Apple Tablet Delayed with OLED Model Planned? 3G Possible?

[nero]

it's not only him.....i too, don't see the need/use for a tablet.

me neither

If it DOESN'T have an e-ink screen, it will be worthless for 'redefining print media', since people don't like to read long texts on a lcd screen. Try reading a book on a computer screen. After 15 to 30 minutes of concentrated reading, you'll have a headache. That's why they invented e-readers with e-ink screens.

And if it DOES have an e-ink screen, it can only be used for reading books and/or magazines. Because of the low refresh rate of e-ink screens, it will be useless for video, or computer stuff like browsing, emailing etc.

Most of the people screaming for an Apple tablet don't seem to realize this. At the current state of technology, it is impossible to have a screen that is suitable for both stationary images like print media and (fast) moving images like video and web browsing.

If Apple would have a go on an e-reader, I'm sure they could revolutionize the market as they have done with the ipod in the portable music player market, no doubt about that. But that device will be a lot like the kindle: no video and that sort of stuff.
If Apple would release a tablet-pc, it would only be really useful to about 1 percent of the customer base (graphic professionals, hospitals, etc. i.e., people who are already using tablets).
For the majority of the consumers, it truly only would be useful 'to surf the web while in the bathroom'.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

The more fantastic this device sounds, the more of a disappointment it will become. I am getting sick of the mention of a Tablet, I have never been interested in such a device and reading to more rumors regarding it, just leave me repulsed.

I visit MR for possible information on existing products with future paths and implementation of possible technologies (i.e. LightPeak, OLED, iPhone, etc).

This rumour is getting long in the tooth, heck at this point it could have a holographic display and I still would not care, aka StarTrek.

This is just re-living the entire " is working on a phone/newton device" rumour. I was not excited then about the phone and nor am I excited about the iPhone release presently.

 

[dicklacara]

High price doesn't seem to affect the sale of Apple products, not many people purchase them with "value" as the utmost priority.

In the world of Apple.......


If you put a log on it, they will purchase.

Edit: That ^^ is supposed to say "logo" but I decided the statement still holds true

You are confusing "price" and "value".

The price is what Apple (and others) charge their customers for their products and services.

The value is what the customer receives by purchasing the product-- things such as: new capabilities; convenience; usability; reliability; re-salability....

If the value is there, the customer will, likely, pay the price.

For example: A heart transplant has a hefty price, but is of great value to someone who needs it!

*

 

[dicklacara]

Barnes & Noble Nook it is for me then

Only thing i want a tablet style device for, iPod Touch and MBA do everything else I need to be mobile

but reading magazine/book content on something handy that doesnt strain me old eyes too much would be good

suppose I will get one if and when it should come out of the ether anyway, you know because Im a...Baaa Baaa Baaa

Say it fast, three times:

"Nook eBook, Nook eBook, Nook eBook".

*

 

[mytdave]

all speculation

If the "iTablet" even exists, I will be pleasantly surprised. But, here's the thing... Apple has to hit this thing perfectly, otherwise it'll be a non-starter.

Here's my take - in order for me to even consider buying an "iTablet", here is what it would need to have:

1. Two MPCore ARM Cortex processors, & PowerVR SGX graphics of course
2. Full blown MacOS X, multi-touch and stylus input
3. An ~8" screen with 1280x720 resolution, LED backlit LCD is fine
4. Battery life of ~48hrs
5. A dock of some sort with a breakout of full I/O connections
6. WiFi and support for Bluetooth keyboards & mice
7. A minimum of 64GB flash storage, support external superdrive (see#5)
8. A price point no higher than $800

Basically it has to have the form factor of the Touch (but bigger screen), all the features of a Touch plus all the features of a MacBook (including keyboard input, Ethernet, USB, DisplayPort, & audio via a dock and/or a breakout cable) and cost less than a MacBook. Apple, if you can't build that, then don't bother cause I won't be buying anything less.

 

[wackymacky]

How can an unannounced product be "delayed"?

My thoughts exactly.

It's like saying that the release of 10.7 is being delayed while the sort out font issues.

And for that price? Why don't they just re-do the Macbook Air with a touch screen?

 

[LagunaSol]

Watch this thing get a screen that will get scratched the hell out of. Some people here complain about one small scratch on their iPod Touch. Now times that 10 inches! lol

Wow, the Apple tablet is going to have a 35" screen???

And the iPod touch and iPhone have screens that are quite scratch-resistant. I assume the same considerations will be made for the mythical tablet, if in fact it exists.

Your endless trollish blubbering is trite and monotonous.

 

[doctoree]

I think its gone be neither LCD nor OLED but LED. And there will be only one screen tec, product diversification will be mainly through different storage sizes.

Doc

 

[Povilas]

If the "iTablet" even exists, I will be pleasantly surprised. But, here's the thing... Apple has to hit this thing perfectly, otherwise it'll be a non-starter.

