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What Will be the Killer Feature of an Apple Tablet?

I think the killer app answer will be different for most people. For me, the ability to use it as a Kindle substitute, along with web, video and music would be strong. However if it had iChat with video, that would be very compelling. We've got an open sourse XMPP server that's SSL encrypted, and iChat works very well with video over it; the quality is actually superior to both Skype and Cisco's software.

To have that in a tablet device would be immensely attractive for me and many others here at my employer.
 
notyourlawyer said:
Eric, meet facts. Facts, meet Eric.

2. "Low adoption rate?" Compared to what? Swine flu? Apple sold 5 million of the things in the last quarter alone, and is rapidly catching up to RIM's unit volume. The 3GS launch was AT&T's highest single sales day ever.


4. You know more than one person with an iPhone. Seriously, you do.
Click to expand...


I compare the low adoption rate to the fact that a 30-something old male like myself living in New England who probably, literally, knows several hundred people (count up all my neighbors, family, co-workers, friends, etc) and I know 1 person. Period. That is not an exaggeration. My wife and I both work in high tech...her company is filled with Blackberries and if they don't have a BB they have just a plain old phone (personal or biz use) like a Nokia or Razr. My friend's iPhone was purchased in Fall 2008.

Regardless if the iPhone ever is aimed at business users/corporations, I don't think they are as popular as you think. I certainly do my share of eating out, going to stores, etc. and the people I see are yapping on a plain old phone. Now maybe Johnny's sitting out in the car doing non-talking stuff on his iPhone. I dunno. I have seen, quite literally, 5-10 iPhones in the past 6 months...someone sitting at the restaurant table doing something with it is the usual case.

I think the iPhone's are pretty cool...sweet functionality. But at the end of the day, it's a lot of functionality that I will never use that is being advertised as a TELEPHONE. The iPhone is quite similar to the Touch. I think these similarities and needless apps turns away a lot of customers who want to use it as a phone. But maybe I'm wrong...maybe I will use it for 2 weeks and find that I can't live without it. But it's a HUGE GAMBLE for me to lock myself into a $90+/month contract for 2 years plus $100-$200 for a "phone" that has functionality I may never use (or unlock down the road)...why not just re-lock into a much cheaper plan with a nice free phone (or under $100) that I know does all **I** need it to?

Now...maybe with the iPhone dropping in price this Spring times are changing a bit...and maybe if prices drop more, more people will buy. And maybe as people's existing non-Apple contracts expire they may switch to the iPhone.

I use my cell phone for yapping and texting. I am constantly with my laptop or near another computer...hence no real reason for me to need those features on a phone with an expensive phone plan.

I'd like to see the iPhone open up to other carriers (Verizon) and also have better cell plans (everything usually gets better/faster/cheaper) and cheaper plans. When that day comes, I will revisit the iPhone (just like millions of others will) and see if it's still overkill for "a telephone" or it actually is essential.

Unfortunately for me (and a lot of people in New England) ATT has horrific coverage...Verizon is rock solid. So until iPhone goes on Verizon, us New Englanders who value their service and connectibility will not be buying an iPhone. This probably explains a decent percentage of my statements of me not seeing anyone on an iPhone.

-Eric
 
killer apps for a tablet

Killer apps for an Apple tablet:

1. eForms interface that accepts both stylus and typed input, digital signatures verified by an attached card reader or biometric device, and fast and easy sharing with other computers or devices on a wireless network. Great for offices and customer service or even for tests issued to students in a classroom. Finally replace paper in the office and classroom.

2. eBook reader and a store that sells books and periodicals in color.

3. iTunes

4. A simulated notebook app that works just like a real notebook. Swipe a finger to turn the pages and use a stylus to jot notes. Great for students.

5. iChatAV - this would be great but needs a lot of computing power so is more likely in a 2nd or 3rd generation device.

6. Apple Remote Desktop

7. Games

8. Web browsers

9. Preview or other high resolution image viewer for digital photos. Not just family pics - also good for medical images or schematics.

