I really like the look of the XO Gen 2. But I'd be surprised if it ends up looking like that and still only cost $70...
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Tablet Mac Coming in Fall 2008?
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I really like the look of the XO Gen 2. But I'd be surprised if it ends up looking like that and still only cost $70...
No one said thinner than a MBA.
And you can't compare it to a Modbook. That's like saying there were smartphones before the iPhone.
The Modbook is nice, but it's still a hacked together piece of hardware that was not originally intended for tablet use. You don't think an Apple designed tablet that is intended for tablet use would have any more functionaltiy or appeal than a modbook? Multitouch?
arn
A buyout would seem more plausible, then again, maybe the modbook techonology(probably the same wacom uses) isnt that comptible with apple touch screen technology, and since the pressure lies on the stylus and not the "on-screen pressure" i dont know how can apple aproach that topic, or if theyre even interested on that.
I think a 'tablet' will come out sometime soon, but the specs listed in this rumour are completely wrong. There is no way this thing will have an optical drive, nor will it have a dual core processor and be a full blown mac.
Here is what I think a device like this might be like, I posted this in the iPhone forum a few days ago:
"Rumours of the mac tablet have been around for a while. I think it's only a matter of time before Apple release this device, but the purposes of this type of device have been questioned and some people don't see the point of it. I would like to describe my vision of the future of this type of device.
It would have a 6 inch screen, and be iPod touch thin. Tapered edges like the macbook air, and very thin with long battery life. It would use the iPhone's mobile OSX. So what's it for?
This device falls into a category no other device is in. The closest current device I can think of would be the Kindle. Think of a device that replaces your magazines and books, but can also access the internet and all of the services that go along with it - an 'always on' connected device using EVDO or some other technology.
Subscriptions could be pulled straight from the net to your device, probably through iTunes. Think of websites, how more and more are being designed to handle the iPhone screen creating a unique touch experience. With this type of device dropping in price and other manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon, I see the future of the web, web 3.0 if you'd like to call it, being touch and social networking based - with websites primarily being accessed through these type of 'tablet' (bad word - connotations of microsoft flipping laptops) devices.
This device would live in your living room, when you're watching TV you can pick it up off your coffee table and browse the net, in a form that it is condusive to touch. Executives can pack this device, along with their ultra-thin low powered laptop into their briefcase and use it to read up on some documents or check a website. In fact it could replace their laptop if they have no need to substantially create or edit documents on the go, as all their important info would be on it along with tools for basic editing. Students can use it to write notes, watch movies, doctors can use it, there is unlimited potential through the use of various apps that can be created.
The screen on this device would be akin to the OLPC XO laptop, but a better version. Basically a multi touch LCD, however when the backlight is turned off, the screen basically becomes similiar in look to e-ink. If anyone who has seen this on an XO you'll know what I'm talking about.
This is not a computer in the traditional sense. Computing is becoming decentralized, with Apple selling more and more laptops and being able to introduce niche devices successfully like the Macbook Air, they will continue to push the boundaries of touch decentralized computing. This device would not live on your desk docked in like an ipod, nor will there be some docking device with a screen to turn it into a desktop replacement.
This thing is the future of magazines, of books, of websites, of email, of personal computing, of the internet and the way we interact with technology. It will also have the applications that will make the iPhone a game-changing device, and just like the iPhone it will be able to pull this information from the Cloud anywhere anytime. The iPhone was the first device of this scale to introduce us to multi-touch, this new 'iPad' device will introduce the true capabilities of multi-touch along with the integration of all the various technologies and services that we can't even see a need for right now but we will take for granted in the future.
Just some thoughts."
Here is what I think a device like this might be like, I posted this in the iPhone forum a few days ago:
"Rumours of the mac tablet have been around for a while. I think it's only a matter of time before Apple release this device, but the purposes of this type of device have been questioned and some people don't see the point of it. I would like to describe my vision of the future of this type of device.
It would have a 6 inch screen, and be iPod touch thin. Tapered edges like the macbook air, and very thin with long battery life. It would use the iPhone's mobile OSX. So what's it for?
