What Will be the Killer Feature of an Apple Tablet?

[revbarabbas]

Actually, I'm just arguing against your points that I disagree with by expressing my own honest opinion. I'm not attacking you personally...

You claim that tablets suck and that Apple shouldn't make one, yet admit that someday tablets will be the Big Thing. So Apple shouldn't make one until...they are the Big Thing? And the first ones to make this new Big Thing is.....?

(Hmm, maybe Apple? Maybe now?)



A keyboard isn't necessarily the end-all-be-all. It's just the best thing we've come up with so far. Someday we'll all look back at keyboards and laugh.



Absolutely. But one can't consume something that is not being produced. In other words, what Apple has demonstrated quite capably over the years is sometimes you have to create a market. Not just supply an existing one.



I think the automobile faced similar consumer resistance back in the day.



Yes, Palm's Graffiti and Newton handwriting recognition both sucked in their own special ways.

When at first you don't succeed...



Ah, there it is - throwing the "fanboy" card (it was just a matter of time). I.e. you disagree with me so I must be an Apple cultist.

I prefer to think of myself as a technological optimist.

I'd love to see a well-executed tablet. If it happens to be made by Apple, great.



Ah, the "Apple fanboy" paranoia again.

Maybe it will sell because it will be truly great? Who knows - neither of us have seen this mythical beast.

And Apple's customers have proven extremely capable of turning their backs on half-baked Apple ideas.

OK first....genuinely sorry about the "fanboy" comment...it was truly out of line. But as far as the tablet goes...it's been tried, multiple times and while it has some practical applications most of them are not consumer applications. I have noticed the touchscreen trend coming back and I welcome it, but the form factor of a tablet has proven to be just awkward...i.e. holding it with one hand and typing with the other cuts typing speed in half, the fact that if you want to type with two hands you have to lay it down flat thus creating an un-ergonomic position for your neck to be in, and I can't see handwriting recognition getting any better than it has in the past 20 years otherwise it would have progressed over those 20 past years not stayed pretty much the same (although I could be wrong and maybe Apple has finally nailed it, unlike their speech recognition which still sucks as much as Microsoft's) and thats my major gripe...tablets while admittedly cool are just awkward to use and I honestly don't see Apple suddenly creating the market for them with some little innovations to the interface. The PC tablet market has and probably always will be a niche market and unless Apple has some AMAZING and I do mean AMAZING new use for them hiding in their back pocket I can't see an Apple tablet bringing the tablet into the mainstream.

Would I buy an Apple netbook? Hells yeah! Would I buy an Apple tablet? Not unless it has some incredible feature that no one else has ever thought of and I couldn't do without...and I think a lot of other people would say the same thing. It will sell well because it's an Apple product and people will perceive it as some innovative product when it's just a sexier version of something thats already been around for years and just never found a market plain and simple...Apple is admittedly a smart and innovative company but I can't see them making any great improvements on the tablet that hasn't already been done by another company. This product will only sell based on Apple's reputation alone not because it's better than any other tablet out there.

 

[revbarabbas]

It will all come down to marketing...which Apple is a master of...

 

[LagunaSol]

OK first....genuinely sorry about the "fanboy" comment...it was truly out of line.

Not a problem.

But as far as the tablet goes...it's been tried, multiple times and while it has some practical applications most of them are not consumer applications.

True, but remember pre-iPhone consumers weren't interested in smartphones either.

I have noticed the touchscreen trend coming back and I welcome it, but the form factor of a tablet has proven to be just awkward...

I still believe shape writing may hold the key to the future in this regard.

I can't see handwriting recognition getting any better than it has in the past 20 years

I agree. Like voice recognition, there are so many variables involved that I don't see this happening reliably enough for mass market acceptance in the near future.

unless Apple has some AMAZING and I do mean AMAZING new use for them hiding in their back pocket I can't see an Apple tablet bringing the tablet into the mainstream.

