It will not have any ports for water to get into. Everything will connect to it wirelessly, even the charger.
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What is the Ultimate Role of the Apple Tablet?
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It will not have any ports for water to get into. Everything will connect to it wirelessly, even the charger.
It will have many ports, and Apple will innovate by adding 30 water sensors for use in invalidating the warranty.
An iPod Touch (mini-tablet) works just fine for reading in the bathtub or shower from inside a heavy-duty zip-lock baggie. If you don't trust a freezer bag, there are companies that make water-resistant and waterproof cases.
Another interesting NYT article.
From the article:
As we chatted casually over drinks — he wasn’t on the record and wouldn’t be even if it would end world hunger, because he works at Apple — I told him that a workable tablet that featured content that could be priced and sold as an app would fix some of what ailed print. “What the world is waiting for,” I keened, “is a lightweight device that has a backlit, four-color screen big enough to comfortably read on with touch navigation and a wireless connection.”
“What you are talking about is a computer, not an e-reader,” the executive said soberly. “And it would be more expensive, probably closer to $1,000 than $200.”
“Good,” I said. “Where can I get one?”
From the article:
As we chatted casually over drinks — he wasn’t on the record and wouldn’t be even if it would end world hunger, because he works at Apple — I told him that a workable tablet that featured content that could be priced and sold as an app would fix some of what ailed print. “What the world is waiting for,” I keened, “is a lightweight device that has a backlit, four-color screen big enough to comfortably read on with touch navigation and a wireless connection.”
“What you are talking about is a computer, not an e-reader,” the executive said soberly. “And it would be more expensive, probably closer to $1,000 than $200.”
“Good,” I said. “Where can I get one?”
Right, because it's so convenient to carry a powermat while travelling.
It will be mini-usb. Remember that Europe standardized on that, and Apple signed on for it. Dock connector buh-bye. (After all, the thing will be too wide for existing car docks and such anyway).
Non-existent device.
Non-relevant device.
Not software relevant device.
Not hardware bleeding edge device.
Despite mission critical device.
Bye.
Non-relevant device.
Not software relevant device.
Not hardware bleeding edge device.
Despite mission critical device.
Bye.
My Sonicare toothbrush has a wireless charging stand. Certainly compact and portable.
I have an oral b with the wireless charging stand. I take my non-electric toothbrush when traveling because I don't want to carry yet another charging apparatus when I'm flying. Defeats the purpose of portability if you have to take a whole other tchotchka with ya.
I think the idea is that you pack the toothbrush charger (or powermat, whatever) in your luggage, then take it out and leave it in your hotel, no? Doesn't seem that complicated to me.
Travel much for business? I do, and the goal is to keep everything in one bag that can be carried on. Each additional charger, cable, doo-dad, etc. is just something that can be lost, in the way, or that switches you from carry-on to checked luggage.
Legal Pad ?
I'd love to see a touch screen mac/tablet, in a legalpad type of leather binder...maybe a little smaller, half letter size perhaps?
I carry one of these binders to meetings and such....easy to carry, and light weight. I'd love to have a touch screen connected computing device in there.
I don't always carry my macbook around, since it's a little big. My iPhone fits in my pocket. Something in between the size of these two devices - I could commit to carrying around if it was durable and useful enough.
I'd love to see a touch screen mac/tablet, in a legalpad type of leather binder...maybe a little smaller, half letter size perhaps?
I carry one of these binders to meetings and such....easy to carry, and light weight. I'd love to have a touch screen connected computing device in there.
I don't always carry my macbook around, since it's a little big. My iPhone fits in my pocket. Something in between the size of these two devices - I could commit to carrying around if it was durable and useful enough.
Some safe assumptions
Some safe assumptions based on what we've seen from Apple before.
The tablet most likely...:
-Connects to ITUNES.
-Has a MULTITOUCH screen.
-Designed with the *fewest* possible buttons and ports.
-Runs SAFARI.
-Has IPOD Functionality.
-Has a WEBCAM.
-Has WIFI.
-3G (Optional).
-Has GLASS and ALuminum parts.
-Runs APPS from an App Store.
