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Steve Jobs Also Overseeing Apple Tablet or Netbook Device?
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How about a clamshell design that opens sideways - - two screens - - one multitouch, the other a cintiq type stylus artpad/handwriting one.
Don't want to dash your dreams, but that would double the thickness for something that could be done on-screen.
Mac Netbook, iPhone netbook whatever
If Psion could bring out the 3c (how many years ago) with a little keyboard and Acer can do a netbook running Ubuntu at under 300 I see no reason why Apple cant make an iPhone type machine with a 9" touch screen running full MacOSX so it synchs perfectly with my 15" MacBook, my wife and daughters 12" iBooks and my loverly new iMac. (oh and my trusty Palm Tungsten T5 which will be binned as soon as someone brings out something to travel easy with that synchs properly with a Mac)
If they don't bring something out PDQ then PearC will and pull the rug from under Apple's feet.
By the way, whoever said the Netbook market is overstated should come to Portugal and see how many folks are buying them to lug around instead of anything 13" and upwards. Not only that, see how many Eeec and Acer have moved in just 9 months, millions.
If Psion could bring out the 3c (how many years ago) with a little keyboard and Acer can do a netbook running Ubuntu at under 300 I see no reason why Apple cant make an iPhone type machine with a 9" touch screen running full MacOSX so it synchs perfectly with my 15" MacBook, my wife and daughters 12" iBooks and my loverly new iMac. (oh and my trusty Palm Tungsten T5 which will be binned as soon as someone brings out something to travel easy with that synchs properly with a Mac)
If they don't bring something out PDQ then PearC will and pull the rug from under Apple's feet.
By the way, whoever said the Netbook market is overstated should come to Portugal and see how many folks are buying them to lug around instead of anything 13" and upwards. Not only that, see how many Eeec and Acer have moved in just 9 months, millions.
When did I say anything about the 10" screens that Apple ordered? Also do you have some inside info that the rest of us don't? Did Apple tell only you, that they are definitely going to release a tablet in June and not later and that those screens are meant for it? What's the point in arguing? It seems to me we come here to speculate not necessarily give fact as I'm sure you do not work for Apple. Join in on the fun, don't be so brash.
I could see this, but I think it would run the iPhone OS, simply for the reason that Apple won't cannibalize sales of its other products. Something running the iPhone OS would not be a full portable computer, but it would do what people want from a cheaper device - check e-mail, browse the web, and if I'm right, function as a word processor.
jons said:
$999
At $1,000, no one will chose a tablet over a MacBook. I could see this all be priced at around $600, because Apple is not playing the low price game, but it's not outrageous either. At this price its still a netbook, just a very classy netbook. Hey, look at Sonys prices for their VAIO lifestyle netbook - $900! For $100 more, you could get a MacBook!
SG
See the thing is that Apple likes to say that they are not intrested in many products, then the next year they start working on the product because everyone is all exited about it, same thing happened with the iPhone if you don't recall
With the Asus N10J (w 9300gs graphics) ringing up at almost $700.00 and the sony vaio p (w/ ULV core 2 duo proccessor) coming in at $900.00 iI think all this crap about apple needing to sell a netbook for under 500 bucks is pure crap.
If apple releases anything thats 10" it will more than likely be a tablet with these specs:
CPU: Intel Dual Core Atom or Core 2 Duo ULV
Memory: 2GB ram
Harddrive:120GB Sata/32gb ssd/64gb ssd
Display: 10" LED Backlit Screen, Glossy, 1366 x 768 resolution, mulitouch w/pen input
Graphics: 9400M
Misc: Wireless N, Bluetooth, 3.2mp camera ff, GPS, 3G, Mini-Display Port, 1 usb port.
OS: Snow Leopard
Base Price: $699.99, released right before back to school in August.
First off, i think this thing will be released along with Snow Leopard to take advantage of the new touch/mulittouch improvements. I think this thing will run full osx, with a combination of touch os w/apps in the app store maybe running in the dashboard (im thinking the same apps on the phone can be used, they'll just look smaller in the screen, just like how most of the osx widgets aren't full screen resolution apps.)
This thing wont have a keyboard, just like the Iphone you will have the virtual keyboard, however it'll come with a dock (or maybe an accessory) so that you can rest it upright in landscape mode and use a bluetooth mouse/keyboard when your at a desk/table.
I think it'll include 3g which will allow it to be subsidized for around $299.99 by AT&T w/unlimited monthly internet. 3G may also allow newspaper organizations to subsidize the price of the tablet w/monthly charge for instant newspaper deliveries to your tablet (lets be honest, print newspapers are on their last leg, great way to save themselves, and cut the costs of printing newspapers while locking in subscriptions for 2 years)
3.2mp will be used for HD Video iChat (in HD over wi-fi, think hospitals etc)
Multitouch HD LED Screen; great for watching movies, ability to use Apps from the App store just like you would, and also have the ability to use normal os with a pen for doing things like taking notes.
Great for education, think about universities dropping books all together, and instead you take one of these around and download the specific app textbook, maybe even on subscription so you can own the book for the semester at a reduced cost, also allows books to be interactive vs static as they are now.
