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eWeek: Apple Tablet?

Honestly, we're clueless

But whatever SJ comes out with, we will probably be in awe... (note that I said probably...he might dissapoint us after all)
 
Re: blah

Originally posted by smashedapart
It's very simple Macmatt: lack of interest. A simple toy that displays digital pictures on the go would hold people's attention about as long as a jiggling jello mold would. Sure, it's fun for a minute, then it gets boring because it does the same thing over and over again...and it does things your nice, full-sized computer over in the corner could do, only its so small everyone has to crowd around it. That's no fun. Especially if the older people in your family have a funny smell...I know mine do. BUT! What if gramma lives somewhere else? That's what email is for. Apple's only going to do something if it's innovative, different, and better than what's on the market (see: iPod). Apple also has a habit of making its moves based on market trends...and not the sudden one-offs and chance hits (PDAs, and so far, tablets). Steve knows what's going to sell and what isn't...and what he brings us on Tuesday will be a direct reflection of his intuition. Of course I could be completely wrong, but...digital picture frame!? cmon...ask yourself why these things aren't already on the market in large numbers, and you'll see why people here are having a hard time understanding your logic.

-- smashedapart
Click to expand...


i see where you're coming from, but i still disagree.... first of all (and i know i'm going to sound like a broken record for comparing to iPod again) iPod plays songs over and over and I'm not tired of it yet... because of the sheer number of songs and beacause i add to it too. I don't ask people to "crowd around" and listen to my headphones .... i'd plug it into a stereo or computer for a group. in the same way, an iPhoto-pod would act as a personal viewing device primarily (which could be passed around) or plugged in to a larger display/TV for groups.

As for why there aren't tons on the market already? I'll tell you. No one else has the 100% compatability that Apple would with an organizational hub like a mac running OS X with iPhoto.
 
Re: Re: Too simple...

Originally posted by macmatt
it's people like us who may have gotten a bit carried away :)
Click to expand...

(said in best imitation of Anthony Michael Hall in Weird Science): "Dat's da troof, baby! Dat's da troof!"
 
carried away

some of you are getting carried away with this 15" display business..No bloody way will this happen.
How can you hold that with one hand and write with the other? HOW?
Those laptops with the tablet flip screens are just plain wrong.
If its a Tablet it must be able to be held with one hand.
As for the picture Frame idea..sure its that and a computer! just like my LCD screen is a Pictureframe..
My point is why make a single purposed picture frame when you can have the whole enchilada?
Stick the thing in the stand and watch it in screensaver mode. Bob's yer uncle.

Now a few questions:

Will it have a CDrom drive?
Will they sell a mini BT keyboard and mouse to boot?
any takers?
 
Cubs in Five

Since I've been following this thread all night, that's my feeling about Apple releasing a Mac Tablet at MWSF: The Mountain Goats song "Cubs in Five".

SM
 
Alright here we go...

Why it can be new iPods....

while I do think the iPods will be updated in size...the 'new product' wont be an iPod because just that the iPod isn't new.
also with the 6" stands...why would the stores need new stands for new iPods...when they already have plenty for the iPods now...

Why it wont be a tablet....

tablet will be not as functional as an iBook or Tibook and cost the same or even more...what would be the point? also with the 6" stand...no way a tablet will fit on a 6" stand...

Why it Will be a Cell phone...

Perfect size for the stands...also SJ has said "The PDA is dead, but there is hope for cell phones" (not exact quote, but something along those lines)

Also..Just think about it...what is a digital device that everyone already uses AND is missing from the digital hub? cell phones...If apple could make some improvement...or even just a cool enough looking cell phone people would buy it.
and it would fit perfectly into the 'new cool device for the digital hub'

ponder that for a while...
 
OQO

Remember this?

http://www.oqo.com/

It was talked about all last year when they claimed to have this handheld running windows xp at 1GHz with a 20GB hard drive. These guys designed the Titanium powerbook and I remember reading that before they made this a windows machine, they went to Steve Jobs to see if Apple wanted to buy the design. He passed so they made a windows version.

here's the thing - they were supposed to have it out this past fall and yet there hasn't been word one about it anywhere on the web in ages. in fact, the website looks like it hasn't be changed since it made its first media splash. Maybe bill gates decided that this would compete with the Tablet PC and decided not to support it after all. If that were true, it's possible that Jobs could have rethought his position after the success of the iPod.

