Re: Future Apple PDA>>>
Originally posted by Timothy
Sorry TS...I'll never give up on the future of the Apple PDA.
Ultra-portable computing is going to beomce increasingly important, despite the poor efforts spawned by Palm. I predict that PocketPC will overtake Palm in sales within 1 year, and Microsoft will not look back.
The Win world now has a viable, feature rich group of PDA's to choose from that sync quite nicely with their chosen working environment. Apple users have no such similar solution. And, this will become increasingly important in the lives of all computer users.
Apple will release an Ultra-portable computing solution, or face diminishing sales, once again, as buyers realize that Apple is not providing a comprehensive computing platform.
Oh, and there is no way that Apple will release a Tablet in the form-factor that has been released in the Windows world...
I'm so with you there about Mobile computing, except I think you're totally wrong about the PocketPC taking over (but more on that later). I think the future of computing is destined to be an device more or less the size of an iPod, PDA, or phone, that can either be used as a phone, handheld PDA, or as a full computer. Think about it: built-in bluetooth for wireless connection to input devices, built in wireless networking, a high-bandwidth data port (the latest FireWire or USB technology), and a small video-out port like the iBook already has (so you can hook up VideoGlasses or even a folding screen - we're talking a few years in the future here).
I would take it one step further. Since mobile phones are much more widespread than any other mobile device and is the one mobile device that most people will carry with them at all times, then I think that for 90% of the public this PhonePDAComputer is all the computing power they would need. Think about it. Look at how much computing power is already packed into these phone/pda hybrids (and I'm not just talking Treo palm devices, I would include all these new Java enabled phones). As flash memory gets ever larger and cheaper, batteries longer-lasting, and mobile CPUs ever more powerful, I think the future clearly points to a single all-in-one device centered around a phone. That's why I think the PocketPC has no future. I wouldn't want to be in the Palm or Pocket PC business right now. I think they're going to get the rug completely pulled out from under them by the flood of cool new phones running Symbian and supporting Java. I guarantee you Nokia, SonyEricsson, and all the other phone makers are going to sell many, many times more of these phones than all the Palms and PocketPCs combined, and the PDA as we know it today will become a very niche market.
More about the future of computing:
Doesn't Viewsonic already have a wireless display? With wireless video technology and bluetooth you could just have your phone in your pocket, sit down at your desk, and all these wireless devices would automatically work with your pocket-size computer. For mobile use, an elegant folding keyboard with built-in trackpad, and a folding OLED screen. Maybe the folding display an keyboard even come together in one package, and you set it down on a flat surface, press a button, and it all automatically unfolds Transformer-style. Sure you have to spend a few seconds unfolding your Keyboard/Trackpad and screen, but how long does it take to boot up your laptop now? Keep in mind these mobile computers will have flash memory so they will be instant-on like PDAs are now.
It's gonna happen, folks. Only a matter of time. The only question for Apple is what this implies for the Digital Hub. My bet is that Apple WILL come out with some kind of mobile device. It will still market its Macs as a digital hub, but the main value they will provide will be much, much greater storage, and of course a larger display. Apple would be wise to start making its mobile device now so it can continue to develop it and improve it as the market shifts more and more toward mobile computers.
