Great news that the big man is so heavily involved, if its true.
Lets hope he's putting in some keynote practice as we speak.
Lets hope he's putting in some keynote practice as we speak.
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Steve Jobs Almost Entirely Focused on Tablet Project?
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Alternative views.
In any event remember awhile back when Steve said he was a proud of things they didn't deliver as he was the iPhone. That to me signals a real personal interest in the product and the people he was working with. It sounds funny but having the CEO public declare that he was proud of a canceled project shows to me a person that values his team.
As to the amount of RAM implying what the OS is I think there is little chance of that being correlated. Remember iPhone OS is Mac OS with a different API for user apps, there is nothing to keep an app targetted to iPhone OS from using huge gobs of memory.
Actually in this case I think you are wrong. Advertised wrong people may get the wrong idea. I don't foresee a tablet ever replacing a Mac, if advertised wrong you could end up with unhappy customers. The problem is it might not be obvious who the intended target is. We don't even know the exact combination of hardware and software so the thread is speculation.
It is not so much being jarred as it is an effort to generat consentious. Each person has his comfort zone and his way of seeing the product. Steves job is to condense all those views into a plan. Some will get beaten up badly or in ways they consider unfair. The goal though is to separate the thinkers ideas into groups of possible action.
Dave
Well if you are sick like that your involment can be difficult, not just for you but the people you work for.
In any event remember awhile back when Steve said he was a proud of things they didn't deliver as he was the iPhone. That to me signals a real personal interest in the product and the people he was working with. It sounds funny but having the CEO public declare that he was proud of a canceled project shows to me a person that values his team.
How do you know it was an issue with RAM and not Flash? If it was RAM that might explain a new stadard that came out early in the year for high density low power RAM for portable devices. If flash it is obvious to me this thing needs lots of internal storage, there have been huge strides made in both Flash density and associated controllers so maybe this is solved. Or it could simply be a limitation on both technologies.
As to the amount of RAM implying what the OS is I think there is little chance of that being correlated. Remember iPhone OS is Mac OS with a different API for user apps, there is nothing to keep an app targetted to iPhone OS from using huge gobs of memory.
It is a mixed bag if you ask me. This is the same man that gave us the iMac and AIR. Most people would think one has been a great success. In the end you have a team with a vision, if that vision corresponds to consummer wants and motivates consummers then you win. In any event Steve has a proven ability to boil down the engineers vision into a successful product. IPhone is a perfect example as it was boiled down from a tablet project.
that depends upon where they are at in the marketing process. The only possible siting of related info has been the extra devices defined in the iPhone builds. This could imply a product that is near ready hardware wise. Of course the iPhone OS leaks could be garbage, a new Touch device or a country specific iPhone. In the end we have no valid info.
Any given product can be marketed in a number of different ways. I see this alot in the business world where the same item gets purchased by big business at high prices while you and I buy it from Sams club dirt cheap. Computers and components for such are a perfect example. At times I've seen industry pay for stuff that I could purchase for a third of the cost. Some business think the service is worthwhile while others just consider it to be servicing.
Actually in this case I think you are wrong. Advertised wrong people may get the wrong idea. I don't foresee a tablet ever replacing a Mac, if advertised wrong you could end up with unhappy customers. The problem is it might not be obvious who the intended target is. We don't even know the exact combination of hardware and software so the thread is speculation.
It is not so much being jarred as it is an effort to generat consentious. Each person has his comfort zone and his way of seeing the product. Steves job is to condense all those views into a plan. Some will get beaten up badly or in ways they consider unfair. The goal though is to separate the thinkers ideas into groups of possible action.
Dave
Without Jobs at the helm, would we see a product line that's rushed, reactive and unfocused? I, too, like the idea that under Jobs' supervision a product can get canned twice before it's ready.
It suggests an approach that says 'It's ready when it's ready' rather than 'We'll release it when we feel pressured by competitors' or 'We think we can make a bit of short term cash by having one of these in our line-up'
Jobs needs to make sure that philosophy is ingrained for when he finally relinquishes control.
It suggests an approach that says 'It's ready when it's ready' rather than 'We'll release it when we feel pressured by competitors' or 'We think we can make a bit of short term cash by having one of these in our line-up'
Jobs needs to make sure that philosophy is ingrained for when he finally relinquishes control.