I think what Jobs has brought back to Apple is the philosophy that "If we can't do AMAZING, we won't do it at all." (The Mighty Mouse and Apple TV being the current exceptions to the rule, of course).

I can't see them making any great improvements on the tablet that hasn't already been done by another company. This product will only sell based on Apple's reputation alone not because it's better than any other tablet out there.

I think this is where you're wrong, but only time will settle the debate.

 

[DMann]

Actually, I'm just arguing against your points that I disagree with by expressing my own honest opinion. I'm not attacking you personally...

You claim that tablets suck and that Apple shouldn't make one, yet admit that someday tablets will be the Big Thing. So Apple shouldn't make one until...they are the Big Thing? And the first ones to make this new Big Thing is.....?

(Hmm, maybe Apple? Maybe now?)



A keyboard isn't necessarily the end-all-be-all. It's just the best thing we've come up with so far. Someday we'll all look back at keyboards and laugh.



Absolutely. But one can't consume something that is not being produced. In other words, what Apple has demonstrated quite capably over the years is sometimes you have to create a market. Not just supply an existing one.



I think the automobile faced similar consumer resistance back in the day.



Yes, Palm's Graffiti and Newton handwriting recognition both sucked in their own special ways.

When at first you don't succeed...



Ah, there it is - throwing the "fanboy" card (it was just a matter of time). I.e. you disagree with me so I must be an Apple cultist.

I prefer to think of myself as a technological optimist.

I'd love to see a well-executed tablet. If it happens to be made by Apple, great.



Ah, the "Apple fanboy" paranoia again.

Maybe it will sell because it will be truly great? Who knows - neither of us have seen this mythical beast.

And Apple's customers have proven extremely capable of turning their backs on half-baked Apple ideas.

Not to mention, that the iPhone would never have been bought to market had they relied on conventional beliefs, that no one would ever want to replace a RAZR, Nokia, or Blackberry, for that matter, with a heavier PDA like device, with an unproven form factor, produced by a company which has absolutely no experience in the cell phone industry. If the technology is ready for the realization of such a groundbreaking device, then Apple will likely surprise us with an entirely new design and form factor which performs well, makes sense, and who knows, redefines a trend for what we believe to be the potential and/or limitations of a tablet... and the guessing game continues...

 

[naman34]

How to make a Tablet.

Why Tablets have failed till now:
Most of the apple tablet naysayers point out that there are many tablets in the market, and they have all been utter failures. Then they go on to say, that it implies the apple tablet failing as well.
Well, though I completely hate the tablets in the market today, and am not ruling out the possibility of the apple tablet failing, I believe, that if a tablet is done right, it could very well be the next best thing.
The one major reason for the failure of tablets is crappy software. Almost all tablets in the market run windows. Even the its ok as a desktop/laptop OS, (i don't wanna start an OS war here) it just doesn't have good support for touch. It makes somethings possible by touch, which are way easier using the mouse and keyboard. It doesn't bring anything to the table.

