Like this?
A customizable tablet?
Oh, they could use that "I Touch Myself" song for the commercial. Perfect!
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Thin MacBook Laptop Concept Images
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Oh, they could use that "I Touch Myself" song for the commercial. Perfect!
... not to mention it would be far too large to hold up to your ear when making a... oh wait, it's a notebook computer, not a phone!
What if the whole bottom part where the track pad, and it changed to a keyboard (like in the picture) when a keyboard is needed? Remember there was that patent for backlights under the track pad: https://www.macrumors.com/2007/07/16/apple-developing-backlit-trackpad/
loans at the ready...!!
remember this from '06
https://www.macrumors.com/2006/11/16/patent-for-configurable-input-system-emerges/
mmm...
remember this from '06
https://www.macrumors.com/2006/11/16/patent-for-configurable-input-system-emerges/
mmm...
I've had exactly the same idea as you, a couple of weeks ago:
Aesthetically, this is what I am talking about.
However, instead of it just being an Al band, I'd like to see how it would work if the Al extended back and covered the lid and bottom.
So it's "all Al" when closed and "all black" when opened.
What if the new monitor line *is* docking stations?
Apple's monitor line is long overdue for an update.
The recent patent shows a monitor (gutless iMac) as a docking station.
What if Apple announced a new line of monitors that were all docking stations? It wouldn't cost that much, and would allow them to keep their premium prices for their monitors.
That way they wouldn't have to have a line of monitors and a line of docking stations--they are one and the same.
Apple's monitor line is long overdue for an update.
The recent patent shows a monitor (gutless iMac) as a docking station.
What if Apple announced a new line of monitors that were all docking stations? It wouldn't cost that much, and would allow them to keep their premium prices for their monitors.
That way they wouldn't have to have a line of monitors and a line of docking stations--they are one and the same.
Input switching
The idea is novel, but I'm not sure it would go over that well, imo. I'm not sure that everyone wants a monitor that looks like an imac, as opposed to the current style (or a new visual style) that looks different from the imac.
Assuming they did go ahead with a monitor/docking station combo though, I believe they'd have to include a switching method (similar to switching between VGA and DVI on some monitors) so that end-users could select whether they want the display to show the docked computer, or whether it should show the video input from another computer, such as a mac pro.
The idea is novel, but I'm not sure it would go over that well, imo. I'm not sure that everyone wants a monitor that looks like an imac, as opposed to the current style (or a new visual style) that looks different from the imac.
Assuming they did go ahead with a monitor/docking station combo though, I believe they'd have to include a switching method (similar to switching between VGA and DVI on some monitors) so that end-users could select whether they want the display to show the docked computer, or whether it should show the video input from another computer, such as a mac pro.
That would raise costs and complexity. I expect the next generation of Cinema Displays to be only displays.
Pic in NOTW is leeched from ZDNet;
ZDNet confirms this is a concept mock up by Pixel Mojo.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=356
http://www.pixelmojo.com/Home.html
I wonder if NOTW paid him any money; evidently they didn't credit him...
Interesting idea. Knowing Apple, though, they'd make this automatic--whichever input was "hot" (active) would be the one it would display.
Well which is more expensive--having a line of 20, 23, and 30-inch monitors and a corresponding line of 20, 23, and 30-inch docking stations?--or having them all wrapped up into one line?
Another way Apple would coerce you into buying their monitors/dockingstations would be to have a custom connector on the new tablet/MacBookNano so that the only way to display external video would be to use an Apple monitor/dock. Not pocketbook-friendly, but very Apple.
Pic in NOTW is leeched from ZDNet;
ZDNet confirms this is a concept mock up by Pixel Mojo.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=356
http://www.pixelmojo.com/Home.html
I wonder if NOTW paid him any money; evidently they didn't credit him...
I wouldn't put my name on that POS.
And let's not rehash the Titanium PowerBook okay.... I don't think design will bring Apple out of the stagnant state their hardware is in.
Attachments
These all look wrong...
It'd actually be kinda annoying if Apple came out with anything conceptually close to these laptops or touch display style keyboards, since those retractable dots that we read about in that one patent (sorry no link) seemed to indicate that the whole point was to allow for a touchscreen keyboard that would be there only on demand, like in a tablet, not a laptop keyboard, which doesn't need to go on or off on demand.
Plus, if you hadn't noticed, trackpads are already touch technology, and register multiple fingers. Adding pinch/zoom and rotate or such doesn't mean it needs to be wider. So what might Apple mean by wanting wider trackpads that know when your hands are just resting on them?
My guess is that by "wider," what is meant is actually that the laptop (I don't think we're seeing a tablet, or giant iPhone, etc) will appear to have no trackpad. That whole area will be lined with multitouch sensors, though it'll look like a blank surface. Probably no images. The keyboard itself will still be physical, since it doesn't make sense for the keyboard to disappear if it's not making room for anything new. Steve will come out and say "Hey, where'd we put the trackpad? Do I need to fire somebody?" We'll all say hohoho and buy the thinnest lightest laptop around. Maybe all laptops will have this type of trackpad.
It'd actually be kinda annoying if Apple came out with anything conceptually close to these laptops or touch display style keyboards, since those retractable dots that we read about in that one patent (sorry no link) seemed to indicate that the whole point was to allow for a touchscreen keyboard that would be there only on demand, like in a tablet, not a laptop keyboard, which doesn't need to go on or off on demand.
Plus, if you hadn't noticed, trackpads are already touch technology, and register multiple fingers. Adding pinch/zoom and rotate or such doesn't mean it needs to be wider. So what might Apple mean by wanting wider trackpads that know when your hands are just resting on them?
