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eWeek: Apple Tablet?

I still haven't heard an argument for an Apple tablet short of "wouldn't it be cool" or "well, if Apple makes it, it'll find a purpose sooner or later." I'm all for innovating and Apple forging new ground, but can anyone even speculate on any practical uses?

Edit: Didn't see the post right before mine, those do seem like some possible applications for a family to have one of these. Any guesses on price though? It would have to be significantly less expensive than even a low end iBook, or else most of the advantage is negated (at least in my mind).
 
The price is right?

If Apple makes a tablet, it would need a price around $599. Maybe there could be a price range from $499 to $699...
 
I just thought of something. Other than the LCD itself, if Apple only used the 4 pin Firewire connector and the similar USB connector, then that would cut down on the power consumption of this thing when plugged into certain devices right? Then the battery would not have to be AS hefty. Of course, you still have to power the AirPort card which is a power hog...

I don't know, I'm just reaching now, I suppose.

Regards,
Gus
 
richard5mith,

Are you willing to bet on that? Do you have any proof that there isn't?

I'm willing to bet you $10,000 right now you will see a "webpad" at Macworld on the 7th.

Any takers? We can get my or your attoney to write up a contract. Let me know if your interested.
 
Re: Think "Satellite"

Originally posted by clonenode
Apple is NOT trying to come up with a replacement for it's laptops.
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree.

But ...


So, it is NOT my primary computing device, but it can share the cable-modem connection my iMac has and I can surf the web with a wireless Airport connection from the couch. And, with a quick FireWire downlaod, it can hold my iPhoto library and some of my iMovies so that the next time I visit my parents, I can share all the great shots of my kids. Watch the new version of iMovie to have "sharing" capability.
Click to expand...

... guess what I'm using my iBook for. :rolleyes:

I think you just explained, why Apple won't release a tablet.


bye. Andreas.
 
Makes sense, if they could cram it all into the cube I'm sure they could do a tablet. Steve has said no PDA, but he has never said no TABLET!!

Specs would be a 600mhz G3, a 20gb HD, at least 256mb of ram and 2 USB and 1 firewire port with airport and bluetooth. All starting at $600.
Its possible!!

Get in while the market is brand new!
 
Right Apple's main strengths are in portables with the low power consuming powerpc(one good thing about Motoralla being mainly embeded), so a tablet makes sense
 
I wonder if this might have somehing to do with the rumors of low stock iMacs? It should be possible to make what is essentially a 14 screen with a combo drive and USB/Firewire ports built into it. Sell some type of stand, hook up a key board, you have a desktop. Not expandable, but neither is the iMac. Then, unplug peripherals and slap over the cover. portable tablet and a desktop replacement. It would definitely suck power though.
 
Hey if any of you are willing to bet me on the tablet, I could use the extra money.

You will see it at macworld, regardless of if you think it's a "good move" for Apple or not.

Here's some of the logic:
(This in no way is the information that 'proved' it to me, this is just to help you see why Apple decided to)

They used Newton technology to create "inkwell" for OS X. Any of you who are stupid enough to believe the paid 40 engineers for an entire year so that Wacom owners could use handwriting recognition on their tablets are idiots. It was designed for use with an Apple device that uses a stylus.

A tablet would be very well used. PDA's suck, they are small can't run most full blown software, and are underpowered. It's the reason I have to haul my stupid laptop around everywhere. But with a webpad, it's lighter, smaller, and fully functional.

You'll be believers in 2 days.
 
I agree with brainchild2b on his point about Inkwell.
It obviously was put in Jaguar with some grander purpose in mind.

Has anyone considered the possibility of connecting this tablet to your Mac either as a second monitor or a tablet (a stand could hold it up).
 
iTunes -> iPod ... iPhoto -> iTablet

iPod is iTunes in my pocket. I can listen to my music library or plug it into the car adapter for everyone to hear..... I think it would be great to have an "ultra-portable" display for my digital pictures like the iPod does for music. I could view my most recent shots and show them around, or I could plug it into a TV for the whole room to enjoy. AND it could very easily be able to download photos off of my digital camera so that i can format my card and keep shooting. These things alone would be enough to turn my head... anything else they can squeeze in there would be icing.

p.s.
a laptop can do all that too.... just like it can play music....think "ultra-portable"
 
Re: Re: Think "Satellite"

Originally posted by harmless

... guess what I'm using my iBook for. :rolleyes:

I think you just explained, why Apple won't release a tablet.


bye. Andreas.
Click to expand...


