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'iWatch in 60 Days or Bust' Analyst Claims Apple Developing a 3D Printer
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I remember reading an article in MacWorld about 6 or 7 years ago that described the writers' wishlist for future Apple products and the very last one was a 3D printer. At this point, however, Apple would be so late late to the game that it wouldn't even feel like innovation. I attended a 3D printer conference a few months ago, and you can pick a cheap one up for between $700-$1000. Plus, everyone thinks they want one, despite having no idea what they'd actually do with it. Once you get past the demo floor gawkers, the real market for 3D printers is almost solely limited to designers and engineers — and then it's only a fraction of those. It's like saying "We're going to release an entire computer that's been created solely for architects." Apple's been walking away from the notion that they make niche products, so they're hardly about to go back. Of course, there are some high end, experimental applications, like replaceable organs, but Bill from Toledo isn't picking up a 3D printer from the Apple Store so he can print is own knee joint. And I doubt Mom and Dad are going to drop that kind of coin so that their 12 year old can print a custom Lego piece.
Given all that, this post seems so outlandish, I don't even know why it's on the front page...
Given all that, this post seems so outlandish, I don't even know why it's on the front page...
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- I dont want it and its stupid #468
- Apple release it
- omg this is a great, Apple is the best
...
At least it's not another thread for a 3rd party mockup of a rumored future device.
At least it isn't another no-information Beats article.
Apple is all about usability and anti-DIY. 3D printing is none of that.
Even if they made 3D printing super user friendly (which I doubt) you still need people to create 3D files. 3D printing technology is also extremely finicky. Everyone talks about it like it's sending an image to an inkjet printer. To run one of these things, you need to know how to constantly tweak the machine. I don't see this happening anytime soon.
Even if they made 3D printing super user friendly (which I doubt) you still need people to create 3D files. 3D printing technology is also extremely finicky. Everyone talks about it like it's sending an image to an inkjet printer. To run one of these things, you need to know how to constantly tweak the machine. I don't see this happening anytime soon.
"oogle is pursuing a 3D printer project based on its expectations that Apple will be making a similar move."
Well it certainly wouldn't be the first time!
Well it certainly wouldn't be the first time!
A very left-field rumour, seems a bit "off message" in comparison with their recent products. I wonder if they'll acquire any 3D company / product (Cheetah 3D?) to go along with it?
Would be fun if you could buy an iPhone / iPad then design and build your own cases.
Incidentally - how do PrimeSense sensors benefit a potential 3D printer? Is it a 3D scanner as well?
Would be fun if you could buy an iPhone / iPad then design and build your own cases.
Incidentally - how do PrimeSense sensors benefit a potential 3D printer? Is it a 3D scanner as well?
This guy is definitely clown shoes.
How many people would everyone estimate actually know about the "iWatch" concept, or have the slightest idea that Apple may or may not be making such a thing in the near future?
100,000?
200,000?
500,000?!
That's my ceiling on how many human beings have ANY idea about it whatsoever. My point being, how could the NON introduction of this product affect anything at all? How could a rational human being conclude that Apple would be in dire straights for not announcing something that 99% of Apple users probably don't even have a concept of?
Oh thats right...he's an analyst. The antithesis of a rational human being.
How many people would everyone estimate actually know about the "iWatch" concept, or have the slightest idea that Apple may or may not be making such a thing in the near future?
100,000?
200,000?
500,000?!
That's my ceiling on how many human beings have ANY idea about it whatsoever. My point being, how could the NON introduction of this product affect anything at all? How could a rational human being conclude that Apple would be in dire straights for not announcing something that 99% of Apple users probably don't even have a concept of?
Oh thats right...he's an analyst. The antithesis of a rational human being.
A 3D printer by Apple, at this stage, would be analogous to the Apple II. The Apple II was a product no one needed and was hard to justify outside of the hobbyist market.
The 3D printer would be the same kind of product now, and Apple isn't in that business anymore. Their products have to be immediately useful with mass market appeal.
The 3D printer would be the same kind of product now, and Apple isn't in that business anymore. Their products have to be immediately useful with mass market appeal.
MacRumors at its best. BTW, I'm not criticizing it. It's just a pity the source is so out there - like a lunatic. I can be wrong but a 3D printer is so worthless and raw right now. Apple usually makes more refined products.
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You beat me to it for few seconds. I totally agree with you.
"oogle is pursuing a 3D printer project based on its expectations that Apple will be making a similar move."
Well it certainly wouldn't be the first time!
First thing it prints should be a G.
As others have said, MacRumors has no dignity or quality control per se. Everything is about selling ads and the almighty click. If journalism ever had higher values, and I doubt that it did, they are certainly long gone by now.
Does anyone have the 3D printer files for the mockup of Apple's supposed 3D printer so I can print one to see what it will be like?
re: 3D printing
Truthfully, 3D printing could be the next REALLY big thing in computing ... but right now, people using it are just interested in being pioneers.
