No, it's not subjective unless you're drinking the kool-aid. And yes, I am sensitive to revisionist history.
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Apple Working on 10-, 13-, and 15-Inch Tablets?
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No, it's not subjective unless you're drinking the kool-aid. And yes, I am sensitive to revisionist history.
Really? I'd like to see the ISO standard for "laptop as we know it". Can you point me to this universally known, objective definition?
Hello!
No need to get heated - the folks over at Wikipedia have it all worked out. Unfortunately some of the phrasing can be used to put either the NEC or the PowerBook as the first "laptop as we know it":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_laptops
Agree to disagree?
No need to get heated - the folks over at Wikipedia have it all worked out. Unfortunately some of the phrasing can be used to put either the NEC or the PowerBook as the first "laptop as we know it":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_laptops
Agree to disagree?
OK—I take the blame for this digression. I was probably trying to keep from being too long-winded in beginning what was going to be a long post. Instead of:
What if I had said, more fully and accurately: "While Apple did not invent the laptop, they are largely responsible in the first PowerBooks, for creating the basic configuration of keyboard and screen that we see in most laptops today."
Less flamebait there?
What if I had said, more fully and accurately: "While Apple did not invent the laptop, they are largely responsible in the first PowerBooks, for creating the basic configuration of keyboard and screen that we see in most laptops today."
Less flamebait there?
It might be an idea to read the tablet threads here before you make such an arrogant comment. Some readers here have actually provided quite good arguments why a tablet could work. A tablet doesn't have to replace or be a substitute for a laptop either. It could be a useful more portable and media-oriented addition, and would probably be targeted to s slightly different and slightly overlapping market as the laptop and netbook markets.
Maybe you don't believe it and maybe it doesn't make sense to you, but it does to developers. They have been developing for different platforms for all their lives (windows, linux, etc...).
I agree that iPhone apps would probably not translate well, so I'm guessing that IF an app would be introduced it wouldn't run exactly the same version of iPhone OS, but an extended one, or the whole OS X with some tweaks and additions for multitouch.
You and actually most tablet sceptics here assume that Apple would implement a tablet the same way as everyone before. There are plenty of ways to solve the pointer problem. I think the accuracy in the iPhone is actually quite amazing.
Your argument with the SUV's doesn't make sense. A laptop in that setting would be just as useful. Try using your trackpad to point at something while sitting in a car on a bumpy road...
We do not know exactly what the tablet will do IF it is released, but a fair bet IMHO is that it will be targeted towards people on the go that regularly use a lot of media (movies, internet, music maybe, e-books) and that would like to keep up with their email, read and edit attachments etc). For those uses a keyboard (hence a laptop) is not something that cannot be replaced by a touchscreen keyboard. The extra space and convenience that is won, would probably convince a lot of people to take a look.
I'll stick to the old adage: "think outside of the box".
There is no reason why the iPhone platform should interfere with a new one. Those developers would get a new channel for products that would be quite easy to port. It would make them even more money and they could hire additional people. There are enough developers that have had massive amounts of succes with the iPhone or with the OS X applications that would jump at the chance to do the same for a tablet device. Apple can hire new people to handle the extra work. Maybe they already did. They sure have the cash to invest in it.
Many people here also think a bit too much from their own viewpoint, owning a MB or MBP AND an iPhone. Of course a tablet that would maybe combine some of the elements and functions of those devices would be less interesting, but think of the people that have desktop computers and home and work and are in the market for a portable device just for commuting to catch up, or to take with them in the plane. Look around you on a normal flight. It's filled with people doing their email, watching movies etc. Looks like quite a large market to me.
And a last thing about rumors: where there's smoke there's fire.. There is more smoke here than that produced by all your precious SUV's combined. You can count that Apple will introduce something new that we haven't seen yet.
Creating or receiving data?
Most uses of computers fall into two categories; creating or receiving data (input and output). For the iPod and mostly the iPhone the usage falls into the output of data. Hence a simple input type but powerful output types.
