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Apple Tablet Scheduled to Begin Shipping in March? Two Different Material Casings Being Considered?
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Although it's a different technology, many japanese and american e-ink manufacturers are claiming they'll have full motion video at some point. This would be great. I'd go insane for an "art tablet" that uses e-ink.
What I'd like to see right now is a double-sided tablet, LCD on one side, E-ink on the other (color would be great). I think that would truly be the "All-Killer" device. $599 sounds about right to me.
Also, I think it should have the charging pad type charger built into the body (iPhone and touch should already have this by now).
If these analysts are just as accurate and informed as that douchebag Gene Munster from Piper Jaffray, than I wouldn´t put too much stock into this $1000 figure.
Although nice, these are just rounded squares with a grayscale gradient for reflectiveness and an Apple logo.. I personally expect the same form factor as a large iPod Touch, or a unibody shape (like with the MBP) with an embedded screen. Aluminium would be great but a little heavy..
I personally prefer a bit more squarish form factors than the round and smooth shape of the iPhone. The unibody macbooks are ideal IMHO.
http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Apple_iSlate_Purported_Specs_Surface_Online/551-108492-615.html
More rumors and (fake I assume...) specs for the Tablet.
What are the chances of it having a projector? I've seen some smart little micro-projectors for the iPhone recently.
More rumors and (fake I assume...) specs for the Tablet.
What are the chances of it having a projector? I've seen some smart little micro-projectors for the iPhone recently.
What if they had a see-through screen with an e-ink screen behind it. They have Transparent OLED displays. They could just turn off the OLED display so it could be a good e-reader and turn it on (while turning the e-ink screen to black) so it could do more complex things
Since the OLED display is so thin it won't effect the thickness of the device hardly at all.
I am aware that this is not going to happen (in the next year anyway) But I can dream, yes?
Considering that the Mac first came out a mere 26 years ago, you still have an easy 10-15 years until you're eligible for retirement...so be patient!
YMMV. My business takes me on travel quite a bit, and I'd really like to dump my 6-7lb Windows laptop for something that's half that weight. After a decade of a local "No Macs" IT Policy, there's scheduled to be a meeting later this month to do a 180 and officially start supporting them again - - probably has to do with leadership being utterly fed up with our total ban on USB storage devices because of theirs security risks that exists only within Windows.
RoadWarrior connection: how is it that many of us have been "coping" so fine with the tiny screen/keyboard of RIM Blackberries? I've composed some pretty darn long/complex emails on mine...its been clearly adequate enough to obviate the need to boot up the laptop in the briefcase for providing an email reply, be it a short or long note.
Yes; your idea distills to three words: iPhone Wireless Tethering.
And to extend it a bit further, consider also a "wireless cloud" type of collaboration to your desktop system...a desktop that under Snow Leopard very well may have a big honking GPU in it to collaboratively add computational performance.
And this is a parallel to my comment yesterday about the idea of having a solar panel underlying the screen: these aren't necessarily "easy" things to do, but we do know that Apple has been picking away at this problem for a couple of years, so there's been the time & resources applied to solve harder problems.
Unfortunately, it seems that no one anymore remembers who JFK was and his statement, "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too."
Something that I've been thinking about for form factor requirements is based on a photo that someone posted on the Star Trek tablets (see some examples here). Simply put, if you have an edge-to-edge screen, then how do you hold it for use? The UI conceptual solution in Star Trek wasn't to have a pretty-in-pictures edge-to-edge display screen: they consistently have a solid area somewhere to allow the user to grab/pinch the device between their fingers/thumb.
-hh
The Amazon reader is 249$ and comes with free 3G connectivity for data. It's "black and white" display is because it uses e-ink, which is more expensive than LCD technology.
So yes, 1000$ is a problem. It better be a full on OS X machine with a Core 2 Duo at that price.
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)
10-11 inches? Oh well. If it had been the size of a Kindle -- which fits in my suit coat pocket with ease -- I'd likely have preordered.
I can get away with just my iPhone for shirt business trips, but still need a laptop for longer ones. I was hoping this device would be mobile enough and capable enough to replace the computer.
Edit: my iPhone won't let me scroll up in the text box when editing. I meant "short" not "shirt." hitting "i" instead of "o" is the most common and annoying error I get on the otherwise excellent keyboard.
