Re: Apple Tablet Confirmed by ASUS
 

Take the ModBook recipe, put in a Core ULV and shrink the screen to 10.6" or so -- how big is the typical Wacom tablet that graphic artists use? This will let them draw on the screen itself.

Re: Apple Tablet Confirmed by ASUS
 

See, my main problem whether they stick to A4 or dive down into NIT size... is that if it has that logo on it, everyone will buy it and profess that it's much better. Very little objective commentary exists with Apple's lineup.

I should clarify, my sarcasm is intended to be in good fun. Great they're running a Unix variant as their OS, but really, the legions of fans irk me.

Re: Apple Tablet Confirmed by ASUS
 

Apple already had a kick-*** PDA/tablet. It was called the Newton MessagePad 2100.
Jobs killed it. What makes you think for a second he wishes to be publicly ridiculed by the press who WILL be drawing comparisons between the MP2100 and any tablet Apple produces?
If you EVER see a new tablet device from Apple it will be a touchscreen convertible option on their Macbook Pro line FIRST if they can get around the patent trolls from the Tablet PC and UMPC manufacturers.
Their current iPhone is much, much more lucrative from a financial standpoint than any Apple-produced tablet could be and THAT'S where they will be concentrating their efforts in the near future. Apple is just doing what any other company <cough>IBM<cough> does and patenting anything they can think up as a pre-emptive "just in case" ***-covering maneuver to keep the patent trolls at bay.

Re: Apple Tablet Confirmed by ASUS
 

At least IBM donated a truckload of its patents to the community...

Re: Apple Tablet Confirmed by ASUS
 

I think this is unfair. Certainly true in the past, when pre-Jobs-revival Apple execs openly boasted about their ridiculous profit margins.

But in the Jobsian Apple universe, the products cost about the same as a decent equivalent, with perhaps a 10% premium because it's Apple. Don't forget too that Apple only just broke even on early iPods because the hard disks were so expensive. They're a company that's prepared to take a risk to dominate a marketplace.

If Apple were to release a Nokia tablet competitor, I think they'd price it at around $299. It would be a little more than the N810. Apple also tend to sell at full price, rather than discount.

But I think even this is dreaming. The problem is that nobody can get a grasp on what the Nokia tablet is. It's really hard to sum up the functionality without sounding lame.

Did you see the Apple Expo presentation when Jobs introduced the iPhone? it went something like this.

Jobs: It's an iPod!
Crowd: CHEER!
Jobs: It plays videos
Crowd: CHEER!
Jobs: It's a cell phone!
Crowd: CHEER!
Jobs: It's a portable internet device
Crowd: (silence, with some concerned mumbling)

I can't remember the exact phrase he used to describe the internet connectivity, but it was something really clunky. Yet that Internet connectivity is one of the main selling points, beyond the key functionality.

Of course, the whole point of Apple is that they take a technology that's clunky and make it usable (the iPod being a superb example, but also the iPhone). So they could pull this off. But it's going to take a massive amount of creativity and marketing.

Re: Apple Tablet Confirmed by ASUS
 

Would you, please, uh, do it earlier? I think thoughtfix video contest is about to end and I will like to submit it with YOU, my partner, as a team:p. I promise I will even split the prize with you:o.


bun

Re: Apple Tablet Confirmed by ASUS
 

Why would I want half an N810? :rolleyes:

Re: Apple Tablet Confirmed by ASUS
 

That's my thought. I'm hearing some talk of that this tablet is also the Apple PDA described in the earlier rumor, meaning it will be around 1.5 times the size of an iphone, which would give it a 5.25" screen, and means it would fit in a pocket almost as well as a n800 or n810. Such a device would be direct competition for the ITs, and in fact whether I get an n810 or a Apple PDA/tablet depends upon what features it comes with, price, and similar considerations. If it has GPS and real (ie back-facing) autofocus camera, I'll probably go with the Apple tablet.

OTOH, it could just as easily be a device with a 8"-10" screen, which seems clunky and difficult to carry, and I'm honestly not certain why anyone would want such a thing.

I guess we'll all know in January.

Re: Apple Tablet Confirmed by ASUS
 

An Apple PDA, that allowed developers to write software for it, and had a screen...writing surface like the iphone would be sweet. All solid state and mostly spillproof would make this the perfect kitchen or poolside internet appliance. Of course, they would have uses in the professional fields as well...for doctors and people in plants...etc.

Here is what it should have to be successful.

1. Shock resistant.
2. Spillproof.
3. Lightweight.
4. 5+ hours of battery life while in use.
5. Quiet...fanless if possible.
6. Stand so it can be propped up.
7. Several days of battery life on standby.
8. Built in stylus but work fine with fat fingers.
9. Scratch resistant, impact resistant screen.
10. Web, Flash, Java, Ajax.
11. Bluetooth.
12. USB and USB host.
13. Built in office suite...possibly Open Office
14. Built in PIM software.
15. User replaceable battery.
16. 8-16Gb internal flash storage
17. Decently loud speakers.
18. WIFI b,g,n.
19. Open to third party software developers.

Re: Apple Tablet Confirmed by ASUS
 

I wouldn't hold my breath for an open device from apple :)

they are known as control freaks. If you want examples: MaxOSX (there is no reason it wouldn't work on other hardware, not just apple), iphone, ipod touch, all ipods actually even if some can run linux. I know some of those have 3rd party apps but they are hacked apps which tend to break on every firmware update.