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What is the Ultimate Role of the Apple Tablet?
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Islate will be something like this, but with multitouch, appstore, and apple-style aestethics.
The fight between nokia and apple has just begun...
If you take that thing and add multitouch, appstore, and apple-style aesthetics, it will no longer be anything like that thing. How will it be "something like this?"
Leave dude alone. I like his way of thinking. Yeah.....it makes me "something like" Brad Pitt and my g/f as "something like" Angelina Jolie. Nice.
Content consumers are just a much larger market for any new tablet device, so I would not be surprised to see a new device more optimized for only the content consumer market.
Plus Apple already makes great tools for content creators/developers: Mac Pros and MacBook Pros. (There's even a 3rd party company that will convert a MacBook into a tablet... producing fairly tiny sales volumes.) But those are Apple's products for us.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
I agree, but think about it. If they gave us just a bigger screen iPhone with the same basic capabilities hardware wise (just a bigger screen) and all the other "wow" was in the software, what's the likely price? We know that unlocked iPhones are priced way up there (was it $600?). So a bigger screen iPhone would probably be priced higher than that, right? That's a chunk of how I get my guess of $799, which I also guess is a lot higher than what many others are guessing it is going to cost.
Sure, there will probably also be the subsidized version priced more like iPhones with the 24-month AT&T contract, but there too you have the problem of "if I already have an iPhone, I'm not signing up for ANOTHER cell phone contract". And if so, then I'm paying the unsubsidized price if I also want this Tablet.
Now, beef it up a little more... make it do a few new things (in hardware) that you can't do with an iPhone (that also seems plausible). Doesn't that almost guarantee an Apple retail price at least a few hundred higher than an unlocked iPhone?
Personally, I believe it is going to be a bit more than a super-sized iPhone, but that also seems to strongly imply it is going to have to cost a bit more than an unlocked iPhone. Are most of the dreamers in this thread ready for that kind of price... and then ready for all this wonderful new print media content being rolled out at about the same subscription prices such content costs now?
I'd love to see the poll on what people think their imagined version of this Tablet is going to cost. And I'd love to see the poll of how much cheaper they think all this print media is going to cost off of current subscription rates for paper versions. In that, we could have a pretty solid concept of just how wide the expectation gap has become (I fear it is quite wide).
700x480 is awfully close to either 800x480 or 854x480. Which in 2010 will be the resolution of choice for 3.5 to 4.3" screens on smartphones. The Droid already uses such a high resolution and high PPI. People say "it's gorgeous".
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
So you don't think this Tablet is going to have the option to work as a cell phone? If so, yes, the price could be a lower, but now all this ready connection to all this media will be limited to wifi. I don't foresee that. What I do foresee is the capability to double as an iPhone (which means built-in cell phone hardware) and since this is a DIFFERENT product from iPhone, it will not be chained to AT&T exclusivity (giving the other carriers a way to sell an "iPhone" to their subscribers).
If it's not another iPhone-capable device, then I would lower my price estimates. But I would also lower my already modest appeal perceptions too.
Besides, how do we get a "shockingly low" price for an Apple "wow" product that is not subsidized by the cell phone industry?
Watch this Bonnier research piece on Vimeo (why they don't include video rather than only still images puzzles me a bit). Now, imagine the Apple version being even nicer... [Add to basket]
If Apple can pull off a working product that's as good a magazine/book reader as that concept video (can't imagine why they couldn't), arm-twists enough decent publishers to provide quality Day 1 content, and sprinkles all the other obvious large-iPod/iPhone stuff (media, web, iTunes, video), I could easily see it being extremely useful and popular. Throw in video conferencing, and I'll buy a couple for my wife and kids.
If it has a 10" screen ? Hell no. 3G data, not tied and not subsidized, maybe.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
What's the device size got to do with this? You could place your call on a 30" screen but do the actual talking- not by trying to hold it up to your ear, but through the ear buds + microphone already included with kit like iPhones, or wireless headsets+microphones via bluetooth, etc.
I absolutely see cell phone technology in this thing. But I agree we won't be holding a 10" screen up next to our ears.
And I can't imagine "shockingly low" pricing unless someone is chipping in on the real price that Apple wants for this thing.
It's a lot easier to shove 3G into a 10" tablet than a cellphone. Cheaper components can be used. Even if the tablet has 3G, think about what a subsidized aircard costs (namely $0).
I don't want to have a full sized bag to carry around my cellphone. Size is not just about holding it up to your ear.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
On the day you "buy" that card for $0 it costs nothing, but then you pay for it (quite a lot) as you use it (if you use it much, or with a contract, even if you don't use it much).
And sure the bigger space could use cheaper components... but everyone seems to agree it is going to have even more stuff in that case than just an iPhone so those components will add cost.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
But if you are buying one- even not to use it as a cell phone (in other words perhaps instead of also buying/owning a cell phone)- you're still carrying it around somehow to read these magazines/books, etc.
