Apple Tablet Design Reportedly Akin to Flattened First-Generation iPhone

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Thats bull!

A typical kindle book is 1 MB. A typical itunes song is 6 MB.

The kindle has to pay for web browsing time, which Apple may not support with the free 3G option. Apple may only pay for 3G access to their content store.

Depending on the deal Apple strikes with Verizon, access costs could be as low as 1 or 2 cents a MB. So a typical itunes song would cost 6 to 12 cents more than the current price. This is hardly a deal killer.

Personally I would gladly use the pay per download option as opposed to signing a 2 year data plan. If you need to browse the internet or use email, then you find a wifi spot or tether to a phone.

But if you want to buy a book, song, tv show, or movie from Apple you can anywhere you have 3G access and without a data plan.

If you'll check the link refereced in #99 in this thread, you'll see that the median Kindle book is about 1/3 of 1 Mb and adds about 6 cents to the cost of the book. You'll also see that the cost per Mb is 15 cents.

Sure if Apple can negotiate a better deal than Amazon did for the same kind of service (even though it seems that Amazon apparently negotiates better deals than Apple with a lot of the same media both sells), then sure, Apple might get something a little better than 15 cents per megabyte. So, let's say that Apple does and rather than pocket the difference, they pass that along to us media users so that it costs 12 cents per megabyte. Your 6Mb song costs $1.29 + (6 * 12 cents or) 72 cents.

I'm not making this stuff up. See for yourself via the link in post 99 in this thread.

EVERYONE would be fools to take a contract if Apple can get open 3G for 1-2 cents per megabyte, but why is Verizon, etc going to take such a major hit on their bread & butter? To help Apple sell more Tablets? Get real man. If 15 cents per megabyte is as good as Amazon could do, I seriously doubt that Apple is going to win a 1-2 cents per megabyte deal.

But even if they could get 10-12 cents per megabyte, why don't you work out the 3G extra cost in downloading a 2Gb movie file?

1-2 cents is definitely doable by the 3G providers. Heck, they could all significantly cut the rates they charge for ALL of their 3G services and still make a great profit (you don't have 5 kiosks in every mall and 2 or 3 in every strip mall if you're barely making any profit), but then you are depending on Verizon, AT&T, etc CHOOSING to do that, mostly for Apple's gain. Why would they?

 

[billysea]

I wish this has some kind of TV in/out that allows me to connect electronics on the go in high-definition. (like Xbox/PS3)

 

[miamialley]

I just don't see how it's different enough from the MB Air.

 

[gothamm]

there. Its just a bigger ipod touch. nothing special.

 

[cmaier]

I just don't see how it's different enough from the MB Air.

Other than it looking completely different, not running Mac OS X, having no keyboard, weighing less, instant-on, etc?

 

[mcmlxix]

That is sexy except for the square home button!

Actually I don't think it's perfectly square...but a square with rounded corners...just like every icon button! It's design continuity.

This makes more sense to me as a design esthetic than the current round button with the symbol of the square with rounded corners on the button. Who thought of that design incontinuity?

 

[MinorBidoh]

Well yeah, we're expecting a screen (of the MBair) with touch capabilities. And surely a similar form to an iPod touch or iPhone.

The above mock-up is awesome. And would be just the ticket at £550.

 

[powers74]

Me too!

the first gen iPhone was soooo sexy... i'll be very happy if the tablet looks like the photo above.

And if the iPhone doesn't go back to aluminum, I'll hunt down a gen1 to match it, unlock it for T-mob and be happy...... Or maybe just get a faux Al case for a new one!

 

[miamialley]

Other than it looking completely different, not running Mac OS X, having no keyboard, weighing less, instant-on, etc?

Yes, I gather it will be different in some ways, but not in ways that make it different enough in my opinion.

 

[danvdr]

If this thing has GPS, good video, is a good e-reader, 3G capability and basic computing abilities it could be the ultimate traveling companion.

But I don't think that it's success is guaranteed even though His Steveness is reported to be happy with the product. He was also apparently happy with the design of the Segway a decade ago when he predicted that cities would be designed around it

 

[sam10685]

Please somebody explain to me how your supposed to hold this thing? While using Multi-Touch? While typing???

There's other companies out there besides Apple.

 

[cmaier]

Yes, I gather it will be different in some ways, but not in ways that make it different enough in my opinion.

Having gps, built-in 3G, accelerometers, much longer battery life...

In what way is it similar? All I see is differences.

 

[deconstruct60]

Still i think the Design will differ from that, since there is totaly NO need for an earspeaker

Errrr, then when does practically every laptop in existence have one?
You're on an airplane. You want to listen to music or watch some video. You should

i. blast it on your speakers so that everyone sitting close by can listen too.
ii. plug in your earphones so as to not disturb those around you.