Absolutely right. There's nothing you can't do with an $999 ibook that you can do with a fictitious iTablet. And who said that a tablet should be priced around $600??? You mean just a hundred bucks more than a 20GB iPod??! C'mon!

Everyone's reaching here... and drastically.
 
Re: Re: Re: Think "Satellite"

Originally posted by arnette



Absolutely right. There's nothing you can't do with an $999 ibook that you can do with a fictitious iTablet. And who said that a tablet should be priced around $600??? You mean just a hundred bucks more than a 20GB iPod??! C'mon!

Everyone's reaching here... and drastically.
Click to expand...


can you slip your iBook into your pocket?.... i'm thinking that this thing (if there even IS a "thing") will be closer to iPod size than Wacom tablt size. An iPod for your pictures.
 
Multiple rumors

This would explain a lot of the other rumors out there.

Apple Digital Picture Frame
Video iPod
Color Screen
Watered down OSX
A PDA but not a "PDA"
Lite versions of iApps

It could run a light version of iPhoto that will allow you to download pictures and view them in a slideshow. A QT player to play movies. iPod functionality with MP3s. A simplified iCal and address book that can be synced with the new version of iSync. I would think it would be more than $600 though. I would guess $699. Right between the iPod and iBook price.
 
20,000 pictures in your pocket!

Say that this device has a display around 4x6 inches... the most common print that people get from their photofinisher.... now say it has a 20 gig HD....think about having every picture you take from now on (with that digital camera you just got for christmas) with you wherever you go. Organize with iPhoto, transfer with firewire, view with the ease of the iPod. Show Gramma a slideshow within minutes of taking pictures at Christmas dinner.... if you could go right from the camera you wouldn't even need a computer. I for one can see value in a device like this.
 
Re: I'm a little less skeptical now...

Originally posted by smashedapart
Has anyone else seen this picture over at Spymac?

http://www.spymac.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=6514

It sounds a lot like what has been described in the eWeek article. Kinda makes you wonder...

-- smashedapart
Click to expand...

Yeah. That's my iLitterbox for my cat, Rocky. He loves it cause it glows red when he drops a really stinky SH*T. Steve Jobs sent me fifty clams to walk on stage Tuesday with Rocky and do a live demo.

(sound of buzzer) (sound of spastic laugh track).

Keep reachin'.

:D
 
*brrt*

Wow, pardon me for breathing you sarcastic twit. I was just adding a little life to what has ultimately become banal conversation about an apple branded picture frame. Next time I'll keep my ponderings to myself.

-- smashedapart
 
Here's the problem as I see it.

We're divided into two camps:
1. Tablet!
2. iPod-ish DLD!
(I won't go to the trouble of including the numerous other rumors)

Combine them!
Let's think of a DLD-Tablet. A device that is small, portable, and affordable. Like nothing we've ever seen before! Let's be "wowed" by Apple! :D
 
Re: *brrt*

Originally posted by smashedapart
Wow, pardon me for breathing you sarcastic twit. I was just adding a little life to what has ultimately become banal conversation about an apple branded picture frame. Next time I'll keep my ponderings to myself.

-- smashedapart
Click to expand...

Awww, now, it's all in fun, amigo. Just pokin' ya in the ribs. Sorry if I offended ya. You're right, you added a little somethin'-somethin'. And I'm just a bit burned out with the rumor mill. Again, sorry.

(But didn't I make a laugh just a wee bit?)

:(
 
This is cukoo!

It will probably have to be at least $699. This tablet device better be quite something if they expect people to buy it over a much more capable ibook...
I just can't see it!
(Something I would very much like would be a strictly graphics tablet, a la the Wacom Cintiq)
 
the last picture frame you'll ever have to buy!

The iPod has been an overwhelming success. And "all" it does is play music! so, why was it such a success? Because it's cheap? no, it's because it plays so much music for so long and so easily that nothing else can compare to it. Plus the fact that it's backed up by the "home-base" organization of iTunes and has Firewire connectivity.

So, why can't a device that "just" views digital photos be a success if it matches the above criteria but with iPhoto as it's big brother instead of iTunes?

I think this could be a very logical and do-able step in the digital hub strategy.
 
People have commented on the obvious that battery life needs to be good. If they can pull off 6 hrs realistically I think it'd be alright. The thing I haven't seen anyone mention yet is that Apple could look at alternative processors for such a product that might be better on the battery life. It's not like they need classic for such a beast.
 
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