10. Thousands more downloadable apps created by developers using an SDK.

The portability opens up many uses that are too cumbersome for a laptop but use a lot of visual information that is better on a display larger than those on phones. A cradle charger that also holds the device upright for watching videos would be a great addition. There should be a USB 2.0 interface on both the tablet and on the charging cradle - connect to a camera, keyboard, printer, mouse, card reader, or other device.
 
killer apps

One more I just thought of:

11. A drawing app that is simple for consumers but has enough features for professional artists. Also sell an optional bluetooth multipurpose drawing device similar to those on Wacom tablets.
 
Automotive!

Cars and bicycles have new communication standards for lights, batteries, rearview/sideview/overhead satellite view cameras, and other gizmos, use the new wireless communcation standards. The Mac Tablet can then become the 'universal dashboard display' for everyone to communicate with stuff, from industrial machines, to light aircraft, to microwave ovens to skateboards, velomobiles, and yes, starships. Make it interactive enough so it will shut down if it smells alcohol, will only text message if you are not driving, and reports any accidents (to Mom as well as onstar). That's an ap for the iPhone, too, sudden stops calls mom. :cool:
 
Notepad

The killer app for me on a tablet would be a digital note pad. I drag a Macbook 13 and an iphone around, but for meetings, sketching out ideas etc, I am still reduced down to biro and notebook.

Something that allowed me to write notes, magically manages to understand my handwriting, then converts to a processable form that allows sorting and indexing would have me running to the Apple Store credit card in hand.

The killer app is replacing and improving on paper. Kindle, viewing photos etc are all just variations on the same theme. If apple can genuinely remove the need for paper (lots of people have tried and failed) that would be a game changer and save a heck of a lot of trees in the process.
 
Hattig said:
Killer Features ... hmmm, maybe it could have a built-in shuriken dispenser, and spring-loaded knife slot, with a chamber for sarin gas canisters?

Create a story for the device. This device lives in a stand near your TV / stereo. It's already an Apple TV, the Apple TV dies. It's a Squeezebox. It can be carried to the bedroom, around the house, where you need it. It'll stream to you stereo anywhere (dock has built-in airtunes wifi). There will be an in-car adapter. It'll deliver the news every morning as a Podcast, which you can watch on your TV, or on the tube to work. It'll do your shopping list, it'll remind you in the morning to put the rubbish out.

Or, it's just a tablety Mac thing.
Click to expand...

I agree with TV aps as major -- lets face, it, the vast majority of the consumer market has simply not bought into in-home streaming. So if we could use this for playing through our existing home video equipment, that would be a big plus and video would be huge -- even it isn't a "true killer ap."

For example, I want to watch an HD movie on my 42" flat screen, not a 10" tablet, but if the tablet would create an easy connect up to that TV, I'd buy it in a minute.

Plus, I'd likw to be able to save anything I download an watch it later. A 10" screen on a multipurpose device (i.e., computer) with a 10" screen beats the hell out of a an expensive dedicated device or a much smaller iPhone screen. And what if I could hang it over the back seat of my car for the kiddies, instead of having to buy that as an added excessory (spelling intended).

FYI, almost all the suggestions I've seen here are for things that ultrs-end users want, as opposed to either the prosumer or consumer markets where Apple is actually going to sell these things.
 
  • A flexible/foldable OLED screen
  • Haptic feedback
  • Full Mac OS X 10.6
  • $999 or less

IMO, it has to have a flexible/foldable screen to protect the display while transporting. This will also make it feel more like a book. Netbooks are just tiny laptops. There's really nothing "book" about them. If you're not taking up half of the usable area with a physical keyboard, the device can mimic an actual book. Apple can use this as a marketing advantage over so-called netbooks.

I know that many regard this as fanboy fantasy, but THIS would be killer:
macbook-touch-beta-20.jpg
 
Prof1950 said:
FYI, almost all the suggestions I've seen here are for things that ultrs-end users want, as opposed to either the prosumer or consumer markets where Apple is actually going to sell these things.
Click to expand...

