This sounds like someone griping about a paperback novel because it doesn't have pictures and fancy fonts like a magazine. Or that your blender sucks because it won't make you a cup of coffee.
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What is the Ultimate Role of the Apple Tablet?
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This sounds like someone griping about a paperback novel because it doesn't have pictures and fancy fonts like a magazine. Or that your blender sucks because it won't make you a cup of coffee.
Given Apple's track record for hardware releases, I suspect the first model of this device will be drastically under-resourced and not all that appealing to the broad market - kind of like the first 128K Macintosh. By September, the model will have minor but critical hardware and software improvements that will attract a much larger user base. Like OS X 10.0, this will be a production prototype, a sort of live-market beta (some of you may recall that OS X did not really hit its stride before 10.1).
This summer, many of us will be mildly amused by the tablet device. This fall, many of us may actually be able to justify buying one. I know I would not be truly satisfied with it until they have a native version of XCode to use right on it.
This summer, many of us will be mildly amused by the tablet device. This fall, many of us may actually be able to justify buying one. I know I would not be truly satisfied with it until they have a native version of XCode to use right on it.
What about all the other interface elements that haven't been changed?
They can but things get cramped on smaller displays. Also there's the issue of low hardware specs.
Exactly. Scrollbars, menu extras that are too small to tap, toolbar buttons that are too small, tables and trees with rows less than 40px high, the need to move windows by the title bar, the need to resize by the lower corner, etc. These are all things that would make touch annoying.
One thing the MBA did fail to do was to be a companion to everyone who was coping with a desktop machine. IT was certainly pitched as a companion machine. Some folk didn't need it, some folk wanted more (MBP, MB with more ports) and some people just chose the MBA as their main machine (like me).
The iSlate or whatever it's called might have more of a chance of being a second computer than the Air.
The problem with the MBA is that it offered nothing over a Macbook, had lesser specs, an iPod 5G hard drive, only shaved off 2 lbs & was far more expensive. It had nothing to do with processing power. It was not worth the price like other ultra-light notebooks.
The Air could function as one's sole/primary laptop.
I disagree but then it's my favourite MacBook (and I've had them all) so I may be biased.
:0
I would look at Steve Job's iPhone Keynote to get an idea of the change and innovation that is possible with an Apple tablet. Some of the features that were innovations then are common place today - at least on iPhones and touches.
I also have a feeing that iLife 10 and iWork 10 will be released about the same time that a tablet is, and the tablet will be added to the two suites. (With Office following as soon as MS can get it to market.) Toss in Bluetooth for wireless keyboards and mice and the potential for the tablet increases more.
I would expect a camera in the 3 to 5 mp range, plus an iChat camera. The potential of the iChat facility increases when you consider the potential $1 Billion investment in Apple's server farm.
I tend to believe that the tablet will, at it's core, be a Mac, with a full OS X. But one that can also handle just about anything from the AppStore.
I also have a feeing that iLife 10 and iWork 10 will be released about the same time that a tablet is, and the tablet will be added to the two suites. (With Office following as soon as MS can get it to market.) Toss in Bluetooth for wireless keyboards and mice and the potential for the tablet increases more.
I would expect a camera in the 3 to 5 mp range, plus an iChat camera. The potential of the iChat facility increases when you consider the potential $1 Billion investment in Apple's server farm.
I tend to believe that the tablet will, at it's core, be a Mac, with a full OS X. But one that can also handle just about anything from the AppStore.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it was a bad machine but people will almost always choose what is the best value. What I said were facts. That's the reason why it didn't succeed. At that time someone could have bought a 15" MBP for $200 more and it would have been far more powerful.
I do think that the tablet is the next step after the MBA. I'd also expect that since it's not running full Mac OSX it would be faster than an MBA.
It's there to address one of the most voiced complaint about the iMac, the fact that when you change computers, you can't use your old iMac just as a monitor.
What did you think it was for ?
Plug your iSlate into it...
I hope Dragon Naturally Speaking has something to say about this ("What's good for the goose is good for the gander").
High-larious way to cap off the decade.
I'm a designer...
As some have said, I do hope that Apple pays some attention to their creative base. In the visual arts, Apple is a clear leader, and I think they should at least tip their hat to creatives with their production devices (as cool as it is with apps, the iPhone is more of a "receive/interact" device than a "produce" device).