So, if there is a tablet who will use it and what will it be used for; creating or receiving data?
Education is a market that makes most sense as kids do not need to carry cumbersome text books. The kids in Hong Kong look like snails as they carry there bags around, up and down stairs on their backs.
But the finger based input of the iPhone would not work so well for note taking. Very intelligent pre-emptive Software would help and may already have been developed. Maybe a stylus would be more suitable for a tablet aimed at schools and colleges who may frown on finger painting.
This would create a new category for Apple and OSX. In a few months we may an OS than spans finger, stylus and pointer inputs.
Most uses of computers fall into two categories; creating or receiving data (input and output). For the iPod and mostly the iPhone the usage falls into the output of data. Hence a simple input type but powerful output types.
So, if there is a tablet who will use it and what will it be used for; creating or receiving data?
Education is a market that makes most sense as kids do not need to carry cumbersome text books. The kids in Hong Kong look like snails as they carry there bags around, up and down stairs on their backs.
But the finger based input of the iPhone would not work so well for note taking. Very intelligent pre-emptive Software would help and may already have been developed. Maybe a stylus would be more suitable for a tablet aimed at schools and colleges who may frown on finger painting.
This would create a new category for Apple and OSX. In a few months we may an OS than spans finger, stylus and pointer inputs.
I've seen the tablets on the market and have passed on all of them. I'd love to see what Apple has planned for this thing. Clearly they haven't stopped developing until its anything but the perfect device Steve envisioned. I see the potential for something around AppleTV and media centers with a docking station. Something portable for traveling (more so than an air or ipod?) and something for education. It would also be something that could play into some other niche markets, but we all know that in this day and age, anything Apple makes, regardless of how many obvious features it may lack, will sell like crazy.
I haven't followed these rumors super closely but I hope we get a glimpse of something at the ipod event if that thing is still going to happen. I could see this being part of that family.
I haven't followed these rumors super closely but I hope we get a glimpse of something at the ipod event if that thing is still going to happen. I could see this being part of that family.
You would be able to fit a great software keyboard on a 10" screen that still leaves enough screen real estate to see what you are typing. The MBP keyboard is a bit more than 10" wide. With a little condensing and good design a great software keyboard is possible with almost full size dimensions.
Take a look at this: snow-leopard-soft-keyboard
I've always thought an iPhone OS based mini-tablet/tablet would have more creating/editing (input) features than the iPod touch or iPhone.
The best approach is a four-product matrix:
Mac OS X (Mac).
Mac OS X touch (Mac Tablet).
OS X (iPhone and iPod touch).
iPod OS (standard iPod).
The tablet runs Mac applications, on a touch-tuned Mac OS X, thus the new Intel Atom "Pineview" can do it nicely:
The TDP has been dropped from 16W to 7W, while the average power consumption has been halved to 2W.
http://techwoo.com/intel-atom-pineview-chip-photo
Or wait for Intel Atom Medfield by 2010 to conquer mobile market which is used to be powered by ARM processors:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/...dfield-next-generation-atom-processor-by-2010
There are going to be two versions of Medfield, one intended for netbooks, and one intended for smartbooks/smartphones i.e. MIDs [Mobile Internet Devices]. But what is interesting is development of Tunnel Creek, a "preview for Medfield". Tunnel Creek is a 45nm CPU targeting a TDP of mere 3W. Intel already sampled this CPU to its valuable partners (Apple Mac Tablet?). One thing is certain: expect a true mobile revolution coming in the second half of 2010:
http://www.brightsideofnews.com/new...-creek-cpu-is-a-lifeline-for-nvidias-ion.aspx
That is!
Mac OS X (Mac).
Mac OS X touch (Mac Tablet).
OS X (iPhone and iPod touch).
iPod OS (standard iPod).