The reviews I've read so far of the most popular 3D printers (MakerBot's offerings, etc.) indicate they typically start having problems after the first 50 to 100 3D models are printed with them. After that, it's an exercise in frustration, parts replacement, and tinkering with tiny adjustments to figure out why things aren't coming out like they used to.
IMO, Apple is FAR from ready to release a 3D printer that "just works" the way people expect Apple products to work.
Honestly, what will really make this technology take off is a combination of a reliable, capable 3D printer that's relatively inexpensive to own and maintain PLUS really good, downloadable databases of printable objects.
Most people aren't that interested in the design work it takes to program up a 3-dimensional representation of an object to be printed. That takes a certain set of skills, as well as some level of enjoyment of doing it.
What the general public will want from a 3D printer is, for example, the ability to download and print replacement parts when they're needed for things like furniture. (Lost one of those pesky "L" brackets that you need to attach the corner piece to your computer desk? Just log in to the manufacturer's web site, specify the desk's part number, and find the part you need in a diagram online. Tell it to download the 3D print data, and make a new one.)
It'll be some years before we get there.
Truthfully, 3D printing could be the next REALLY big thing in computing ... but right now, people using it are just interested in being pioneers.
The reviews I've read so far of the most popular 3D printers (MakerBot's offerings, etc.) indicate they typically start having problems after the first 50 to 100 3D models are printed with them. After that, it's an exercise in frustration, parts replacement, and tinkering with tiny adjustments to figure out why things aren't coming out like they used to.
IMO, Apple is FAR from ready to release a 3D printer that "just works" the way people expect Apple products to work.
Honestly, what will really make this technology take off is a combination of a reliable, capable 3D printer that's relatively inexpensive to own and maintain PLUS really good, downloadable databases of printable objects.
Most people aren't that interested in the design work it takes to program up a 3-dimensional representation of an object to be printed. That takes a certain set of skills, as well as some level of enjoyment of doing it.
What the general public will want from a 3D printer is, for example, the ability to download and print replacement parts when they're needed for things like furniture. (Lost one of those pesky "L" brackets that you need to attach the corner piece to your computer desk? Just log in to the manufacturer's web site, specify the desk's part number, and find the part you need in a diagram online. Tell it to download the 3D print data, and make a new one.)
It'll be some years before we get there.
3D printer is overrated.
With that being said, I could still see every home having one within the next 30 years.
Apple Too Slow To Expand.....
Well Apple, it's about time!! Now that everybody else has a "huge" lead on them in this market. I've also been saying that Apple should get into the drone market and the electric car market as well. Maybe in a few years, after everybody else has a "big" lead on them, they will finally pay heed to my advice!
Well Apple, it's about time!! Now that everybody else has a "huge" lead on them in this market. I've also been saying that Apple should get into the drone market and the electric car market as well. Maybe in a few years, after everybody else has a "big" lead on them, they will finally pay heed to my advice!
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Earth To Mars!
With a 3D printer, you can print out objects made of different mediums/materials ( plastic, rubber, etc ). I believe it is one of the first steps to man finally creating the telepod. Once they have mastered 3D printing with numerous materials in highly intricate, accurate detail, it will only be a matter of time before they can fragment an object/entity in one location, send it thru a fiber optic line, and rebuild the same object/entity in a 2nd location. This might take another 25 to 50 years to get there, but it just might happen. The only problem is getting a 3DPrinter/telepod on the surface of Mars, so we can quickly beam ourselves there.
With a 3D printer, you can print out objects made of different mediums/materials ( plastic, rubber, etc ). I believe it is one of the first steps to man finally creating the telepod. Once they have mastered 3D printing with numerous materials in highly intricate, accurate detail, it will only be a matter of time before they can fragment an object/entity in one location, send it thru a fiber optic line, and rebuild the same object/entity in a 2nd location. This might take another 25 to 50 years to get there, but it just might happen. The only problem is getting a 3DPrinter/telepod on the surface of Mars, so we can quickly beam ourselves there.
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With a 3D printer, you can print out objects made of different mediums/materials ( plastic, rubber, etc ). I believe it is one of the first steps to man finally creating the telepod. Once they have mastered 3D printing with numerous materials in highly intricate, accurate detail, it will only be a matter of time before they can fragment an object/entity in one location, send it thru a fiber optic line, and rebuild the same object/entity in a 2nd location. This might take another 25 to 50 years to get there, but it just might happen. The only problem is getting a 3DPrinter/telepod on the surface of Mars, so we can quickly beam us there.
Absolutely, if 3D printers ever get mainstream, I can see you purchasing a widget and they send the print file to your 3D printer (or you download it). I can only imagine that there will have to be some new anti-pirating measures in place.
2D to 3D is such a simple logical step that I'm still surprised that this "production method" ie. 3d printing has not already been well established by now.
Since Apple is heavily focused on hardware I'm not surprised they might be looking into this new, potentially highly disruptive, market. Jony Ive is probably leading development on this since it's germane to his area of expertise.
Since Apple is heavily focused on hardware I'm not surprised they might be looking into this new, potentially highly disruptive, market. Jony Ive is probably leading development on this since it's germane to his area of expertise.