Here's my take - in order for me to even consider buying an "iTablet", here is what it would need to have:

1. Two MPCore ARM Cortex processors, & PowerVR SGX graphics of course
2. Full blown MacOS X, multi-touch and stylus input
3. An ~8" screen with 1280x720 resolution, LED backlit LCD is fine
4. Battery life of ~48hrs
5. A dock of some sort with a breakout of full I/O connections
6. WiFi and support for Bluetooth keyboards & mice
7. A minimum of 64GB flash storage, support external superdrive (see#5)
8. A price point no higher than $800

Basically it has to have the form factor of the Touch (but bigger screen), all the features of a Touch plus all the features of a MacBook (including keyboard input, Ethernet, USB, DisplayPort, & audio via a dock and/or a breakout cable) and cost less than a MacBook. Apple, if you can't build that, then don't bother cause I won't be buying anything less.

What are you smoking?

 

[sanford]

Oh good, Wired Magazine. Wow. I think the only thing that will delay an Apple tablet, if they release one in the foreseeable future, is a lack of content for it. I'd probably pay close to a grand for an Apple tablet, if I could get roughly the same amount of content, be it periodical, web, book, video, music, etc., as the $259 B&N Nook. But as it is stands now, it's looking more like if you really want an e-reader tablet of some sort soon, B&N Nook or Kindle at a pittance is a good interim device until Apple's more full-featured, better-designed device actually has the content to support it. And I just don't think Apple will release the thing into a content vacuum -- reading existing blogs on it won't be enough for Jobs.

 

[LagunaSol]

Here's my take - in order for me to even consider buying an "iTablet", here is what it would need to have:

4. Battery life of ~48hrs

You want a run time of 48 hours??? Way to turn the expectation dial to "Impossible."

 

[womble2k2]

The report does not make any sense. Consumers looking at two almost identical models of a product will view it as;
- The lager screen is cheaper. Yes, OLED may be more power efficient, offer greater colour gamet, better clarity, etc.
- The slightly smaller screen is a massive jump in retail price.

One option would be for Apple for offer the OLED screen with 3G coverage, subsidised by the carriers and the larger LCD screen with only WiFi, and unsubsidised.

I believe it would make more sense to me to have a choice of 7 inch OLED and 10 inch LCD.

One other option would be to have a Pro and non-Pro version. The Pro having OLED, a wider range of interfaces, more storage, etc, whereas the non-Pro may have polycarbonate casing, LCD and fewer interfaces.

As for delays, it is getting to the point where it is becoming an anti-climax. Many consumers who would like this device will start looking at other products to meet their needs. Apple needs to launch one version to test the market first. If it is a success, then offer other models. They don't normally launch all notebooks at the same time, so why should they launch all tablet products, if they are launching any, all at the same time.

Finally, with OLEDs costing so much for this size, I do not believe any company would do a large scale launch without knowing what the market is. I would expect OLED to be in other Apple products in advance of the tablet.

Phil

 

[jbellanca]

I still see no reason for an iTablet. Especially when I have an MBP and 3GS.

I do! I can't wait to get my hands on one!!! Looking forward t reading comics & books on it. I refuse to get a black & white reader.

 

[AidenShaw]

1. Two MPCore ARM Cortex processors, & PowerVR SGX graphics of course
2. Full blown MacOS X, multi-touch and stylus input

What's the point of full OSX if *none* of your applications will run on it due to the different CPU architecture?

 

[alFR]

It's not clear why Apple would release two such similarly sized models if the only difference was the screen technology.

If this is true, I will buy a hat and eat it. Different 9.7 and 10.6" screens, specs otherwise the same? Can you see that getting past either Jonathan Ive or Steve Jobs, with Apple's trend for simplifying product lines? Really?

Another interesting possibility, however, mentioned in the article is that the cost of the tablet could be discounted with 3G service, as has been done on the iPhone.

This is the only plausible part of the story.

 

[mytdave]

What are you smoking?

Some good ****, want some?

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

Tablet meet G4 Cube.

G4 Cube meet Tablet.

G4 Cube says,"I was an amazing product."
Tablet sas,"I agree, and I will also follow your lead."

People have some high expectations for this mobile device, and fail to see what is and was on the market for decades. Mobile device equals underpowered when compared to any desktop product for the only reason being power management and mobile power requirements. This product might as well just replace the MBA since we all know that OLED will replace the LED backlit screen on the MBA in another 1-2 years. Then again the TV is doing rather well on its own, riiight.

 

[jeznav]

Most of the people screaming for an Apple tablet don't seem to realize this. At the current state of technology, it is impossible to have a screen that is suitable for both stationary images like print media and (fast) moving images like video and web browsing.