This device falls into a category no other device is in. The closest current device I can think of would be the Kindle. Think of a device that replaces your magazines and books, but can also access the internet and all of the services that go along with it - an 'always on' connected device using EVDO or some other technology.
Subscriptions could be pulled straight from the net to your device, probably through iTunes. Think of websites, how more and more are being designed to handle the iPhone screen creating a unique touch experience. With this type of device dropping in price and other manufacturers jumping on the bandwagon, I see the future of the web, web 3.0 if you'd like to call it, being touch and social networking based - with websites primarily being accessed through these type of 'tablet' (bad word - connotations of microsoft flipping laptops) devices.
This device would live in your living room, when you're watching TV you can pick it up off your coffee table and browse the net, in a form that it is condusive to touch. Executives can pack this device, along with their ultra-thin low powered laptop into their briefcase and use it to read up on some documents or check a website. In fact it could replace their laptop if they have no need to substantially create or edit documents on the go, as all their important info would be on it along with tools for basic editing. Students can use it to write notes, watch movies, doctors can use it, there is unlimited potential through the use of various apps that can be created.
The screen on this device would be akin to the OLPC XO laptop, but a better version. Basically a multi touch LCD, however when the backlight is turned off, the screen basically becomes similiar in look to e-ink. If anyone who has seen this on an XO you'll know what I'm talking about.
This is not a computer in the traditional sense. Computing is becoming decentralized, with Apple selling more and more laptops and being able to introduce niche devices successfully like the Macbook Air, they will continue to push the boundaries of touch decentralized computing. This device would not live on your desk docked in like an ipod, nor will there be some docking device with a screen to turn it into a desktop replacement.
This thing is the future of magazines, of books, of websites, of email, of personal computing, of the internet and the way we interact with technology. It will also have the applications that will make the iPhone a game-changing device, and just like the iPhone it will be able to pull this information from the Cloud anywhere anytime. The iPhone was the first device of this scale to introduce us to multi-touch, this new 'iPad' device will introduce the true capabilities of multi-touch along with the integration of all the various technologies and services that we can't even see a need for right now but we will take for granted in the future.
Just some thoughts."
I'd be happy using this device for school. It'd be great to not have to take my macbook everywhere, and it's nice and flat on the desk so you don't feel obnoxious in some classes. Speed would be extremely unimportant to be honest. I would be mainly use it for a multimedia device (movies, music), class (notes) and as a great web browser. Using Macbook Air technology, seems to me like it could be pretty flat. Makes a lot of sense, but it's also pushing it for apple to expect me to get this tablet between my macbook and iPhone. I'd be tempted though, very.
Yes, Yes, Yes. I want to and used to take my macbook with me to class to take notes, but it's just to cumbersome and obnoxious. If apple put together a intuitive notes taking application using multi-touch geared towards the education market, they would clean up. Having a virtual note pad/ media player/ internet browser/ email client/ calendar/ and address book all in one sleek device that can be laid indiscreetly flat on a desk would be my dream come true. And very likely given this news.
That looks cool!
A tablet Mac would be really cool, I wouldnt mind messing with one, probably wont get one though!
Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)
Interesting we will have to wait and see.
Interesting we will have to wait and see.
I can't help but thinking it's musical applications would be immense, running a revised Logic with full touch controls over faders and pots. People have been crying out for something like this for years. Just considering the potential live applications for musicians is exciting as there isn't really a great deal of direct competition in this market, there are a a few controllers out there but they are extremely expensive. I can definitely see a market for something like this
I don't see a big market for a "heavier than Air" expensive tablet Mac, a cheaper "bigger than Touch" iPod would be my choice. Specialized apps with revenue charing and more iTunes sales for movies and other not yet available digital content.
Hmm...
Bring it on!
Nice...tricorder functionality.... This will go well with the Apple iVisor currently undergoing field tests where no one has gone before.
Exactly.