No kidding. Which is why I ignore any suggestion on marketing from folks here. No clue.
 
bend-able?

zombitronic's idea is super interesting. don't think it will happen... but it would sure solve the no-stand problem, and definitely be something new... the haptic feedback... wasn't there a rumor floating around about that a while ago? hmmm....
 
Just a little thought.

i was just thinking, the keyboard on my iphone is lets face it, tiny and i manage to type on it perfectly, it took some getting used to but now i am really fast. so on the 'iTablet' the keyboard could be the same size as that on an iphone and it wouldn't be a problem, even for long texts.:confused:
 
zombitronic said:
  • A flexible/foldable OLED screen
  • Haptic feedback
  • Full Mac OS X 10.6
  • $999 or less

IMO, it has to have a flexible/foldable screen to protect the display while transporting. This will also make it feel more like a book. Netbooks are just tiny laptops. There's really nothing "book" about them. If you're not taking up half of the usable area with a physical keyboard, the device can mimic an actual book. Apple can use this as a marketing advantage over so-called netbooks.

I know that many regard this as fanboy fantasy, but THIS would be killer:
macbook-touch-beta-20.jpg
Click to expand...

This would be killer, and beautifully envisioned. But $999? That's dreamland.
 
Spades said:
The killer feature would be running the full real OS X and not a limited iPhone-ish OS.
Click to expand...

Yeah that would be sweet but don't think it will happen. I'd like to see that though!

For me a killer feature would be a OLED/E-Ink color switchable screen, ebook reader for books, magazines, newspapers and great video playback with good sound built in.

Internet radio Built in like what my stand alone Grace Radio offers.

GPS with a actual GPS chip set for automotive purposes.

Wi Fi with Blue tooth built in.

Printing capabilities via wi-fi and Blue tooth.

Lots of SSD or Flash memory.

Instant boot up!

Built in adjustable stand with non slip pads.

Wi-fi app store for ebooks/periodicals.

Full blown, no limitation web browsing.

Home control and security control.

A universal media device remote app built in.

No monthly contract fees.

That combination and a few other others to me would be a killer combination.

Number one to me would be Full Blown OSX and 2 the actual screen itself. :D;)
 
It will be....

Write-to-text. Why else would you call it - a "tablet"?* *:cool:

No need to compact a keyboard on such a small screen, nor attach a "kickstand" so that you could prop it up for typing. No need for a stylus either. On a 10" screen, this is the idea application. Palm used it back in their PDA days --- but as an added app. No other devices are currently running this natively on their OS. If so, they are not using it as a selling ploy. Think about it.* :rolleyes:
 
Most people can input text faster, more accurately and more comfortably via a keyboard than via handwriting - so I don't see why getting rid of the keyboard and adding a stylus would be a killer feature? What's the benefit of it?
 
when do we expect to see this? i assume they will announce it at the next keynote, which is when?
 
zombitronic said:
  • A flexible/foldable OLED screen
  • Haptic feedback
  • Full Mac OS X 10.6
  • $999 or less

IMO, it has to have a flexible/foldable screen to protect the display while transporting. This will also make it feel more like a book. Netbooks are just tiny laptops. There's really nothing "book" about them. If you're not taking up half of the usable area with a physical keyboard, the device can mimic an actual book. Apple can use this as a marketing advantage over so-called netbooks.

I know that many regard this as fanboy fantasy, but THIS would be killer:

Amazing Picture Here
Click to expand...

THIS. A THOUSAND TIMES THIS.

I saw this artist's rendering a few weeks ago and fell absolutely in love with it. Forget $800, I'd spend quite a bit more to get my hands on something like this.

I don't even really need a tablet, but I'd make reasons to need it, if Apple released something like this.

As for killer apps, the tablet I'm looking for is one that does all your regular tablet-y things, without running crippled hardware.

Atom processors, Intel IGPs, blah blah blah. If I'm rolling with sweet futuristic hardware like a tablet, I want it to run at least as well as regular laptop. It should have ~*at least*~ a 9400m and 2.0Ghz, or I will be severely disappointed.
 
the vj said:
Apple never do their best job with the first generation of anything.