How to design a Tablet.
When designing a tablet, one of the most important features is the software. Something that apple understands.
A 10" screen with iphone OS just doesn't make sense. But nor does OSX as it is. Of course it needs to be made for touch. So of course they need an all new OS for the tablet.
Again, it needs much more functionality than an ipod touch, but it can't afford to do everything a laptop can. It needs to create its own space, and let people do the things netbooks can, and also let people do somethings that ONLY tablets can.
First and foremost, it needs to work with both a stylus and your fingers.
It needs to have something like a finder. (not like iphone please)
and it definitely need multitasking.
This Is how I picture it.
There will be a scrollable home screen which will contain icons for apps.
one if the app would be something like a finder.
It would need touch friendly versions of iwork, itunes, iphoto, Safari and some sort of photoshop-ish software to name the most essential ones.
These apps(except itunes, and safari) would open basically one full screen document, a lot like the iphone.
There will be minimal controls. the toolbars will work in an auto-hide way, like the do in pages full-screen. This way you can make full use of a smaller screen.
The documents should make use of the accelerometer, to auto-align, but the controls should stay in their own place and turn. (some toolbars need the longer edge)
Moreover, to save space, these programs should not be in windows floating on a desktop, which would complicate things on a tablet. The apps should launch in an iphone sort of way, with each app taking up something like a space.
A scrollable "home" button, should be able to flick left and right across apps, like on the palm pre. Also, pushing it down should open something like expose to choose the very app you want. and it clicking it should bring up the home screen.
it could also have some buttons to bring up mini controls for itunes.
(Considering the low power, it may not allow multitasking while running some games.)
It should allow you to save files easily. (again, not like the iphone)
It should give both a landscape and portrait keyboard in all apps. (an external bluetooth keyboard would be very nice as well.)
It should invent some new gestures to speed things up. e.g. using three fingers to "pick up" (cut) and reverse to paste files and other items. two fingers to scroll universally makes sense. So does single finger tap, and two finger tap, to make it easy to use after a mac laptop. pinching etc, are a given.

It definitely should allow simultaneous use of the stylus and fingers. For example, someone should be able to draw with a stylus, while simultaneously scrolling, zooming on the document.
However, the stylus should only be allowed for input. All navigation should be done by hands and multi-touch. The problem with a stylus is that it can only touch the screen at one point making controls extremely complicated.

Wifi is a given. It needs at least one USB drive, if not more. That much is enough.
It does not need a disk drive. It needs to be portable with little or no moving parts.

I will put up mock ups after a week, if I still feel like it.

Is is possible?
Of course its possible per say. But going in line with rumors, is it possible for a price of about $800.
I believe so.
The ipod Touch comes for about 229 dollars. Increasing the size to 10" increases the price by a few hundered dollars. Also, increasing the power of the device increases it further. To make it as thin, it would probably cost over a thousand dollars. But it can be thicker. more like the macbook air. And suddenly, the price of $800 seems just right.
It doesn't need core 2 duo, but it definitely needs to be faster than the iphone. Which I think is totally possible. Also as its a much bigger device, it can have a bigger battery. A 6-10 hour battery would be good enough.


I am not saying that the apple tablet is definitely coming out. But its very possible, and this is what I consider would make an excellent design, that everyone would wanna buy. P.S. I have read what people want throughout the blog, and I'm pretty sure I meet all their requirements.

Wish apple, or any good company for that matter would do something like it.

 

[Buzz Bumble]

The "killer feature" of the Apple Tablet will be when you drop it on someone's head from the top of a tall building.

 

[DMann]

The "killer feature" of the Apple Tablet will be when you drop it on someone's head from the top of a tall building.

Perhaps, for the purpose of being all inclusive, it ought to be classified as a "maiming feature" instead - especially since tall buildings are generally not found in suburban areas.

 

[JFreak]

It will all come down to marketing...which Apple is a master of...

Probably because it is easy to market a good product. This is why Apple can just show their product on a white background, to make the product pop out, whereas Dell using the same method would just show how crappy brick the thing is

 

[JFreak]

This is what it would look like:

(Or something like it)

Features:
Full but tweaked OS (tweaked for multi-touch)
Superdrive
two usb
Wifi 802.11n
maybe an ethernet port
1gig or 2gigs of ram
120gb storage
webcam w/ mic
voice control?
$699-$899
and of corse a glossy glass screen

- Would most likely not have USB/ethernet (all wireless)
- Would probably have less storage, but SSD
- Would definetely not have SuperDrive (like the Air)
- Would absolutely have AT LEAST 2GB memory

 

[Coruscanti]

A true 'killer'

The question isn't "which flavor of OS X will it run?" because it will run both.

