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Apple Working on Tablet Since At Least 2003
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Some people are just stuck in a rut, they are too set in their ways. This is understood with some things, but there's just no room for it in terms of tech development. With tech we obviously want to progress. Look where we would be if we didn't. It just doesn't make sense to naysay. Which would you prefer?
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And I suppose you want humans to grow an extra hand as well, to be able to hold the tablet and type at the same time - standing up like you say - without resting it on something?
Why would I want to read standing up, particularly for long periods of time? My university had specific limited-use computers, and they purposely didn't have chairs. Why? So people would use them quickly and not linger.
I use a laptop on my lap - I put a thick hardback or tray or something underneath if I really have to. I can lounge with my laptop on my bed, or on my sofa, or on my chair. My laptop never gets so hot it's dangerous (for itself or me). I rarely use my laptop at a desk, and when I do it's much more uncomfortable - especially as I've been sitting in that position all day.
The flaw with a tablet is that it has to be well-designed enough not to crack, or scratch, or break, or bend, or a million other things, because it doesn't have a lid to protect it. Someone's already mentioned using it in the kitchen (fingerprints, ingredients, sauces, kitchen appliances, that dirty spoon are all hazards). What about things like pets, children, crowds (if using in a backpack/bag) etc etc etc? Some people already complain that they get a couple of smudges on their iMac screen.
The main problem with tablets (other than that they don't really provide a mainstream use) is bigger than the main problem with laptops.
Except the tablet isn't really progress. I can lounge back in my chair and easily read on a laptop, don't need a tablet for that. And who wants to read standing up? If we wanted a tablet, we would've used the many Windows tablets that are available. Point is, people don't want a tablet, they want an APPLE Tablet..Why? Because Apple would make it and people think it would be the greatest thing ever for no rational reason at all, but just because Apple makes it and so that's what they should buy.
I think its mentioned, or at least I have been mentioning this from the beginning. 15" would be a bit big...I think 13" would be more realistic (size of a 8.5x11 roughly). But yes, I'm all for it. Autodesk just recently released Sketchbook Mobile, don't think they are just fooling around with the idea. Sure sketching with your finger isn't great, but the program works fantastic and is easily the best drawing app for the iPhone. Now if I could have either a full version or a better mobile version for a tablet then I'd consider buying one.
I doubt Apple will release this type of product, even though it would sell really well, I hope someone works with Wacom and gets on this concept. We now have the technology to make this work really well and I would love to see it happen soon.
That's a really cool idea. However, it wouldn't work very well when you leave the house.
I think that built in WiFi is a given considering the iPod touch, iPhone, and all Macs these days.
Tethering would be nice for those on the go. Agree with you that data plans can add up.
I see a tablet as a wonderful device to read content.
I think people want a tablet from Apple because we are all waiting to see what the next big thing to come out of their house will be. We all know that when Apple does things, they do things correctly. So it is exciting to anticipate what is to come. I have a feeling that it will be great. I doubt very highly that they would just release an oversized ipod/iphone just to say they made a tablet. If that was the case, I think they would just increase the specs of the iphone and call it a day. The fact that they are going out of their way to design an official tablet causes antennae to raise.
Would be cool, I guess. If this comes true, I would like it to have both multitouch input as well as stylus input for writing things down quickly.
I could see this becoming something like a PADD from Star Trek or something. Couple of USB ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, maybe DVD/Blu-Ray.
For the people saying a beefed up Kindle, maybe. I could see that. Add highlighting, bookmarking, and jotting notes in the margins or something & it'll be great. If it adds sounds/movies, even better. This kinda reminds me of the newspapers in Harry Potter.
I could see this becoming something like a PADD from Star Trek or something. Couple of USB ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, maybe DVD/Blu-Ray.
For the people saying a beefed up Kindle, maybe. I could see that. Add highlighting, bookmarking, and jotting notes in the margins or something & it'll be great. If it adds sounds/movies, even better. This kinda reminds me of the newspapers in Harry Potter.
I don't get it. Why would I want a tablet? My iPhone does everything I want it to do (including surfing the web in the bathroom), plus it's ultra portable. My iPhone is perfect because I can stuff it in my pocket, my backpack, clip it to my belt, whatever, and haul it around with ease. I don't think it would be that easy with a tablet. Might as well get a laptop. If it comes out, it will definitely be a niche product; I wouldn't consider.
Industrial Designers
Like myself would use it for sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching .............
Like myself would use it for sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching sketching .............
Then a tablet is obviously not for you. You know, you don't have to like every product that Apple comes out with. A lot of people don't like having a desktop computer, but Apple still makes those... why? Because people still want them. Just because you don't see the point of a tablet, doesn't mean that it doesn't have a market.
If it's only for sketching, that is a VERY niche market. I realize Apple has relied on niche markets, but I don't think at this point in its existence, that it can release such a niche product and make it a success.
Think about it..The iMac isn't a niche product, it's a computer, everyone needs one. The MacBook isn't a niche product. iPhone isn't a niche product, it's a phone, and everyone needs a phone.