That just doesn't make sense. These products are in the pipeline far before they are released. I doubt his absence had any impact at all on product design.
I do not intend to imply that this information is bogus, but if you are REALLY involved or know something about this, than you should know that disclosing this information this way means nothing without any information to back it up. This (and other forums even more) are riddled with people disseminating disinformation, opinions, hunches etc. There is no way for us to make the distinction between you and those people, so therefore your post is useless to us, sorry..
I was born in the 90s. Within my lifetime neither laptops NOR smartphones were necessities.
If Apple ever releases a tablet, they will make it a necessity.
That's exactly what people said about the iPhone
Just to clarify; I'm not a fanboi (but that's exactly what a fanboi would say..
). I agree that a tablet made by Apple would not do magical things. But there is definitely a significant market emerging that Apple could jump in. Many people are using their netbooks for watching movies, browsing the web, doing a bit of office doc editing etc. A good multitouch tablet with an on-screen keyboard that is even less bulky than a netbook would be great for this. A killer function for the tablet would be an e-book reader with a subscription model for magazines and newspapers through the iTunes store. Look at the success of the Kindle. Apple could destroy that thing with a tablet that can do the same as the Kindle and more, and even in color. Put in an AppleTV functionality that can hook up to your TV and it's even more.
These things are all not so outrageous and magic, but no other manufacturer has yet done this, although the technology and market are obviously there. The market might not be as big as the iPhone market, but it is definitely there.
Apple is clearly all about convergence of media and consumer electronics. A tablet such as described here would be quite a logical continuation of this evolution. They have the experience now with multitouch platforms and subscription based media dissemination. The only really difficult step seems to me to be the establishment of an e-book store in the app-store. However they could partner up with Amazon, who already stated that they would not block other e-book readers than the Kindle from their e-book catalogue.
It's like Lego.. The pieces are all there. The only thing Apple needs to do is put them together like they did with the iPhone. Remember the Macworld Keynote of 2007: An Ipod, A phone and a revolutionary Internet browsing experience. Three products turned into one: the Iphone.
The original post/article is pretty much right. Back in 2000, computers had definitely progressed to a point where Apple could have been envisioning and wanting to make a tablet PC, but the battery and memory technology wasn't present then. Look at how USB flash drives have progressed over the past two years. They went from 512MB for $79 in 2005 to 16GB for $49 today. And although batteries haven't progressed as fast as flash memory, the efficiency and ability of devices to operate on less energy has progressed significantly. The technology that we have today, in 2009, now makes the Tablet viable. Add in the multi-touch touch-screen technology that Apple has learned from the iPhone, and something that was not possible back in 2000 is now possible today. I just hope they make the screen equivalent to HDTV, and the sensitivity has a high enough resolution that artists can use a stylus to revolutionize graphic art. 
I'm really against touch-screen, to be honest, unless they figure out a way to make the screen 'buttons' feel and behave like real buttons. I remember reading a while ago about nano-technology being researched that would allow screen elements to pop-up like buttons, but it's a long way off.
I have an iPod touch, which I find fairly bearable (it makes sense in a small device), but I'd hate a touch-screen Cinema Display or iMac. As long as this rumoured tablet device doesn't evolve into something that will replace Macs with keyboards and mice, I don't mind. Judging from Apple's talk on the subject, I can see the touch devices staying as a separate line, at least for the foreseeable future.
In my opinion, the keyboard and mouse is the best interface ever.
I have an iPod touch, which I find fairly bearable (it makes sense in a small device), but I'd hate a touch-screen Cinema Display or iMac. As long as this rumoured tablet device doesn't evolve into something that will replace Macs with keyboards and mice, I don't mind. Judging from Apple's talk on the subject, I can see the touch devices staying as a separate line, at least for the foreseeable future.
In my opinion, the keyboard and mouse is the best interface ever.
In my opinion, the keyboard and mouse is the best interface ever.
If Apple were like you we would'nt even have seen the iphone or have Apple to be were it is today. Apple = revolutionary. Evolutionary even.
But is he wrong?
Apple to me are just another computer and mp3 player/song company - who focus on a clean looking, minimalist design.