I don't expect to have the tablet run full-on Photoshop like a champ, but if it runs it at all it can be used for small, on-the-go sketches, ideas, touch-ups, etc.
Photoshop's resource heaviness is somewhat tied to the size and complexity of the file being worked on. A hi-res file with 100 layers can bog down big machines, but adjusting levels on a web JPG doesn't really eat a ton of resources.
No matter what, I think Apple should do a one-two punch to Kindle and Wacom. Awesome capabilities to store and display formerly printed media (magazines, books, newspapers); as well as linking up with more powerful devices as a write-on-able Cintiq-like display extension - as some have already mentioned.
The entry-level Cintiq is $1000. Even if the Tablet doesn't have ALL the features of the Cintiq, if it comes in lower than $1000 and does a bunch of other stuff on top of that, then I can see this being a device that will do very, very well.
As some have said, I do hope that Apple pays some attention to their creative base. In the visual arts, Apple is a clear leader, and I think they should at least tip their hat to creatives with their production devices (as cool as it is with apps, the iPhone is more of a "receive/interact" device than a "produce" device).
I don't expect to have the tablet run full-on Photoshop like a champ, but if it runs it at all it can be used for small, on-the-go sketches, ideas, touch-ups, etc.
Photoshop's resource heaviness is somewhat tied to the size and complexity of the file being worked on. A hi-res file with 100 layers can bog down big machines, but adjusting levels on a web JPG doesn't really eat a ton of resources.
No matter what, I think Apple should do a one-two punch to Kindle and Wacom. Awesome capabilities to store and display formerly printed media (magazines, books, newspapers); as well as linking up with more powerful devices as a write-on-able Cintiq-like display extension - as some have already mentioned.
The entry-level Cintiq is $1000. Even if the Tablet doesn't have ALL the features of the Cintiq, if it comes in lower than $1000 and does a bunch of other stuff on top of that, then I can see this being a device that will do very, very well.
If anything I think it would force Adobe to give a much needed redesign of Photoshop. I thought the Photoshop Mobile app was brilliant in the way it made use of the iPhone's touch features.
Sidenote: The big loser this year seems to be Intel. This is yet another platform which will not be using their processors. Also, everyone is having a problem with the integrated graphics they are forcing down the manufacturers throats on Arrandale.
I think this would be a great feature for the Apple tablet. Personally I don't see how it's going be appealing to "the masses", no matter what features it offers, unless it is very competitively priced, probably <$500, depending on features.
Maybe it will be a netbook-sized macbook, with a detachable display to use as a tablet? Or the tablet will have a stand to use as a display with a BT keyboard and mouse?
Killer app
I've been saying for years I'd have no reason to buy this if it can't double as a Wacom-killer, but I'll take that back if what I've read is accurate (long shot, but who knows?):
I read somewhere that this thing might have video conferencing capabilities. My 91 year-old grandfather can't get around all that much anymore, and he's been dying to have some sort of video-conferencing system, but he finds even the iMac to be too complicated and he can't easily push down keys on a keyboard. If the tablet has a forward-facing camera and it's as easy to use as an iPhone app (better yet, if it responds to simple voice commands), I and probably millions of other people would be buying it in the first month for our grandparents.
That's my New Year's wish.
I've been saying for years I'd have no reason to buy this if it can't double as a Wacom-killer, but I'll take that back if what I've read is accurate (long shot, but who knows?):
I read somewhere that this thing might have video conferencing capabilities. My 91 year-old grandfather can't get around all that much anymore, and he's been dying to have some sort of video-conferencing system, but he finds even the iMac to be too complicated and he can't easily push down keys on a keyboard. If the tablet has a forward-facing camera and it's as easy to use as an iPhone app (better yet, if it responds to simple voice commands), I and probably millions of other people would be buying it in the first month for our grandparents.
That's my New Year's wish.
Using a tablet format as a traveling computer would be uncomfortable. What if you need to type in the hotel room - on the screen? They said it has some surprises and Jobs was extremely pleased with it - how about Apple's version of this:
http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/images/virtual-laser-keyboard-hand.jpg
I love Daring Fireball! Check out this video of Apple's Knowledge Navigator back in '87 from a Df post:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WdS4TscWH8
I'd give up a future first-born for these features in a tablet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WdS4TscWH8
I'd give up a future first-born for these features in a tablet.
Slate and chalk blackboard
Haven't seen any mention of an optional stylus, but here's a possibility.