(this has worked so well for iPhone, makes sense to include it in everything they do now.)
The big question in my mind is will it rely on a pure iphone-like on-screen keyboard for input or is there an alternate option for input such as:
-Stylus?
-Super-thin blue-tooth keyboard option?
-Voice input?
-I don't see it having a mini-keyboard like the kindle.
-I can't think of other ways to input stuff...
touching, scrawling, typing, and talking....
Some safe assumptions based on what we've seen from Apple before.
The tablet most likely...:
-Connects to ITUNES.
-Has a MULTITOUCH screen.
-Designed with the *fewest* possible buttons and ports.
-Runs SAFARI.
-Has IPOD Functionality.
-Has a WEBCAM.
-Has WIFI.
-3G (Optional).
-Has GLASS and ALuminum parts.
-Runs APPS from an App Store.
(this has worked so well for iPhone, makes sense to include it in everything they do now.)
The big question in my mind is will it rely on a pure iphone-like on-screen keyboard for input or is there an alternate option for input such as:
-Stylus?
-Super-thin blue-tooth keyboard option?
-Voice input?
-I don't see it having a mini-keyboard like the kindle.
-I can't think of other ways to input stuff...
touching, scrawling, typing, and talking....
1987 Apple Tablet Research
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WdS4TscWH8
I'm just sayin. Put this bad boy in an aluminum enclosure and cut down on the size of the camera and I would buy it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WdS4TscWH8
I'm just sayin. Put this bad boy in an aluminum enclosure and cut down on the size of the camera and I would buy it!
I concur 100%. I too create. Audio and video. Plus writting. Having speech to text while running logic with some esata ports, FireWire plus the consumer reader/reader would be cool to but having mixers forvlogic would be great.
Especially if msft is coming out with what looks to be, their first ever computer that may get gobbaled up by students and enterprsise.
Peace.
Especially if msft is coming out with what looks to be, their first ever computer that may get gobbaled up by students and enterprsise.
Peace.
Gutenberg is the new Hitler/Third Reich. Anytime anyone compares anything in a forum thread to movable type, that thread must immediately terminate.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
An interesting related read: http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108492/check-expectations-for-apples-tablet-at-the-door
...though no mention of the Star Trek Tricorder features, walking on water, raising the dead, time travel, mind reading, teleportation, Minority Report 3D hologram navigation, and so on... that this Tablet will somehow only have features & parts that each individual will use (so we're not paying for any features anyone other than ourself might want) and priced about the same as an iPod Touch even though it has a bigger screen and more features (because the parts inside "can be bigger" with all the extra room so naturally cost can be much less than iPhone parts) somehow still covering the Apple margin as well. And the print media industry will then put a lot more (time & expense) into the creation of their content (adding video, audio, and various interactive options) but somehow being able to cut their current subscription rates by 75% or so (because they don't have to print on paper anymore), breaking the example set by other media already for sale in the iTunes store (where movies tend to NOT be cheaper than the physical media version).
Does that about sum it up?
Wait, wait. I need to also say completely new paradigm, completely revolutionary new way of using computing devices, completely new market need to be created and thoroughly fulfilled by this device. Cool. Thin. Snappier. Kindle killer. Laptop Killer. Phone Killer. iPod Killer. Hot Plate Killer. Shaver Killer. Travel luggage Killer (your clothes fit inside). Toothbrush. Comb. Swiss Army Knife. And Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia Pad. Heals the sick. Feeds the Hungry. Saves the World. World Peace. Prosperity for one and all, forever and ever. (or until version 2).
...though no mention of the Star Trek Tricorder features, walking on water, raising the dead, time travel, mind reading, teleportation, Minority Report 3D hologram navigation, and so on... that this Tablet will somehow only have features & parts that each individual will use (so we're not paying for any features anyone other than ourself might want) and priced about the same as an iPod Touch even though it has a bigger screen and more features (because the parts inside "can be bigger" with all the extra room so naturally cost can be much less than iPhone parts) somehow still covering the Apple margin as well. And the print media industry will then put a lot more (time & expense) into the creation of their content (adding video, audio, and various interactive options) but somehow being able to cut their current subscription rates by 75% or so (because they don't have to print on paper anymore), breaking the example set by other media already for sale in the iTunes store (where movies tend to NOT be cheaper than the physical media version).