The AppleTV is a niche product, and it has bombed. The people who have it love and hate it at the same time.. But it hasn't been adopted by the masses and probably never will. The supposed Apple Tablet would be a niche product, and I think it will be in the same class as the AppleTV. People who have them will love them, but it will be a VERY small percentage of people who actually have one.
Ha everyone doesn't need a phone, let alone a smartphone, or for that matter an iPhone. Not everyone needs a mac either, these are all choices we make in consumer electronics. There are alway cheaper alternatives in our world. One could even argue that any Mac is a niche market...
The tablet, just like the MBA will be a niche market type thing. Especially at its rumored price (upwards of $500 closer to $1k), you can expect this thing not to be a mass market product. The point about a digital sketchbook is pretty simple, give me the OPTION to use it as a digital sketchbook...market it for whatever you want, but I'd like the option to have precision pen input with pressure sensitivity and sketchbook style software. Its not a whole lot to ask for really...
Partly, because there are some usability issues with using a tablet for such purposes.
- A 10" (or so) is too small for a lot of people to draw on. A larger tablet would be difficult to carry around.
- A tablet wouldn't be as easy to use as a pen pad. With a pen pad you're drawing with your hand but watching the computer screen, so your hand & the pen isn't obscuring what you're drawing, not so on an Apple tablet. Also, with a pen pad, your 'aim' could be accurate to the pixel; with a stylus on an Apple tablet, you can never be that accurate since the stylus tip is much larger than that.
- A glass/plastic screen isn't the easiest to draw on; and tends to get very smudged.
And the great-grand-daddy of tablet usability issues: A horizontal screen is bad for your back & neck. A vertical touch-input device is bad for your arms & wrists. For that reason, combining an input device with a screen is only good for occasional, casual use; or for very small devices that can be easily held in one hand and adjusted constantly. Thus an artwork tablet would have to be small enough to be used while held in one hand, not laid down on the desk.
I would prefer that I don't need anything that is external is any way. Most of the time I am standing in a wiring closet holding the Netbook with one hand as I do my work. Since I am using it mostly to access an admin config with a browser, or terminal I don't need a laptop with the best CPU or GPU. It's used as a utility tool not an entertainment device. However sometimes I need to show someone in the office (off site) what I am looking at, so having the video conferencing ability does come in handy form time to time. basically this Hacintosh Netbook works for my needs but I am just unable to update anything and have several driver issues like in Mac mode I can't use the RGB port and I get no sound. When I set up the Hacintosh I had issues with the KB and Trackpad. So if I run an update and it kills the Mac bootabilty, I will be spending the nest three days getting the dam thing work with Mac OS.
Exactly. That's why I think they're going to aim at making this an all-in-one media device thing. They're not going to spend 6 years developing something for only a fraction of the consumers. They want to make something revolutionary that anyone can buy and anyone can use.
This is Apple. They're not dumb. This is not going to be an ordinary tablet thing. This will be unique in some way.
There is nothing wrong with browsing the 'net while sitting. (especially after eating taco bell
)And now, for another exciting episode of.... Inside the Apple Studio
Phil: Your investors, whom I represent, are deeply concerned. If it's not up to their expectations in 48 hours, we'll shut you down, Steve.
Steve: Phil, in 48 hours, I'll be accepting your apology.
[time passes]
Ives: He did it... that crazy son of a b*tch, he actually did it.
Phil: How did you do this?
Steve: I'll show you. Phil, my dear Ives, welcome... to the Apple Tablet.
[Jurassic Park theme] do dooooooooooooo do dooooooooooooooo dodo dooooooo do dooooo do dooooooooooooo
Phil: Your investors, whom I represent, are deeply concerned. If it's not up to their expectations in 48 hours, we'll shut you down, Steve.
Steve: Phil, in 48 hours, I'll be accepting your apology.
[time passes]
Ives: He did it... that crazy son of a b*tch, he actually did it.
Phil: How did you do this?
Steve: I'll show you. Phil, my dear Ives, welcome... to the Apple Tablet.
[Jurassic Park theme] do dooooooooooooo do dooooooooooooooo dodo dooooooo do dooooo do dooooooooooooo
That's what I don't get. I am using you as a proxy for hundreds like you, sorry. If you have an Ethernet cable going to your iTablet (ATNN) anyway, or a VGA cable, why not to a dock/dongle that is plugged into the device? You want what you want, but let's not forget Steve, the guy who decides what it WILL be, has very clearly stated and SHOWN it will be a one port device, or as close as possible.
So some people want Ethernet and VGA, others want serial and DVI, others still want Firewire and several USB ports, and there's always someone who wants component video out. Dongle/dock. Heck if only it could be done entirely over 802.11N to the dongle/dock, you would be in actual heaven, right? The wires have to plug into SOMETHING. Darn wires.
Rocketman
10" is close to too small however many Wacom tablets have less than a 10" active area, so it really isn't as big of a problem as you think. In fact, I'd say its not an issue since you can virtual control the size of your canvas.
