with a 22" screen and a MacBook with a 15.4" screen, I might get a new 17" MacBook too...
I have an iPhone with a 3.5" screen so I just cannot wait til I get something with a 10" screen - it'll be swell

Once I have that, I want an iWatch with a 1.5" screen and another MacBook with a 13.3" screen...
Then I'll need a mac with a 19" screen and one with a 30" LCD for the living room, maybe Mac will then do a 0.5" screen for my wedding ring and a 60" Mac for outside in the summer...
Oh hang on, I'll need a 16" screen for when my big MacBook is too big and my middle-sized one is too small... a sort of mini-micro-MacBook oh yes...

Apple are great, I can't wait for all these great products which I'll most definitely need, although I must complain they don't do an 18" screen iMac

 

[Scottsdale]

I think we will see a new naming system. I don't think it will be a "MacBook" of any sort unless we are all wrong in envisioning a tablet.

Some sort of i Catchy Name that would get attention of consumers. Like iPad or iThink or iTouch. Maybe MacTouch MacPad or MacLight. Maybe even NanoPad or NanoMac or iTouchpad.

Doubt MacBook Nano or anything of that sort unless it's truly a "netbook" but I seriously doubt Apple will come out with an actual netbook. With the way Jobs talks about the netbooks, and the whole $399 mess of selling netbooks, Apple needs to reinvent something really cool that isn't COMPARED to a netbook for pricing.

People would pay $999 for an Apple netbook (but will not happen), but for Apple to sell this thing in masses, it needs a really cool catchy thing that ALSO does Internet. VERY LIGHT computing like the iPhone or iPod touch. FOCUS is not the keyboard and typing but rather using and viewing on it. Maybe even a "Media" device for sharing larger photos and photo albums, more gaming with a much nicer display and yet same functionality offered by iPhone, and yes a Book Reader that will DESTROY the Kindle in all its forms.

By introducing a new product, Apple can price it in the $699 range and NOT offer a full Mac OS X operating system. I think the key is to really think like the iPhone or iPod touch only much bigger. Also, NOT an Atom processor, ARM Quad Core.

Also, this should be a really cool device that is super innovative, and will all happen because of the success of the App Store. Apple will see this as advantageous to sell more apps via the app store like games and etc.

But think of the expanded usability of a much larger display that is also touchpad. I don't mind typing on my iPhone, but I would enjoy larger. And truthfully, I think the whole concept is going to be to use 3G wireless via AT&T, but they may offer it both ways like the iPhone and iPod touch.

I would take that sort of device with me everywhere. And, I would actually probably use the features of my iPhone less. Because what I really want is a phone to actually work like a phone, and I want a separate media device that will also do my Internet and email communications, watch video, browse web, play games, sort photos, and be an Apple friendly device. And I want it a lot lighter than a computer but more capable than a tiny phone.

With this, Apple could capture the people who will not buy the iPhone because it requires AT&T, yet would have to offer it without AT&T service too.

Remember the rumors from a few months back where Apple and AT&T were talking adding new services and everyone thought it must be a MBA with 3G data plan... perhaps this is it. This makes much more sense. The MBA is a real Mac, but this could be a cool device that isn't really a computer for those who want a fun device, yet can be used lightly like a computer for those wanting to communicate via a less powerful device that's more portable.

I am really looking forward to all of the possibilities here. And we will probably find out something at WWDC as this has to be a focus like the App Store for the iPhone.

Go APPLE GO!

 

[kzin]

NO DATA PLANS!!!! Wi-fi (or direct connect) only!
Last thing I want is to be tied to ANY carrier for my computer, pad, netbook or other.
This ISN'T A PHONE!!! I don't want a bloody PHONE!!!

I agree, no ties to any particular provider.

Either:

1) Built-in Wifi only (and I'll use it with a Cradlepoint device, or Joikuspot on a Symbian phone)

2) Built-in Wifi + Bluetooth DUN + Bluetooth PAN (and I'll use it with a suitable phone, though Apple seems to have a DUN/PAN phobia, so I don't expect this one to happen)

3) Built-in Wifi + PCI Express Mini card slot (put in an internal card for your favorite wireless vendor) (I don't think Apple has any other PCI Express Mini card devices, so I think this one might be unlikely as well)


What I don't want to see:

a) Hard-wired WWAN for a particular carrier. Definitely not locked to a carrier.

b) WWAN based on Express Card, USB dongle, SDIO card, or similar (nothing that is going to interfere with how I hold the device, no matter what orientation I choose to hold it).

 

[Scottsdale]

NO DATA PLANS!!!! Wi-fi (or direct connect) only!
Last thing I want is to be tied to ANY carrier for my computer, pad, netbook or other.
This ISN'T A PHONE!!! I don't want a bloody PHONE!!!

I think it will probably NOT depend on a data plan so long as Apple thinks an App Store will succeed selling more $$$ for every MacTouch sold. However, I think it would be cool to add that as a possible feature. And it is very possible since AT&T and Apple were talking about this just a few months ago.