Does that about sum it up?
Wait, wait. I need to also say completely new paradigm, completely revolutionary new way of using computing devices, completely new market need to be created and thoroughly fulfilled by this device. Cool. Thin. Snappier. Kindle killer. Laptop Killer. Phone Killer. iPod Killer. Hot Plate Killer. Shaver Killer. Travel luggage Killer (your clothes fit inside). Toothbrush. Comb. Swiss Army Knife. And Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia Pad. Heals the sick. Feeds the Hungry. Saves the World. World Peace. Prosperity for one and all, forever and ever.
(or until version 2).
An interesting related read: http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108492/check-expectations-for-apples-tablet-at-the-door
...though no mention of the Star Trek Tricorder features, walking on water, raising the dead, time travel, mind reading, teleportation, Minority Report 3D hologram navigation, and so on... that this Tablet will somehow only have features & parts that each individual will use (so we're not paying for any features anyone other than ourself might want) and priced about the same as an iPod Touch even though it has a bigger screen and more features (because the parts inside "can be bigger" with all the extra room so naturally cost can be much less than iPhone parts) somehow still covering the Apple margin as well. And the print media industry will then put a lot more (time & expense) into the creation of their content (adding video, audio, and various interactive options) but somehow being able to cut their current subscription rates by 75% or so (because they don't have to print on paper anymore), breaking the example set by other media already for sale in the iTunes store (where movies tend to NOT be cheaper than the physical media version).
Does that about sum it up?
Wait, wait. I need to also say completely new paradigm, completely revolutionary new way of using computing devices, completely new market need to be created and thoroughly fulfilled by this device. Cool. Thin. Snappier. Kindle killer. Laptop Killer. Phone Killer. iPod Killer. Hot Plate Killer. Shaver Killer. Travel luggage Killer (your clothes fit inside). Toothbrush. Comb. Swiss Army Knife. And Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia Pad. Heals the sick. Feeds the Hungry. Saves the World. World Peace. Prosperity for one and all, forever and ever.
Why did you wait so long to summarize this thread for us? I've wasted a lot of time reading these 894 posts!
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Sorry it took so long. I've been actively participating in this thread coming in with a bias against what ultimate role this Tablet will fulfill, but trying to imagine it in a way to answer the thread question. Unfortunately, I still don't have a clear conceptual answer.
iPod answered a clear existing need in the market: a strong desire (decades long desire) to carry more songs than you could fit on a cassette or CD in Walkman-type devices. If we asked "what is the ultimate role of the iPod?", the answer "all your favorite songs in your pocket" was compelling... even at (was it?) $499 or $599 back then?
iPhone answered a clear existing need in the market: could we have our iPod and iTunes functionality merged with our smart phone, so that one device could do both jobs really well? Again, very obvious market want... built upon a long-term want. An exclusive content app store (you pretty much have to have an iPhone/iPod Touch to enjoy thousands of free/cheap apps) simply fired up that much more demand.
What is the long-term (medium-term) need for this Tablet? It is easy to come up with niche needs for small groups. For example, I'm a little interested even if it turns out to be just a bigger screen iPhone because the iPhone is too small for my big hands (but I don't think the big hands market will be that huge).
Watching movies & playing games, etc on a bigger screen will be more enjoyable than watching them on a smaller screen, so the guy who doesn't yet have an iPod Touch/iPhone could choose this instead (assuming it will also have Touch/Phone functionality). But if the bigger screen is much of the hook and you already have a laptop... and especially if you already have a laptop PLUS a Touch or iPhone... things get foggier about why buy this Tablet?
