Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Prepping iPhone OS 4.0 Beta? SDK to Include Tablet 'Simulator' Tools?

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,209
38,991


In a brief report [Google translation], French site Mac4Ever claims that Apple's special media event now reportedly scheduled for January 27th will see both the introduction of the company's much-rumored tablet device and the launch of beta versions of iPhone OS 4.0 and the associated Software Development Kit for developers.

According to the report, the SDK will include a "simulator" to assist developers in adapting their existing App Store applications to support the tablet's screen resolution. The deployment of tools for supporting multiple screen resolutions could also pave the way for a higher-resolution iPhone in the future.
Several of our sources give us two pieces of information concerning the famous Apple tablet: In late January, in addition to its tablet, Cupertino should have a beta of iPhone OS 4, accompanied by an SDK. Our informants also tell us of a "simulator" specifically adapted for the tablet. Evidently, the major novelty of the SDK therefore concerns the interface, making it easier for developers to adapt to different screen resolutions. The new iPhone could also benefit from a higher pixel density.
Click to expand...
Mac4Ever is careful to note, however, that the information should be taken with a grain of salt, suggesting that it is not entirely confident in the claims. The site has, however, been remarkably accurate recently, nailing several of the details of Apple's new iMac models and peripherals nearly a month before their release.

Other rumors published by Mac4Ever at that same time that have yet to come to fruition relate to Apple's plans for its iLife and iWork suites, as well as a claim that Apple's tablet will be "far different" than concepts floating around the Internet have depicted. The tantalizing hint may have received additional support in recent weeks after a source reported that users would be "very surprised how [they] interact with the new tablet."

Reports of the fourth-generation iPhone and updated operating systems in the wild have also begun appearing over the past few weeks, with hints of unreleased iPhone hardware and software appearing in App Store analytics data.

Article Link: Apple Prepping iPhone OS 4.0 Beta? SDK to Include Tablet 'Simulator' Tools?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/04/apple-prepping-iphone-os-4-0-beta-sdk-to-include-tablet-simulator-tools/
Confirmation of Tablet. The product not only exists but is also due for release soon.
 
anyone with time to brainstorm possible apple event agendas can come up with that info, so I would indeed read that with a grain of salt.

the big implication in this whole thing is the marketing of the device and if I remember correctly, there was a pretty big hire a few months ago about marketing at apple and there were rumors of that commercial in a diner..etc.

What I think will happen at the event:
One possibility I do see happening is that the event will start with iPhone facts (# of apps downloaded and created..etc), with iPhone 4.0 beta release (in place of a separate March iPhone dev event..which could mean that this new iPhone release is actually not going to be a major overall...iPhone 2011 might be the big update?) with the new product being a tablet device followed by a few app demos, magazine demos on the tablet etc.

The price will be laughable ($799) but people will eventually warm to it.
- It will not have 3G or similar connectivity
- It will not be marketed as a replacement to a laptop
- It will look like a closed macbook air

the interesting stuff will be released in versions 2 and 3. Prices will eventually become sub-$500 in 2-3 years.
 
I figured they would also demo iPhone OS 4.0 SDK. I mean if the tablet is real, it is pretty much a no brainer, especially when they need devs to have their apps ready by shipping time.

I really hope the next iPhone DOES have a higher res screen. It must have! If devs ALREADY have to alter their apps for the screen res of the iSlate, why on earth would Apple wait and make them do that TWICE for a higher res iPhone later? I say no, they will do it now and let them prep all their apps ONCE for both! It just makes sense!

I am SOOOO EXCITED for this event!!!

Hoping to see iLife and iWork Mobile, and some iTunes announcements like TV subscriptions etc. as well! It is shaping up to be a VERY good event! :D
 
Interaction

I wonder if the 'surprising' interaction relates to Apple's 2007 patent on a 'multi-dimensional desktop'. Maybe some cool voice recognition too.
 
iOrlando said:
The price will be laughable ($799) but people will eventually warm to it.
- It will not have 3G or similar connectivity
- It will not be marketed as a replacement to a laptop
- It will look like a closed macbook air

the interesting stuff will be released in versions 2 and 3. Prices will eventually become sub-$500 in 2-3 years.
Click to expand...

I agree.
However not having a 3G or similar connectivity option would create a small war. IMHO, Apple should at least give us a BTO option (or external usb.... no... must be built-in)
 
if I can't use this as a primary mac....i will be very disappointed. the thought of a portable ~600$ mac is very exciting....if its not, then it will be next year before i can get a mac...that would be a bummer....
 