By pen pad, I assume you mean tablet (like a Wacom tablet) in which case I'd ask you if you have ever heard of a Cintiq...they make them in 20" and 12" models where draw directly on the screen. Its the best way to digitally sketch. When you draw by hand you hand obscures your view of what your drawing, its absolutely no different drawing on a screen then a piece of paper. Its not an issue. Guarantee they can adjust pen input to be accurate enough since its being done by Wacom right now.
Again, check out the Cintiq line, its really not an issue.
My physical sketchbook is 10x14" or larger. Its not a problem to hold that and draw. I don't think a 10" tablet would be an issue. Even better if it was able to sit flat on a desk. Its much more efficient to stand over something and draw, but really it could go either way.
All you would have to have is pen input and one application running on the apple tablet and you'd have a digital sketchbook. The rest could be all media and e-reader stuff or whatever. A digital sketchbook is just one application of a tablet...its not limiting the device to just that application. Pen input is good for other things besides drawing on that form factor.
The MBA, Apple TV, there are Apple products that only apply to a niche group of people. This tablet will be one of them. That's not stopping them and I think its pretty clear its been years in development because technology hasn't been there for them to make this device. However, now its very plausible and they can finally get serious about it.
ITEM:
Steve Jobs who questioned "what they were good for besides surfing the Web in the bathroom."
ITEM:
A recent look at public library books determined that they are the most viral/bacteria-ridden object you can hold in your hands.
REASON: Most people who use them, read them in the bathroom or while recovering from an illness.
ITEM: As population density increases, the transmission of diseases will become a greater significant problem. Already Hospital-borne Infections are a serious issue. While 5% of all deaths can be prevented with good immediate health care; the same can be said of deaths directly attributed to entering a hospital.
ITEM: Another major cause of disease transmission is the movement of electronic equipment between patients. This includes the laptop computer many doctors carry with them from room to room. There is no good way to clean keyboards of micro-organisms.
ITEM: Readers of Macintosh Rumor Boards cannot see what unique advantage a tablet might bring to the market.. Hmmmm...
Steve Jobs who questioned "what they were good for besides surfing the Web in the bathroom."
ITEM:
A recent look at public library books determined that they are the most viral/bacteria-ridden object you can hold in your hands.
REASON: Most people who use them, read them in the bathroom or while recovering from an illness.
ITEM: As population density increases, the transmission of diseases will become a greater significant problem. Already Hospital-borne Infections are a serious issue. While 5% of all deaths can be prevented with good immediate health care; the same can be said of deaths directly attributed to entering a hospital.
ITEM: Another major cause of disease transmission is the movement of electronic equipment between patients. This includes the laptop computer many doctors carry with them from room to room. There is no good way to clean keyboards of micro-organisms.
ITEM: Readers of Macintosh Rumor Boards cannot see what unique advantage a tablet might bring to the market.. Hmmmm...
I'm surprised the article named the ex Apple employee who provided them the info I would assumed Apple would still have a non-disclosure agreement still in tact with these type of positions. I had a job in the past that still every once in a while mails me a copy of the agreement I signed as a way to I guess remind me to not talk about their trade secrets.
A few random thoughts to throw into the fray:
1) Kitchen usage isn't a problem. Our kitchen has an HP TouchSmart for use by the family for browsing, kid games, looking up addresses or menus, video Skyping, picture or TV viewing, etc. Cleaning is just a matter of wiping the screen and keyboard.
One thing I wish every touch screen had though, was a cleaning mode. On phones, you can turn them off. On other devices, wiping it clean can sometimes launch an app or move an icon, which is quite annoying.
2) I'd like to see Apple do a kitchen computer. It has so many uses, and can become the Grand Central Station in a home.
(I can just imagine Apple putting moisture detectors in a kitchen computer, though. Sigh.)
3) A stylus is a good thing to support for sketching. For one thing, you often rest your palm on the screen while drawing. The stylus helps differentiate what is being touched.
4) Always Innovating has a "Touch Book" which can fit into a keyboard dock or stick onto the fridge with magnets. They've even ported an iPhone game over. (See video)
1) Kitchen usage isn't a problem. Our kitchen has an HP TouchSmart for use by the family for browsing, kid games, looking up addresses or menus, video Skyping, picture or TV viewing, etc. Cleaning is just a matter of wiping the screen and keyboard.
One thing I wish every touch screen had though, was a cleaning mode. On phones, you can turn them off. On other devices, wiping it clean can sometimes launch an app or move an icon, which is quite annoying.
2) I'd like to see Apple do a kitchen computer. It has so many uses, and can become the Grand Central Station in a home.
(I can just imagine Apple putting moisture detectors in a kitchen computer, though. Sigh.)
3) A stylus is a good thing to support for sketching. For one thing, you often rest your palm on the screen while drawing. The stylus helps differentiate what is being touched.
4) Always Innovating has a "Touch Book" which can fit into a keyboard dock or stick onto the fridge with magnets. They've even ported an iPhone game over. (See video)