There is a lot of belief about this revolutionizing the print media industry by getting rid of the paper. But the Internet has- or could- already do that, working with the devices we already own. What about a Tablet is going to make that part of the print media appeal so much better that the masses will feel compelled to buy one? And if this new print content sold in iTunes is not locked to just the Tablet (like Apps to the iPhone/Touch) such that those with a laptop can subscribe and enjoy that content on their existing devices like their laptop, what is the big hook? On the other hand, locking this print media content to Tablet users only could be a hook, but then I don't see the print media industry being nearly as interested, when the established market of other iTunes connected devices is so much larger (and already exists).
I just don't see how "cool", or "thinner", etc will get the "I must have one" job done for the masses. It is unlikely to come with thousands of free print media publication subscriptions (analogous to thousands of free iPhone apps). We're not going to "rip" our existing print magazines and newspapers, etc to fill up the device for "free" like we did with our CD collections, so this is a device that seems very likely to involve paying for the Tablet, then paying for ALL of this new print media content to go onto the Tablet (that's very different than putting all your CD music onto a new iPod).
The cell phone subsidy to get the price down to where people seem to think it will fall only applies if this is going to be your working phone; if you already have an iPhone, you're probably not going to want a second contract to get the lower subsidized price, right? Some have passionately argued that there is no way it is going to have 3G phone functionality, which, if true, means there is no price subsidy either, meaning buyers will be on the hook to pay the full price Apple wants for it... not just a small price otherwise made up by an AT&T, Tmobile or Verizon. I don't think we get what we imagine as "shockingly low price" without SOMEBODY chipping in on the TOTAL price Apple wants to be paid for the Tablet (which is why I think it WILL have 3G phone functionality included, with an optional- not mandatory- contract... and thus optional subsidy price).
So, through nearly 900 postings, I'm still searching for a really good answer to the thread question... and still don't know it as any general purpose (non niche) answer that would fit the masses.
Bottom line: I'd love to see some really good answers to the thread question, qualified by at what price you think the device you are describing will be priced. That would be some interesting reading, as I fear there is much too much "Star Trek Tricorder" dreams being imagined for an unsubsidized price below about $300-$400. If so, when has Apple ever delivered Star Trek type advances... for "shockingly low" prices?
iPod answered a clear existing need in the market: a strong desire (decades long desire) to carry more songs than you could fit on a cassette or CD in Walkman-type devices. If we asked "what is the ultimate role of the iPod?", the answer "all your favorite songs in your pocket" was compelling... even at (was it?) $499 or $599 back then?
iPhone answered a clear existing need in the market: could we have our iPod and iTunes functionality merged with our smart phone, so that one device could do both jobs really well? Again, very obvious market want... built upon a long-term want. An exclusive content app store (you pretty much have to have an iPhone/iPod Touch to enjoy thousands of free/cheap apps) simply fired up that much more demand.
What is the long-term (medium-term) need for this Tablet? It is easy to come up with niche needs for small groups. For example, I'm a little interested even if it turns out to be just a bigger screen iPhone because the iPhone is too small for my big hands (but I don't think the big hands market will be that huge).
Watching movies & playing games, etc on a bigger screen will be more enjoyable than watching them on a smaller screen, so the guy who doesn't yet have an iPod Touch/iPhone could choose this instead (assuming it will also have Touch/Phone functionality). But if the bigger screen is much of the hook and you already have a laptop... and especially if you already have a laptop PLUS a Touch or iPhone... things get foggier about why buy this Tablet?
There is a lot of belief about this revolutionizing the print media industry by getting rid of the paper. But the Internet has- or could- already do that, working with the devices we already own. What about a Tablet is going to make that part of the print media appeal so much better that the masses will feel compelled to buy one? And if this new print content sold in iTunes is not locked to just the Tablet (like Apps to the iPhone/Touch) such that those with a laptop can subscribe and enjoy that content on their existing devices like their laptop, what is the big hook? On the other hand, locking this print media content to Tablet users only could be a hook, but then I don't see the print media industry being nearly as interested, when the established market of other iTunes connected devices is so much larger (and already exists).
I just don't see how "cool", or "thinner", etc will get the "I must have one" job done for the masses. It is unlikely to come with thousands of free print media publication subscriptions (analogous to thousands of free iPhone apps). We're not going to "rip" our existing print magazines and newspapers, etc to fill up the device for "free" like we did with our CD collections, so this is a device that seems very likely to involve paying for the Tablet, then paying for ALL of this new print media content to go onto the Tablet (that's very different than putting all your CD music onto a new iPod).