By way of comparison, the iPod is 4" x 2.4" x .78" and the oqo has a similar footprint at 4.1" x 2.9" x .9" and weighs just 2.5 oz more. It also already has firewire and bluetooth built-in.

I'd still be surprised if we saw this on the 7th, but at least its a plausible possibility.

JINX
 
I love the OQO...

I've been checking their website every month since they announced, just looking for some movement. I think the form-factor of the OQO is so cool, that I've been considering buying it, even if it is released as an XP device...

But, I've always known that the OQO developers are mac fans, and have always hoped that Steve would see the beauty of the device, and pull them back into the Apple fold.

We can only hope! ;-)
 
You know, that thing was always really cool. USB, Firewire, VGA out. Those two buttons look like they are begging for colors on them. :)

Regards,
Gus
 
I love the OQO...

Yeah, me too (re: the OQO). It is the only time I have ever envied windows users. I'd be so psyched if it did come out for mac instead. Of course I'd be pretty happy with a souped up cell phone as well.

JINX
 
What about a 4X6" screen with a bluetooth thumb keypad and/or mouse in addition to a touchpad screen that takes full advantage of inkwell. That way you could use it with a stylus and a keypad. I just wouldn't put that past Apple and that would be without a doubt a very cool new device.

My guess is that it really isn't going to fit into an easy category like PDA or tablet. I'm counting an Apple for a unique little device.

I also think that Apple would shoot themselves in the foot by charging over $600. In order for this device to have any success, it will have to be coupled with another home/laptop Apple computer to fully take advantage of the iApps. That being the case, any switchers would then have to shell out big $$$ to purchase all of these peripherals.

Some price dropping is in order. If this device has MP3 or AAC capabilities, I think we would seee $100 price drops across the board on the ipods, after all, who would want an MP3 player when there is MPEG-4. That would put this device in the $500 range, a bit more pallitable to switchers.

If Apple is to remain competitive, their prices should continue to drop. It would be prudent for them to explore other options for their business model, hardware is a much tougher business than software (software is Apple's strongest suit IMO). I'm not saying that they would go overboard but if rumors hold true about upgrades charges for iApps then it is entirely possible that they are steering the ship in a new direction as it relates to their business model.

Damned exciting is this MWSF, I can't wait.
 
I think what we may see is some cool device that ties together all the Apple stuff that many of us will accumulate in our homes.

If Apple goes Home Theater / Multimedia then you end up with a Mac, a Home Theater System, mp3s, and video all over the place, but with nothing to allow a user to control them all seamlessly - as a single integrated set of services.

An idevice that allowed you to do that from anywhere in the house, and maybe even do a few extra things (e.g. a telephone) would be the bomb....

Plus it wouldn't cut into Apple's other markets. They can unleash a pile of upgrades of systems (the laptops and desktops all seem set for upgrades...) to help us all Apple-ise our homes.

Maybe parts of that sound a little far out - but it seems to me that's one place that Rendezvous, the iApps, the iPod etc could take you...
 
Better yet, how about a bluetooth stylus that could write on any surface, now we're talking. My optical mouse knows when it's close to a surface or whther I am just waving it in mid-air.
 
Although have regularly lurked here for over a year, mainly just prior to each major Apple show, this time I just had to finally register and add my 5 cents...
Why ? Well because (1) I am now a (semi) switcher, and (2) you folks have been driving me _nuts_ :eek: with the avalanche of rumors and counter rumors surrounding SJs likely BIG announcement at MWSF.