I don't imagine my travel bag having an iPhone/iPod Touch + a laptop + this tablet. I have a very hard time imagining this Tablet could make it so that I could leave the laptop out. I find it pretty easy to imagine it could be such that I could leave the iPhone/Touch out (by having those key capabilities built in). But even there, I still find it hard to picture carrying around 2 bigger screens (tablet plus laptop), while laptop plus iPhone/Touch seems to work fine.
Of course, but the idea that one can predict the price of this thing by comparing to an unsubsidized iPhone is logically faulty.
If I would buy it, I wouldn't carry it around everywhere I go. I do carry around my cellphone everywhere I go.
Why would I drag my tablet around to go do groceries. However, once at the grocery store, I might want to call my wife and ask about some things if she's not with me.
This is why your proposition is ridiculous. Seriously, don't insist, think about it. We can do this all day, I can come up with about 3 dozen scenarios where a 10" tablet as a cellphone is the most ridiculous idea ever.
Agreed. Think iPod Touch + 3G card, unsubsidized. No where near iPhone levels.
Many of you have made tremendous points. The more I digest the more my skepticism has grown. I can't imagine them hitting all the requirements.
- Option to not have cellular service
- Price below $600 (same price as a lesser iPhone)
- Battery, battery, battery
- eInk screen for reading but color but OLED for movies butnot too high a PPI for everything but movies
Have you guys seen the litl? It's basically iSlate without iTunes.
- Option to not have cellular service
- Price below $600 (same price as a lesser iPhone)
- Battery, battery, battery
- eInk screen for reading but color but OLED for movies butnot too high a PPI for everything but movies
Have you guys seen the litl? It's basically iSlate without iTunes.
I really doubt that this device will use cell phone technology. Most likely 3G for data. I believe that the iPhone uses separate transmitter/receivers for phone and data, so that means one less trans/rec and associated hardware, as well as less power requirements. That will help lower the price a little. Plus, Apple has reduced technology cost with development of the iPhone/Touch technology and therefore can pass that savings on to the tablet. I do think an Apple Tablet would be closer to $1000 than it will to $500.
nokia 770
check the specs of the nokia 770 and what it was made for and you'll see that it's pretty much a "consuming internet compliant device" with a touch screen/ plus stylus, wi-fi, bluetooth and NO 3G that could easily play games.
I guess that doesn't fall very far from what is expected from the islate (assuming the islate exist, of course...)
Nokia's tablet n770 Specs:
* Display: 800x480 touch screen, 16-bit color
* CPU: 250MHz TI 1710 OMAP (ARM-based)
* Memory: 128MB internal flash (64MB available to the user), 64MB via included RS-MMC card
* Operating system: Internet Tablet 2005 Software Edition
* Connectivity: 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, USB, memory card expansion (RS-MMC), audio out, AC power adapter
* Size: 5.5in x 3.1in x 0.7in
* Battery: 1500 mAh Li-ion battery, 3 hours browsing time, 7 hours standby
* Language support: English (US and UK), French, German, Italian, Spanish
* Supported file formats:
Audio: MP3, MPEG4, AAC, WAV, AMR, MP2
Video: MPEG1, MPEG4, Real Video, H.263, AVI, 3GP
Image: JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PNG, SVG-tiny, ICO
Oh, yes, i came out 5 years ago.
check the specs of the nokia 770 and what it was made for and you'll see that it's pretty much a "consuming internet compliant device" with a touch screen/ plus stylus, wi-fi, bluetooth and NO 3G that could easily play games.
I guess that doesn't fall very far from what is expected from the islate (assuming the islate exist, of course...)
Nokia's tablet n770 Specs:
* Display: 800x480 touch screen, 16-bit color
* CPU: 250MHz TI 1710 OMAP (ARM-based)
* Memory: 128MB internal flash (64MB available to the user), 64MB via included RS-MMC card
* Operating system: Internet Tablet 2005 Software Edition
* Connectivity: 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, USB, memory card expansion (RS-MMC), audio out, AC power adapter
* Size: 5.5in x 3.1in x 0.7in
* Battery: 1500 mAh Li-ion battery, 3 hours browsing time, 7 hours standby
* Language support: English (US and UK), French, German, Italian, Spanish
* Supported file formats:
Audio: MP3, MPEG4, AAC, WAV, AMR, MP2
Video: MPEG1, MPEG4, Real Video, H.263, AVI, 3GP
Image: JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PNG, SVG-tiny, ICO
Oh, yes, i came out 5 years ago.
True. But that doesn't prevent GM from making cell phones the size of cars, trucks and SUVs. Plus Kindles, laptop data cards and mifi cards also have cell phone radios built-in. Some people have several of the above, but only carry one.
Hobe,
I find it very hard to believe that the tablet will have phone features because that requires a carrier plan. Why would someone want to have an iPhone and a tablet that both make phone calls? It makes absolutely no sense at all.
