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

[Scottsdale]

I think you misread; She said that an OLED would be $1000, whereas other options existed to make it less.

I see it at $600-700 subsidized.

I see it at $499 to $599 low end model... $199 to $299 subsidized. $60/75 per month 3G unlimited service. It will essentially require more bandwidth than a computer. Seriously, it will be a lot of entertainment/television downloads as that will be one of many targeted uses. Of course, transferring ebooks will be a breeze, but music videos, not so much. And how about an App Store that has HD content moving through it. I really think this will be a much lower price if subsidized. And Verizon or AT&T can shell out $300+ for a $75 data plan. With the way connectivity is expanding, in ten years we won't need such a plan as wifi should be everywhere. These companies need to capitalize on their network expenditures and get ROI NOW!

Speaking of AAPL, I read an article this morning that an analyst said AAPL target is near $1000... WOW. I am really glad I own my AAPL around $85 average, and I am willing to wait to see if it shoots through the roof. If nothing happens in six months, or the tablet flops, or iPhone doesn't reach Verizon, I will reconsider selling out. For now, I am going to pray for a $500 to $1000 target. This tablet could really make investors go CRAZY! So could a Verizon iPhone.

 

[Thex1138]

It's Very Simple

¿Che cosa volete?Que voulez-vous?Wat wilt u?Was willst du?What do you want?¿Qué quieres?Mitä haluat?Hvad ønsker du?Vad vill du göra?

Apple iPad

 

[catrik007]

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

Over the years I wondered these same questions, so I took matters into my own hands, but asking for a few favors with my contacts in the college publishing world. I asked them" If a device would allow them to create all textbooks digitally bringing the books and updates to the students. Thereby reducing the huge overhead of paper, printing, delivery and other costs. Would they be willing? There answer: " we are already digitally transfering all of them for a device that is comming our way"

sounds like they have been waiting for someone to pull this off, who better than apple?

Catrik007

 

[romadu]

Motion-oriented user interface?

I'm thinking Apple will introduce something more radical than all the rumours are suggesting. Most of the reports talk about updated multi-touch, something Apple introduced with the iPhone. Why go to all this trouble and take all this time, just to update something that everyone is already familiar with, and competitors have started to copy? Is there a chance that the "surprising" method of interacting with the new Apple tablet will include some motion oriented controls? They've included basic controls with the ipod, and Nintendo have been using it with the Wii for a while. How cool would it be to tilt the tablet to flip through photos, shake it to delete or undo something, etc?

It could explain the relatively steep learning curve, and the reason that Apple has taken so long to bring this to market. If it does include motion control, that would explain why it requires a tablet and does not work on an iMac, for example. And it represents another significant step forward in user interface technology.

Just a thought...

 

[catrik007]

Not sure if this has been discused before but...

do a google search for "ted sixth sense" youtube video

I dont know how to do direct links on iphone.

Catrik007

 

[deconstruct60]

1) I'm slightly confused on the sticky note thing...so basically its an emailed sticky note to my "desktop"?

If haven't used a "leave note on refrigerator door for other family member(s)" communication system ... probably won't get the sticky note thing. Stuff like: We are out of milk , I went down the street to Joe's house be back around 4 , Aunt Jane called and she wants you to.... , etc.

The commonly accessed Pad would become the 'refrigerator door' in that system. A common wall for folks to post things of import to the group.

Maybe in the super tech world where everyone in the family has an iPhone and text/call constantly each other that isn't needed.

2) Are we EVER going to have live video streams of Apple events?

The demand is too great. Apple used to do this. The last time they did the servers couldn't keep up. Multicasting on the general internet doesn't work well once get into the 100,000 - 1 million range for destination points. Heck even the rumor sites can't keep up with the text updates. Let alone a video stream.

I don't even NEED live streams, but at least it could be up earlier than 5 hours after the keynote ends.

they have to edit (there are multiple camera angles being shot) and ship it back down to Apple (or ship and then edit) . then need to replicate multiple copies off onto their server grid. 5 hours isn't that bad.

The other issue similar in that the Apple servers are usually bombarded for the associated tech details pages and pictures. 5 hours also gives that initial wave to die down a bit since most folks will be coming in through those very same front end web servers to get to the video distribution page.

Besides they need to let the media outlets make gobs of money off of views. After all they are giving Apple free advertising. Take money away from the outlets and they won't have orgasms at every apple event in the future.

I avoided all info/coverage about MWSF '09 to watch the keynote and had to wait until late at night just to see it.

LOL. Olympics coverage when it s 6 timezones away is no harder.

@Arn: You wanna see if someone can hop on uStream and live feed the keynote???

I suspect there is a no video agreement as part of being in the audience.
Even if not same video distribution multicasting problems with large numbers of consumers of content.

 

[ajohnson253]

this should be interesting when it arrives.