The iphone to me is just a well marketed pda with a telephone built in - I couldn't bring myself to buy one as I'm too snobbish to be associated with the average, burberry clad user - that and the fact that I've already got a decent phone and have been using a much more versatile pda for many years already.
...Steve is focused on TAKING tablets, like in medicine and anti-rejection drugs. The WSJ simply misunderstood the Apple HQ code word for Steve taking his pills (tablet fix). Shoddy reporting at its worst.
NIce one!
We all know it's going to get hot and steve doesn't like to put holes in anything besides the Mac Pro to let it breathe.
Battery must last long enough to watch 3-4 movies. But who watches movies half a day? A fat american haha jk. I'm american too don't get wild up on that comment.
Anyways, sounds like a good idea just wish they hurry up with it already instead of talking about it for 3 years now.
Battery must last long enough to watch 3-4 movies. But who watches movies half a day? A fat american haha jk. I'm american too don't get wild up on that comment.
Anyways, sounds like a good idea just wish they hurry up with it already instead of talking about it for 3 years now.
When I saw the ads for netbooks offered by Verizon and AT&T for $199 with 2 year contract, I immediately thought, "Here's a market Apple is missing." Just as they trumped the Blackberry with the iPhone, here's an opportunity to trump the netbooks.
I noticed the netbooks being offered by Verizon and AT&T use the same processor as the iPhone. So how much of a stretch would it be to create an Apple netbook that fills the gap between the iPhone and MacBook Air?
If it had built in 3G or 4G, touch screen, support for iPhone apps, ability to make phone calls on AT&T Wireless with speaker phone or earbuds, backlit keyboard, 10" screen --- all for $299 with 2 year contract with AT&T, I'm in!
I noticed the netbooks being offered by Verizon and AT&T use the same processor as the iPhone. So how much of a stretch would it be to create an Apple netbook that fills the gap between the iPhone and MacBook Air?
If it had built in 3G or 4G, touch screen, support for iPhone apps, ability to make phone calls on AT&T Wireless with speaker phone or earbuds, backlit keyboard, 10" screen --- all for $299 with 2 year contract with AT&T, I'm in!
...Steve is focused on TAKING tablets, like in medicine and anti-rejection drugs. The WSJ simply misunderstood the Apple HQ code word for Steve taking his pills (tablet fix). Shoddy reporting at its worst.
They're for his liver, he takes iliver over the counter tabs.
When I saw the ads for netbooks offered by Verizon and AT&T for $199 with 2 year contract, I immediately thought, "Here's a market Apple is missing." Just as they trumped the Blackberry with the iPhone, here's an opportunity to trump the ho-hum netbooks.
I noticed the netbooks being offered by Verizon and AT&T use the same processor as the iPhone. So how much of a stretch would it be to create an Apple netbook that fills the gap between the iPhone and MacBook Air?
If it had built in 3G or 4G, WiFi, touch screen, support for iPhone apps, ability to make phone calls on AT&T Wireless with speaker phone or earbuds, backlit keyboard, 10" screen --- all for $299 with 2 year contract with AT&T, I'm in!
I noticed the netbooks being offered by Verizon and AT&T use the same processor as the iPhone. So how much of a stretch would it be to create an Apple netbook that fills the gap between the iPhone and MacBook Air?
If it had built in 3G or 4G, WiFi, touch screen, support for iPhone apps, ability to make phone calls on AT&T Wireless with speaker phone or earbuds, backlit keyboard, 10" screen --- all for $299 with 2 year contract with AT&T, I'm in!
With the amount that people pay for iphones (and the 1000s of other gadgets/freebies/laptops/netbooks on offer), I'm surprised you can't get a mbp for free/very little with an overpriced contract.
"Much of your information is incorrect."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125115760997755251.html
"Since his return in late June, the 54-year-old has been pouring almost all of his attention into a new touch-screen gadget that Apple is developing, said people familiar with the situation," Kane reports. "Those working on the project are under intense scrutiny from Mr. Jobs, particularly with regard to the product's advertising and marketing strategy, said one of these people. The people familiar with the matter declined to give details on the tablet or disclose when the device would come out."