Nevermind, the likelihood that the weight and size/number of holes can drill into the shell budgets are like very small. Adding multiple speakers means adding weight and holes to the casing. More holes also diminsh rigidity. If the case is as thin as possible that also is a constraint.

 

[3goldens]

these guys tool this right off apple insider!

 

[ashley1496]

I really want to like whatever is coming. But I'm still having a difficult time understanding where in the market this is going to fit. The rumors sound like it's going to be an over sized iPod Touch. Most say it will compete directly with the Kindle/Nook and other e-readers while also tackling the portable gaming market with the DS/PSP. However, my thought is, if you are a person that already owns an iPhone or other smartphone (which is becoming the norm) and a laptop. Why do you need a tablet? I can use Kindle and other e-readers on my iPhone and if I'm traveling I have my laptop. Why lug a third item? And if it's supposed to complete with the laptop market, why would anyone want to leave their laptop at home after spending the money for it? Isn't that the point of a laptop vs. desktop? Maybe if you only have a desktop I can see getting one, but if it doesn't offer a full operating system (which would be unlikely) then you can't really be as mobile as if you lugged your laptop into work/ or when traveling.

Also, in terms of the data plan. I can tell you that under pretty slim to no circumstances would I pay another data plan to Verizon or AT & T. I already pay AT & T for my iPhone data plan and Comcast for my internet at home. I just don't see the point...I also pay for monthly for services like Netflix and TiVo. Another service plan just doesn't fit in. However, if they wanted to compete with the cable networks and offer some sort of on the go tv subscription service + hulu + netflix streaming + possibly the ability to access TiVo/DVR recorded shows I'd sign on in a minute. (I know that would be awesome and probably never happen.) But I'm guessing the networks wouldn't go for that because it would lead people that already haven't canceled traditional cable to do so. However, I think they need to understand that's where TV is headed. People want to watch non-traditionally.

Anyways, those are my thoughts.

 

[miamialley]

Errrr, then when does practically every laptop in existence have one?
You're on an airplane. You want to listen to music or watch some video. You should

i. blast it on your speakers so that everyone sitting close by can listen too.
ii. plug in your earphones so as to not disturb those around you.


Nevermind, the likelihood that the weight and size/number of holes can drill into the shell budgets are like very small. Adding multiple speakers means adding weight and holes to the casing. More holes also diminsh rigidity. If the case is as thin as possible that also is a constraint.

I think by 'ear speaker' he does not mean headphone jack.

 

[knucles]

usb

I was wondering if the tablet will have usb or in this case mini usb.

Which is more likely?

 

[Erwin-Br]

I like this concept. It's looking really smooth.

 

[oldwatery]

so i won't be able to play Logic Pro on this? I'm fine if it's not a processing power house, but i wouldn't pay $800 or a grand not to be able to play basic mac applications.

If it's really just a kindle plus, it's a toy. A nice sexy toy. But I already have an iphone for that.

I agree. I was so hoping for something that would run real software not apps. IF...if this is a giant iPhone/touch thing I'm sure it will sell like hot cakes...just not my bag baby.

 

[oldwatery]

I really want to like whatever is coming. But I'm still having a difficult time understanding where in the market this is going to fit. The rumors sound like it's going to be an over sized iPod Touch. Most say it will compete directly with the Kindle/Nook and other e-readers while also tackling the portable gaming market with the DS/PSP. However, my thought is, if you are a person that already owns an iPhone or other smartphone (which is becoming the norm) and a laptop. Why do you need a tablet? I can use Kindle and other e-readers on my iPhone and if I'm traveling I have my laptop. Why lug a third item? And if it's supposed to complete with the laptop market, why would anyone want to leave their laptop at home after spending the money for it? Isn't that the point of a laptop vs. desktop? Maybe if you only have a desktop I can see getting one, but if it doesn't offer a full operating system (which would be unlikely) then you can't really be as mobile as if you lugged your laptop into work/ or when traveling.

Also, in terms of the data plan. I can tell you that under pretty slim to no circumstances would I pay another data plan to Verizon or AT & T. I already pay AT & T for my iPhone data plan and Comcast for my internet at home. I just don't see the point...I also pay for monthly for services like Netflix and TiVo. Another service plan just doesn't fit in. However, if they wanted to compete with the cable networks and offer some sort of on the go tv subscription service + hulu + netflix streaming + possibly the ability to access TiVo/DVR recorded shows I'd sign on in a minute. (I know that would be awesome and probably never happen.) But I'm guessing the networks wouldn't go for that because it would lead people that already haven't canceled traditional cable to do so. However, I think they need to understand that's where TV is headed. People want to watch non-traditionally.

