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Patent: Apple Details Multi-Touch Mac User Interface
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I love to get my hands on a tablet Mac but this is hard to believe, P.A. Semi's chips cant be used with full osX because Apple is moving the OS to Intel only. Apple wants to be in control of the hard and software so everything will be sold via the Appstore, but i can see more freedom for devs to write browser and other plugins.
I don't think a full OS is the best option for a 7-8' touch device, we need special apps geared towards a smaller screen and touch.
Screen size: between 9" and 13".
Price: $1700 - $2500 +
Battery life: 3 - 5 hours
Launch Date: Simultaneously with 10.6 (they need to shave off the bulk, and support for this device)
Internet: I have big doubts that Apple will include a 3G / ATT option, so if you have WiFi where u need it , great. If your traveling and need email/internet on the spot I would hope this thing has at least a single USB slot. If there is no USB then many will probably opt for an iPhone as a better mobile device.
Price: $1700 - $2500 +
Battery life: 3 - 5 hours
Launch Date: Simultaneously with 10.6 (they need to shave off the bulk, and support for this device)
Internet: I have big doubts that Apple will include a 3G / ATT option, so if you have WiFi where u need it , great. If your traveling and need email/internet on the spot I would hope this thing has at least a single USB slot. If there is no USB then many will probably opt for an iPhone as a better mobile device.
I've heard that Snow Leopard still has internal PPC builds, but yeah, you're right. That would somewhat limit the number of apps the tablet can use as more apps go Intel-only.
Neither do I. Not only is there a smaller display, there are lower specs, and that's more problematic when you consider the overhead Mac OS X and its apps provide. Generally, devices with desktop OSes are fairly thick, and we know Apple doesn't like "thick." And I'm not sure if the modifications noted in the patent are enough for such a small display.
As I've said before, I think an enhanced version of the iPhone OS is best for a 5"~8" multi-touch display device.
Seeing as Apple usually obfuscates as to which Mac this might go to, isn't it a real possibility that the touchwheel multitouch interface could just as easily make it to the iPod? Or even be the groundbreaker, to introduce the concept for a Tablet, and then bring in new gestures like the iTunes interface to all the Maccs that have a touch screen. (for those that don't - a wonderfujl iPhone app would be the way, linked via BT or WiFi).
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But is it going to cannibalise MacBook or MacBook Air sales? That is the question.
I disagree. It will be a far more functional device if it can run standard OS X, (perhaps with some processor intensive parts disabled), but with the ability to run standard OS X apps rather than just those available in the iPhone app store. I see it closer to the Air than the iPhone.
I don't think Apple will do another OS X just for this device either.
But are the hardware specs up to it? Can Apple make it thin enough and still be at a reasonable price point? And will the user experience be suitable on such a small display?
I meant this bit:
"We are working to develop new products that contain technologies that our competition will not be able to match. I cannot discuss these new products, but we are very confident in our product pipeline. - Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer, during Apple's Q308 Financial Results Conference Call, July 21, 2008".
Later on confirmed by Steve Jobs talking not just of a product, but of products in plural. And remember the product will be for Q3 and the products for next months.
I have played around with some Windows tablets and they are down right awful. Sorry, but MS just doesn't understand user interfaces. Look at how well the iPhone is doing compared to Windows Mobile, interface is a huge part of that.
Yep! That's almost what I would like... but not only another tablet!
I would like a Tablet with more controller on each side of the screen, such 4 directional arrows, joystick, 4 x action buttons and 2 x menu buttons... (something like the Sony PSP).
I want a small-mobile device which fit in a pocket or a purse for multi-usage: travel, some basic office work, internet, music, movie, game, ichat, draw (with both finger or optional and not required stylus such the wacom tablet)...
The optical drive shown in the second picture is not require is there's already a lot of things onboard (wifi, BT, 3G, GPS, large SSD such 32 or 64 Gb) and USB port(s) to connect the same drive than the MacBook Air.
And it could be easily be done between $599 and $799, mostly if you will also have another AT&T plan for the data (pretty useful to really have your office when you travel).
Apple said in 2007, we will see more "post-pc" devices... AppleTV, iPod and iPhone are perfect example.... something like that (iMove, iPlay, iGame, whatever could be the name) would really create a new market! It will not be a bigger iPhone or a smaller tablet-mac or UMPC/MAC or modbook... it will really be a new product we didn't see until now... something than every other company will copy later!
I really want something like that for September this year, so Pleeeeeeease Mr. Apple... DO IT!
Spid
Then see this, with just 5-inch and a bestseller. If only it had Mac OS X inside and Firewire...
OQO model e2
http://www.oqo.com
In that last one, Steve has a mustache that says, "Yeah, I've been naked on film. What of it?"
There's still the display issue, but that could be at least partially solved by the modifications noted in the AppleInsider article.
The September/October tablet rumors center on a 12"~13" tablet device with an optical drive (so it's thicker than a MacBook Air). Maybe there is a smaller version of that tablet (~8~9") too.
In comparison, the mini-tablet rumors mentioned a 5" or so device about as thin as an iPod touch.
I want Apple to release something similar to these if anything. These are very nice.
Just because the illustration shows a tablet-like device doesn't mean that's where the technology will be used. The patent is for the technology, not the device. This could easily for be the next-generation iPhone or iPod. I think that's more likely, IMO.