The tablet will have both an x86 chip (an Atom, dual-core (N330) as an option) and an custom ARM SOC (system on a chip). You'll be able to hot-switch between a modified iPhone OS and touch-optimized 10.6. However, the hot switch may or may not involve booting the Atom system as once it boots, if you switch to the ARM chip, the Atom side will go into Sleep (10.6 has Sleep optimization, so it'll be nice and smooth).

The "iPhone" OS version for the tablet will be, of course, optimized for the tablet and able to run current iPhone software, and not just one at a time. However, if the users wishes to do more complex work and needs more processing power, they can boot up the Atom system. The SOC will continue to run as it requires very little power, and will communicate things like push messages to the Atom side, per user settings.

Once the Atom system is booted (and it will boot fast, SSD + 10.6), the transition will be very smooth between the two.

Proper iTunes sync will, of course, work, but it can, if the user so wishes, keep the Mail apps of both simultaneous, as well as some others. The Atom side will be able to update the SOC as well as restore it - no need for another computer. Critical software update on the road? No problem. Need to install 10.6.2? You can tell the tablet to not sleep the Atom side while you continue working on iPhone OS.

Apple has never liked using a separate partitions for data and applications (many PC users do this so they can completely wipe and reinstall their OS of choice (be it Linux, Windows or another) without losing all their documents and photos in the process).
The SOC will have its own memory, as very fast sync removes the need of accessing the other side's drives (and the issues that come along with that). Files will be duplicated between the two systems, though the user is in power to choose what the SOC side has.

Only the Atom system will have access to the tablet's ports (except, of course, the 3.5mm jack). The user will be able to pick which system is using the stereo speakers/audio jack - so music can continue to come from iPhone OS while the user switches back and forth accomplishing different tasks.

Due to tech constraints the two systems will have separate Wi-Fi antennae. Although this can be a very slight nuisance for the user, it means that they can save power by killing AirPort on the Atom side and only browsing on the SOC. It also means they can use two networks at the same time on the tablet. The Atom side's antenna will be more powerful.

Remember this post.

 

[vettori]

Why do many here say that a full OSX version is needed on a tablet ?

iPhone OS will be ok to run most apps that the typical user needs: Safari, Mail, iTunes, iWork, iPhoto, ...

The tablet just needs more processing power and memory than an iPod, I think the iPhone OS will be sufficient.

It could even run more than one AppStore apps at a time (you can do it already on jailbroken devices).

Why have a full OSX version ?

 

[LizKat]

The "killer feature" of the Apple Tablet will be when you drop it on someone's head from the top of a tall building.

Heh, the real killer feature will be the pricetag to exchange one for a replacement after dropping it in water. I can see the whiney posts now!

 

[Gasu E.]

<satire>

If the Apple tablet is anything like the rumors, it will fail. The biggest market for tablets is in the delivery of medication. This is a huge and growing market, especially with aging populations, and an Apple tablet completely misses the mark here. First, at a rumored 10", it is far too big to swallow*. Second, at $600-800, it is ridiculously overpriced per dose. </satire>


* off-color reference removed to avoid wrath of MacRumors censor.

 

[netcastle]

I think a lot of people who believe this product would fail are forgetting that one of the most important drivers of a new product's success in the computing industry is its developer base. Iphone OS has a huge developer base already with a very successful application delivery format. It won't take long for developers to modify or create new applications that take advantage of the advanced capabilities of a tablet form factor. If this product fails, it won't be for lack of software support. In fact, it is because of the robust support already in the pipeline that it won't fail. I believe this product would be a huge success, and like so many other apple products, inspire other hardware producers to mimic it as it defines a new category.

 

[NeoCrusader]

A killer feature would be a non subsidized iTablet. I'd rather pay $800 than be stuck with another contract for 2 years. I'd rather it just have strong Wi-Fi and maybe have it tether with the iPhone. In my view, it's supposed to be a touch screen iMac.

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

The price will probably be the killer feature. It will kill it for me at least.
*ba dum tsh*

 

[CylonGlitch]

I love the features that NaMan mentioned, so I will not repeat them here.

