The use of this is when I want to go online but I'm downtown or on campus. I want to see if I have wireless before actually opening the computer turning the wi-fi on and checking. If it doesnt have this then I wouldnt have to do all that just put the computer back in my bag.
Plus I've often been going places by car then I get lose. I want to get online to get some directions but end up driving around with an open PB in the right side checking for spots. And once I had to brake slighly hard and the computer went and dropped on the floor.
Now if it had a wi-fi finder on it, say on the bottom. I would jsut turn it over. Press it until I see a signal. And then use it. Much better!
I'm not saying Apple hasnt been doing anything. Just not anything Hardware wise that we have seen. The only case redesign was the Macbook and that was really a mere widening of the case. Well with a couple nice things like Mag latch. Magsafe. Swappable hard drives. 13.3" screen and iSight. But it wasnt like they redesigned a feature. Just changed components or added components that were out there. Nothing really new. Everything else. The case has been the same for years such as the PB, since the G5, or since its introduction such as the Mini Mac.
Now I do agree for MS to put a very clunky, pen-based Tablet PCs that were underpowered and short on battery life was stupid. My father bought one and really only liked it as a slate to look at webpages while sleeping on the couch. Slate is really the best way to go. A lot of Slates have been emerging that have good specs. Are touch-screens. Its very good. The only thing people say is where is the keyboard. But I have found one with a very nice on screen keyboard a la the UMPC. Which means thumb tapping. It makes for an insatiable product. Only problem is that it runs Windows.
But thing about it. A MacBook like Axiotron put out. But with Multi-touch like the iPhone. So then firstly you wouldnt need a pen but a finger. A stylus though is neccessary for writing recognition. Plus you could type in various positions, like a normal keyboard, a dynamic UMPC keyboard, writing recognition. Plus with pinch and stuff you could add a whole new level to OS X. Thing of pinching the screen to zoom in on say a program. Yet due to Resolution Independence the menu bar and dock are refitted to the same size. Plus the applications is smoothed out so it looks like you have merely maximized the window when you have just looked more closely at it. Think of it this way. You have a nice big desk. You cover it in papers. The closer you moved your head towards the desk, the bigger things seem along with a smaller scope. Yet nothing gets fuzzy or blurry. Now add a menu bar and dock that would float and shrink down to those size with you. And you have just created a VERY INTERESTING, USEFUL virtual desktop. Its much more realistic in that you can have apps open that are off screen while stile being open and quickly seen, not minimized, the quivalent of storing something in a drawer. I think thats very innovative. And Apple has the power to do it unlike any other company at this point. Its tight Hardware/Software integration with multi-touch patents would make it a great canidate. Any other manufacturer would have to design a multi-touch thing then beg Windows to support it let alone develop for it. Apple has the technology. And since the software is right there could tell the guys ok, I know you have been working on Resolution INdpenpendence. Could you make this work? Of course Steve, not a problem. Suddenly you have a Tablet that has a virtual desktop space larger than the actual resolution. It would be amazing for smaller 12-14" screens. You could fit something the size of 20". Zoom out to see what you want. Then just pinch on the app ur using at the time such as say Word to easily see it. While being able to quickly slide over to the e-mail you have right next to you. No fiddling with the mouse. With virtual desktops or minimized apps. No pressing Expose. That is a revolution in how you use a computer. And its easy to implement, all the technologies right there. And this simple thing of devleoping the first virtual desktop larger than the actual resoltuion would be hallmarked as a grand innovation in computer technology.
Computer is about to change. The hardware limitations of yester year are slowly erroding as can be seen with a less push for more power, but more efficiency. We already cant find anything to do with all that computing power. Yet this power will allow for radical changes in UI. Soon you will see a more natural, flowing UI with multi-touch screens. Once the revolution in batteries occurs, it will be done. Laptops will become no longer computer. But virtual desks, filing cabinets, TVs that can go anywhere with you. Its coming. It wont be long. Will it be in 2007? Its only the beginning (or was that the first 30 yrs).