The iphone does what it's supposed to do. Make calls, carry music video and apps. The tablet's role is a bit different.
I suspect that Apple is trying to improve on Palm's old and failed idea from this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Foleo
Remember the Foleo? This might be why Jobs is trying tie in iphone/ipod touch with the tablet as a companion device, optional of course. And remember that Verizon did say that 2010 is the year for slate computers (ie. meaning tablet) and that they are already getting into that market. The question is which manufacturer are they contracted with for slate computers? We don't know. Apple might be one of them.
Again, if you suggest the tablet makes a phone call, it may have to have a phone jack to it to make a land-phone call. The biggest problem is, you would have to pay for a second phone line OR port your cell line into it as a new account. I do see it as a 'web chat' or 'camera phone' device. I, myself, have a video phone at home built for deaf people and it is sick. 10 times more powerful than any web camera on the market. Anyway, You prop the tablet on the table, fire up the web chat and use your bluetooth headset and talk.
Yes, I KNOW laptops can do that, BUT for 'on the go' it does wonders if you are near a wi-fi/3G source. It's a big IF for Apple to include this feature.
So in essence, Apple's new tablet IS a computer, albeit a lightweight and I predict will replace the Air. I want to tell you something very interesting. In the area I reside in, every time I go into the local coffeeshop, 98% of all customers I see are using MacBooks or PowerBook/MacBook Pros. Only ONE guy uses a MacBook Air. The other few percentage of them use Dell/HP laptops.
And because Middlebury College has an Apple store up the block, it explains why I'm seeing a huge body of students carrying those products. MacBook Air is an impressive feat but it's Apple's way of saying "Hey! Lookee here! Look how we made it so thin!" and that's it, besides the multi-touch.
EDIT: I'm also seeing iphones starting to crop up all over the place as well. Blackberries are still around as I have one which gets the job done for me.
The point is that I'm NOT seeing many people buy the Air at all therefore, I'm inclined to believe the tablet will eventually replace it. I believe it will be between $500-$800.
I find it very hard to believe that the tablet will have phone features because that requires a carrier plan. Why would someone want to have an iPhone and a tablet that both make phone calls? It makes absolutely no sense at all.
The iphone does what it's supposed to do. Make calls, carry music video and apps. The tablet's role is a bit different.
I suspect that Apple is trying to improve on Palm's old and failed idea from this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Foleo
Remember the Foleo? This might be why Jobs is trying tie in iphone/ipod touch with the tablet as a companion device, optional of course. And remember that Verizon did say that 2010 is the year for slate computers (ie. meaning tablet) and that they are already getting into that market. The question is which manufacturer are they contracted with for slate computers? We don't know. Apple might be one of them.
Again, if you suggest the tablet makes a phone call, it may have to have a phone jack to it to make a land-phone call. The biggest problem is, you would have to pay for a second phone line OR port your cell line into it as a new account. I do see it as a 'web chat' or 'camera phone' device. I, myself, have a video phone at home built for deaf people and it is sick. 10 times more powerful than any web camera on the market. Anyway, You prop the tablet on the table, fire up the web chat and use your bluetooth headset and talk.
Yes, I KNOW laptops can do that, BUT for 'on the go' it does wonders if you are near a wi-fi/3G source. It's a big IF for Apple to include this feature.
So in essence, Apple's new tablet IS a computer, albeit a lightweight and I predict will replace the Air. I want to tell you something very interesting. In the area I reside in, every time I go into the local coffeeshop, 98% of all customers I see are using MacBooks or PowerBook/MacBook Pros. Only ONE guy uses a MacBook Air. The other few percentage of them use Dell/HP laptops.
And because Middlebury College has an Apple store up the block, it explains why I'm seeing a huge body of students carrying those products. MacBook Air is an impressive feat but it's Apple's way of saying "Hey! Lookee here! Look how we made it so thin!" and that's it, besides the multi-touch.
EDIT: I'm also seeing iphones starting to crop up all over the place as well. Blackberries are still around as I have one which gets the job done for me.
The point is that I'm NOT seeing many people buy the Air at all therefore, I'm inclined to believe the tablet will eventually replace it. I believe it will be between $500-$800.
I would NOT be surprised if Apple's iMac goes that route within 5 to 10 years. That is a good design. Having a hybrid desktop/mobile machine for home and 'on the go' is nice. And jack up a wi-fi Time Capsule to back up all data from that system and an external LCD for graphics work and you're set.
I remember a story last year where Intel or IBM has a patent technology where we won't be using wires to connect peripherals to the main system as everything will be wireless. The tablet is probably the first phase of that process to reach that endpoint.
I remember a story last year where Intel or IBM has a patent technology where we won't be using wires to connect peripherals to the main system as everything will be wireless. The tablet is probably the first phase of that process to reach that endpoint.
Why not allow the user to interact with Magic Mouse and wireless keyboard? I would absolutely eBay my MBA if this is the tablet for $1000.