What I see it being is a portiable media device. It is a SSD based machine, so space will be limited. A way to interface to USB drives would be nice, maybe ONE USB port.

But the real things is to make it your mobile media device. It syncs up with iTunes like an iPod, you can throw music, and videos on it, along with digital books (wouldn't this tie into the rumors of Apple starting / supporting one of the digital bookstores?).

iTunes is updated so that you can work on it from your host machine so that you can insert a DVD disk and it creates an image for that disk in iTunes and ties it to that library / computers / iPod style devices. Yeah, DRM but maybe the only way to get the studios to go along with it. But it is now a full image of the DVD, with all features and such. Then you can pick a group of DVDs to put on the tablet and carry around.

This also adds new features for the AppleTV and brings that back to life.

What this means is you can now rip all of your DVDs completely within iTunes and have them play back on any of your media devices - Macs, aTV's, iPods, iTablets.

eBooks are handled the same way. Now you have one device that may have 3 or 4 movies, and a few dozen books, and a ton of music.

Next, it can either be WiFi, tethered to an iPhone or offline. When offline any emails are stored and will be sent whenever it goes online.

Email, Contacts, and Calendars are synced automatically upon plugin.

Portable document folders are now part of the OS and whatever is placed in them is also synced seemlessly. This includes Apps, and other document types.

iPhoto, iWorks, and iLife are also included. Garage Band is a MUST. Other Apple software too, or are included when you buy the full versions of things. For example, maybe iWorks isn't included, but you buy it for your Mac and it comes with an iTablet version.

It needs to be the center of your mobile digital life; video, music, pictures, email, books, and more.

If it does these things, I'll not only buy it, but also buy an Apple TV to stream the DVDs that I rip.

Then announce that they are updating the MacMINI to be "MacMiniServer", it does all the ripping of DVDs whenever you insert them. It also has a "Drobo" style drive support so it can keep growing the storage of your library by just plugging in more drives. It also keeps things Raided so you can't lose data.

If they do this, they will have the laptops for day to day use. iPhones for phones (duh), iTablet for mobile life, MacMiniServer for storage / library, and Time Capsule for backups.

I'd sign my paycheck over to them..

 

[wackymacky]

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.

I agree!

Tablets are only succesfull in niche applications. I really think apple will have to work very hard to make this work.

 

[AidenShaw]

It is a SSD based machine, so space will be limited. A way to interface to USB drives would be nice, maybe ONE USB port.

32 GB SD cards are here now, and much bigger ones on the way.

I'd sign my paycheck over to them..

Apple knows this, and counts on it.

"Look at this new Ipod. It's just like the last Ipod, but it's purple. You don't have a purple Ipod. You want a purple Ipod. You *need* a purple Ipod. Pull out the credit card.... Purple..."​

 

[Buzz Bumble]

Yep. I regularly get a UK magazine called MacFormat which has a page showing a reader's Apple set-up every month, and it's surprising (or perhaps not) how many idio... errr, nice Apple users have multiple iPods and multiple Macs, and yet claim to be "poor" students.

Although not a student, the last issue I read the person (with his wife) had a white MacBook, a PowerBook G3, a PowerBook G4, a MacBook Air, an aluminium iMac, four iPod Nanos (three of which look like the same generation), an iPod Touch, two external hard drives, a wireless mouse and wireless keyboard, and an Airport base station ... and had only been using Macs for three years.

 

[kingthias]

The question isn't "which flavor of OS X will it run?" because it will run both.

The tablet will have both an x86 chip (an Atom, dual-core (N330) as an option) and an custom ARM SOC (system on a chip). You'll be able to hot-switch between a modified iPhone OS and touch-optimized 10.6. However, the hot switch may or may not involve booting the Atom system as once it boots, if you switch to the ARM chip, the Atom side will go into Sleep (10.6 has Sleep optimization, so it'll be nice and smooth).