But they have this technology already! It's called PixelQi. It's a modified LCD which works well in the bright sunlight which looks just like eink. I just don't know if Apple is going to use this and how the oled version is going to work with this since it relies on transmissive/reflective back layer.

 

[knewsom]

Wait, HOW MUCH MONEY!?!?!?!?

Two-what? Two-thh... Two-thhhh.... Two-THOUSAND FREAKIN DOLLARS!?!?!?!? ARE YOU FRACKING SERIOUS?????????

NO. Absolutely not. Never in a million YEARS will I pay that much for something like that, and I do NOT want yet another wireless contract. Two iPhones on ATT is enough, I don't want to be forking out to sprint, verizon, or t-mobile too. This is insane, I don't care if it is also a telescope, an espresso machine, and an electric razor. Two grand is WAY too much. ONE grand is way too much.

Will someone please tell me why other device makers seem to be able to use OLED screens without charging two-grand for a handheld, and yet Apple can't? WTF, I can get a macbook for a grand, and yet I'm expected to pay the same amount or MORE for a device that does FAR LESS? Not gonna happen. I hope you're reading this Jobs-y, don't destroy your legacy with this device.

 

[Povilas]

Some good ****, want some?

I'll pass, thank you. So should you.

 

[Thomas Davie]

Sounds like you should stop complaining and just don't get it. It's obviously not for you, unless you want someone to convince you to get it.

I'm not complaining. Please show me where I was. I just have not drunk the Koolaid. And, is it not possible that the device will fail (I don't want it to by the way). Maybe the reason that it has not been released yet, aside from design considerations is that Steve Jobs just can not think of a reason why people will use it. Or will feel that they need to use it.

Tom

 

[mytdave]

You want a run time of 48 hours??? Way to turn the expectation dial to "Impossible."

Not really, the iPhone/Touch already get ~24hrs of usability (I can go all day without needing to charge my iPhone). A tablet device with an 8" screen would be more than twice the size of the iPhone, and could easily accommodate a battery 2-3 times larger than what's in the current iPhone. 48hrs is not unreasonable.

While we're on the subject, the physical size, and the ever-downward pricing pressure on electronic components would also allow dual CPUs and other features while still roughly meeting an $800 price point. This is not impossible.

 

[Povilas]

Two-what? Two-thh... Two-thhhh.... Two-THOUSAND FREAKIN DOLLARS!?!?!?!? ARE YOU FRACKING SERIOUS?????????

NO. Absolutely not. Never in a million YEARS will I pay that much for something like that, and I do NOT want yet another wireless contract. Two iPhones on ATT is enough, I don't want to be forking out to sprint, verizon, or t-mobile too. This is insane, I don't care if it is also a telescope, an espresso machine, and an electric razor. Two grand is WAY too much. ONE grand is way too much.

Will someone please tell me why other device makers seem to be able to use OLED screens without charging two-grand for a handheld, and yet Apple can't? WTF, I can get a macbook for a grand, and yet I'm expected to pay the same amount or MORE for a device that does FAR LESS? Not gonna happen. I hope you're reading this Jobs-y, don't destroy your legacy with this device.

At this point all we get is a bunch of rumors and assumptions.

 

[MikeDTyke]

I wouldn't get your knickers in a twist over this. This is same publication that said it was to be launched last August.

Apple charges a premium to maintain a healthy profit line, they are not going to adopt a component that costs 10 times it's lcd equivalent just to get the benefits of OLED (lower battery/better colour reproduction). Not to mention that bulk delivery of 9.7" OLEDs has not happened yet. ie. a manufacturer that can deliver in the order of 100,000s/month.

This product is not a $2000 dollar workhorse tablet. It's a step up from a netbook. It will have 9-10" lcd which costs <$100.

 

[jbellanca]

If the "iTablet" even exists, I will be pleasantly surprised. But, here's the thing... Apple has to hit this thing perfectly, otherwise it'll be a non-starter.

Here's my take - in order for me to even consider buying an "iTablet", here is what it would need to have:

1. Two MPCore ARM Cortex processors, & PowerVR SGX graphics of course
2. Full blown MacOS X, multi-touch and stylus input
3. An ~8" screen with 1280x720 resolution, LED backlit LCD is fine
4. Battery life of ~48hrs
5. A dock of some sort with a breakout of full I/O connections
6. WiFi and support for Bluetooth keyboards & mice
7. A minimum of 64GB flash storage, support external superdrive (see#5)
8. A price point no higher than $800

Basically it has to have the form factor of the Touch (but bigger screen), all the features of a Touch plus all the features of a MacBook (including keyboard input, Ethernet, USB, DisplayPort, & audio via a dock and/or a breakout cable) and cost less than a MacBook. Apple, if you can't build that, then don't bother cause I won't be buying anything less.

Wow, the parts alone for that would cost above your price tag of $800.