Apple Tablet to Launch in Early 2010 Using Chip Platform From P.A. Semi?

[Theclamshell]

i hope its a big ass newton with the same shape and green color

 

[blybug]

Is THIS going to be branded as the new Macbook? I originally assumed that Apple would push the Macbook brand on some new sub/small notebook, but if this is the case I don't really see the connection. I could be wrong, but this idea doesn't correspond to "Macbook" for me yet.

MacPod™. Runs Snow Leopard with iPod apps as Dashboard Widgets

Might well appeal to Kindle types. Business folk could bring it along to meetings leaving their desktops/laptops back at their desks with remote access. Also could see it being used in medical field and on retail floors (ie Apple Store). I can access our medical record system (EPIC) through Citrix on the iPhone...but it's too small to use effectively. This I could carry into exam rooms with me and actually utilize.

 

[andiwm2003]

well it's not a notebook replacement. it's not a netbook. it's a tablet. it's not you main computer. it's not a iphone replacement.

so would all people who say "what is it for?" and then say "it doesn't do what my Macbook Pro does therefore it has no market" and "it's too large to carry in a pocket so my iphone is better and therefore it has no market" just accept that the are millions of other uses?

i would love to get it because i have no mobile me at work (stupie IE6) and typing mails and the occasional text is too cumbersome on the iphone. and paying 300 bucks for just a kindle is a bit too expensive. also sitting on a plane in coach doesn't allow you to use a MBP anyway because of space. and sitting on the beach and doing mail and internet and reading a few papers and viewing powerpoints is exactly what i need.

also to the people who complain about verizon: it's nowhere clear that you have to get a verizon contract. i'm sure you can buy it without subsidy and use any dataplan. also it's not clear what a dataplan will cost. so all the people pretending it's onlt $30 might be in for a bad surprise.

let's just wait and see what it turns out to be if it's coming at all.

 

[skellener]

Not really sure what use the tablet will be. What's it's purpose? If anything, maybe people would use it at home - in which case WiFi would probably be fine. No need for 3G and service contracts. I mean, are you really gonna carry this thing around with you?

 

[chstr]

another thing this will be great for, for me as a teacher being able to access youtube anywhere will be great (stupid school district neutering internet access) and iphone just doesn't cut it. I am pumped for this.

 

[MikhailT]

Anyone else feel like this tablet won't replace a netbook unless it has an actual keyboard?

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Where's the keyboard. I pray there isn't a huge virtual keyboard that pops up on that gigantic 10 inch screen. Hopefully a cool dock can be bought and it will hook into apples wireless keyboard and mouse. I can only hope.

LanPhantom

If you need the keyboard, then get a netbook or laptop. This is never intended to replace netbooks or laptops.

Anybody ever think of the actual pen? I actually like to write on a tablet to create graphs, sketches and so on. Can’t do that with a laptop or netbook unless you carry a pad with you.

Keyboard can not replicate what you can do with a pen other than words.

Then there’s an alternative for tablet….paper and a pen. I would often scan and try to replicate it digitally so that I can save it forever instead of losing paper.

Ok, so those are the tablet's target audiences, but from an industrial design standpoint, why would you try to sell a device that's barely portable? 10" device won't fit into my pocket, while an iPhone/iPod Touch does, and has the same functionality, especially if they're not gonna put a half-decently powerful processor in the tablet. Makes no sense for Apple to loose credibility for a device caught in the middle of their two best products... iPhones and MacBooks.

The MacBook Air (while I think that all MacBooks will eventually morph into this design) was Apple's sell-it-because-it's-cool-and-not-functional device for the 2000's, so I hope they don't start off the 2010's by using their mulligan right off the first tee.

Ummm...I really hope people in the iPhone market don't think the way you do.

This tablet will not fit in your pocket. God knows how you're supposed to hold/type on it - you're going to need a table to put it on to type which is annoying. Put in on my lap? How the f*** are you supposed to see the screen if your hands are blocking it while you type (unlike an iPhone which is upright).

This is such a gimmick. I never understood underpowered tablets. It's going to be used in classrooms someone said - good luck giving 6-10 year old's an expensive *droppable* tablet and hoping nothing goes awry.

No one has answered this question: What legit purpose does this device have?

When the iPhone was rumored here on the boards, almost everyone saw potential and practicality.

Why even create the Kindle DX if it doesn't fit in "our pocket"? Tablets are meant to be carried around or placed in bag with a protective sleeve. It also not intended to be used on a desk or your lap. You can use a pen to do something instead of just virtual keyboard.

I would use a tablet to carry around doing several things at an office building, getting information and writing down things like floor maps, office with people names, network diagrams, PBX system details, checking wifi hotspots and so many other things. That's just in my profession of IT. Different professions will use the tablets for their own unqiue needs.