The "iPhone" OS version for the tablet will be, of course, optimized for the tablet and able to run current iPhone software, and not just one at a time. However, if the users wishes to do more complex work and needs more processing power, they can boot up the Atom system. The SOC will continue to run as it requires very little power, and will communicate things like push messages to the Atom side, per user settings.

Once the Atom system is booted (and it will boot fast, SSD + 10.6), the transition will be very smooth between the two.

Proper iTunes sync will, of course, work, but it can, if the user so wishes, keep the Mail apps of both simultaneous, as well as some others. The Atom side will be able to update the SOC as well as restore it - no need for another computer. Critical software update on the road? No problem. Need to install 10.6.2? You can tell the tablet to not sleep the Atom side while you continue working on iPhone OS.

Apple has never liked using a separate partitions for data and applications (many PC users do this so they can completely wipe and reinstall their OS of choice (be it Linux, Windows or another) without losing all their documents and photos in the process).
The SOC will have its own memory, as very fast sync removes the need of accessing the other side's drives (and the issues that come along with that). Files will be duplicated between the two systems, though the user is in power to choose what the SOC side has.

Only the Atom system will have access to the tablet's ports (except, of course, the 3.5mm jack). The user will be able to pick which system is using the stereo speakers/audio jack - so music can continue to come from iPhone OS while the user switches back and forth accomplishing different tasks.

Due to tech constraints the two systems will have separate Wi-Fi antennae. Although this can be a very slight nuisance for the user, it means that they can save power by killing AirPort on the Atom side and only browsing on the SOC. It also means they can use two networks at the same time on the tablet. The Atom side's antenna will be more powerful.

Remember this post.

Sounds like the Apple III's concept but that never turned out so well

 

[Vercingetorix]

I was really looking forward to the tablet as being -- among other things -- the Kindle-killing ebook reader of the future, but I'm sure not going to buy one from a company that's likely to block books that contain bad words.

 

[Nausicaa]

I think a lot of people who believe this product would fail are forgetting that one of the most important drivers of a new product's success in the computing industry is its developer base. Iphone OS has a huge developer base already with a very successful application delivery format. It won't take long for developers to modify or create new applications that take advantage of the advanced capabilities of a tablet form factor. If this product fails, it won't be for lack of software support. In fact, it is because of the robust support already in the pipeline that it won't fail. I believe this product would be a huge success, and like so many other apple products, inspire other hardware producers to mimic it as it defines a new category.

Yup.

I imagine, if Apple ever had plans to release a tablet, they would feel an urgency to do it now. It's a unique opportunity for them to have such a robust developer community working exclusively for their products. They need to take advantage before competitors begin to fracture the market. A robust community of creative developers is exactly what is needed to make tablet computers sell. It's been the problem all along that the software, and right down to the OS on most tablets are completely unintuitive. Developers have done great things on the iPhone so far - and it's helped sell millions and made the iphone a mainstream consumer product. The same can happen for a tablet.

 

[chaosynchronize]

hi,

i'm brand new as a member, but i've been reading these forums for years.

and i think there are some extremely good insights in this thread into what any apple tablet should include or disregard.

my chief worries would be fast and accurate keyboard response, followed by power consumption, followed by OS usability/stability (i know i have to hard reset my ipod touch maybe twice a day).

for the keyboard, you guys remember that patent in here they filed for about the static touchscreen, with the different textures it could generate? i highly doubt they'd have it ready for the first generations, but i think if they ever throw that feature in, i'll have a hard time not buying one.

for power consumption, i wonder, has anyone at apple ever considered making the back of this tablet a thin-film solar panel?????? of course there would still be a little apple logo in the middle... and it might not be efficient enough, but it could definitely help!

then, they can really call themselves the 'greenest notebooks'.

OS, yes, we can only guess...

 

[MacsOnAnabolics]

Obviously, the tablet's hallmark will be touch-screen!