The tablet runs Mac applications, on a touch-tuned Mac OS X, thus the new Intel Atom "Pineview" can do it nicely:
The TDP has been dropped from 16W to 7W, while the average power consumption has been halved to 2W.
http://techwoo.com/intel-atom-pineview-chip-photo
Or wait for Intel Atom Medfield by 2010 to conquer mobile market which is used to be powered by ARM processors:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/...dfield-next-generation-atom-processor-by-2010
There are going to be two versions of Medfield, one intended for netbooks, and one intended for smartbooks/smartphones i.e. MIDs [Mobile Internet Devices]. But what is interesting is development of Tunnel Creek, a "preview for Medfield". Tunnel Creek is a 45nm CPU targeting a TDP of mere 3W. Intel already sampled this CPU to its valuable partners (Apple Mac Tablet?). One thing is certain: expect a true mobile revolution coming in the second half of 2010:
http://www.brightsideofnews.com/new...-creek-cpu-is-a-lifeline-for-nvidias-ion.aspx
That is!
What do we know?
I keep reading about the Apple tablet, but a lot of what is being thrown around is nothing but pure speculation. So, let's review what we know and what it most likely means.
1.) Apple wants this new device to appeal to the masses on the go. So it is going to have to be extremely portable (lightweight, thin, small form factor), have good battery life (at least 5+ hours), and be easy/fun to use (simple interface, multi-touch gestures).
2.) This device is going to have to have a purpose. It will be able to make full use of the web (surfing, IM-ing, youtube), and run multiple programs at once (either iPhone OS that can run multiple Apps at once or OSX).
3.) The device will be an all-in-one for mobile computing. It will need plenty of hard drive space (a 64gb SSD would probably be sufficient but at least 128gb would be preferred) for all of your documents and tunes to jam to, and it will need a screen large enough with enough definition and clarity to watch videos comfortably.
4.) If this is going to be a $600 or more drop, it will need to be built like a tank since it will probably be dropped quite a bit. Not only that, but it will need to visually appeal to the masses. With both of those in mind, I am expecting a hybrid of the unibody macbook pro and iPhone/iPod touch design.
Now for my favorite part, the features I would LOVE to see.
1.) OSX.
2.) Ability to run Apps from the App store.
3.) Induction charger (like the Palm Pre) or MagSafe port for compatibility.
4.) 3M's microprojector technology.
5.) Compatibility with
24" LED cinema display.
6.) iSight (maybe even two facing opposite directions).
7.) Compatibility with bluetooth keyboard and mighty mouse.
8.) Wireless dock for peripherals.
9.) SD card slot.
10.) Ability to synchronize with desktops and other laptops to carry your documents.
Why does have to be so secretive?
I keep reading about the Apple tablet, but a lot of what is being thrown around is nothing but pure speculation. So, let's review what we know and what it most likely means.
1.) Apple wants this new device to appeal to the masses on the go. So it is going to have to be extremely portable (lightweight, thin, small form factor), have good battery life (at least 5+ hours), and be easy/fun to use (simple interface, multi-touch gestures).
2.) This device is going to have to have a purpose. It will be able to make full use of the web (surfing, IM-ing, youtube), and run multiple programs at once (either iPhone OS that can run multiple Apps at once or OSX).
3.) The device will be an all-in-one for mobile computing. It will need plenty of hard drive space (a 64gb SSD would probably be sufficient but at least 128gb would be preferred) for all of your documents and tunes to jam to, and it will need a screen large enough with enough definition and clarity to watch videos comfortably.
4.) If this is going to be a $600 or more drop, it will need to be built like a tank since it will probably be dropped quite a bit. Not only that, but it will need to visually appeal to the masses. With both of those in mind, I am expecting a hybrid of the unibody macbook pro and iPhone/iPod touch design.
Now for my favorite part, the features I would LOVE to see.
1.) OSX.
2.) Ability to run Apps from the App store.
3.) Induction charger (like the Palm Pre) or MagSafe port for compatibility.
4.) 3M's microprojector technology.
