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Apple Tablet = iPhone OS or Mac OS X?

Carniphage said:
...The increased size would mean there'd be more gestures - for example gestures for two hands.

And the increased screen space mean the display might even use windows to allow more than one thing on the screen at one.
Click to expand...

Again, I think two hand gestures would be too confusing for the "average consumer" who Apple is making this/their products for. For $600-900, this thing has to be really intuitive. Look at the iPhone; Even somethings that just seem like no brainers to add for functionality (e.g. Copy & Paste) took a year to add and somethings (that make just as much logical sense as C&P) still haven't been added.

I think this device will be an iPod touch-like device, but with far more functionality and use of the screen.

With a bigger screen and processing power, you'd have to imagine that developers will make some legitimate apps (i.e. not $.99) that will make this device AMAZING.

cellocello said:
Windowing. Um, again, I'm not so sure about this. Given that we've pretty much concluded that his thing (if it exists) will be finger-driven, I doubt they'll introduce much in the way of window management. Dashboard style widgets, that 'fly in' over your content, on the other hand ....
Click to expand...

I completely agree with the windowing and as for the widgets...

Imagine hot corners used for widgets, sleeping of the display, screen saver, and (fill in the blank). Looking at the iPhone 3GS' Accessibility functions (e.g. sleep the whole screen, but still have use of all functionality), who's to say Apple won't have similar "Triple-tap with 3 fingers" (seriously, this the gesture to sleep the screen on the 3GS) type gestures to increase functionality on this thing.

So far we've got:

  1. Four finger swipe down, up, across all already have gestures for them, so they'd be ported to the "Tablet".
  2. Three finger swipe left and right have gestures in Safari (this would definitely be super useful and, of course, implemented.
  3. Two finger tap, pinch and spread, up, down, left and right already have uses as well.

So that leaves us with:

  1. Two finger: twist, double tap, triple tap
  2. Three finger: down, up, tap, double tap, triple tap
  3. Four finger: tap, double tap, triple tap
  4. Others: Add some if you'd like

Seems like a lot of potential functionality and capabilities there to me. :D

cellocello said:
I can see the market for this thing, and I can see why people would want it - the only real problem is price. Even if this thing has a great screen for reading books on (which a standard LCD isn't), and has great sound (for enjoying audio and video content), and does all kinds of neat tricks (new ways to "touch your media"), I'm hard pressed to believe people will spend >$500 for it or that Apple will charge <$300 for it.
Click to expand...

I agree with you somewhat on this... How bout this?

Apple makes a $600-800 device aka "Tablet"

Verizon subsidizes it with 3G data for 2-years, taking $200-300 off the price of the device. Hence, you've created a $300-600 device, fully subsidized. Thoughts?

cellocello said:
There's a bunch of logistical problems with this device. There has to be a "killer app" or "killer purpose" for this thing - something that makes people have to have it, no matter the cost - and I'm not quite sure what that is yet.
Click to expand...

My biggest logistical problem with this device is where does it fit in the product line? Do you buy one if you own an iPhone? iPod touch? Portable Mac? Desktop Mac?

That's my biggest hold up. The physical nature of the device, I'm not worried about, its the pricing and product line logistics that I'm worried/confused about.
 
Kick-stand? No. Legs? No. iPod touch stand, but bigger? MAYBE

So I was thinking about the "tablet" today and was thinking, "How are they gonna make this thing stand up if need be?"

Some of you (and many others elsewhere) have suggested that Apple will build in a leg or stand into the device. To be short, this just won't happen. First, the stand/leg will look ugly/pointless when not in use (completely non-Apple like).

So how can they make this thing stand up without making the device look ugly when hand-held?

Many of you remember the original iPod touch's stand that came packaged with the product. If not, I've attached a picture.

Apple conveinently discontinued this accessory after including it with the original touch. Now some will say (correctly so) that Apple was simply cutting costs by removing the stand, but many people found the stand useful.

So why did Apple get rid of the stand? Cost cutting? Not really a reason to discontinue. Perhaps, they've been working on a FAR SUPERIOR product to be included with the "tablet". If the stand was bigger and slightly more advanced, it would provide the perfect screen holder to simulate a laptop screen.

Thoughts?
 
food for thought

has anyone thought that maybe it may be some watered down version (if not a full blown version) of Mac OSX Snow Leopard with some sort of iphone/touch emulator that would allow us to use you previously purchased apps on it, but on a smaller window?
;)
that's all i could think of at this point - best of both worlds possibly?
 
Knightsiphone said:
Cant wait to see what they are gonna offer. I hope that it is not carrier specific. A wifi based tablet only.
Click to expand...

