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Apple Tablet?

Yeah

Originally posted by Choppaface
the better do something about jitter control. I can't use my wacom tablet w/ OS X because of the slight mouse jitter, which makes it impossible to call up the dock when dock hiding is on (which I use for illustrator, PS, etc etc)
Click to expand...

This same thing drives me NUTS on a daily basis. I'm using the graphire2 and I get the same pain in my @ss. Plus, I believe it's causing Kernal Panics in my Ti550. If I shut down with the Wacom connected I get a USB related Kernal Panic. Do you know if they've ever updated the drivers?
 
Re: Yeah

Originally posted by tjwett


This same thing drives me NUTS on a daily basis. I'm using the graphire2 and I get the same pain in my @ss. Plus, I believe it's causing Kernal Panics in my Ti550. If I shut down with the Wacom connected I get a USB related Kernal Panic. Do you know if they've ever updated the drivers?
Click to expand...

still waiting.....i just boot into OS 9 anyways....sometimes I just can't live w/out KPT for AI 9.....specifically the 3d transform

i wouldnt be surprised if it was the cause of your kernal panics. I've got one from some bad USB flash card reader drivers....
 
Well, how well can you draw with a bar of soap?

People wanting to draw with something better than a soap on a rope (A Mouse) use a tablet. That is probably the most common use.
 
tablet uses?

Originally posted by mmmdreg
how many people actually use tablets? I've actually never seen one and was curious as to what you use them for..
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one of the best uses which hasn't been discussed here yet (but maybe somewhere else) is using the tablet in a server enviroment (for example, a render farm full of XServes).

you could walk into the room with the tablet, and service an XServe (change hardware, install software, check if hardware is properlly installed without having to walk back to the admin computer or whatever).

other uses include a hospital's ER, doctors could walk around with access to all the pacient's medical information.

or as a visual backup to presentations. imagine a meeting where you have all the info projected onto a wall, and simultaneously sent to each tablet in the room. nice, huh?

there are MILLIONS of uses for "portable self suficient screens" or whatever you wanna call them. and apple could start by just giving the iBook a touchscreen, and letting the screen fold all the way back (disabling the keyboard, as someone mentioned earlier). they have already developed everything else they'd need for this! airport, ink, bluetooth (just in case).

although better than an iBook/tablet would be a TiBook/tablet. it's just 1 inch thick when it's closed! i could imagine myself using that as a tablet perfectly.

apple needs MORE products. microsoft is flooding the market with tons of gizmos, and apple can beat them in that game. ;)
 
to say what can you do with a tablet

is like people who said "what can you do with a PDA?" You can do everything you can do with a pda with a tablet but so much more. ya sure, it cant fit in your pocket but, iwth a pda can you really take notes in your fairly neat handwriting? Could you write out checks, look at bank statements, or maybe even watch movies? Using it for doctors in the er etc is a great idea, and lawyers and stock brokers also. Lawyers could acess all their clients with their records,cases,etc. Stock brokers could acess all stocks with graphs etc and they could update via bluetooth. Journalists and reporters could write down stories in their own handwriting in the tablets, then email it to their editors overseas. It could be used to help track inventory, while giving synopsises w/ pictures of the products. Home builders and contracters would no longer need all those big stacks of paper. All their plans etc and older floorplans etc could be stored on the tablet. then their are students and teachers who coudl plan lessons, take notes, play games, and more. As you see, the possibilities are endless.
 
that ibm processor is somewhat limited because of the way it was meant to be implemented -- the purpose of it is more for simpler devices that need power, like routers and stuff..


also, jus wonderin.. ive got jaguar, but i dont see inkwell anywhere.. it wasnt included, right? or did i miss a pref in the installer?
 
Tablet uses

The main use for tablets currently is artists (who are notoriously Mac addicts) who like to draw with a brush and pen. WACOM has released airbrushes, fine and thick brushes, chalk pens, and a variety of other artistic tools, all of them operating strictly in the virtual world.

Another possibility is writers, who prefer to write instead of type. If InkWell is half as good at handwriting recognition as the old Newtons were, writers could sit inany position they like, and write away, without having to type a letter.