Why would Apple create a touch screen mac using a keyboard/mouse designed UI such as OSX, particularly when they've got an awesome specially designed touch OS?
Why would they put in an optical drive?
13" screen?? No, if you want a light portable to do some real work get a Macbook Air.
Core 2 Duo? What the hell for, this will most likely use a slightly beefier processor than the iPhone. Possibly the Atom or a PPC chip.
All the specs listed in this rumour are wrong. BUT we will see a bigger touch device coming soon, it's inevitable.
My specs for this device:
6.7" multi-touch LCD screen, OLPC XO 'e-ink' style when backlight is off
800mhz low-power chip
256mb RAM
32gb flash drive
built in EVDO
wifi b/g/n
bluetooth - pairing with apple keyboard
dimensions: 7.8x4x0.35 inches
kickstand
Price- $599 (ipod touch/iPhone to receive price drops)
new products from Apple:
E-book service
Touch apps for students (note taking, organising, mindmap creation)
+ many more and 3rd party apps
Maybe something like this?
Images from apple.com
IMHO, something along the lines of these two concepts.atleast i hope its something like this
A slighter larger iPhone/Touch also seems reasonable as well.
I doubt we will see a large tablet -- one that is bigger than the MBA. Also, I do not think we will see an optical drive included.
apple tv
It just dawned on me. Remember those rumors about a screen "for" Apple TV? Maybe this device represents the screen with Apple TV in it! I would think the device as envisioned here already has enough power as long as its got WIFI n. I would speculate that this will not come with HDMI port, so you'll still need ATV to get HD onto your plasma, but this will allow you to stream content from itunes store directly to your face as long as you've got broadband. (Carry an airport express with you on the road to go from wires to WIFI) It also addresses Steve's "Nobody wants to watch video on a tiny screen" remark.
It just dawned on me. Remember those rumors about a screen "for" Apple TV? Maybe this device represents the screen with Apple TV in it! I would think the device as envisioned here already has enough power as long as its got WIFI n. I would speculate that this will not come with HDMI port, so you'll still need ATV to get HD onto your plasma, but this will allow you to stream content from itunes store directly to your face as long as you've got broadband. (Carry an airport express with you on the road to go from wires to WIFI) It also addresses Steve's "Nobody wants to watch video on a tiny screen" remark.
Really guys, think about this.
Ok, I didn't take the time to read all 140 comments before me, so maybe someone has said this already but here it is: For all those saying what is the need for a tablet, and why do I want one or need one when I have a laptop or desktop etc. you need to take a serious look at the market tends and where we are heading, especially on Apples part. Right now laptops are either neck and neck or outselling (I haven't seen a report percentage in about 6 months I admit) desktops. And look at Apples notebooks, the pro line is just as powerful as the iMacs in most instances (and any small difference is modest; certainly not enough for most people to notice). Apples market share in the laptop category is far far higher the the desktop market and they know this is where we are heading. Soon we will just have the laptop and come home and wirelessly integrate into a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. If you really think about it, if you had a laptop that was powerful enough, why have two computers in the first place. Now yes I know there are other hurddles to jump through i.e. disk space, dvd drives, not being to upgrade etc, and I am not saying the death of the desktop is near, because it isn't but this is where we are headed for the mainstream user. And remember, the mainstream user listens to a few songs, uploads a few pictures, checks their email, maybe has a chat session, and browses the web. Most people are not the power users that are probably reading this. Also, at the same time what did Apple do with the blackberry? -What would be considered the standard pda phone b4 iPhone. They took away the keyboard and gave you a bigger screen to do more with. Now a laptop is very similar in this respect, except you don't need a larger screen, you just don't need the keyboard (as long as touch key tech gets better). The iPhone is a good enough start though, I do admit that I would like it to be just a bit better, but I highly doubt Apple isn't working on that. So what is Apple taking away from the laptop? Just the freakin keyboard. This isn't that big of a deal people, and I personally welcome it. Now, I will be upset if it has the tiny macB air processor, because there isn't much reason not to create a tablet at the expense of performance. And don't even dare compare that crap out on the market with windows on it. Those are not the tablets that Apple would produce. Any, unix based OS such as OSX would much more stable, and much faster than MS Windows. Not to mention Apples sucess with touch on the iPhone. You don't have to agree, just think about it though.