"Mr. Jobs, in an email, said 'much of your information is incorrect,' but didn't provide specifics." Kane reports. "A spokesman for Apple, Cupertino, Calif., declined to comment."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125115760997755251.html
"Since his return in late June, the 54-year-old has been pouring almost all of his attention into a new touch-screen gadget that Apple is developing, said people familiar with the situation," Kane reports. "Those working on the project are under intense scrutiny from Mr. Jobs, particularly with regard to the product's advertising and marketing strategy, said one of these people. The people familiar with the matter declined to give details on the tablet or disclose when the device would come out."
"Mr. Jobs, in an email, said 'much of your information is incorrect,' but didn't provide specifics." Kane reports. "A spokesman for Apple, Cupertino, Calif., declined to comment."
Well he would say that, wouldn't he?
The more Jobs denies the more believable it becomes.
An Apple phone? You must be joking… never gonna happen.
Cue the iPhone…
An Apple tablet? An Apple Kindle? Pissshhh. Noone reads anymore. We won't be wasting our time on that
Cue the ******
Well he would say that, wouldn't he?
The more Jobs denies the more believable it becomes.
An Apple phone? You must be joking never gonna happen.
Cue the iPhone
An Apple tablet? An Apple Kindle? Pissshhh. Noone reads anymore. We won't be wasting our time on that
Cue the ******
I'm pretty sure he means all the speculation about what the tablet will be like. At least, that's how I'm reading it.
When I read this story I straight away searched each page of the comments for the word "memory" because that story just didn't make sense. A few people picked it up but not many. What you have said might fit the story, but that was 9 years ago!! If the story is true (and I'm talking about that Jobs killed the tablet because it didn't have enough memory) then it really must have been a long time ago ... well BEFORE the iPhone was a serious project (2005). And if that's the case, it's totally irrelevant now. The project that was being considered at that time would have had zero resemblance to today's tablet. So why mention it?
I agree with the conclusion that we cannot correlate memory "restriction" rumors to OS choice- but that's because such concerns have not existed seriously in a device with launch window >2007 for some time now. Even if the project was started in 2005 it would have had a more generous memory allocation than iPhone.
And what are the applications? If we are assuming it's a new digital life substitute to the netbook, and I think we can safely assume it is, maybe with gaming added, then we're not talking memory footprints that exceed the iPhone by more than a few multiples. We're really talking about the same apps as the iPhone but with a bigger screen. The killer app is the bigger screen that enables a more relaxed usage pattern. That is the concern with iPhone. It has the computing grunt to do just about anything you might need at the mobility level it provides. What it can't (or is restricted to prohibit) is a MMI that is free of fuss. Input devices (wired or wireless) and big screens. This is the most conspicuous limitation on the iPhone that still has not been lifted even with OS3. Of course they are protecting their notebooks. But the tablet addresses a subtly different market. The target is someone who doesn't want to the fuss of a full blown general computing environment, the maintenance, the file management, the backup. This person wants a smart looking appliance that allows them access to what they need on a day to day basis (mainly net, but also data entry, mail, and some games) that the iPhone can't give without hunching over the tiny keyboard and screen. This is a subtly different market than the general netbook market. It will therefore not have a full blown OSX.
So I call the rumour FALSE, or falsely attributed to a recent project in Apple. Nice try. Shoulda stopped at "battery life", that one is always true for all mobile devices.
its these type of stories that are just so weird i don't know where to begin.
obviously the WSJ talked to someone pretty high up in apple for them to run the story and talk about the information that they got.
they then contact Steve, who actually replies (which is just weird) and then says you got wrong information....(again weird).
I still think this is definitely a 2010 device, if not later.
this christmas will be all about the iphone. Why would apple add a whole new product into the mix.
obviously the WSJ talked to someone pretty high up in apple for them to run the story and talk about the information that they got.
they then contact Steve, who actually replies (which is just weird) and then says you got wrong information....(again weird).
I still think this is definitely a 2010 device, if not later.
this christmas will be all about the iphone. Why would apple add a whole new product into the mix.
No... JUNE is all about the iPhone.
You're right; they'll never release a new product ever again.
Would this suffice? Link to yet another tablet mockup...
http://visionaforethought.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/macpad_alex_b_oflife7.jpg
http://visionaforethought.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/macpad_alex_b_oflife7.jpg