 

[pavenger]

I'm thinking Apple will introduce something more radical than all the rumours are suggesting. Most of the reports talk about updated multi-touch, something Apple introduced with the iPhone. Why go to all this trouble and take all this time, just to update something that everyone is already familiar with, and competitors have started to copy? Is there a chance that the "surprising" method of interacting with the new Apple tablet will include some motion oriented controls? They've included basic controls with the ipod, and Nintendo have been using it with the Wii for a while. How cool would it be to tilt the tablet to flip through photos, shake it to delete or undo something, etc?

It could explain the relatively steep learning curve, and the reason that Apple has taken so long to bring this to market. If it does include motion control, that would explain why it requires a tablet and does not work on an iMac, for example. And it represents another significant step forward in user interface technology.

Just a thought...

I'm sure they will have some accelerometer based "guesture" or whatever you want to call it in the OS, but how they use them I have no idea, if it's a very portable device I could see movements being hard to use actuately say if your walking around the kitchen with it while reading recipes or something, I already shuffle songs accidentally on my iPod sometimes if I use it while walking and have shake-to-shuffle on

 

[kingcobra2010]

I can not believe that Apple figured it out.
They figured out how to make a tablet computer. I have long stated that people are buying more powerful computers than what they actually need. A majority of the people only need net access, multimedia, office suite & email. What would make a tablet a success? Well they (apple) figured it out. You do not need a heavy duty full service os. To be portable you need long battery life (i mean at least 10-12 hours), ok sized screen (10 inches will do), sturdy design. Do not be fooled by what MS was doing for years. They where trying to miniaturize the p.c.. That concept although it looked good on the surface was not the best answer. That idea still provided more power than what you needed and also gave you a not so good battery life. What happens if apple gives you a tablet unit that has enough power to run the basic iphone/ipod apps without difficulty on a larger screen. But that is not the important thing. The important thing is that the processor and components are very energy efficient so the unit can last a long time. If it has oled & 3qi screen, your unit will really last a long time on a single charge. So what about the application like office and the other applications on your imac, mac mini, macbook pro, or mac. Well, leave them at home. You can access their resources via your tablet. It is called remote desktop. Basically, you get the power/software/resources of your unit at home without carrying it around. The only problem is that you need to leave your desktop/laptop unit on at home and you will definitely have to have net access via verizon (since it is covered in more areas). There is also another problem with data limits restrictions that some cellular companies have, thus you might have higher monthly charges (no streaming 1080p movies with dt-hd over your cellular network from you home computer). For some, however, the tablet will not be an answer for their road warriors needs so they will have to continue carrying their macbook pros. I have to say, on the surface the tablet concept looked sloppy and foolish since it did not fit what MS was doing/did. ATOM processors -> what a joke. ARMS/TEGRA are the key to the portable market. I am impressed. I will definitely buy one. For those of you that are mad about two plans to keep your iphone, do not worry iphone is coming to verizon this year. I guess I will switch from sprint to verizon once they get the pre plus and the apple tablet. Also, suspect google is about to jump in the game so that they can steal some of apples action/thunder via the google tablet/notion ink/tegra setup.

Do not get me wrong, the iphone is a good phone it just does not do what I would like it to do. That being said, I would easily pick the iphone over a google phone. I need/like true multitasking aka multiple web pages open along with different/multiple apps at the same time and flash support is a must for me. I do not plan on carrying the tablet everywhere but I plan on carrying my phone everywhere. My phone has to be an extension of my desktop/laptop unit in its ability to preform tasks. Sorry iphone does not do that. Once it does then i will change to an iphone.

 

[depulse]

I don't see how making this a $1000 product makes sense. If you are going to spend 1k, why not just buy a composite Macbook?

I fully agree. It's rumoured to use a non-Intel processor, i.e. less power and compatibility than a Macbook. Typing on a screen is non very practical.

But I'm sure the fanboys will be camping outside the Apple store just to be the first in line.....

 

[liquidsuns]

If it's $1000, the only way I can justify buying one would be if it completely replaces my needs for a computer. Obviously it will be good for the internet, movies, hulu, games, music and all the app stuff, but what it needs to do is give me the functionality of iLife and iWork. If it can't do that, then I still need to drop another $1000+ on a new Macbook (that I'm waiting till after the "event" to buy). And since I already have an iPhone and my girlfriend has an iPod touch...without iLife and iWork, at $1000, I just can't do it.

Now, if it does offer some cool things that the iPhone doesn't and it costs...say, $499-$699, then I could maybe see forsaking a Macbook and getting an iPad to go with a baseline 21 inch iMac. Maybe.

 

[catrik007]

Not sure OLED will be available but...

If it is available then I will be getting that one for sure, I never understood what OLED was so hyped untill I saw a Zune HD WOW that screen was sharp


Catrik007

 

[dmjossel]

Input.