5.) Compatibility with
24" LED cinema display.6.) iSight (maybe even two facing opposite directions).
7.) Compatibility with
bluetooth keyboard and mighty mouse.8.) Wireless dock for peripherals.
9.) SD card slot.
10.) Ability to synchronize with desktops and other laptops to carry your documents.
Why does
have to be so secretive?Some nice ideas...
Though I have to point out that everything we have is just speculation, no one outside Apple has a clue what they're up to.
Also, it would be hard to fit everything into the one machine - but hey, we'll see what, if anything, they come up with.
Partly for straightforward business reasons - you wouldn't want the competition to know EVERYTHING about what you're up to - but doubtless also for hype generation and marketing - they keep a low profile so when something about them surfaces in the media, it gets shouted out all over the world.
It does have a downside though - if they make any errors or there are concerns about any of their products (for example the recent news coverage regarding the iPhone) then we all get to hear about it too.
But when they come up with a minor speedbump update for the MacBooks and announce it, it gets noticed. iPhone in China? It makes mainstream news. Apple/AT&T/Google issues? It also make mainstream news...
Though I have to point out that everything we have is just speculation, no one outside Apple has a clue what they're up to.
Also, it would be hard to fit everything into the one machine - but hey, we'll see what, if anything, they come up with.
Why does
Partly for straightforward business reasons - you wouldn't want the competition to know EVERYTHING about what you're up to - but doubtless also for hype generation and marketing - they keep a low profile so when something about them surfaces in the media, it gets shouted out all over the world.
It does have a downside though - if they make any errors or there are concerns about any of their products (for example the recent news coverage regarding the iPhone) then we all get to hear about it too.
But when they come up with a minor speedbump update for the MacBooks and announce it, it gets noticed. iPhone in China? It makes mainstream news. Apple/AT&T/Google issues? It also make mainstream news...
Don't agree with the Hard disk requirement. Obviously the more the better, but you don't need to carry everything with you (just content for known, current needs). You can download and/or stream content for unanticipated needs. Having access to the web through cell and WiFi mitigates the hard disk requirement.
4.) If this is going to be a $600 or more drop, it will need to be built like a tank since it will probably be dropped quite a bit. Not only that, but it will need to visually appeal to the masses. With both of those in mind, I am expecting a hybrid of the unibody macbook pro and iPhone/iPod touch design.
Now for my favorite part, the features I would LOVE to see.
1.) OSX.
2.) Ability to run Apps from the App store.
3.) Induction charger (like the Palm Pre) or MagSafe port for compatibility.
4.) 3M's microprojector technology.
5.) Compatibility with
6.) iSight (maybe even two facing opposite directions).
7.) Compatibility with
8.) Wireless dock for peripherals.
9.) SD card slot.
10.) Ability to synchronize with desktops and other laptops to carry your documents.
Why does
I don't think we'll see an SD card slot before a user-changeable battery.
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I guess this thing is going to come with a stand also. Maybe on the retracts inside the device.
Imagine using Adobe's FREEHAND with this device. Talk about epic.
For some reason, i'm pretty sure that everybody in here is going to be disappointed when the tablet is NOT announced.
Imagine using Adobe's FREEHAND with this device. Talk about epic.
For some reason, i'm pretty sure that everybody in here is going to be disappointed when the tablet is NOT announced.
I have been watching (or working with) Apple since 1978. The stars (and technologies) are aligned for a SJ game changer. Smart bets are on a tablet... the way it is meant to be... the way Apple will do it!
No news, leaks, insider information... it is just time! Gut check!
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Well, honestly. I hope it does happen. I've been contemplating getting a laptop for the LONGEST. So, if this is announced, I'll definitely be getting this instead.
This concept looks pretty close... aluminum.
Can you do a mockup without the tacky white plastic earbuds?
As long as it's the sh*t of a carnivore. Nice rich brown.
Many vegans have really pale feces, which wouldn't be much better than the tacky white plastic that Apple uses.