Slate and chalk blackboards have been around for a long time.
Suspect that the iSlate is a takeoff and some sort of modern day stylus will be the 'you won't believe how you interact with it' fulfillment.
Personally, I hope it has a stylus option since a finger is no substitute. When you need to take notes and annotate, you need a stylus.
Haven't seen any mention of an optional stylus, but here's a possibility.
Slate and chalk blackboards have been around for a long time.
Suspect that the iSlate is a takeoff and some sort of modern day stylus will be the 'you won't believe how you interact with it' fulfillment.
Personally, I hope it has a stylus option since a finger is no substitute. When you need to take notes and annotate, you need a stylus.
I am trying to find a way to say this without offending some hyper sensitive people here but John Grubber is a ..., well his opinions are inane let's say.
Again here he offers little insight or understanding.
The tablet WILL NOT replace the macbook, they are different computing devices, repeat again Grubber DIFFERENT, this is a reading/video/browsing/light email/ipod/streamer/general purpose pod and smart device/etc. etc. machine.
It will be held like a notepad or a book, you can't hold a macbook this way, they are not interchangeable.
It's a testament to the shortsightedness of the tec pundit business that so few people actually get this. Absolutely no vision.
Again here he offers little insight or understanding.
The tablet WILL NOT replace the macbook, they are different computing devices, repeat again Grubber DIFFERENT, this is a reading/video/browsing/light email/ipod/streamer/general purpose pod and smart device/etc. etc. machine.
It will be held like a notepad or a book, you can't hold a macbook this way, they are not interchangeable.
It's a testament to the shortsightedness of the tec pundit business that so few people actually get this. Absolutely no vision.
If this thing is real, I really wonder if it'll run the iPhone OS or full Mac OS. If the iPhone OS, I want to be able to run some REAL programs on it, not just some simple "Oh, I just need to check the movie times" app or something I want to be able to write MS Office or iWork files, play some more serious games. Not quite Crysis, but something more sophisticated.
If it runs the full Mac OS, I seriously want a DVD drive, 2+ USB ports, & mini displayport.
Regardless of which, I really want wireless, maybe a magnetometer, GPS and OPTIONAL 3G.
I could really see this as becoming like a PADD on Star Trek.
If it runs the full Mac OS, I seriously want a DVD drive, 2+ USB ports, & mini displayport.
Regardless of which, I really want wireless, maybe a magnetometer, GPS and OPTIONAL 3G.
I could really see this as becoming like a PADD on Star Trek.
typo
Seeing this just now made me think - you know that educational price that was quickly removed the other day could have been the price of the slate. $729 I think? sounds about right.
100%. Someone has GOT to take a bite out of Wacom. A thousand bucks and all I get is a 12" pressure sensitive monitor? I'd love to have a Cintiq, but the price simply isn't justifiable to replace my $250 IntuosII I got on ebay that does essentially the same thing. They simply own the market so they can charge outrageous prices for a technology that simply isn't that astounding.
Now, if I could get a slim slate that I could sketch with on the go, I could get clients input on the spot, create a pdf work order, check email, and flip through the latest issue of ID Magazine (which interestingly just announced that it would be ceasing to print, but would still be running it's annual contest), well, I don't need a full laptop for that.
You can't buy snow shovels in Hell..
Seeing this just now made me think - you know that educational price that was quickly removed the other day could have been the price of the slate. $729 I think? sounds about right.
100%. Someone has GOT to take a bite out of Wacom. A thousand bucks and all I get is a 12" pressure sensitive monitor? I'd love to have a Cintiq, but the price simply isn't justifiable to replace my $250 IntuosII I got on ebay that does essentially the same thing. They simply own the market so they can charge outrageous prices for a technology that simply isn't that astounding.
Now, if I could get a slim slate that I could sketch with on the go, I could get clients input on the spot, create a pdf work order, check email, and flip through the latest issue of ID Magazine (which interestingly just announced that it would be ceasing to print, but would still be running it's annual contest), well, I don't need a full laptop for that.
You can't buy snow shovels in Hell..
How's that working for you, being clever ?
Seriously, you didn't have to answer the question, it was obvious that the iSlate was going to be the answer. But that's just dumb. Of course, the tablet might have video out that will plug there, but the purpose of the port on the iMac is not some iSlate function, it's just there to use the iMac as an external monitor.