So here is my first posting - sorry if it seems a bit long winded... :eek:

Although I have always used PCs since the early twin floppy XT days, bought an iMac Indigo a while back for our young son. Soon realised that the iMovie app blew all the add in cards and software for my W#ndows machine to hell. Not to mention that OS-X was the coolest (and most stable) OS I had ever seen. New iMac, Superdrive and iDVD was the next logical step. Then just before Xmas stuck an extra huge ESDI drive into my PC, added a wireless AP router (non Apple) and hid it all in a cupboard. Now both iMacs and my Sony Vaio can share broadband, and now use the W#ndows box mainly as a storage device - with ~20GB of digital photos, 10GB+ of audioBooks etc.

At this point you are no doubt asking "OK dude - so what are you getting at? :mad:"

Well my point is that wireless has made me entirely rethink my computer needs. For Xmas my wife was going to buy the latest replacement (PCG-R505TFP) for my aging Sony Vaio (PCG-Z505RX) - yes I still need a PC for my work(although I have already sneaked an eMac in at the office for video work). If a G4 powered iBook had been available, it would probably have got the nod, and to hell with the consequences - but that is battle for another day, maybe Jan 8th ? ;)

So I now realise that what I REALLY need at home is NOT the latest "hot" laptop computer, but a wireless enabled device, with a good screen, instant on/off, good battery life that can give me access to all my stored data (photos, music, audiobooks, movie clips, eBooks etc.), or download news and info from the Net. Of course, some form of telecoms integration would be a BIG bonus. It doesn't need a big hard drive (as I have wireless access to >0.5TB), and it doesn't need cray-like processing power (as the iMac happily does all my video and photo editing).

Having read just about every rumour thread on multiple sites relating to MWSF, I am really excited at the prospect of a possible iPad/iTablet device. Actually the mentioned 8in form factor reminds me of the Ericsson HS210 ScreenPhone device, which coincedently looked fairly Mac-like.
screenphone1.jpg

screenphone3.jpg


This would be a great form factor and with Bluetooth capability would integrate brilliantly with my SE T68i phone via Rendezvous as SJ demonstrated on stage last time. Such a device could be held like a book on the sofa or in bed, or attached to a stand at the breakfast table or kitchen, or just left on my desk or coffee table to flip through photos until giving an alert of an incoming email or phonecall. If it was given a cool docking station much like the Sharp PC-MM1, and near instant on capability, then a huge battery life would not even be that important. Use it for the info you want, then dock it away until you need it again.

Such a device wouldn't directly compete with the iBooks/PowerBooks, or the cheaper iPods (which are more mobile), but it would fit perfectly into the digital hub strategy. It would also complement, rather than compete, with phones and PDAs from Apples collaborative partners. A win win situation for all...

Yes, an iPad is what I am rooting for !!!
...and AAC support on the iPod, iPhoto2, iMovie3, iDVD3, better value .Mac etc.,etc.... ;)

Anyway Happy New year to you all, and thanks for finally bringing me out of my (lurking) shell. :D
 
I've been following this thread, and there is one thing that hasn't been mentioned that I personally would find useful. I would like to edit contacts and iCal info on my 20Gb iPod directly using some form of stylus device, without having to fire up my G4 to do it.
Also, bearing in mind that there is CDRW and 2-way I/O built into the iPod, does anyone know if you are able to plug a tablet of this kind directly to display visuals from iTunes?:confused:
If so, and wiith supposed *new* quicktime features, couldn't the iPod store video and picture info and display these on the tablet?

Just wondering....
 
Ntg is close to what I have been thinking...
Hear me out...

The iPod VUE (or something) a roughly 6x10x1 pad with an 8" diagonal (widescreen) color touch-screen. on the right side there is about an inch os space with a few hard bottons and the apple logo. This section is slightly thinker than the rest and holds most of the battery and the stylus. It has USB, FireWire, Phono jack, and video-out (like the iBooks) along the top. Airport and maybe bluetooth are built it.

It is built to run in tandem with your main mac and your ipod.

The device has a 10-20GB HD and a low-power G3, and runs a scaled down OSX. Its main function is a Videoplaying device. It plays back whatever flavor of DV you've got as well as displays pics. Perhaps it will have some DVR aspects to it. It has a stand and an AC adapter to become the digital frame when you don't need to carry it.