As for classrooms, again, you can't use the keyboard to create graphs or any type of math formula, chemical formulas, any thing that requires a pen or a finger to draw, so laptops or netbooks are only usable in this situation when somebody brings a wacom with them. Tablets with wacom screen are usually expensive, heavy and just ugly in general. Apple would probably create the exception to that.

It's sad when people talk about buying a product they've never seen. That's when expectations suddenly rise disproportionately and people are saddened when Apple doesn't release what they expected.

There are very important factors Apple needs to solve:

1) Keyboard? Since it's unlikely that the device will have a keyboard by default, how will one enter text input? With such a large device, the iPhone method is quite cumbersome and likely to have even worse WPM.

2) Battery life? Netbooks these days average 2-3 hours because their batteries are so small, and often some manufacturers bend the truth when reporting their numbers.

3) Operating system? With an ARM chip, it probably won't be running OS X. That means no Mac software. Most likely it'll be the iPhone OS "on steroids". I also expect to see some Snow Leopard tech to creep in (as Leopard tech was in iPhone OS 1.0).

We'll see what Apple comes up with. All I know is that I am NOT onboard for another data plan, as one contract is enough for me. They better sell this device unsubsidized at a reasonable price or I'll sit out on the sidelines.

1) Dude, if you are going to be writing a lot, than get a netbook instead. Tablets aren’t meant to be word processors, they are meant for you to visually get information and write information down with a pen or whatever. You can use fingers as well a pen to do graphs or sketches that you can’t do with a keyboard.

2) Apple can use the same battery technology that’s in MacBook. Tablets don’t need to be fast, they aren’t meant to be used for gaming. Just more of an visual information collection device.

3) The iPhone OS is based on OS X, just slimmed down and more optimized toward ARM chip. They can use the same OS on the tablet and create a desktop, it’s not a problem for them. Apple doesn’t seem to have a problem running two different arch for the same OS. Apple is slowly tuning OS X to be used by fingers, the Dock changes in latest build of SL seems to be made for touch screen in my opinion.

 

[davyreins]

Posted this in the other tablet thread but this one seems to be more active:

Anybody else think this device almost has some similarities with the Newton, being that it seems to be a pretty advanced/new device that is entering into a new and undeveloped market?

If this thing was released, I doubt it would be a flop as much as the Newton was.

 

[FoxyKaye]

I can't be the only one thinking that with an uncovered screen that large, there seems to be great potential for cracking it every time the device gets stuffed in a bag.

I really hope whatever Apple is cooking up runs regular OS X and not the iPhone OS, though. There's got to be a way to add support for running iPhone/Touch apps to Snow Leopard if folks want to use this as a hybrid device.

I'm not sure how I feel about the missing keyboard, however. I really don't like "typing" on the iPhone/Touch at all.

I'm kind of lukewarm on 3G - it's great for quick Internet access, but I don't relish the thought of getting locked in with another cellular carrier with the device.

And I'd hope that if there isn't a proper ExpressCard slot on it, there's at least SDIO.

But it's all wishful thinking and vaporware until Apple actually releases the device (which will hopefully cost $600 or less).

 

[joeshell383]

Repeats

Apple PDA then and now

Apple netbook/tablet then and now

Apple ultraportable removable media drive-less notebook then and now

Apple LCD display desktop all-in-one computer then and now

 

[MikhailT]

Posted this in the other tablet thread but this one seems to be more active:

Anybody else think this device almost has some similarities with the "Newton", being that it seems to be a pretty advanced/new device that is entering into a new and undeveloped market?

If this thing was released, I doubt it would be a flop as much as the Newton was.

Newton was a PDA, not a tablet. Tablets has been around for years unlike the time when Newton came out. It was too new, too advanced for people at time that. iPhone in my opinion is Newton in this period of time and look at how it has revolutionized the PDA/Cell Phone industry.

I can't be the only one thinking that with an uncovered screen that large, there seems to be great potential for cracking it every time the device gets stuffed in a bag.

I really hope whatever Apple is cooking up runs regular OS X and not the iPhone OS, though. There's got to be a way to add support for running iPhone/Touch apps to Snow Leopard if folks want to use this as a hybrid device.

I'm not sure how I feel about the missing keyboard, however. I really don't like "typing" on the iPhone/Touch at all.

I'm kind of lukewarm on 3G - it's great for quick Internet access, but I don't relish the thought of getting locked in with another cellular carrier with the device.

And I'd hope that if there isn't a proper ExpressCard slot on it, there's at least SDIO.

But it's all wishful thinking and vaporware until Apple actually releases the device (which will hopefully cost $600 or less).