If Apple comes with a tablet probably is gonna be very fancy but the really worth it will be the 3rd generation of it.

So, do not start running like crazy and buying the first thing Apple sells.

The first table will lack from loads of things, memory, hard drive, conectivity and so on. The second one is gonna be an improvement but the trird generation will be the one full featured.

So... expect to have a really good one in 2 years.
Click to expand...

I don't know about that! My first gen 20 in intel iMac has been great for almost 4 years now. I have no regrets purchasing it. Although there is some merit to what you say. I guess we just take our chances--))
 
Boy do you have this wrong!

Compile 'em all said:
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.
Click to expand...
Nope don't buy that at all. It certainly helped sales but it isn't mandatory.
The iPhone didn't sell because of "Mobile Safari".
Click to expand...

Boy did you get this wrong or what, Safari was a key reason to buy iPhone. That along with E-Mail and some of the other apps. IPhone would not be attractive at all without these even with a Touch screen.


Dave
 
wow

I know that many regard this as fanboy fantasy, but THIS would be killer:


- zombitronic *nailed* it! :D

allow for 1TB drive, 6GB ram, discrete graphics (upgradable) and higher than 96dpi and I'd shell out a couple grand without thinking twice.

It would put wacom out of business, but I've been waiting over a decade for a tablet I could do Photoshop/Painter/Sketch with, take notes in meetings naturally like the pulse smartpen from livescribe http://www.livescribe.com/

wow.. the tech exists, the market demand is a no-brainer, with apple's billions in cash reserves they can make this affordable - it's so compelling it almost has to be built.
 
I really think this is going to be much more simple than many of you...I'm going with the Media Pad idea.

I do like the idea of the next generation "kitchen computer" or digital home automation hub. On the netbook replacement front, I'm not sure that I see people carrying around a 10" tablet with a virtual keyboard to replace their laptop. I, for one, would much rather have a pocket keyboard for my iPhone.

As for the Media Pad, I see this thing owning music, books/magazines and movies. All media on one device. Integrated with distribution thru iTunes, and combined with your personal media (photos, home movies) and your web life.

I actually really like the digital LP concept. Think back to what Jobs said with CoverFlow, "you can now touch your music". I think Jobs and many other babyboomers miss The Good Old Days of LPs. They miss listening to their new album and staring at the cover art, going over every line in the liner notes, reading the lyrics, etc.

There are many baby boomers who just got their first iPod in the last 2 years or so. They are new to iTunes and digital music, but they have accepted it. Now, they want to take the benefits of digital music and tie it back to their youth.

Imagine fully interactive liner notes, with links to the web for bios, video interviews, concert footage, etc.

If the Kindle is as big as a success as the technorati claim it is for just books, digital LPs would be huge.

The Media Pad would also be an excellent eBook reader for blogs, magazines, newspapers and books all distributed through iTunes. Full color, glossy e-Magazines that duplicate what is on the newstand and then take it further with interactivity and web content.

Finally, the new Quicktime X for movies. Streaming from your computer and direct download from iTunes.

Apple can kill the Kindle and portable DVD players with one device while at the same time building up their partnership with the music labels, movie studios and publishing houses.
 
sishaw said:
This would be killer, and beautifully envisioned. But $999? That's dreamland.
Click to expand...

MitchT said:
THIS. A THOUSAND TIMES THIS.

I saw this artist's rendering a few weeks ago and fell absolutely in love with it. Forget $800, I'd spend quite a bit more to get my hands on something like this.

I don't even really need a tablet, but I'd make reasons to need it, if Apple released something like this.
Click to expand...

I agree with you guys. $999 would be way too cheap for this, but at that price it would absolutely kill the competition. I could still see this selling well for around $2,499. Apple isn't known for competing in the low end market so I don't know why there's an assumption that this new tablet will be any different. Who says that they HAVE to compete with the next-to-nothing-margins netbook market?
 
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