It has iTunes, QT, and iPhoto as its main apps.

You can plug your ipod into its firewire and acess all the tunes (and Movies) stored there...

Think of it like a non-clamshell portable DVD player with a HD. (maybe apple provides some slick way to rip a DVD onto the it (and only onto IT)

But the killer thing is, if you turn it the other way it becomes a mini-tablet/PDA+/Newton2/whatever. sudden;y you can use ink-well to modify contacs and appontments in iCal. Write e-mails. Whatever.... And browse the web.

It would be GREAT at 700-800, but I see it more like 900...

Oh, and the 6" displays... This is just a TOTAL shot in the dark, but i think it will be for the iStick... a Flash memory keycahin, but bluetooth as well as usb (it would kick ass. you could jusr have it in your pocket and any BT mac you walked by coukld see it). Not too exciting, but Apple would do it WAY better than sony or anybody else. And since I jsut bought one at frys today, Murphys law says that something will come out to make me with that I hadn't!!
 
I just a few comments this morning.

1. That OQO thing looks like something Apple would design. It would make a very cool super-portable DLD/Tablet.

2. I agree with anyone frustrated by their inability to edit their iCal entries on their iPod. I don't think current iPods will get touch screens, but whatever is released should.

3. Back to the OQO, look at the number of people who have agreed that something similar to this would be a cool Apple device. I think that means we could be very close to what SJ is going to "revolutionize" the computing world with.
On top of that, a device like that could be used with a PC, giving Apple further access to that market (not to mention a further push to "switch").

The keynote is less than 30 hours away, it'll be very interesting to watch. :)
 
If Apple releases an iTablet or iPad or similar devices, wouldn't you think that it would seamlessly sync with a desktop mac?

And if it syncs seamlessly, wouldn't they intetgrate it into iSync, oh but wait, they've already released it a couple of days ago. And it syncs with .mac, the ipod, palm os devices and sony ericsson phones. Apple is very unlikely to update the software again to include this new idevice or an updated iPod!

I honestly can't think of any hardware they would announce - except for updated Airport. Displays would be announced with or close to the announcement of new towers (which isn't due for a month or so), they have too much stock of iMacs and eMacs (as some sites state) and MW isn't really the place to announce an updated xserve or introduce the xserve raid.

However, I still would love an OQO like device from Apple (oh, and on OQO's web site the say the product will be availble in stores in the first half of 2003).

James.
 
iSync probably has syncing for whatever new device that is released already built-in, but hidden.
My guess is your new i_____ will come with a simple install disk to add the required functionality to iSync.
Or, iSync 1.0 was a ploy to make us question the possibility of some kind of new iGizmo more. We saw iCal 1.0.2 today, why not iSync 1.0.1 tomorrow?
 
Re: Think "Satellite"

Originally posted by clonenode
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. .
Click to expand...

For me, this would be the key. Since I bought a digital camera last year I have taken many times more photos than I used to (because it doesn't cost anything). However also since I got my digital camera I haven't shared as many photos with my family.

Some of my friends look at my photos on the web but my Mum doesn't have a computer and neither do my grandparents. I would love to have an ipod or similar that held all my photos and either displayed them on a 6x4 screen or maybe by hooking up to a TV.

That would be great. I have not yet had the need for an ipod but I would get one tomorrow if it could display my photos.

Dobbin
 
The lil' cute OQO rocks. I want to pet it... then buy it.

Are ya listening, Steve Baby? Talk to us brother-- and show us!
 
video/photo iPod.. blah, blah...

Why would you want to walk around and watch pictures on a small iPod like device. You would probably trip over and crack your skull open like the dude in Bad Taste. The iPod is great because you use it every day and it's actually quite useful. It's built and marketed on a very old concept known as the walkman, so people where kinda into it from before and they understood what it could be used for. How often would you want to watch dvd or divx movies on a 8" screen with crappy sound quality. There is a reason why everyone would love a 56" plasma hanging on your wall at home and getting Dolby 6.1 pumped into your brain. I for one will not be buying something like this because it would be totally useless!
 
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