This is my dream tablet, and i think even at $699.99 it would sell pretty darn well.
If apple releases anything thats 10" it will more than likely be a tablet with these specs:
CPU: Intel Dual Core Atom or Core 2 Duo ULV
Memory: 2GB ram
Harddrive:120GB Sata/32gb ssd/64gb ssd
Display: 10" LED Backlit Screen, Glossy, 1366 x 768 resolution, mulitouch w/pen input
Graphics: 9400M
Misc: Wireless N, Bluetooth, 3.2mp camera ff, GPS, 3G, Mini-Display Port, 1 usb port.
OS: Snow Leopard
Base Price: $699.99, released right before back to school in August.
First off, i think this thing will be released along with Snow Leopard to take advantage of the new touch/mulittouch improvements. I think this thing will run full osx, with a combination of touch os w/apps in the app store maybe running in the dashboard (im thinking the same apps on the phone can be used, they'll just look smaller in the screen, just like how most of the osx widgets aren't full screen resolution apps.)
This thing wont have a keyboard, just like the Iphone you will have the virtual keyboard, however it'll come with a dock (or maybe an accessory) so that you can rest it upright in landscape mode and use a bluetooth mouse/keyboard when your at a desk/table.
I think it'll include 3g which will allow it to be subsidized for around $299.99 by AT&T w/unlimited monthly internet. 3G may also allow newspaper organizations to subsidize the price of the tablet w/monthly charge for instant newspaper deliveries to your tablet (lets be honest, print newspapers are on their last leg, great way to save themselves, and cut the costs of printing newspapers while locking in subscriptions for 2 years)
3.2mp will be used for HD Video iChat (in HD over wi-fi, think hospitals etc)
Multitouch HD LED Screen; great for watching movies, ability to use Apps from the App store just like you would, and also have the ability to use normal os with a pen for doing things like taking notes.
Great for education, think about universities dropping books all together, and instead you take one of these around and download the specific app textbook, maybe even on subscription so you can own the book for the semester at a reduced cost, also allows books to be interactive vs static as they are now.
This is my dream tablet, and i think even at $699.99 it would sell pretty darn well.
You think Apple would price that product at almost $300 less than a white Macbook? I don't see that happening.
I do because i think they will get rid of the white macbook and sell only one 13" macbook, with illuminated keyboard, 2.4ghz processor, 2ghz ddr3 ram, and 9400m graphics, for the price of the current 2.0 Unibody.
Kind of like what I said, but I predict the iPhone OS, simply because it is not a full computer. That is all I could see from this. I would expect/demand that someone makes a keyboard for it, but I cant see this as a netbook. Just a big iPod touch with possible 3G service, but even that isn't likely to be built in. If it had enough Apps for education(like textbooks/e-readers) then they could be offered to schools at a discount bulk price and loan them to students for maybe $100 a year(random estimate, seems good if Apple had school price at $500, make a good deal of money back). I'd say reg. price of $700-800.
It lacks just the right amount of features and has just enough extras to make students want/need this AND a MacBook, creating extra sales, the real goal of any product.
SG
If they get rid of the white macbook I think they'd be more likely to move the product you propose into that price slot, i.e., just under $1000 rather than $700. But I'll still believe a Mac tablet only when I see it.
If they release this I'll go on record saying it's gonna flop. I just don't see how a extra large iPod Touch is going to have much usability to be honest.
Having a bluetooth keyboard and mouse (and presumably a stand) wouldn't be that usable IMO. It would work when inside at a desk, but when you lift the device from the stand you just have a clunky viewing/media device for which the iPod Touch is better (more portable). What do you do if you want to work while your out, in a cab, at a conference, media event, or lecture, etc? It seems to loose the ability and purpose of such a device to be used anywhere other that at a docking station, in which case just get a laptop or netbook. That's why an Apple netbook (or netbook/tablet combo) would be useful: it's small and portable but it still useful, anywhere.
The iPod Touch and iPhone does the job of a media viewing device in a far more useful way. A 10" media device would just be replicating that but removing all the benefits of portability and usability. It sounds like it would also be trying to replicate the use of a netbook without being as useful.
Also, making it a subscription-based platform probably would harm it too.
I could see this, but I think it would run the iPhone OS, simply for the reason that Apple won't cannibalize sales of its other products. Something running the iPhone OS would not be a full portable computer, but it would do what people want from a cheaper device - check e-mail, browse the web, and if I'm right, function as a word processor.
jons said:
$999
At $1,000, no one will chose a tablet over a MacBook. I could see this all be priced at around $600, because Apple is not playing the low price game, but it's not outrageous either. At this price its still a netbook, just a very classy netbook. Hey, look at Sonys prices for their VAIO lifestyle netbook - $900! For $100 more, you could get a MacBook!
SG
I wish they would create something in that form factor that would run full OS. I see what you mean about having an effect on MB / MBP sales if it did but man I want something like that lol.
Well, yeah I WANT it to run OS X, but I dont see that happing. Sniff sniff
Still would be an awesome product, though.
SG
Something like this would be nice.
Interesting comment.
I can see a device that runs Mac OS applications as well as runs/supports existing and future iPhone/touch applications.