End Rant
Ok, I didn't take the time to read all 140 comments before me, so maybe someone has said this already but here it is: For all those saying what is the need for a tablet, and why do I want one or need one when I have a laptop or desktop etc. you need to take a serious look at the market tends and where we are heading, especially on Apples part. Right now laptops are either neck and neck or outselling (I haven't seen a report percentage in about 6 months I admit) desktops. And look at Apples notebooks, the pro line is just as powerful as the iMacs in most instances (and any small difference is modest; certainly not enough for most people to notice). Apples market share in the laptop category is far far higher the the desktop market and they know this is where we are heading. Soon we will just have the laptop and come home and wirelessly integrate into a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. If you really think about it, if you had a laptop that was powerful enough, why have two computers in the first place. Now yes I know there are other hurddles to jump through i.e. disk space, dvd drives, not being to upgrade etc, and I am not saying the death of the desktop is near, because it isn't but this is where we are headed for the mainstream user. And remember, the mainstream user listens to a few songs, uploads a few pictures, checks their email, maybe has a chat session, and browses the web. Most people are not the power users that are probably reading this. Also, at the same time what did Apple do with the blackberry? -What would be considered the standard pda phone b4 iPhone. They took away the keyboard and gave you a bigger screen to do more with. Now a laptop is very similar in this respect, except you don't need a larger screen, you just don't need the keyboard (as long as touch key tech gets better). The iPhone is a good enough start though, I do admit that I would like it to be just a bit better, but I highly doubt Apple isn't working on that. So what is Apple taking away from the laptop? Just the freakin keyboard. This isn't that big of a deal people, and I personally welcome it. Now, I will be upset if it has the tiny macB air processor, because there isn't much reason not to create a tablet at the expense of performance. And don't even dare compare that crap out on the market with windows on it. Those are not the tablets that Apple would produce. Any, unix based OS such as OSX would much more stable, and much faster than MS Windows. Not to mention Apples sucess with touch on the iPhone. You don't have to agree, just think about it though.
End Rant
Ok, I'm not saying were going to see this in the iTablet, if there is going to be such a thing... but if there's not going to be a keyboard, what about voice control? They made huge improvements to the text-to-speech with Alex for Leopard, they must have been thinking about the speech recognition at the same time.
Right now it's not perfect and I wouldn't want to try and write an essay with it, but if they've been working on it, making it a bit more intelligent so you don't have to use set commands, etc... it's a possibility.
Right now it's not perfect and I wouldn't want to try and write an essay with it, but if they've been working on it, making it a bit more intelligent so you don't have to use set commands, etc... it's a possibility.
I would love that tablet!!!!
The primary use would be as a universal "remote control" for many applications. Imagine to be able to costumize interfaces and functions.
There is the Jazz mutant lemur 12" tablet at $3000 and is amazing! as well as expensive. You can change interfaces by draging and moving.
Imagine having an interface for each virtual instrument on Logic Pro and being able to switch on real time.
Just take a look at this http://www.jazzmutant.com/
The primary use would be as a universal "remote control" for many applications. Imagine to be able to costumize interfaces and functions.
There is the Jazz mutant lemur 12" tablet at $3000 and is amazing! as well as expensive. You can change interfaces by draging and moving.
Imagine having an interface for each virtual instrument on Logic Pro and being able to switch on real time.
Just take a look at this http://www.jazzmutant.com/
Maybe this new tablet goes in conjunction with this earlier rumor:
https://www.macrumors.com/2008/01/03/apple-creating-imac-like-docking-station/
that way you could use it both as a desktop computer and as a portable tablet
https://www.macrumors.com/2008/01/03/apple-creating-imac-like-docking-station/
that way you could use it both as a desktop computer and as a portable tablet