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What Will be the Killer Feature of an Apple Tablet?

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Apr 12, 2001
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With the growing evidence that Apple will be releasing some sort of Apple Tablet in the next 3-6 months, analysts and writers have started speculating about the potential success or failure of such a device.

Both Gizmodo and PC World have taken the time to detail why they think that such a product will be a flop. John Gruber, however, correctly points out that these people are assuming that such a device would mimic present day tablets and offer no compelling new features.

This is not the first time that Apple has been close to releasing a tablet device. Back in 2003, the evidence for a Mac Tablet had reached similarly high levels, but for whatever reason, Apple ultimately decided not to release that device. We've always felt that the reason has been more a marketing decision than a technical one. Until Apple comes up with that "killer feature" for a tablet, we don't believe that Apple would commit to the market. Apple has always said that they won't pursue a product line unless they feel they can offer something new and compelling. While these promises could simply be dismissed as marketing propoganda, it seems clear that Apple's entries into the MP3 and mobile phone markets have met those standards.

Arguably, the iPhone's killer feature on launch was its excellent mobile web browser. This feature was poached from another internal Apple tablet project called "Safari Pad". Steve Jobs is said to have recognized its value and morphed it into what became the iPhone.

So the question remains, what added value has Apple decided it can provide in a tablet device that its competitors have been unable to offer? Are interactive album booklets alone compelling enough to launch this new device? Or have they finally decided to deploy more advanced multi-touch on a larger screen?

Article Link: What Will be the Killer Feature of an Apple Tablet?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/28/what-will-be-the-killer-feature-of-an-apple-tablet/
the super iPhone!?

Problem with tablet is that most things larger than an iPhone or iPod would require a bag, and personally if I were carrying a bag I would be carrying my 17" MBP (which I do almost every day).
 
A vast network of free Apple-operated WiFi hotspots available would definitely be a killer feature!
 
Dock your iPhone in the tablet and have use of its 3G network.


japanime said:
A vast network of free Apple-operated WiFi hotspots available would definitely be a killer feature!
Click to expand...

It's called the Apple Store.
 
jmann said:
I hope it has a revolutionary kickstand so I don't have to prop it up against a wall when I want to watch something on it. :p
Click to expand...

It's true.

Unless it's just a large iPod it will have to have an adjustable stand otherwise it will flop-literarily .
 
The interactive booklet certainly would not be the selling point for me, especially not at a price tag of $799. Now.... If it was subsidized through a carrier and had mobile 4G, I might pick one up at a $199 price point, however, it would need to run standard OS X applications and be capable of taking handwritten and typed notes. This is the big seller for me... I have always been better at typing than writing, but have always stuck with a pen and paper because of the inability to quickly incorporate diagrams, tables, drawings, etc. with a computer.

That's my .02
 
lol @ kickstand comment

Why does it have to have a "killer feature"? The Macbook/Pro, iMac, MacPro have no "killer features"... They are high quality, the laptops are thin, and sleek looking. That's enough to bring in the dough for apple. they dont need to have killer features... the same audiencee will flock to it because it is high quality, thin, and nice looking.
 
theheadguy said:
lol @ kickstand comment

Why does it have to have a "killer feature"? The Macbook/Pro, iMac, MacPro have no "killer features"... They are high quality, the laptops are thin, and sleek looking. That's enough to bring in the dough for apple. they dont need to have killer features... the same audiencee will flock to it because it is high quality, thin, and nice looking.
Click to expand...

Apple has always been a computer company, so that product line doesn't count.
 
MacRumors said:
Arguably, the iPhone's killer feature on launch was its excellent mobile web browser.
Click to expand...

The killer feature of the iPhone was its multitouch screen. Precise, responsive, and smooth. All other phones at the time had either clunky keyboards, or you had to use a stylus.

The iPhone didn't sell because of "Mobile Safari".
 
I would think that a potential "killer" feature for this device would be a modified version of iTunes that also acts as a web browser, integrating both functions into one application. iTunes already uses Webkit (I believe) as its rendering engine.

In addition, while not a "killer" feature, I do think that if such a device is released it would possess a more advanced version of Voice Control currently found on the iPhone 3GS that manages more functions.

Also not a "killer" feature but something that I would appreciate is the use of rules and spam detection in whatever e-mail application ships with the device. This feature is on the top of my list for iPhone OS 4.0 as it was for 3.0 and 2.0.

And finally, I would speculate that a version of iChat with video conferencing should also be included.
 
I have no clue what the new revolutionary features will be, but (if its released) there will be several of them. No doubt they will blow everyones minds, but also change an industry or two. Apple has a way of doing that.
 
Didn't both Gizmodo and PC World predict the iPhone would be a flop? :rolleyes:

So much for the boneheads at Gizmodo and PC World! :D

Mark
 
theheadguy said:
lol @ kickstand comment

Why does it have to have a "killer feature"? The Macbook/Pro, iMac, MacPro have no "killer features"... They are high quality, the laptops are thin, and sleek looking. That's enough to bring in the dough for apple. they dont need to have killer features... the same audiencee will flock to it because it is high quality, thin, and nice looking.
Click to expand...

The killer feature for Laptops was probably the development of a long enough battery life, and bringing the weight down to < 10 pounds.

The killer feature for desktops was VisiCalc or some similarly important early app.

The killer feature for tablets is what makes it a real market and not a niche one.

arn
 
theheadguy said:
lol @ kickstand comment

Why does it have to have a "killer feature"? The Macbook/Pro, iMac, MacPro have no "killer features"... They are high quality, the laptops are thin, and sleek looking. That's enough to bring in the dough for apple. they dont need to have killer features... the same audiencee will flock to it because it is high quality, thin, and nice looking.
Click to expand...

Because they're trying to potentially enter a market where the consumer has expressed time and time again that they're not interested. No one has been buying tablets.

So for this to succeed there has to be a "Killer Feature" that turns the consumers mind around. No one has said that this feature has to be innovative or complex, it could be as simple as having an Apple logo and a clean interface.
 
Easy: A good way to type

The worst thing about tablet pc's are their text input. Hand writing sucks, the on screen keyboards suck. Apple needs to make something that doesnt get in the way and is easy to type with.
 
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