As I think about the device more and more, I am beginning to think that the device might be non-carrier specific. Then again, if this device is going to be subsidized and usable outside the home (need 3G), there will have to be a carrier attached. If I had a guess, it would be Verizon, although I don't know how Apple would create one device for the whole world if they are making a CDMA version for Verizon. Any input on this anyone?

njl said:
has anyone thought that maybe it may be some watered down version (if not a full blown version) of Mac OSX Snow Leopard with some sort of iphone/touch emulator that would allow us to use you previously purchased apps on it, but on a smaller window?
;)
that's all i could think of at this point - best of both worlds possibly?
Click to expand...

I hate to break it to you, but this thing will not run Mac OS X Snow Leopard. For $600-800, there is no way Apple is going to put SL on this thing. Anyone who was previously interested in an entry level Mac, would then jump ship and ruin sales of the low-end MacBook/Pro. Sorry, but SL is not going on this thing. Look for a juiced up iPhone OS. It will be very similar to the iPhone/iPod touch.
 
Luke1robb said:
I hate to break it to you, but this thing will not run Mac OS X Snow Leopard. For $600-800, there is no way Apple is going to put SL on this thing. Anyone who was previously interested in an entry level Mac, would then jump ship and ruin sales of the low-end MacBook/Pro. Sorry, but SL is not going on this thing. Look for a juiced up iPhone OS. It will be very similar to the iPhone/iPod touch.
Click to expand...

OK, prove it.
 
njl said:
OK, prove it.
Click to expand...

Make a piece of paper the size of the device with a 9.7 inch screen, hold it in your hands and then ask yourself, "would Apple really sell something like this with full Mac OS X on it?"

I've done it and frankly, it just doesn't make sense why they'd do that. Both from physical logistics and business logistics (see cannibalization of 13" MB & MBP).

Plus, how would you select menus, etc.? The logistics of holding your finger on the screen to open folders, menus, etc. just doesn't say intuitive/easy. As we know, Apple is all about intuitive/easy, at least of late. How would the new tablet run full Mac OS X 3rd party software either? Would they change their UI? I don't think so. With that, it would be a flop, because Apple would look like failures.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A341 Safari/528.16)

http://dougitdesign.com/blogs/blog_7_28_09_Apple-do-not-let-a-college-kid-one-up-you-in-the-creation-of-a-unique-Operating-System-for-your-new-Tablet-Computer.html
 
doug in albq said:
http://dougitdesign.com/blogs/blog_7_28_09_Apple-do-not-let-a-college-kid-one-up-you-in-the-creation-of-a-unique-Operating-System-for-your-new-Tablet-Computer.html
Click to expand...

Nice post. I think you're on it with the slightly more complex iPhone OS. Again, I hate to break it to people, but this thing is just not gonna run full Mac OS X. No way, no how.
 
thegoldenmackid said:
And the warrant for this is? The Mac Mini has a full OS for less money, need a new argument.
Click to expand...

Ummm... the Mac Mini doesn't come with a screen. Hence, add $300 for a ****** screen and you're paying close to $1000. Add an Apple Cinema Display ($899) and you're paying more than an iMac. Mac Mini is also a desktop, the tablet would be a mobile device. Two COMPLETELY different areas of business.
 
Luke1robb said:
Ummm... the Mac Mini doesn't come with a screen. Hence, add $300 for a ****** screen and you're paying close to $1000. Add an Apple Cinema Display ($899) and you're paying more than an iMac. Mac Mini is also a desktop, the tablet would be a mobile device. Two COMPLETELY different areas of business.
Click to expand...

It would be illogical for Apple to strain developers with a third platform. Apple is not in the business of confusing things and adding fifteen different versions of their products. Given that they are nearly giving Snow Leopard away, I'd say this is the wrong argument for why it is going to be a new OS.

I hate to break it to you, but your argument has holes.
 
thegoldenmackid said:
It would be illogical for Apple to strain developers with a third platform. Apple is not in the business of confusing things and adding fifteen different versions of their products. Given that they are nearly giving Snow Leopard away, I'd say this is the wrong argument for why it is going to be a new OS.

I hate to break it to you, but your argument has holes.
Click to expand...

If you think about it, this would be a different market almost altogether, more for Pro apps, not $.99 duds. This would open the door for a Hulu or NYTimes app that really shines and deserves decent money. I'm just saying, I think the developers would be there if Apple made the product, that's all.
 
Luke1robb said:
If you think about it, this would be a different market almost altogether, more for Pro apps, not $.99 duds. This would open the door for a Hulu or NYTimes app that really shines and deserves decent money. I'm just saying, I think the developers would be there if Apple made the product, that's all.
Click to expand...

This would be rather problematic, the internets provides things like Hulu and the NYT for free. Just like infomercials, apps being cheap sell, even if one thinks no one buys them.
 
thegoldenmackid said:
This would be rather problematic, the internets provides things like Hulu and the NYT for free. Just like infomercials, apps being cheap sell, even if one thinks no one buys them.
Click to expand...