Likewise.
I don't see this type of device cannibalizing the laptop sales. Individuals who need a laptop probably would not be satisfied with this device as a replacement. No keyboard, small screen, etc.
However, someone who has a desktop that wants to have some functionality while on the road, and does not want to carry a laptop and is looking for something like a netbook, then this device would fill that niche.
Kind of like what I said, but I predict the iPhone OS, simply because it is not a full computer. That is all I could see from this. I would expect/demand that someone makes a keyboard for it, but I cant see this as a netbook. Just a big iPod touch with possible 3G service, but even that isn't likely to be built in. If it had enough Apps for education(like textbooks/e-readers) then they could be offered to schools at a discount bulk price and loan them to students for maybe $100 a year(random estimate, seems good if Apple had school price at $500, make a good deal of money back). I'd say reg. price of $700-800.
It lacks just the right amount of features and has just enough extras to make students want/need this AND a MacBook, creating extra sales, the real goal of any product.
SG
I agree partially with PaperMacWriter about Apple using iPhone OS 3.0 for this new tablet/iBook. But it will probably not have 3G. That's why you will want to tether to your iPhone to use 3G. As it has been said before in this thread, this new device is an enlarged iPod Touch with a bigger screen, HD capability, and better suited to many current and future uses of the iPhone or iPod Touch. But the cost has to go lower in order to compete with other devices such as the Kindle.
The AppStore/iTunes business model still holds perfectly. And this could definitely kill the Kindle2 if Apple can improve readability (in direct sunlight, especially) and battery life. I'd love to get my newspaper on it every morning, read it at breakfast and while commuting on the train. All developers would probably welcome the opportunity to sell new HD versions of their software so that I could also kill some time. This could definitely become a very nice media access device, be it for music, videos (HD or otherwise), images, text (i.e. books), etc. All accessible through network access if not already "on" the device, thanks to iTune. And you can use it for (light) messaging.
It is not as portable as the iPhone, but it is certainly transportable. And it will look nice and could be very useful on the kitchen table, on the coffee table in the den or on various "stands" around the house or the office. Even in the car (to entertain my children) or to assist me finding directions if I can find an appropriate stand for it.
If you do the math and compare, it works (under my assumptions
:...............................iPod Touch...........Kindle 2..............iTablet
Size (H-W-D).............4.3-2.4-0.33.........8.0-5.3-0.33.......8.5-5.6-0.33
Weight......................4 on....................10.2 on..............12-15 on. ?
Display size (diag.)......3.5" ....................6" .....................9"
Resolution..................480x320 .............800x600 .............1360x768
HD capable.................No .....................No ....................Yes
CONNECTIONS:
USB.........................No ......................Yes ...................Yes
WiFi ........................Yes .....................No ....................Yes
WiFi-N .....................No ......................No ....................Yes
Bluetooth .................Yes .....................No ....................Yes
3G...........................Yes .....................Limited * ............Tethering **
Camera ....................2.0 mp ................NO .....................3.2 or 5.0 mp
PRICE:
.................16 GB ... 299 ........... 2 GB .. 359 .........16 GB.. 499/299***
.................32 GB ... 399 .....................................32 GB.. 599/399***
.........................................................................64 GB.. 759/559***
(*) No service plan to pay. Used by Amazon to download to the device or by user to surf on Amazon store or on Wikipedia. Can also received documents (PDF) sent to your e-mail at Amazon.
(**) Capability introduced with OS 3.0. Connect to the phone through USB or Bluetooth. You provide the phone (iPhone or other) and pay for 3G uasge as per your plan.
(***) My assumption is that the device could somehow be partly subsidized by the wireless carriers (don't forget they want an extension to their exclusivity deals) and by editors of newspapers, magazines, books, etc. Besides, if Apple maintains its 30% margin on anything purchased through its AppStore (let's rename it the Apple Store), they probably have enough margin to pay for part or the iTablet.
But don't forget, all this is based on rumors... and a little imagination
Hey -- I just wanted to say that I was making a joke and I didn't mean for what I said to "sound" how it did. My bad.
And sorry it took so long for me to get back to this post. (End of the semester stuff...)
I don't really know what the 10" touch screens are for.
They would be used as a secondary display on a laptop?
Removing all physical keys from a keyboard?
I just think both seem far less likely than a tablet. If they do go the cheap ($300-$600) web tablet idea, then they would be competing the the "netbook" market in a very Apply fashion.
I will honestly try to be less brash.
steve jobs overseeing it?
Getting back to the title of the article - jobs overseeing it? YEAH RIGHT.
He has PANCREATIC CANCER
He is having serious complications.
I bet he is as involved as WOZ is.
Gimme a break
Sorry to say, as good as dead
But at least we'll get a two button mouse out of it finally.
Wish steve the best... in retirement.
Getting back to the title of the article - jobs overseeing it? YEAH RIGHT.
He has PANCREATIC CANCER
He is having serious complications.
I bet he is as involved as WOZ is.
Gimme a break
Sorry to say, as good as dead
But at least we'll get a two button mouse out of it finally.
Wish steve the best... in retirement.
