No credit line from the MacRumors editors seems like par for the course these days.EDIT: The concept art in this news item was added after I posted this, likely taking the suggestion and running with it.
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Bloomberg: Future HomePod May Feature iPad Connected Via Robotic Arm to Track Users Around The Room During FaceTime Calls
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Not seeking credit. I'm sure I'm not the first to suggest it. But a nod that the concept was added later would be good so I don't look like the chump.
Obviously this is just concept art and there's no reason to believe the actual device will look like the G4 iMac (and if it's robotic it certainly won't function like one).
But personally, I would LOVE to see an iPad stand that replicated the same range of motion as those classic iMacs. To this day, I feel like it's the most "organic" product design--in terms of how you use it, not how it looks--that Apple has ever built. My parents had one, and I remember that every time they'd shift position in the chair they'd move the screen to match. It just felt natural to do it, and it meant that the screen was always in just the right place.
Nothing since has replicated that feel, and every time I see one I realize how much I miss it. It wouldn't work with something as large as an iMac, but an iPad is the perfect size and weight, not to mention the flexibility is exactly what you want to interact with a touchscreen computer, so it just seems wrong that there isn't a stand that works this way.
With an external keyboard and mouse, it'd be the perfect way to turn an iPad into a light desktop.
But personally, I would LOVE to see an iPad stand that replicated the same range of motion as those classic iMacs. To this day, I feel like it's the most "organic" product design--in terms of how you use it, not how it looks--that Apple has ever built. My parents had one, and I remember that every time they'd shift position in the chair they'd move the screen to match. It just felt natural to do it, and it meant that the screen was always in just the right place.
Nothing since has replicated that feel, and every time I see one I realize how much I miss it. It wouldn't work with something as large as an iMac, but an iPad is the perfect size and weight, not to mention the flexibility is exactly what you want to interact with a touchscreen computer, so it just seems wrong that there isn't a stand that works this way.
With an external keyboard and mouse, it'd be the perfect way to turn an iPad into a light desktop.
dont think this is for me if it actually appears. although I’m someone who actually likes the homepod so what do I know!
The closest you can get to have it described to you is from the 20 macs podcast from six colours. It simply was magical to move around a (decent sized) lcd display to any position you could possibly want. If the Pro Stand actually worked like that, no one would complain much about its ridiculous price.
The perfect form factor for a new homepod:
View attachment 1756693
EDIT: The concept art in this news item was added after I posted this, likely taking the suggestion and running with it.
pretty sure I mentioned this concept long before anybody but yeah take the idea as you’re own ... 🤣
Apple Adds FaceTime Framework to Apple TV/HomePod Amid Speaker With Screen Rumors
They have the perfect starting design for a HomePod with a screen the iMac G4! Make the design similar use the big hompods guts for the base but slightly smaller and then stick the screen with the webcam on top that swivels just like the G4. It could then be used for Facetime calls, and...
forums.macrumors.com
Honestly take all the credit my choombapretty sure I mentioned this concept long before anybody but yeah take the idea as you’re own ... 🤣
Apple Adds FaceTime Framework to Apple TV/HomePod Amid Speaker With Screen Rumors
They have the perfect starting design for a HomePod with a screen the iMac G4! Make the design similar use the big hompods guts for the base but slightly smaller and then stick the screen with the webcam on top that swivels just like the G4. It could then be used for Facetime calls, and...
I’ve been researching how to make a static version of this since last fall — I’d love it to become a real product!The perfect form factor for a new homepod:
View attachment 1756693
EDIT: The concept art in this news item was added after I posted this, likely taking the suggestion and running with it.
I seriously considered buying an old iMac and modding it with the iPad smart connector for magnetic charging. — Even using a pan/tilt HomeKit camera for the tracking mechanism came to mind. 🥲🧐
It doesn't work the same at all, but I've seen small tablet-based POS terminals (not sure of the manufacturer) that get the same sort of effect; they're in position for the retail worker behind the counter to work with it, but can be quickly rotated around to face the customer so they can use the same screen to pay.
Full agreement that this is one of the greatest designs ever, and something like this should still exist, if not as the standard form of PCs then certainly the standard form of tablet stands or tablet-desktop conversion mounts.
Fair point! Rotating base then, still radically more simple, and mechanically less likely to end in tears compared to a "robotic arm".