If Apple charges less than $1500 for a tablet like this, they would sell like cotton candy, including first-time Mac buyers.
 
i still think this tablet idea is strange

first off why would apple want to disable a keyboard..just seems weird. all those keys become useless. So a handheld tablet, ok Freehand would be cool i have to admit, but does freehand support inkwell if you needed to render some type? Another thought was to service Xserve render frams or server units. Well thats kinda cool i guess but sitting at one terminal would allow you to service all of them..The whole tablet thing seems like a small market to me. I see devices in apple's future but i dunno about the tablet thing..a pda is more feasable in my opinion.
Cheers
boobers
 
I really enjoyed reading the Forbes article. I thought it was interesting the author mentioned the rumors sites. It is fun to think that the author of the article is our midst.

On the topic of the tablet like device, I think its great. I have a 466 G4 tower and I have no reason to upgrade (I am a consumer). But I own a digital still camera, iPod, MiniDV camera, and palm device. I dig integrating my stuff through the mac. I would buy another digital hub device if I had any reason to think it was cool. But, then again, I am a zealot so whatever. Others may not like it so much.
 
Re: i still think this tablet idea is strange

Originally posted by boobers
first off why would apple want to disable a keyboard..just seems weird.
Click to expand...

this is in the context of an iBook becoming a touch screen device, and the screen being folded back like some might handle a paperback or magazine-- the keyboard would then be the 'back of the tablet' so to speak, and you wouldn't want the keyboard active in that situation where it might be pressed against a table pushing keys willy nilly (but that side still works for storage and ports and the CPU)

Other ways of making a tablet a part of a notebook computer is merely making the LCD screen completely detachable.

Or the CPU and storage could be in the tablet itself.
 
Not without some amazing compression on both ends. Bluetooth maxes out in the world around 700Kbps. You need far more than that to stream things like video.
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hate to jump in here this late on this topic, why can't there be a firewire monitor?...daisy chain a multiple of them together...?
 
I'd agree that an Apple tablet would be cool, but to get mass sales it would also have to be useful. A simple graphics tablet probably wouldn't 'cut it' on this nor would a video phone.

Nor should it be a stand-alone device, or anything that would compete with existing Apple laptops, and (following iPod's lead) should be reliant on the user having an existing Mac computer.

I'd tend to think that it would have to be small and highly portable, which would rule out a 'folded-back iBook' solution or an iBook sized screen.

Looking briefly at the iPod we have a device which:
1) Is reliant upon the user having a Mac desktop or laptop and thus doesn't reduce sales of these profitable high ticket items, and indeed encourages PC users to switch to Mac.
2) Replaces an existing item which has proven utility and mass appeal (eg the Walkman type personal music player)
3) Has an intuitive interface with the Mac and is easy to use.

Any iTablet should have the same basic conceptual features.

I'd suggest that a possible winner would be a small (sized to fit a big pocket, thus bigger than a Palm and maybe the size of a Psion or a slimmed down Newton) tablet optimised for use as a simple jotting pad or note pad, taking input in the form of natural cursive handwriting and converting this into simple text files, which could then be exported to and synched with files in a new application (iNotes?) on the desktop. It would have to use real handwriting and not graffiti, which is in adequate for anything more than a line or two. Even if Apple has done nothing since Newton it is well placed to achieve real natural handwriting recognition.

Text files could also be exported from the desktop to the device for reading and/or editing. From the application, files created on the device could be simply exported into e-mails, Word, Entourage, Works, Quark or whatever.

You could perhaps also have a facility to store sketches or hand-drawn graphs as Gifs, and could perhaps link it to a phone to send simple e-mails or SMS text messages. Maybe a high-end version would incorporate a cell phone?

But it would be primarily be a replacement for paper and paper note books, and light weight, small dimensions, low cost and portability would be the drivers. There'd be no need for a diary, address book, clock, calculator or games if these had any real impact on price.

Who'd use it? Anyone who takes notes on a piece of paper, especially if they then use the data on computer. So journalists, schoolkids, secretaries (it could even have a special software to recognise and convert shorthand, perhaps?), Drs, teachers and anyone addicted to sending E-mails or text messages.

If it was priced right (I guess cheaper than a 5 gB iPod) who wouldn't want one?
 