I didn't necessarily say no one buys them, I said they are duds, meaning they are pretty pointless/useless apps. This device would be meant for more serious, legitimate, "Pro" apps. Not necessarily Photoshop or anything, just higher quality. I realize Hulu is on the internet for free, but what if they made a $10 app that didn't require you go to their site for everything and added functionality. Maybe a subscription service or a per show service and you could watch them commercial-free on demand. Just throwing out ideas right now.
 
Luke1robb said:
I didn't necessarily say no one buys them, I said they are duds, meaning they are pretty pointless/useless apps. This device would be meant for more serious, legitimate, "Pro" apps. Not necessarily Photoshop or anything, just higher quality. I realize Hulu is on the internet for free, but what if they made a $10 app that didn't require you go to their site for everything and added functionality. Maybe a subscription service or a per show service and you could watch them commercial-free on demand. Just throwing out ideas right now.
Click to expand...

I don't understand why this would be better on a mobile OS? Why not just give it the OS and allow to work with a keyboard for those that want it? They are giving away their OS for $29 right now (we can have the argument about how many users it effects, but most people that would get Snow Leopard are at that price.)
 
njl said:
OK, prove it.
Click to expand...

Ok, I will.


Because existing applications are written for the desktop. They are written for Mac OSX.

They expect a single mouse pointer (with mouse buttons)
They expect an always-there keyboard.

Un-modified, they would suck on a tablet. As Microsoft has demonstrated with the Origami project.

And software just does not modify itself.

My guess is that software compatibility will be a non-issue because you won't be able to shove Mac disks into it. This device will not have a DVD drive. And will not be able to install software from the internet.

It will be App Store only.

C.
 
Carniphage said:
Ok, I will.


Because existing applications are written for the desktop. They are written for Mac OSX.

They expect a single mouse pointer (with mouse buttons)
They expect an always-there keyboard.

Un-modified, they would suck on a tablet. As Microsoft has demonstrated with the Origami project.

And software just does not modify itself.

My guess is that software compatibility will be a non-issue because you won't be able to shove Mac disks into it. This device will not have a DVD drive. And will not be able to install software from the internet.

It will be App Store only.

C.
Click to expand...

And when people hack their Tablets to run full OSX.... I don't see why Apple would lock it down, software might need to be updated to recognize all the features of the tablet, but Word isn't going to suddenly not work because you have the ability to use two pointers; rather, it might only support one.
 
Carniphage said:
Ok, I will.


Because existing applications are written for the desktop. They are written for Mac OSX.

They expect a single mouse pointer (with mouse buttons)
They expect an always-there keyboard.

Un-modified, they would suck on a tablet. As Microsoft has demonstrated with the Origami project.

And software just does not modify itself.

My guess is that software compatibility will be a non-issue because you won't be able to shove Mac disks into it. This device will not have a DVD drive. And will not be able to install software from the internet.

It will be App Store only.
Click to expand...

Well put. I agree, App Store only will be the way of this tablet. You just bring in SO MANY problems when downloading from anywhere is brought into the picture. As far as Apple's concerned, EVERYTHING can pass through the App Store and they'll take a nice 30% chunk off those sales. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me!
 
thegoldenmackid said:
And when people hack their Tablets to run full OSX.... I don't see why Apple would lock it down, software might need to be updated to recognize all the features of the tablet, but Word isn't going to suddenly not work because you have the ability to use two pointers; rather, it might only support one.
Click to expand...

Just think about all the complications and confusion a full Mac OS X would cause. In a $699-799 device? No way, it's not happening. They want this thing to be easy to use, not confusing.

PLUS, why ON EARTH would they allow Microsoft to get any of its software on this device, unless it's ABSOLUTELY needed. Google Docs works fine for me, bring on GDocs on the iTablet!!!
 
Luke1robb said:
Just think about all the complications and confusion a full Mac OS X would cause. In a $699-799 device? No way, it's not happening. They want this thing to be easy to use, not confusing.

PLUS, why ON EARTH would they allow Microsoft to get any of its software on this device, unless it's ABSOLUTELY needed. Google Docs works fine for me, bring on GDocs on the iTablet!!!
Click to expand...

You keep saying all of these things unwarranted. While Apple is banning Microsoft software from its products (just like they do on OSX) why don't they get rid of all .wmv playback. Why confuse things even more – don't make another OS?
 
thegoldenmackid said:
And when people hack their Tablets to run full OSX.... I don't see why Apple would lock it down, software might need to be updated to recognize all the features of the tablet, but Word isn't going to suddenly not work because you have the ability to use two pointers; rather, it might only support one.
Click to expand...

So you open up Microsoft Word, in full-screen portrait mode!
And you want to start typing...
And this, like totally half-transparent keyboard thing pops up on screen.
And you can no longer see where you are typing - cos it's like UNDER THE VIRTUAL KEYBOARD!

C.
 
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