The cell phone subsidy to get the price down to where people seem to think it will fall only applies if this is going to be your working phone; if you already have an iPhone, you're probably not going to want a second contract to get the lower subsidized price, right? Some have passionately argued that there is no way it is going to have 3G phone functionality, which, if true, means there is no price subsidy either, meaning buyers will be on the hook to pay the full price Apple wants for it... not just a small price otherwise made up by an AT&T, Tmobile or Verizon. I don't think we get what we imagine as "shockingly low price" without SOMEBODY chipping in on the TOTAL price Apple wants to be paid for the Tablet (which is why I think it WILL have 3G phone functionality included, with an optional- not mandatory- contract... and thus optional subsidy price).
So, through nearly 900 postings, I'm still searching for a really good answer to the thread question... and still don't know it as any general purpose (non niche) answer that would fit the masses.
Bottom line: I'd love to see some really good answers to the thread question, qualified by at what price you think the device you are describing will be priced. That would be some interesting reading, as I fear there is much too much "Star Trek Tricorder" dreams being imagined for an unsubsidized price below about $300-$400. If so, when has Apple ever delivered Star Trek type advances... for "shockingly low" prices?
But where do all these iPhone Apps come from? Right: You need a Mac to create them....
While a tablet could be used for many things, a device without a keyboard and a 7''-10'' screen is not suitable for serious programming. A large screen iMac is much better for this kind of work...
(The same applies to writing alls those books you will read on the tablet, editing all those movies you will watch on it and all those web sites you will surf with it...)
Christian
Bottom line is it's designed to sell Mac computers, Apple have gained market share in computer sales thanks to Vista, iPhone and iPod sales. People buy the small devices and think 'hey this is great, lets buy a Mac computer'.
The Tablet will be the same, only it's possible it's more of a computer in itself this time, but Apple will no doubt be hoping for some iMac or Mac Mini sales from it and again more market share.
They can't get any more of the MP3 player market considering they own it pratically. Mobile phone market share will be slow to gain due to competition. But computer sales is what they want.
As for the device itself? The ultimate role bar selling computers, it will be the best ebook reader on the planet, it'll offer far more obviously but Apple will sell it on it's ebook features, and I suspect it will have some very clever screen tech and very good battery life.
What the Tablet Should Be
Maybe it's just me, but I find it surprising that many people feel that the tablet will be a niche product, and many find it useless.
For me, it could be the greatest tool ever. I need a tablet that's a full blown Mac. I'm a manager for Macintosh support in a publishing company. But regardless of what I do, I know there are millions of business people out there that walk around the office all day going to different meetings, visiting people throughout the office. Having a tablet is obviously portable, but an instant on, networked, note pad is huge. Right now I, like many, walk around with a book of some sortpencil/pen and paper. As I jot down notes across multiple pages spread across an entire pad (or two) for ongoing meetings, my notes get convoluted. With Circus Ponies "NoteBook", I can take notes anytime and always have it organized and compiled.
And coming from a magazine publishing company, I can tell you we are all very excited about an "iTunes Store" subscription type service for the tablet!
Maybe it's just me, but I find it surprising that many people feel that the tablet will be a niche product, and many find it useless.
For me, it could be the greatest tool ever. I need a tablet that's a full blown Mac. I'm a manager for Macintosh support in a publishing company. But regardless of what I do, I know there are millions of business people out there that walk around the office all day going to different meetings, visiting people throughout the office. Having a tablet is obviously portable, but an instant on, networked, note pad is huge. Right now I, like many, walk around with a book of some sortpencil/pen and paper. As I jot down notes across multiple pages spread across an entire pad (or two) for ongoing meetings, my notes get convoluted. With Circus Ponies "NoteBook", I can take notes anytime and always have it organized and compiled.
And coming from a magazine publishing company, I can tell you we are all very excited about an "iTunes Store" subscription type service for the tablet!