MacsRgr8 said:
I agree.
However not having a 3G or similar connectivity option would create a small war. IMHO, Apple should at least give us a BTO option (or external usb.... no... must be built-in)
Click to expand...

i know what you mean.

i partly am leaning towards no 3g because:
1) apple loves to withhold features until later revisions. (iphone started as 2G etc)
2) in no way are the masses ready to pay 1) monthly cell phone bill 2) monthly internet bill for laptop/desktop and then 3) monthly bill for tablet.

and apple isnt big into the whole we will give you the option to do this or that. its usually either yes or no.
 
It seems certain now that the Apple Slate is imminent. However, the possible early release of the 4.0 SDK has me very interested. There can be no doubt the Slate does not run 4.0; it will run it's own more evolved OS. But perhaps some of its new UI tweaks and features may trickle down into the new iPhone OS release. I wonder if iPhone OS X 4.0 has some large changes which require extra developer lead time such as a new interface (an obviously resolution independence).
 
Higher-res apps?

Looking forward to seeing how Apple conducts the modification of apps to a higher-resolution. I just can't see it as a neat-and-tidy conversion. Many/most app interfaces have been designed for a specific size/resolution in mind, in some cases down to the pixel. Surely this will be a pretty involved process, no? Surely many graphics and interfaces will have to be recreated from scratch, no? (And even if not strictly necessary to recreate/redesign, you'd probably at least want them to be, as they'd get increasingly blurry at a zoomed-up resolution.)
 
TheSlush said:
Looking forward to seeing how Apple conducts the modification of apps to a higher-resolution. I just can't see it as a neat-and-tidy conversion. Many/most app interfaces have been designed for a specific size/resolution in mind, in some cases down to the pixel. Surely this will be a pretty involved process, no? Surely many graphics and interfaces will have to be recreated from scratch, no? (And even if not strictly necessary to recreate/redesign, you'd probably at least want them to be, as they'd get increasingly blurry at a zoomed-up resolution.)
Click to expand...


as steve would say: Change your apps resolution. Not that big of a deal.
 
iOrlando said:
i partly am leaning towards no 3g because:
1) apple loves to withhold features until later revisions. (iphone started as 2G etc)
2) in no way are the masses ready to pay 1) monthly cell phone bill 2) monthly internet bill for laptop/desktop and then 3) monthly bill for tablet.

and apple isnt big into the whole we will give you the option to do this or that. its usually either yes or no.
Click to expand...

Good points, and I think you're right to touch on marketing as that which will determine how this tablet is received.

If Apple's marketing leans toward publishing, 3G connectivity may not "seem" as crucial. Steve will zap us with his reality distortion field and tell us that the tablet's new App/Mag/Book Store sync process is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and that's how we'll take all of our favorite magazines and newspapers and books with us: after syncing at home (or with WiFi)! And we will all nod and drool.

However, with only WiFi and no 3G, it would not be easy for Apple to market the tablet as much of an "internet device". This would make it akin to the iPod touch, with by its very name is marketed more as an iPod (iTunes Store WiFi sync process) and gameplayer (App Store WiFi sync process) than as a web-browsing "internet device".

This marketing approach hasn't seemed to hinder the iPod touch, so it also may not be an issue with the tablet, depending on Apple's spin. No matter what, we can be assured that there will once again be two species of headlines after this thing is announced: 1.) How awesome it is, and 2.) All the myriad things it doesn't have, specs-wise. I can just see all the upcoming "Yeah, but what about..." headlines from Gizmodo and Engadget.
 
We will be surprised about how we interact with it?

I think not.
Maybe most people will, but I doubt people following the rumors will be surprised.

Can't wait to see what this thing does.

maybe we interact with it by shouting at it like Jobs used to do to his staff.
 
How likely is 4.0? I would say pretty likely since there hasn't been a new version of 3.X in some time.

What does 4.0 bring? Multi-tasking.
 
MacFly123 said:
If devs ALREADY have to alter their apps for the screen res of the iSlate, why on earth would Apple wait and make them do that TWICE for a higher res iPhone later? I say no, they will do it now and let them prep all their apps ONCE for both! It just makes sense!
Click to expand...

How on earth does that make sense? You need a totally different UI for a 10" tablet compared with a 3" phone. The issue isn't technical, it's related to designing a new interaction model for how people will use your app on a larger screen.

Amorya
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back