10-11 inches? Oh well. If it had been the size of a Kindle -- which fits in my suit coat pocket with ease -- I'd likely have preordered.
I can get away with just my iPhone for shirt business trips, but still need a laptop for longer ones. I was hoping this device would be mobile enough and capable enough to replace the computer.
Edit: my iPhone won't let me scroll up in the text box when editing. I meant "short" not "shirt." hitting "i" instead of "o" is the most common and annoying error I get on the otherwise excellent keyboard.
$499 w/ 3G and/or content contract. A grand is too much. I don't care if it's not too much for YOU. Apple doesn't care about YOU. To make money, let alone dominate the market, they have to sell the overwhelming majority of these things to people who aren't Apple gear hobbyists. Fifteen years ago, sure, priced into a niche market only. But post-iPod, Apple not only cares about the whole market, they know they can sell to the whole market.
$499 as overpriced for an iPod is not a fair comparison. It's true, as someone else mentioned, neither iPod, nor iPhone, ever really took off until they hit the $200 market -- subsidized in the case of the iPhone. But $499 for an early iPod wasn't all that out there. Fancy audio equipment always comes at a premium. But there's still a vast market for fancy audio equipment. Much, much larger than the market for an Apple tablet. Many more people would have paid $500 for an original iPod -- and you have to remember back then it only worked with Macs -- than will pay a grand for an Apple tablet. The iPod also had the benefit of working with your entire existing media library, the kind of media an iPod would play, anyway. The tablet will work with SOME existing media, but what most people predict to be it's most prominent features will required purchasing lots of new media and/or media subscriptions.
Personally, I think the tablet will sell for $499 - $599. Probably a subsidized price, but it will FEEL like you only spent about 500 bucks. Sure, I can see a grand for an unsubsidized model. In fact, if you're an analyst, and you're making reasonable guesses at tablet component parts and their costs, and Apple pricing trends, you're probably going to come up with something like $999. Because that's the most concrete data you can use to speculate. You won't be privy to the specifics of any subsidy deals with wireless or media subscription providers, especially if one of those potentially subsidizing media subscription providers is Apple itself.
$499 as overpriced for an iPod is not a fair comparison. It's true, as someone else mentioned, neither iPod, nor iPhone, ever really took off until they hit the $200 market -- subsidized in the case of the iPhone. But $499 for an early iPod wasn't all that out there. Fancy audio equipment always comes at a premium. But there's still a vast market for fancy audio equipment. Much, much larger than the market for an Apple tablet. Many more people would have paid $500 for an original iPod -- and you have to remember back then it only worked with Macs -- than will pay a grand for an Apple tablet. The iPod also had the benefit of working with your entire existing media library, the kind of media an iPod would play, anyway. The tablet will work with SOME existing media, but what most people predict to be it's most prominent features will required purchasing lots of new media and/or media subscriptions.
Personally, I think the tablet will sell for $499 - $599. Probably a subsidized price, but it will FEEL like you only spent about 500 bucks. Sure, I can see a grand for an unsubsidized model. In fact, if you're an analyst, and you're making reasonable guesses at tablet component parts and their costs, and Apple pricing trends, you're probably going to come up with something like $999. Because that's the most concrete data you can use to speculate. You won't be privy to the specifics of any subsidy deals with wireless or media subscription providers, especially if one of those potentially subsidizing media subscription providers is Apple itself.
First, for those who think there will be a $500 difference between the subsidized price and the unsubsidized price, you're crazy, unless a)the service is >$75 per month for 2 years (or like a 5 year contract) and b) the ETF if you bail is $500 as well. I'm sure people would freak about the ETF, but the carriers need to recoup the money. It's not apple's subsidy- it's the carrier's.
Personally, my guess is that theprice will be $699 and $999. It will definitely be GSM. It MIGHT have a CDMA chip too, but I think it's unlikely that they'll rush out 2 models- one for the US market solely. At $699 you have 3G wireless web including iChat, VoIP, etc... on a $40 / month unlimited data plan, 2 year commitment. At $999 you have the option of either using it as WiFi only (with one exception, as I'll describe below), or to buy a data plan, but with no commitment.
I believe that the iTunes / TV subscription model will be coming. My theory is that if you buy content (TV, music, magazines, etc...), that the data for transferring it to your iSlate will be baked into the price. This is how the Kindle works as well. The data is baked into the price of the newspapers, books, etc... eliminating the need of a general data package.