So, no not a PHONE, but yes a data plan from a wireless carrier is plausible. Would be nice if was an "add-on" feature and could use it from any carrier, but that isn't going to happen either. Unfortunately this is another way for Apple to drop the price and why the iPhone was so successful. Although, the APP STORE part could make Apple more money in the long run, so I suppose whatever Apple thinks can make it the most money in the long run is the way it will lead us with this new product.

 

[kzin]

Like iPad or iThink or iTouch. Maybe MacTouch MacPad or MacLight. Maybe even NanoPad or NanoMac or iTouchpad.

Newton II

 

[GQB]

Buy a yearly subscription for your local hometown newspaper...

With all due respect... our local WHATS?
Perhaps you haven't noticed, but that's a drying breed, thanks to Craig's List.
I wonder where actual reporting will come from in the future. Certainly not from blogging opinionators.
That's really a pretty scary thing. Tons of outlets, and no rigorous content.

 

[alhasa]

Common Sense

We're missing something.

What exactly is the market for this? Multimedia device? With a 10in. screen, will it fit in your pocket? Can you even use something with a screen slightly smaller than your foot as a phone? If it's not a phone, would at&t allow 3G connectivity?

Will it be some sort of supplement to a laptop? Will it have an optical drive? Or be app-store only?

Finally, have any of you ever tried typing on something that's not a keyboard? I'm not sure how that will be without any sort of tactile feedback.

There are just a lot of pieces to this puzzle that are not fitting together just yet. My best guess is that this will tie in with the iPods and related announcements in September.

Some common sense at last! and here u have all these people already predicting what components it will have. considering the way the economy is going and the fact that Apple IS laying off people, this thing better be a cheap netbook, or at least something remotely useful that people other than MACHEADS would buy

 

[GQB]

Imagine typing on your desk. If Apple used the same auto-correction technology as the iPhone, it would be relatively quick (not as fast/convenient as typing on a regular keyboard, of course, but still very useable).

Its not the keys, its the qwerty. When are we going to stop trying to adapt everything to a 100+ year old, intentionally crappy method of input?
You KNOW that that's what Steve has in his sights... the question is just the path.

 

[GQB]

Bah, the real bummer is that I am going to be purchasing a netbook before Defcon this year (which is in September). However, I doubt Apple will release it before hand.

Apple is going to charge out the ass for it, so I doubt I will be able to puchase it anytime after release.

Particularly if you blow your money on a netbook just to go to Defcon.
Perhaps, uh, wait a month and (oh my god) not have a new toy for Defcon?
Nah.

 

[GQB]

You can't. This is a problem that arises with any n{et,ote}book, though.
However, holding it with one arm/hand and using the other for input probably works best with a touchscreen.

At the risk of assuming that most on this list were in some way Trek influenced, may I ask where the indispensable qwerty keyboard was on a TriCorder?
Just asking.

 

[GQB]

I guess I'm just having a hard time grasping the difference. If it's iPhone OS (no multitasking, no copy and paste, small resolution,) what's the point? ...

Right... Apple is run by idiots and is NEVER going to come up with solutions to those things in iPhone OS.
McLuhan was right... most people live in their rear view mirrors.
Visionaries don't see the future... they're just the only ones seeing the present.

 

[DaBrain]

Very IMPORTANT!!!!

Someone please re-read the Reuters article where it says "newly developed" screens. Does this mean its a new type of screen? Perhaps OLED??

Now That would be Insane!--)) I wonder how that would be for reading EBooks? Imagine this as an Color Ebook Reader with OLED, Wi-Fi, OSX and Internet Apps for starters! This could be very interesting IF not crippled by Apple and of course IF this rumor is true--))

 

[kzin]

.i am talking about LOCAL NEWS...you know..the kind that have your HS honor roll...

I don't know that I have ever lived in a town that was small enough to list everyone on the honor roll... places where I've lived, that would be highly impractical to print in a newspaper.

Besides, I don't need Apple to make such a thing for iTunes. I already get it via RSS feeds (local news, national news, international news, geek news, gamer news, foodie news, comics, spiritual stuff, etc.). And Apple already supports RSS.

 

[flopticalcube]

I was gonna say... haha

Anyways, I guess I will continue to use my 3yr old MBP for the time being. Depending on what's released a Mac Mini for home to display on my 56" DLP and a 10" Mac "netbook" for school and mobile computing might be the way to go.

Exactly my thoughts too. I may just go for a MacBook or a Dell mini 9 hackintosh if the price of this touch thingy is too high.

 

[GQB]

While I am interested to see what Apple comes out with without Jobs around, I doubt we'd see anything yet that he wasn't pushing for. I don't know how big he is on a touchscreen notebook, because I think we would have seen one by now if it were high on his list.

There's nothing coming out this year that hasn't been in the pipeline for over a year, and probably 2 years.

 

[robindahlia789]

apples' SUCKS ... I want rumors about new iPhone

TELL me about it! dang i plan on getting a iphone in SEP and wanna hear some rumors about the iphone!

 

[DaBrain]

NO DATA PLANS!!!! Wi-fi (or direct connect) only!
Last thing I want is to be tied to ANY carrier for my computer, pad, netbook or other.
This ISN'T A PHONE!!! I don't want a bloody PHONE!!!

+1 Dittos Unless they offer Free 3G like the Kindle. Then were cooking!