Anyways, those are my thoughts.

Good post...sums up my feelings perfectly.

 

[stagi]

that would be so slick, I always loved my 1st gen iPhone, much more than the look of my 3G

 

[deconstruct60]

I think by 'ear speaker' he does not mean headphone jack.

Sorry. Sometimes it is hard to tell around here. I don't see an iPhone like ear speaker in the picture at the top of this article. I see ear phones on a jack. If some pictures have that artifact from the iPhone image that was photoshopped stretched into the concept. No I don't think it will be there. In fact I don't think it will be a 'phone' at all. They should have stretched out a iPod Touch.

 

[digitalbiker]

If you'll check the link refereced in #99 in this thread, you'll see that the median Kindle book is about 1/3 of 1 Mb and adds about 6 cents to the cost of the book. You'll also see that the cost per Mb is 15 cents.

Sure if Apple can negotiate a better deal than Amazon did for the same kind of service (even though it seems that Amazon apparently negotiates better deals than Apple with a lot of the same media both sells), then sure, Apple might get something a little better than 15 cents per megabyte. So, let's say that Apple does and rather than pocket the difference, they pass that along to us media users so that it costs 12 cents per megabyte. Your 6Mb song costs $1.29 + (6 * 12 cents or) 72 cents.

I'm not making this stuff up. See for yourself via the link in post 99 in this thread.

EVERYONE would be fools to take a contract if Apple can get open 3G for 1-2 cents per megabyte, but why is Verizon, etc going to take such a major hit on their bread & butter? To help Apple sell more Tablets? Get real man. If 15 cents per megabyte is as good as Amazon could do, I seriously doubt that Apple is going to win a 1-2 cents per megabyte deal.

But even if they could get 10-12 cents per megabyte, why don't you work out the 3G extra cost in downloading a 2Gb movie file?

1-2 cents is definitely doable by the 3G providers. Heck, they could all significantly cut the rates they charge for ALL of their 3G services and still make a great profit (you don't have 5 kiosks in every mall and 2 or 3 in every strip mall if you're barely making any profit), but then you are depending on Verizon, AT&T, etc CHOOSING to do that, mostly for Apple's gain. Why would they?

The Amazon Kindle allows users to browse the internet and download free content, therefore their cost per megabyte pays for much more than just the paid content downloads. They are charging 10 times more per MB because the average user downloads and browses areas without content.

From what I have heard, the Apple tablet "Free 3G" will only be through an application that connects directly to an Apple Store. It will not allow access to the internet in general. If you want to connect to the internet you will need Wifi or tethered 3G. That is why 1 to 2 cents per MB is doable.

Very few people on the planet know exactly what Apple is going to announce. We will have to wait and see. I have just heard through the grapevine that Apple was going to offer free connectivity to some sort of Apple store. This store will provide, Applications, Music, TV, Movies, Ebooks, and some sort of cloud computing option (Mobile Me or iWork online).

 

[kasei]

I will believe it when I see it...

 

[metrobot]

apology accepted

Let me apologise in advance for this, but I really hate the concept that a device that doesn't run 'basic mac '(i.e. OS X) desktop applications is a toy.

Why, in the name of all that's holy, would you want to run a desktop application on a 10" screen that's controlled with your finger? It doesn't make any sense, applications MUST be built around the OS and input methods available on a platofrm, it's why Windows Tablets are all crap (and trust me, that's from experience) - it's a compromise that brings no benefits for the user and almost always results in a worse experience that a mouse and keyboard that the app was designed for.

Now, on the concept of it being a 'toy' - bollocks quite frankly. Is it a device for professionals? No, but again no 10" touchscreen device is going to be, the format has built in limitations. If you want to run apps like that for the love of god buy a laptop with a nice big screen, keyboard and mouse/trackpad. However if you're a normal home user that browses the web, watches movies and creates content with stuff like iPhoto and iMovie instead of Photoshop and Premier then it could be perfect. Make the apps super simple with enough functionality to produce good results and target it at home users. Give it enough local storage to not need a host PC to sync with. Make it trivial to find apps, music, movies and publications. Make it instant-on and require virtually zero maintenance. Hey presto, the first true consumer computer.

And I'll offer you a civil response. No 10" touchscreen device will be useful to professionals? I suppose if you have no imaginiation.

Your concept of the tablet sounds like it's an iphone but with a bigger screen. Yah ok. Cool. If you didn't need a laptop in the first place, go for it. But I'm betting there's gonna be a more compelling reason than that to get it.