Finally, as for how one interacts with it, I believe one option will be the ability to use your iPhone / Touch as a touch-pad and keyboard for the slate. Would also be able to take advantage of the accelerometer in the phone or touch to control accelerometer based games on the slate.
That's my 2c
Personally, my guess is that theprice will be $699 and $999. It will definitely be GSM. It MIGHT have a CDMA chip too, but I think it's unlikely that they'll rush out 2 models- one for the US market solely. At $699 you have 3G wireless web including iChat, VoIP, etc... on a $40 / month unlimited data plan, 2 year commitment. At $999 you have the option of either using it as WiFi only (with one exception, as I'll describe below), or to buy a data plan, but with no commitment.
I believe that the iTunes / TV subscription model will be coming. My theory is that if you buy content (TV, music, magazines, etc...), that the data for transferring it to your iSlate will be baked into the price. This is how the Kindle works as well. The data is baked into the price of the newspapers, books, etc... eliminating the need of a general data package.
Finally, as for how one interacts with it, I believe one option will be the ability to use your iPhone / Touch as a touch-pad and keyboard for the slate. Would also be able to take advantage of the accelerometer in the phone or touch to control accelerometer based games on the slate.
That's my 2c
So how do you sell this model in the educational market? To schools wanting carts of them? Do you require them to do the $699 with Data? The $999 is higher than the Edu Macbook price ($899) - how do you get schools on board, which is going to be needed for the ebook side?
The Touch is already being shown to be a stepping stone to the iPhone. So wouldn't you want this bigger device to be one too?
So maybe the cheaper model is an educational model without a radio, and then the "fancier" model is the subsidized with the radio.
I don't know - i'm torn myself how they are going to do this, but if it IS what is floating around - they need the educational market on board.
I can't help but think rather than a contract - there will be a radio in it that the providers can offer pre-paid types of service for - like in the states, so buy an iSlate monthly service card at your local store and away you go.....
Time will tell!
I'm in the same position as you, friend. I have a 32GB 3GS and a 17" UMBP. Although price is not a matter to me, I see no reason to buy the Tablet unless it is exceptionally good and stands out from a Mac. If not, I'll pass.
Interesting blog post about a patent on how to manipulate 3D objects on a two dimensional plane. Apple owns the patent but searches under Apple's name in the patents database doesn't retrieve this patent, because the names of the original French inventors are still on it. The French inventors actually work at Apple now.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/technology/2010/01/apple_tablet_3d.html
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/technology/2010/01/apple_tablet_3d.html
I'm thinking people will buy a device for $200 with an iTunes/iBook/whatever subscription from Apple for 2 years at say $50 per month (total $1400 includes say $400 of content - news/mags/books). Price around what people pay for phones but instead of bandwidth, you pay for premium content with ability to top up. Content pricing brings revenue to content providers plus Apple as store owner, not a lot different from current paper distribution.
Apple will need to bootstrap the revenue stream for the content providers and a plan does that. The aim is to capture the device + content distribution channel leveraging off the success of iPod/iTunes for newspaper and magazine style content. Apples strong connections in the graphics arts market will help no end.
So with wifi at home, you iBook will automatically download you daily paper overnight ready for the daily commute +/- bluetooth tethering to iPhone for internet connectivity when out and about.
iPhone and iBook help each other's sales. Apple will have an unassailable market position.
Apple will need to bootstrap the revenue stream for the content providers and a plan does that. The aim is to capture the device + content distribution channel leveraging off the success of iPod/iTunes for newspaper and magazine style content. Apples strong connections in the graphics arts market will help no end.
So with wifi at home, you iBook will automatically download you daily paper overnight ready for the daily commute +/- bluetooth tethering to iPhone for internet connectivity when out and about.
iPhone and iBook help each other's sales. Apple will have an unassailable market position.
Edu would be tough with this, as the simple fact of the matter is that the cost of goods isn't going to be cheap. There's going to be limits as to how low it can be priced (at least initially- prices do decrease with increasing volumes). As for university level education, I'll say this... Books alone can cost up to $1000 per semester. If e-versions can save 25% per semester, the system has paid for itself in two years. Not to mention the ability to take notes, push homework and supplementary materials, etc...