My guess is that by "wider," what is meant is actually that the laptop (I don't think we're seeing a tablet, or giant iPhone, etc) will appear to have no trackpad. That whole area will be lined with multitouch sensors, though it'll look like a blank surface. Probably no images. The keyboard itself will still be physical, since it doesn't make sense for the keyboard to disappear if it's not making room for anything new. Steve will come out and say "Hey, where'd we put the trackpad? Do I need to fire somebody?" We'll all say hohoho and buy the thinnest lightest laptop around. Maybe all laptops will have this type of trackpad.
For the end-user, it will definitely be more expensive to be forced to have a monitor with a docking station - especially when it's connected only to a Mac Pro or Mac Mini. So those users would eschew the "docking monitor" and buy third-party units. Also, users of MacBook (Pro) units that don't fit inside that dock would also be forced to buy more monitor then they need or buy third-party.
And for Apple, since they deal in such small volumes, anyway, it might very well be less expensive to have both since they can tailor production to demand and not worry about trying to push an unpopular model using price cuts and rebates.
Another way Apple would coerce you into buying their monitors/dockingstations would be to have a custom connector on the new tablet/MacBookNano so that the only way to display external video would be to use an Apple monitor/dock. Not pocketbook-friendly, but very Apple.
Apple has, to their credit, moved away from that kind of anti-customer nonsense.
I expect the next Cinema Displays to at least support HDMI in addition to DVI, and hopefully DisplayPort, as well.
It'd be really cool if the docking station had HDMI...then I could actually consider buying a PS3 or (shudder) a 360, cuz currently the best connection I have into my iMac is S-video through an Elgato EyeTV Hybrid.I expect the next Cinema Displays to at least support HDMI in addition to DVI, and hopefully DisplayPort, as well.
Dreaming more, the dock could have a TV tuner, component inputs, S-video inputs, composite inputs, and
tv style media streaming...enabling the dock to have a use when the MacBook nano isn't inside it...Yes and no. I had in mind a laptop keyboard, not a desktop one. For a desktop keyboard, I'd imagine it to be thicker. Slim doesn't make any substantive difference on the desktop.
As for the item with two OLED tablets, I had in mind a clamshell / tablet design where you could fold out the two screens flat to form a bigger, 16:9 screen. Each half would be 8:9 aspect ratio in length x width, something square enough. You could watch movies in 16:9, or switch to watching them on one screen, while doing other apps on the other screen (messaging, checking calendar, etc).
It might... that iPod Touch song has strong sexual undertones. The song is called "Music is my hot, hot sex".
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7q5TIuya4FM
If you think about it, the useable keyboards are the ones that always press the right button no matter what your fingers fumble over. Keyboards with keys don't offer that option. Hit a key on edge and you may either not get it at all, or you may hit it and the one next to it. Touchscreen keyboards offer the benefit of technology to analyze your strike pattern and see if you intended to hit a key or not, and can rule it out.
So ultimately, back to how I started, the most useful keyboard is one that is forgiving of your mistakes, it doesn't matter whether you have to actually press the keys or not.
No, I don't think that. For one, Apple is producing a keyboard, not a TV. Most of the surface will be dark, the resolution requirements are minimal, and it doesn't need 1 million : 1 contrast and brightness to look good. It's being done with the Optimus keyboard already, on a limited basis. Just don't assume that Apple would design something as ugly and unpolished.
Edit: Samsung is displaying OLED displays up to 31" at CES 2008
See: http://www.anandtech.com/GalleryImage.aspx?id=62
Actually, they should have used that song for the 2007 MWSF keynote. Presenting the iPhone, Jobs kept going on about "Touch your music." I didn't know whether to laugh or cringe.
Hahaha! Funny to think that apparently that song was used in a Zune commercial in 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Is_My_Hot_Hot_Sex
Only a new trackpad and keyboard?
Apple has to do something revolutionary about the user interface as it has done with the mouse or with WYSIWYG ages ago - or with the iPod and the iPhone.
Only getting faster, slimer, cooler will not help to leave MS behind in the long run. Others will do faster, slimer, cooler etc. for less money (I agree that OSX is still somewhat better than all WINs, but not sooooo much better, Apple was in the past).
For most people out in the streets even OSX is far to complicated to use (Take a look around you, next time you go to town). If Apple wants to win the battle in the consumer market (that's why they hired that Avon lady yesterday for their board??) with products interesting for all of those who are still not willing or able to become computer freaks (e.g. 'all-in-one' products: internet, tv, radio, movie-on-demand, frige-control ...and computer, books-on-demand .......) Steve will have to speed up, creating a really new fool-proof interface concept and starting it on the 'pro' - product line. Technology is available nowadays.
Apple has to do something revolutionary about the user interface as it has done with the mouse or with WYSIWYG ages ago - or with the iPod and the iPhone.
Only getting faster, slimer, cooler will not help to leave MS behind in the long run. Others will do faster, slimer, cooler etc. for less money (I agree that OSX is still somewhat better than all WINs, but not sooooo much better, Apple was in the past).
For most people out in the streets even OSX is far to complicated to use (Take a look around you, next time you go to town
). If Apple wants to win the battle in the consumer market (that's why they hired that Avon lady yesterday for their board??) with products interesting for all of those who are still not willing or able to become computer freaks (e.g. 'all-in-one' products: internet, tv, radio, movie-on-demand, frige-control ...and computer, books-on-demand .......) Steve will have to speed up, creating a really new fool-proof interface concept and starting it on the 'pro' - product line. Technology is available nowadays.