You do realize we have cases and sleves to protect the screen with right? I have a nice leather hard case for my Kindle DX and no problem so far at throwing it in my bag.

Secondly, tablet isn't a laptop. There's no need for expesscard or 3G, it's not a netbook either. It has it own market that is unique from either laptop or netbook.

 

[73CortinaV8]

I would love something from apple with an E-Ink type screen. For ebooks. That would be a nice fit with itunes.

 

[ObsidianKt]

I love the artist's rendering. Imagine using the tablet to play that game with the accelerometer! LMAO!

 

[iJeep]

Eventually: The MacBook Touch

What is it for?

iPhone/iPod Touch = Small
MB/MBP = Good size

Who wants something too big for a pocket? If you are going to carry a bag, use your MB/MBP.

Can someone explain how it fits in and who the target market is?

Agree. I don't get the point of this.

back in may, I posted a prediction to answer your questions. it still just fits in what we might have learned from today's rumors:

apple's next new product will be spectacular, it will define a new category of products and - most importantly - it will cannibalize neither the iPhone business, nor the MacBook sales. it will be the next, the fourth pillar of Apple's success.

it will be a MacBook Touch

- a 10 " tablet, nine times the screen size and resolution of the iPhone, resembling the iPhone from the looks an being roughly as thick
- thus immediately working with every existing iPhone app
- combining everything from the iPhone (3G, WiFI, Bluetooth, AppStore, iTunes synching) with everything from the mac (iLife and iWork will work with new preinstalled specialized versions for touch control) - OS X Snow Leopard is the key - that's why they focus on performance.
- it will be touch controlled with a large visual/virtual keyboard, but of course the existing sleek Apple wireless Keyboard will work immediately using Bluetooth
- it will have 1 or 2 (micro)USB-ports making it the ideal device for storing, presenting and basic editing of photos and videos while on holiday, for watching videos with the family (for eventually it will be possible to import our DVDs in iTunes just like our CDs ...)
- it will have a front camera and microphone for video-conferencing or for putting your face into games or for making fun photos with photo booth
- it will be THE new gaming device for groups, playing all the famous board games on a screen large enough lying in front of you and sitting on every side of it (like chess with touch control and animation)
- it will be THE new book reader (though i have some doubts concerning readability in sunlight and battery life when compared to e-ink devices like the kindle), especially making it possible to produce "books" with integrated video and sound content
- it will have a stand to work as a notebook screen when typing with the keyboard or to use as small display to watch videos or digital tv or for presentations (maybe a protective cover doubles as a stand when flipped over ..)
- it will have a bluetooth remote control, reasonably good speakers and a SD-card reader built in
- it will be gorgeous, lightweight and affordable without being cheap and crappy like the windows netbooks
- it will be priced between the iPhone/ iPod touch and the MacBook - let me guess: somewhere between $ 499 with 8 GB and without iWork and $ 799 with 32 or even 64 GB and including iWork
- it will be THE product to present your creative work on the go, to watch video and photos in a group, to work on documents with basic editing while sitting in the bus or on the plane, to check and write emails and much more
- we will be allowed to use our existing apple software on this product without an extra fee
- it will work and synchronize with iTunes on a PC, thus being the entrance to the real mac world for old time PC-customers (they simply will want to buy an OS X-system next time a new notebook or desktop will be needed)
- it can be used like the iPhone, but it can't replace it (because of size), it can be used like a MacBook but it can't replace it (because of lack of keyboard, processing speed, lack of large storing space, limited display resolution, limited connectivity)
- it is simply the perfect companion in between.

what do you think?

 

[Pixel35]

I'm a photographer...if It runs Photoshop, I would love to edit my photos directly on the screen using a stylus/wacom pen.

What is it for?

iPhone/iPod Touch = Small
MB/MBP = Good size

Who wants something too big for a pocket? If you are going to carry a bag, use your MB/MBP.

Can someone explain how it fits in and who the target market is?

 

[SeaneyC]

Yes finally!

This will make the perfect companion to my air when all I want to do is watch movies or do tablet type stuff or web browsing instead of needing something with a keyboard.

And please please please let it have HDSPA modem in it, it doesn't mean you will have to take out a contract with it, it just means you have the option to use mobile data! Almost all Dells come with a 3G modem as a standard option now, with or without a contract, and plenty of netbooks have it too.

 

[nagromme]

I want one--especially if it comes in a Wi-Fi only flavor that doesn't need a 3G contract. (I'd be willing to pay full unsubsidized price.)

I have no need for one whatsoever.

But I want one

If the platform has to be fragmented by multiple screen resolutions (which I think is inevitable) than I say, aim high. Standardize on 480x320 for the 3.5" iPhone screen, and 1440x960 for anything larger. That's exactly 3x the iPhone in both directions, and comes to about 10 inches.