My opinion is if they are going to make it the size of a palm pilot, they might as well not bother...unless they are coming out with a phone (unlikely) The Palm PDA market is going to cell phones. So take your iWalk off a short pier.

The Tablet sized full color screen touch screen computer has been around for awhile but never really pushed correctly with a proper OS. If it has resolution less than 800 x 600 I don't want to see it.
 
star trek?

i agree with Wry - if apple thinks they can repackage a palm and make money they're crazy. I have a palm now and i don't use it nearly as much as i would like to. the stupid thing just isn't capable of doing the kind of work i need it to do. apple needs the develop a real Tablet Mac that doesn't replace the laptop, but is one step above palm.

first off, it needs to be the size of the tablets they have in star trek. those are just about perfect. It would also be nice if it were simply a touch screen (no pen) so your finger is essentially your mouse. Of course it would still have a pen for handwriting recognition, but i shouldn't have to hold a pen if all i want to do is scroll thru a document or webpage.

it would need some sort of wireless (airport or bluetooth) and a color display. battery life needs to last longer than 6 hours too. a palm can run for weeks, apple needs to atleast get a week of battery (with normal usage, so not all the time).

Also, RAM needs to be a lot higher - 256mb or 512mb. There could be a simple version with 32 or 64mb, but if we expect 8mb of ram to run the same programs as a palm and have all the new features, we're sadly mistaken. plus future-proofing this thing isn't a bad idea.
 
Originally posted by Jackonicko
I'd agree that an Apple tablet would be cool, but to get mass sales it would also have to be useful. A simple graphics tablet probably wouldn't 'cut it' on this nor would a video phone.

...

But it would be primarily be a replacement for paper and paper note books, and light weight, small dimensions, low cost and portability would be the drivers. There'd be no need for a diary, address book, clock, calculator or games if these had any real impact on price.

Who'd use it? Anyone who takes notes on a piece of paper, especially if they then use the data on computer. So journalists, schoolkids, secretaries (it could even have a special software to recognise and convert shorthand, perhaps?), Drs, teachers and anyone addicted to sending E-mails or text messages.

If it was priced right (I guess cheaper than a 5 gB iPod) who wouldn't want one?
Click to expand...

The first time I saw this (in another thread) I started thinking...and it sounds very plausible.

Of course, I suspect the form factor will be bigger than a PocketPC, more along the lines of the Via device.

http://www.via.com.tw/en/VInternet/tablet.jsp

We shall see...

Gabriel
 
Originally posted by Jackonicko

But it would be primarily be a replacement for paper and paper note books, and light weight, small dimensions, low cost and portability would be the drivers. There'd be no need for a diary, address book, clock, calculator or games if these had any real impact on price.
Click to expand...

I can't see those as having a real impact on price, and probably necessary to bundle. Web apps too.

Also it should be a fully capable OS, a real desktop/notebook OS that can be used with whatever software anyone should want to use with it. The VIA spec seems close.

And a hot sync cradle that charges it and autosyncs the real work you are doing with it with a desktop hub.
 
Bluetooth

First off Parovoroo, sorry if I got ur name wrong (Im posting before reading the second page here), Bluetooth CAN stream video--Ive done it successfully from my PowerMac G4 to a friends T-68 using proprietory software in the works.

Bluetooth maximum transmitt in version 1.1b is actually 1Mb/second--which is split between 728Kbps in any one direction, with the rest for the other direction. However you wont see a full 1MB/second becuase of the hop-sequence overhead....but you'll see close to that.

If you dont believe me about video over Bluetooth, then reset you QuickTime video viewer for video and audio over internet connections, if you have DSL then you probably using 256/384kbps data transfer rate right??? Well Ha, hehe, just had to say that.

Im actually expecting something like a remote control--to turn on/off/sleep your Mac, monitor control, application(Quicktime, etc) control for viewing HDTV/DVD/VCD formats if your mac is connected to the TV or Stereo or better yet if your cable channels are connected to your Mac.

1 button mouse is an Apple hallmark almost a trademark, multiple will not happen, besides it confuses the Windows users--used to be one 3 months ago and boy what a learning curve--but actually is less buggy when using several applications, less confusing and simplicity!