There will most likely be a $799 model, an $899 model, and a $999 model. The difference will be storage space and/or possible OLED vs LED.

You get the best price on displays by buying in bulk. Different SKUs for storage capacity makes sense. A distinction for display technology, doesn't. If they go OLED I think they'll go across all SKUs. If they don't, they'll save it for later iterations.

Why on earth would anyone buy an old tech composite Macbook, when a lighter smaller tablet with touch capabilities, subsidized 3G connectivity, better battery life, better display, ebook capable, accelerometer, facial recognition, etc. etc. could be had for the same money?

Lighter and smaller? OK.
Better battery life? Depends.
eBook capable? So are all the laptops, the iPhone, and the iPod touch.
Facial recognition... where are you getting that from? I've read rumors that say this thing doesn't even have a camera.
Subsidized 3G? Frankly I don't think so and I hope not. It's one thing to get a mobile phone tied to a network provider. I don't want that trend expanding and I think most people don't want additional contracts and AT&T probably doesn't want more mobile bandwidth-hungry devices killing its network capacity. Wifi plus a portable broadband router is the way to go. Let me pay full price and use it where, when, and how I want.

I can see why Apple went that route for the iPhone-- it was, after all, an entirely new venture for them and one closely tied to the support and cooperation of network operators.

This new device doesn't have to be.

As for why the old MacBook... maybe they like keyboards.

Apple really only has a couple options with the rumored form factor:

1) Convince people an on-screen keyboard is workable for longer-form input. I think this is a tough sell, especially for a device even larger than an iphone. I simply don't see people trying to one-hand an onscreen keyboard on a device between 7" and 10" diagonal.

2) Pen input. Everybody keeps saying Jobs doesn't like styli, but Apple did make the Newton and has done a lot with multitouch. It seems to me that Apple might have had greatly improved handwriting recognition bubbling on the back burner since before the iPhone rumors.

3) Voice input. I think this is less likely. It's more complicated and less reliable than handwriting recognition, and requires people to speak in an unnatural manner which is more noticeable (especially in meetings) than modified handwriting (like Palm's graffiti alphabet).

4) No input. The device may be essentially read-only, with pen/touch/onscreen keyboard options available for when text input is absolutely necessary, but not intended for extensive use.

#2 and #4 seem most likely to me.

Myself, I want a device with pen input. For me, this form factor fits best as a replacement for the daybooks people use for note-taking in meetings. Laptops are too conspicuous, the keyboards too noisy, and the upturned screen forms a barrier between people seated at a conference table. A tablet you can scribble text and diagrams on, and store for OCR later, with integrated calendaring and all the features of the iphone, as well as wifi and Safari with multitouch... that's worth $600-$1000 to me. I'd buy two.

 

[deconstruct60]

Would Amazon ever allow iTunes content on their site?

Music is available in DRM free format on both Amazon and iTunes at this point. Effectively the exact same songs.

What if Apple finally made the switch from making money off of hardware to making money off of software?

Apple makes money off both hardware and software/content now! There is not future switch coming in the future to go one sided.
In fact that is the whole point, to make money off of both sides why their stock price is skewed versus most of their competitors.

 

[fat phil]

So if my wife holds up a photo of me, she can read my email?

Har.

I don't think that's too far fetched actually, even now. iPhoto does a much better job of recognising the people in my photos that the iPhone's voice recognition does taking orders.

 

[eat me]

Just stumbled upon this yesterday:

kind of makes you still want a full OS X, even though you know it's not probable.

 

[Thomas Davie]

Give me enough battery life to read Stephen King's 'THe Stand', and my money is handed over.

Tom

 

[Boghog]

Nope. $1000 would sell to the education market -- more precisely, to the parents of undergrads. Here's how it works:

Average textbook: ~$100

Since you're citing the absence of the used textbook market as an advantage for e-books, you should figure its presence into the costs of the existing system if you want to do a fair comparison:

Average textbook: ~$100
Money won back from selling average textbook used: ~$30
OR
Average textbook (used): ~$30

If you calculate like this it will take a long time for you to break even with electronic versions and a $1000 iPad.

 

[catrik007]

How many hours is that?

Give me enough battery life to read Stephen King's 'THe Stand', and my money is handed over.

Tom

How many hours to read the stand? you can on kindle, im thinking if its OLED then its possible...

Catrik007

 

[catrik007]

not so if....

Since you're citing the absence of the used textbook market as an advantage for e-books, you should figure its presence into the costs of the existing system if you want to do a fair comparison:

Average textbook: ~$100
Money won back from selling average textbook used: ~$30
OR
Average textbook (used): ~$30

If you calculate like this it will take a long time for you to break even with electronic versions and a $1000 iPad.