But use smaller, super-sharp pixels, and it could be made smaller than 10". I'd love something about 2x the size of an iPhone in inches (7" screen and without the extra margin at top/bottom).

Actually, I'll take one of EACH size!

I want my iPhone to remote control my 7" Newton, which would control my 10.5" newton, which would control my MacBook Air, which would control my 17" MacBook, which would control my iMac. That would be a great way to control my Mac Pro from the couch.

 

[Cambrian]

O2

o2 recently launched a device for the home, the o2 Joggler http://shop.o2.co.uk/joggler with things like a calendar, photos, videos, games news and weather on it. This could be aimed at a similar market, but with extras like surfing and email.

It could also be a webcam device for the home. I think that'd be a great use for it.

If it had a docking station, battery life might not be such an issue?

 

[pika2000]

As much as exciting new hardware is, I can't really see a point of a tablet. The market is extremely niche at best. There are already a bunch of Tablet PCs, and none of them ever go anywhere except for specialized tasks in businesses/certain industry. I don't see how an Apple Tablet would fit into a regular consumer market. At home, people can simply use their desktops/laptops already. On the go, the iPhone/iPod Touch is more convenient, vs a larger device.

I can see application in warehousing/medical industry, but I don't think Apple is ready to target super niche market like that.

 

[wizard]

Nope nor should it be.

It isn't x86...

No way in he'll would I want x86 in such a device. To many compromises to allow that to happen. Most likely this thing will run a iPhone derived OS. That would be acceptable if it allowed for multi tasking user apps.

Note I said derived, that doesn't mean it would have the current iPhone IS limitations.



Dave

 

[NJMetsHero]

If it has a way to run existing iPhone apps they could have something. Even more than one at a time, that'd be something.

 

[davyreins]

Newton was a PDA, not a tablet. Tablets has been around for years unlike the time when Newton came out. It was too new, too advanced for people at time that. iPhone in my opinion is Newton in this period of time and look at how it has revolutionized the PDA/Cell Phone industry.

I know the Newton was a PDA and not a tablet. Even though tablets have been around for a bit, how big and developed is the market? It might be big, so correct me if I'm wrong, I just don't know. I've haven't met too many people that use tablets so I would assume that it is a lot smaller.

I was thinking that the Apple tablet might lay the ground work for future development/expansion of the market and show where technology might be going towards in the future, like the Newton. Also, I wonder if it is maybe a little ahead of its time (possibly in a good or bad way), only time will tell though.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

What exactly is the point of this...?

Corporations, Hospitals, Military, Government, Engineering Manufacturing, etc.

 

[Shake 'n' Bake]

It's sad when people talk about buying a product they've never seen. That's when expectations suddenly rise disproportionately and people are saddened when Apple doesn't release what they expected.

There are very important factors Apple needs to solve:

1) Keyboard? Since it's unlikely that the device will have a keyboard by default, how will one enter text input? With such a large device, the iPhone method is quite cumbersome and likely to have even worse WPM.

2) Battery life? Netbooks these days average 2-3 hours because their batteries are so small, and often some manufacturers bend the truth when reporting their numbers.

3) Operating system? With an ARM chip, it probably won't be running OS X. That means no Mac software. Most likely it'll be the iPhone OS "on steroids". I also expect to see some Snow Leopard tech to creep in (as Leopard tech was in iPhone OS 1.0).

We'll see what Apple comes up with. All I know is that I am NOT onboard for another data plan, as one contract is enough for me. They better sell this device unsubsidized at a reasonable price or I'll sit out on the sidelines.

It's sad when people complain about things they've obviously never bothered to read about, much less try.

1) Seriously? This has been a feature of Palm devices for ages. It recognizes your handwriting. Every tablet out there today does that. Every tablet also has an iPhone-esque keyboard.

2) How about something like the MBP?

3) I'm thinking, and have been, Atom. Maybe a dual core. If this runs iPhone OS, it will fail.

Agreed. Nobody want this to subsidized, because if it is, the contract will likely be at least $100 a month.

 

[reckless2k2]

When this device rolls out, it WILL change every way we think about devices the same revolutionary way the iPhone has made us rethink phones.

Tablets currently have a market albeit small. I think this device will merge tablets and netbooks as well as replace low-end laptops. There will still be a market for desktops but this will reinvent the interface or force companies/technologies already in play rush to catch up.

Apple is always ahead of the curve or it could be argued that they are reinventing the way to look at the curve.

Computer interaction has already changed. It's about to go to the next level.

 

[haoqfu]

i may consider ditch my macbook pro, if it has a full version of mac os and reasonable battery life.