Apple Tablet Hints: Virtual Keyboard, Camera, eBooks, More

[digitalbiker]

Thanks for the comments,

Yes I agree a bluetooth keyboard would be needed in long typing sessions.

Im sure bluetooth keyboard support will be an option to use.

I had a meeting with our local hospital, asking doctors, clerks and nurses if they would buy and use tablets in the hospitals.

1) they were thinking they could get patients charts, blood pressure readings, medical history, allergies all live. Clerks could sent info to other Hospitals, with rich charts, color pictures, x-rays and so forth.

2) But to do this it would have to use a special type of wifi, that wouldnt interfere with other equipment.

3) they were all excited about the possibities being so connected could do for them and their patients.

Catrik007

There have been rumors that Apple has recently been working with several big medical centers. They have been using prototype tablet devices and getting feedback on necessary GUI, display, and communication specs.

Apple will be targeting the Medical market, Education market, Consumer market, and point of sale market with these devices.

 

[rme]

They sure will take less money. Cause every book that is distributed via this device cannot be resold. Hence, they make more money in the long run.

Good point.

 

[aswitcher]

I can see a new iLife app to do with creative drawing (paint)

I really hope iWork is fully supported. That will be my next Mac

 

[catrik007]

Data plan should be optional

One idea to make 3G free is use clever advertising.

For example: at home wi-fi is activated, once in a area without wi-fi, 3G is on by activating a ad banner for light use such as email or message boards, but if used in higher bandwith requirements such as youtube. A 30 sec video plays first ever 10 mins of viewing video.

This could be why apple bought that ad company, just a thought


Catrik007

 

[crash8130]

One idea to make 3G free is use clever advertising.

For example: at home wi-fi is activated, once in a area without wi-fi, 3G is on by activating a ad banner for light use such as email or message boards, but if used in higher bandwith requirements such as youtube. A 30 sec video plays first ever 10 mins of viewing video.

This could be why apple bought that ad company, just a thought


Catrik007

They wouldn't do that. That would annoy a lot of people who would rather pay for the access.

How about a year free 3G to get them sucked into using it with an always on connection.

Somebody else mentioned it being able to tether to the iPhone via an application of some sort.

 

[Thex1138]

The Long March

It's now so funny looking back on the other presenters at CES, showing off their tablets... they were hollow n comparison... if the fruit next week is to bear then they will be in for a shock no doubt and scrambling over the next 6 months to form some kind of posse... But they have missed the boat and missed the hype by then and Apple will have captured the market once again and left them with the scraps of the remainder of the other 30% of the market to bable amongst themselves... just like retailers do with music and video...

 

[digitalbiker]

One idea to make 3G free is use clever advertising.

For example: at home wi-fi is activated, once in a area without wi-fi, 3G is on by activating a ad banner for light use such as email or message boards, but if used in higher bandwith requirements such as youtube. A 30 sec video plays first ever 10 mins of viewing video.

This could be why apple bought that ad company, just a thought
Catrik007

Most likely Apple will limit 3G connectivity only to certain content sites, such as itunes music store, ebook store, app stores, movie store, tv store, and possibly sites like Amazon. The 3G connectivity will be paid by the content purchase. Content will be marked up slightly to pay for the download cost to Verizon or whoever Apple strikes a deal with.

WiFi will allow unrestricted connectivity and tethered 3G will allow unrestricted connectivity.

This would be similar to the kindle always connected "Whispernet".

 

[firewood]

Also, why do you need an iPad to view the textbook? Why not just view it on a laptop or even a cheap piece of **** netbook

Money. The incentive for the textbook publishers and authors to create and distribute in a suitable format.

There's good evidence that more people will pay more money for stuff on devices that can be held in one hand (Kindle, iPod, et.al.), and that just happen to have stronger DRM than the typical laptop.

 

[NiroNavro]

My guess is that Apple will end up releasing a tablet device called the iPad and they'll market it to everyone using similar tactics to the iPod. I imagine two different sized devices with two different price ranges. The larger device will most likely be something like an iPad Pro and be marketed to professionals and families. The smaller device might be just the iPad and will be for everyone, the average everyday person. I don't know, maybe.

 

[crash8130]

It's now so funny looking back on the other presenters at CES, showing off their tablets... they were hollow n comparison... if the fruit next week is to bear then they will be in for a shock no doubt and scrambling over the next 6 months to form some kind of posse... But they have missed the boat and missed the hype by then and Apple will have captured the market once again and left them with the scraps of the remainder of the other 30% of the market to bable amongst themselves... just like retailers do with music and video...

Every "Slate" at CES had a "Really?!?!" It was disappointing. After watching people hold and interact with the "Slate" it made me wonder if it would be a good form factor and doubt that Apple would put one out. It also made me realize input was very important in making a device like this useable.

 

[catrik007]

That does make sense

Most likely Apple will limit 3G connectivity only to certain content sites, such as itunes music store, ebook store, app stores, movie store, tv store, and possibly sites like Amazon. The 3G connectivity will be paid by the content purchase. Content will be marked up slightly to pay for the download cost to Verizon or whoever Apple strikes a deal with.

WiFi will allow unrestricted connectivity and tethered 3G will allow unrestricted connectivity.

This would be similar to the kindle always connected "Whispernet".

After all the kindle books I have bought, I sure hope Apple wont lock out other ebook companies, ie..amazon, barnes and noble, stanza etc


Catrik007

 

[rme]

After all the kindle books I have bought, I sure hope Apple wont lock out other ebook companies, ie..amazon, barnes and noble, stanza etc

Catrik007

Of course they will.