Hmmm, with laptops getting smaller, why oh why hasnt ANY computer manufacturer used a plexy or strong plastic/glass composite for a Touch-Sensitive keyboard layout?!?!?! It would make the laptop cleaner, more flat, and you could even backlight it, make it heat sensititve to prevent accidental inputs, and save huge costs for multiple language prints on the keys; they would be digitally enhanced to accommodate your language preference you set on your desktop, and the keys would display correctly.....just think how the Cantonese, Taiwanese, & Russians would love this?!!!!

Cheers
 
Re: Bluetooth

Originally posted by Prom1


1 button mouse is an Apple hallmark almost a trademark, multiple will not happen, besides it confuses the Windows users--used to be one 3 months ago and boy what a learning curve--but actually is less buggy when using several applications, less confusing and simplicity!
Click to expand...

Although I can see some advantage to multiple button mice with scrollwheels, I think it has been very wise of apple to stick with a one button mouse BECAUSE of tablet input. Left clicking with a pen is not nearly as easy as double clicking, clicking and dragging, etc....


Hmmm, with laptops getting smaller, why oh why hasnt ANY computer manufacturer used a plexy or strong plastic/glass composite for a Touch-Sensitive keyboard layout?!?!?!
Click to expand...

I have enough problems with spare fingers being tracked by my trackpad, a keyboard without the tactile feedback and real physical buttons to keep the fingers in position of touch typing, would be a nightmare. I have seen such keyboards and buttons for over 20 years, the only advantage, (besides cleanliness you mentioned and I snipped) is it being cheaper to manufacture. I first saw these on musical instruments, synthesizers. Knobs quickly came back due to market demand. The sort of keyboards we type on, are best provided with physical switches our fingers can feel, if we are using multple fingers at once, as we do when we type.

But I think any tablet interface will also, as does Palm, have a virtual keyboard layout for those who would find tapping a keyboard with a stylus faster than Ink or Graffiti style input. Probably tabbed to the side of a screen, a calculator could be nestled there as well.
 
Ahh....

Cooter, I do remember the cheap synthesizers of old with touch sensitive keys......they truely sucked.

But of recently, most people have had a second sight on keyboards and sensitivity. Most people who've used a laptops keyboard for at least an hour of typing in about a 3 day period, wouldnt like going back to a desktop keyboards long-stroke key depression. Most will also notice that their typing speed and accuracy have increased considerably since using the laptops keyboard. Also, 2 new companies have working prototypes that will come to market, of gloves that allow mid-air input of a virtual keyboard technology. Remember the least resistance that your fingers feels it has to TRAVEL the quicker the input is buy your hands, however I'll agree that fingers do need some resistance on the TOUCH side of things. The technology being currently used in tablets is not what I'm proposing, but more advanced technology........similar to that of the LCD displays power/sleep buttons that Apple makes. I used a pencil to put one to sleep but it didnt respond. I also tried to quickly swipe my finger by it and still nothing, it only accepted a deliberate touch.

What I propose is something that will not mistake a swipe of the hand nor the fingers' tips as input, nor will it misinterpret longer that 0.42 seconds of "tap" on the keyboard.......this will eliminate the hovering fingers above the virtual keys when a typist is thinking as input. I know the technology is out there, and for research may be expensive, but in mass producing it'll be cheap, if the technology is first proven effective and market tested for input sensitivity and problems. Just think about how you type when doing Messenger, a Word document, or a thesis essay. Your hands actually stay stationary most of the time your thinking or about to type, or typing.....that is if you type more than 20 words per minute. And if you dont type 20 words per minute most likely your pecking at the keys so mistakes would be minimal anyway, which is comparable to regular keyboarding.

Multiple mouses I hate them with a passion now!

As far as Bluetooth goes with Apple, I'm hoping that it'll support the Anoto pen, for signatures of legal documents and of credit card signatures for online payments. I'm no environmentalist, but Earth is all of our home, so limiting on the use of paper would be nice!!!

Anyone have any other clues as to what Apple may be surprising us with??
 
i forgot

how to write..typing is a hundred times faster. i need the keys.
BUT Inkwell would serve a portable fine..The tablet needs to be small..smaller than a laptop monitor to be nicely portable. But bigger than a useless pda monitor. Tough call on the tablet i must say.
boobers
 
Jag's zoom

feature will come in handy with any portable Apple decides on.
boobers
 
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