If textbooks yearly updates were just downloaded to the apple tablet the cost could be cut to a 1/2 or even as low as 1/3 of original price. Negating the inclusion of used text books, plus a bonus to the environment.


Catrik007

 

[CherryJello]

You wake up in the morning and lean over to grab your MacBook Touch. With a quick swipe, the home screen lights up, filled with notifications specific to you. This morning’s edition of the Wall Street Journal finished downloading at 5am and last nights episode of the Daily Show is ready for viewing. Next to you, your wife asks to see the Macbook Touch so she can check her work email, you hand it over to her and she logs into her account by face recognition, and within seconds she’s on her own home screen, viewing her emails.

Eventually, the Macbook Touch winds up in the kitchen. You’re making a sandwich for lunch and want to listen to some music. “Play The Beatles - Ticket to Ride” you call out, and instantly, music is filling the room. But then a call comes into your iPhone that’s over in the living room. Luckily the MacBook Touch is synced via BlueTooth to the iPhone and by just saying the word “Answer” you have picked up the call. “Dad, I’m calling from my Touch” your daughter says to you appearing in a video call window. “Okay, I’ll be right there” you respond as you wash off your hands. You grab the Macbook Touch and sit down to talk to your daughter, face to face.

 

[deconstruct60]

Speaking of AAPL, I read an article this morning that an analyst said AAPL target is near $1000... WOW.

WOW indeed. Wow in that anyone would take the number seriously.
That is about 4-5 times what the current price is. So the price to earnings ratio would go to what.... 134.68 . what kind of crackhead ratio is that?

No way tablet/pad/whatever is going to increase income (or revenue ) 4-5 times over everything else Apple sells. Smartphones are going to see big downward price pressure over next couple of years.

That's a pull a number out my butt move. No rational explanation as to why that would happen.

 

[catrik007]

Nice I like it

You wake up in the morning and lean over to grab your MacBook Touch. With a quick swipe, the home screen lights up, filled with notifications specific to you. This morning’s edition of the Wall Street Journal finished downloading at 5am and last nights episode of the Daily Show is ready for viewing. Next to you, your wife asks to see the Macbook Touch so she can check her work email, you hand it over to her and she logs into her account by face recognition, and within seconds she’s on her own home screen, viewing her emails.

Eventually, the Macbook Touch winds up in the kitchen. You’re making a sandwich for lunch and want to listen to some music. “Play The Beatles - Ticket to Ride” you call out, and instantly, music is filling the room. But then a call comes into your iPhone that’s over in the living room. Luckily the MacBook Touch is synced via BlueTooth to the iPhone and by just saying the word “Answer” you have picked up the call. “Dad, I’m calling from my Touch” your daughter says to you appearing in a video call window. “Okay, I’ll be right there” you respond as you wash off your hands. You grab the Macbook Touch and sit down to talk to your daughter, face to face.

The more I think about it and reading ideas like these above Im convinced ichat will be a key feature. I have a video conference setup hooked up to my TV and having this feature on the Macbook touch would add alot of value to busineses and family. this example shows how easy anyone can use it.

Catrik007

 

[catrik007]

actually this is possible

WOW indeed. Wow in that anyone would take the number seriously.
That is about 4-5 times what the current price is. So the price to earnings ratio would go to what.... 134.68 . what kind of crackhead ratio is that?

No way tablet/pad/whatever is going to increase income (or revenue ) 4-5 times over everything else Apple sells. Smartphones are going to see big downward price pressure over next couple of years.

That's a pull a number out my butt move. No rational explanation as to why that would happen.

If Apple rises the market share to 80% and include, students, book readers, moms, grandparents, hospitals, restaurants (think digital menus dennys has toyed with this idea in the past) gamers, casinos, hotels, airports, grocery stores ( mainly for skus) writers ( w bluetooth) and sooo much more. Plus I can give you practical uses for all these markets.

Catrik007

 

[Prometheus2000]

What we need is a replacment for pen and paper

To me all the Multimedia capabilities sound amazing, but to be honest, the core functionality of a tablet is that it replaces pen and paper for your notes and sketches. I am a engineer and I wished I had a tablet where I can do all my notes on. I used a HP TC1100 for a while with Microsoft OneNote.

If Apple could comes up with an App on their Tablet (part of the iWorks family) that surpasses what OneNote can do, that's where the real need for a Tablet lies. And by such an App I mean not just a scratch paper programm like Windows Journal... but with organisation, cross referenceing, media linking, webaccess and everything.

I also learnt that a tablet is great for presenting data to a meeting where all people sit around the table and can watch the flat down display, otherwise with a laptop you always need to rush people to one side of the table...

Watching media, reading newspaper, all very nice, but most of these things are possible on existing devices.

But let us surprise by Apple next week. They always have this nice way of thinking "function first, hardware second", while most hardware manufacturs seem to take pride in the engineering of their new products without clear application purpose which can only come from a software development...