 

[digitalbiker]

After all the kindle books I have bought, I sure hope Apple wont lock out other ebook companies, ie..amazon, barnes and noble, stanza etc
Catrik007

Since Amazon makes money from the content and not the Kindle hardware, there is a good chance that Amazon will support the Apple tablet. Especially if the Apple hits a home run and sells millions of these devices, Amazon will definitely want to sell their content to the Apple device.

 

[aafuss1]

In the 90's, the Newton based eMate was aimed at schools-so ut''s always goi8ng to be good to see of the markets for the new Apple tablet to be schools.

And could third-party device support be incl.uded-I think so!

 

[Jelite]

I can't believe this. It's really just going to be a giant iPod Touch?

Not just a giant iPod Touch, a $1000 giant iPod Touch.

 

[digitalbiker]

Not just a giant iPod Touch, a $1000 giant iPod Touch.

The ipod touch is a pre-cursor to the Apple Tablet. The tablet will be much more powerful and more full featured than an ipod touch. $1000.00 is not a lot for the tech that will be in this device.

 

[DMann]

Since Amazon makes money from the content and not the Kindle hardware, there is a good chance that Amazon will support the Apple tablet. Especially if the Apple hits a home run and sells millions of these devices, Amazon will definitely want to sell their content to the Apple device.

Quite true, as Amazon is primarily a content provider.

Much like how the Schick razor company sold their shavers at a break even price, only to make their profits on the disposable razor blades, (content) Amazon will gladly utilize Apple's device as a vehicle to drive sales.

 

[Eidorian]

The ipod touch is a pre-cursor to the Apple Tablet. The tablet will be much more powerful and more full featured than an ipod touch. $1000.00 is not a lot for the tech that will be in this device.

Quite true, as Amazon is primarily a content provider.

Much like how the Schick razor company sold their shavers at a break even price, only to make their profits on the disposable razor blades, (content) Amazon will gladly utilize Apple's device as a vehicle to drive sales.

People seem to buy a lot of things.

 

[pavenger]

Being in college, I would love if apple worked hard with publishers to get text books included. like another reader posted, it sucks carrying around a big bag full of huge books like im sure almost all of you know about. But looking to the left of my MBP (Currently running XP for Solidworks... !) not every book is going to be covered for a long long while, so while it could support maybe a book or two a year, I doubt Engineering Design with Solidworks 2009 or any random book will be included in the mix at any time soon. so I guess my point is, eTextbooks would be cool, but it'll be a long time before even half of my textbooks are digital. and early adopting would wouldnt be too beneficial to start and thus not that huge of a selling point for most college students if it is aimed at the academic world

 

[crash8130]

Quite true, as Amazon is primarily a content provider.

Much like how the Schick razor company sold their shavers at a break even price, only to make their profits on the disposable razor blades, (content) Amazon will gladly utilize Apple's device as a vehicle to drive sales.

The question isn't whether Amazon would sell books on the Tablet. The question is whether Apple will let them.

 

[One Ohm]

Just give me a 10" Touch Screen MBP tablet. Same I/O too!

add 3G and the ability to run apps from the iTunes too!

 

[pavenger]

It's now so funny looking back on the other presenters at CES, showing off their tablets... they were hollow n comparison... if the fruit next week is to bear then they will be in for a shock no doubt and scrambling over the next 6 months to form some kind of posse... But they have missed the boat and missed the hype by then and Apple will have captured the market once again and left them with the scraps of the remainder of the other 30% of the market to bable amongst themselves... just like retailers do with music and video...

I think what sucked about EVERY single "Slate" at CES was they were all running XP or some full fledged OS. all they did was overlay some funky touch features and virtual keyboards and called it good. in my opinion, in order for a tablet to be successful, we need a new way to interact with it. because the "PC with a stylus" idea sucks. a new dedicated OS, like what is rumored to be released with the new 'iPad' is what I think will be the underlying selling point and the draw to getting this new device.

 

[digitalbiker]

The question isn't whether Amazon would sell books on the Tablet. The question is whether Apple will let them.

Difficult to say.

On the one hand Apple makes it money off of device sales and should welcome all the content that comes it's way.

But on the other hand, Apple tends to like closed systems.

I know one thing for sure, If Apple blocks content sales to this device from Amazon, then Apple will soon have an anti-trust lawsuit brought upon them. Apple will be guilty of leveraging one monopoly (the itunes music store / ipod) and creating another monopoly ( itunes tablet store / apple tablet).

 

[crash8130]

Quite true, as Amazon is primarily a content provider.

Much like how the Schick razor company sold their shavers at a break even price, only to make their profits on the disposable razor blades, (content) Amazon will gladly utilize Apple's device as a vehicle to drive sales.

Difficult to say.

On the one hand Apple makes it money off of device sales and should welcome all the content that comes it's way.

But on the other hand, Apple tends to like closed systems.

I know one thing for sure, If Apple blocks content sales to this device from Amazon, then Apple will soon have an anti-trust lawsuit brought upon them. Apple will be guilty of leveraging one monopoly (the itunes music store / ipod) and creating another monopoly ( itunes tablet store / apple tablet).

Would Amazon ever allow iTunes content on their site? What if Apple finally made the switch from making money off of hardware to making money off of software?

 

[bossxii]

My thoughts on 3g from AT&T would be if they "bundled" your data with your iPhone. 3g mobile plan with the iPad +30/mo if you already have an iPhone plan with them.

No chance in hell I would pay $60/mo for a data plan to save a few hundred on the tablet. Sign me up for 1k on a tablet before blowing $1420+cost of the tablet over 2 years on a 3g network that struggles to keep up with the users now.

Bundle the tablet with my iPhone's data plan, was 30, make it 45? 50? for BOTH devices and maybe, but not an additional $60 like the regular data plans. Their network isn't ready, and sure as hell doesn't deliver the speed to justify the prices they charge.