I look at a desktop program and accompanying app like 'Papers' (I have no affiliation, other than using religiously), and a tablet is the PERFECT form factor to be able to read articles and such on the go.
My only point is that there are longer term financial and productivity advantages that offset the upfront cost...
I agree though- Many unanswered questions. Good times...
I think it's time to invest in Apple for ALL the Repairs that this will produce. Can you imagine all the broken screens from people dropping their tablets?
Agreed.
"Apple, what are you playing at! We won't spend that!"
So funny. I'm going to see what it is like when official information is released. If it's crap, I won't buy it. If it's good, I'll buy it, if the price is fair. Deciding now if it's worth $1000 or not? That's like arguing over the length of an angel's wing. I'm hoping this tablet is really special. If it isn't, then it's not a big deal. I'll move on. I don't get where all the anger comes from. I get healthy speculation and discussion, but saying things like "Apple has lost it!" is just hilarious.
I don't care about most of the hoopla over this "device" and what it will do. Here's what I want - the best e-reader ever. All books should be free with advertising, no more than $5 each without. Subscriptions to news magazines, sports magazines, etc., should be the same: free with advertising, no more than $10 a year without.
Oh, and the price - less than $200 including whatever OS it comes with. If it's more than that, Apple will sell some, but not many. Steve Jobs will smile and kid himself that he's done it again. What a genius.
Oh, and the price - less than $200 including whatever OS it comes with. If it's more than that, Apple will sell some, but not many. Steve Jobs will smile and kid himself that he's done it again. What a genius.
You definitely won't be getting what you want. Apple aren't stupid enough to create a new computer and sell it for less than their phone.
I'm starting to believe all the rumors that this is just a "content consuming" device. If so, this is essentially a useless device no matter which way you look at it. Just more stuff to fill up the landfills if you ask me.
The hook will be the way you interact with it and only those with money to burn or with half a brain will go out and buy it.
The hook will be the way you interact with it and only those with money to burn or with half a brain will go out and buy it.
I knew it. The gotcha Apple marketing!
$1000 dollars that says eveything you want a tablet to do is the higher priced one. The lower, maybe Internet with subscription. The higher price included plus running of osx apps. The cheaper, a giant iPod.
The gotcha marketing ploy. You go into apple and for just a litte more. You get what you want until suddenly your waking out with a MacBook pro. Dedicated gpu, fast CPU, Internet, FireWire attachment, USB for keyboard slots.
$1000 dollars that says eveything you want a tablet to do is the higher priced one. The lower, maybe Internet with subscription. The higher price included plus running of osx apps. The cheaper, a giant iPod.
The gotcha marketing ploy. You go into apple and for just a litte more. You get what you want until suddenly your waking out with a MacBook pro. Dedicated gpu, fast CPU, Internet, FireWire attachment, USB for keyboard slots.
wrong, wrong and wrong
if this thing lives up to the hype price won't matter people will buy it, there are alot of people out there with disposable income and alot of them are apple customers..... New exciting product that lives up to the hype stock price will go up or keep steady as the release of the tablet is probably already factored into the price with all the news. at that price point profit margins will be huge for apple even if they don't sell as much quantity as they would at a lower price point. And apple will not lose money lol they have so much reserve cash that they probably used for R&D on this thing that anything they make is pure profit.
I don't think it's a hard sell at the University level. I'm 4 years from having a kid at that level, so i'm at the K-12 stage right now. The idea of a bookless classroom worries me (and California is doing this - last i heard, made me glad i moved), but with a device such as this, kids CAN have their books with them at all times. Teachers can push assignments, videos or whatever. You can have a copy of the notes on the board - even if you were out sick (provided the school has sprung for those fancy whiteboards - an online friends school that did that for like $30k a classroom.... then had to cut bus service out...).
THis is all doable with a laptop (before Hobe jumps in and tells me that) - but as a parent, i'd buy a Slate version a whole lot easier. Watch and read.... then write. Print out the worksheet to complete. I don't see the need for it both sides - output and input all the time.
Which is why i see this going over to schools more than - "give them all a laptop". This concept is more locked down, doing only what the school wants them to do.
I think that i'm excited about where Apple might push this area. It will be interesting to watch play out - i just hope us peons can afford to play in the sandbox