gizmodo.com— This one caught us by surprise, but it comes from a source that has always been 100% reliable: Not only Apple may be working on a 10-inch tablet, but also in 13' and 15' models, one running Mac OS X.
Aug 28, 2009View in Crawl 4
Lemme guess, the "high end" one (see: expensive as hell) will be the only one running full OS X. Meanwhile, all the others will only run Mobile OS X (or iPhone OS X as we know it today), even though I bet technically they all could run full OS X just fine (esp since Snow Leopard has been slimmed down/optimized). So that way, Apple can have more control over you & what apps you get to run on your machine.Is that what this is? Yeah, thats what it is.
I don't know what Apple would do, but it would seem rather pointless to have a virtual trackpad on a touch screen device. I would think you would just touch the screen. Maybe more complex gestures like circling an icon you want to right click (or something similar) would be necessary.A virtual keyboard would be nice but it would be even better if you could write on it with a pen/stylus just like a notepad; better still if it had reasonably reliable handwriting recognition that translated my chicken scratch into editable and searchable text.I would then add a full size physical keyboard that slid out like a lot of mobile phones but then hinged and had a fold out picture frame style stand so you could use it much the same as you would if you sat down to type at a desk with a laptop (prop up the screen in a much more vertical orientation, keyboard flat on desk).
Musts:1. 13"2. Stylus pen (with slot-dock)3. Tilt prop on bottom of device4. Protective carrying case included5. Full OSX in place6. CD/DVD slot (most likely included already)7. Speakers (most likely included already)8. Possible docking station (although not very likely)9. Customizable mouse gestures10. 2 year warranty (or at least extended warranty for a more inexpensive price then ususal)11. Digital display keyboard12. Built-in eye sight camera (I don't see one)13. Flip mode screen display so top is always on top no matter the device angle.Maybe this list is already on it's way or partially wishful thinking, but I'm not asking for anything out of the ordinary and what people would most likely expect from a device like this.
I LOVE IT!!! I'd definitely buy one (granted the price and specs are in line with the market ;-). However, as for the User Interface and the slimness, I'd definitely get it. Granted it won't replace your desktop, it would be a great 2nd PC to take with you around. Actually, my non-tech girlfriend touched the screen of my MacBook (LOL!!!), because she thought it was a touch screen like her iPhone. So many tech and non-tech people who like the iPhone interface would love this (if the price was right). Many don't like the iPhone interface, but based on their sales, I guess many other do too! Taking the feature advice from counterstryke and other users here, well thought out (Apple, please have a better v1), plus a good price, then many consumers will jump on this. -- It then truly will be Apple's answer to the "Netbook"!
I would think a 15" tablet would be a bit hefty for actually using it on the move.I use a convertible at work an compared to a non-convertible Motion type tablet, it's a lot bulkier.
A gizmodo poster wrote: "they need to write APIs to support whatever hardware innovations it brings, and provide 3rd party developers the tools to write for it."This is the key to the whole guessing game right here, and we don't have to guess. Apple has been developing it's Cocoa framework for years, the framework responsible for the uniform and integrated look of modern OS X applications.Apple has developed an extension to the Cocoa framework, dubbed CocoaTouch. It is the foundation of iPhone application interfaces, evolving along side the iPhone OS, which recently turned 3. Being an extension of the existing Cocoa Framework, there is virtually nothing at all to prevent CocoaTouch interface frameworks from running directly on OS X right now. It's capabilities are beyond what you can do on the iPhone, and can only be better realized on a more powerful device.Watch the OS, Apple always drops hints. The OS X dock+expose were the largest in a hand-full of interface lifts in Snow Leopard. They brought better touchpad gesture support and a refined layout of the window management interface in expose. A running application's window set can now be activated in the dock by holding your left-click on it's icon... or on the touchpad by holding your finger tap. The evolution of Apple's touchpad and it's gesture support provide helpers for interacting with your fingers in a confined space, but they would really shine with more real estate.When you can navigate quickly, by the touch of your fingers, through any window on the desktop (open or hidden), there is no excuse not to build a 15" unibody tablet, with a gorgeous touch screen and a stylus, because of course there is solid handwriting recognition built into Snow Leopard. Supporting full Chinese Character sets.I don't see anything stopping them, the tools are already here, given free to any would-be developer. They must be taking their time to do the hardware right, as usual.Speaking of hardware, maybe it has a support that slides out from the underside, to stand it like a picture frame, and then pair with their bluetooth keyboard. All in aluminum and glass. Classy.
peestandingupAug 28, 2009
Lemme guess, the "high end" one (see: expensive as hell) will be the only one running full OS X. Meanwhile, all the others will only run Mobile OS X (or iPhone OS X as we know it today), even though I bet technically they all could run full OS X just fine (esp since Snow Leopard has been slimmed down/optimized). So that way, Apple can have more control over you & what apps you get to run on your machine.Is that what this is? Yeah, thats what it is.
justintxAug 28, 2009
I don't know what Apple would do, but it would seem rather pointless to have a virtual trackpad on a touch screen device. I would think you would just touch the screen. Maybe more complex gestures like circling an icon you want to right click (or something similar) would be necessary.A virtual keyboard would be nice but it would be even better if you could write on it with a pen/stylus just like a notepad; better still if it had reasonably reliable handwriting recognition that translated my chicken scratch into editable and searchable text.I would then add a full size physical keyboard that slid out like a lot of mobile phones but then hinged and had a fold out picture frame style stand so you could use it much the same as you would if you sat down to type at a desk with a laptop (prop up the screen in a much more vertical orientation, keyboard flat on desk).
counterstrykeAug 29, 2009
Musts:1. 13"2. Stylus pen (with slot-dock)3. Tilt prop on bottom of device4. Protective carrying case included5. Full OSX in place6. CD/DVD slot (most likely included already)7. Speakers (most likely included already)8. Possible docking station (although not very likely)9. Customizable mouse gestures10. 2 year warranty (or at least extended warranty for a more inexpensive price then ususal)11. Digital display keyboard12. Built-in eye sight camera (I don't see one)13. Flip mode screen display so top is always on top no matter the device angle.Maybe this list is already on it's way or partially wishful thinking, but I'm not asking for anything out of the ordinary and what people would most likely expect from a device like this.
seoadviceAug 29, 2009
I LOVE IT!!! I'd definitely buy one (granted the price and specs are in line with the market ;-). However, as for the User Interface and the slimness, I'd definitely get it. Granted it won't replace your desktop, it would be a great 2nd PC to take with you around. Actually, my non-tech girlfriend touched the screen of my MacBook (LOL!!!), because she thought it was a touch screen like her iPhone. So many tech and non-tech people who like the iPhone interface would love this (if the price was right). Many don't like the iPhone interface, but based on their sales, I guess many other do too! Taking the feature advice from counterstryke and other users here, well thought out (Apple, please have a better v1), plus a good price, then many consumers will jump on this. -- It then truly will be Apple's answer to the "Netbook"!
hosalabadAug 29, 2009
I would think a 15" tablet would be a bit hefty for actually using it on the move.I use a convertible at work an compared to a non-convertible Motion type tablet, it's a lot bulkier.
niradgAug 30, 2009
touche! (but I am no MS fanboy either)
dig1xAug 30, 2009
They'll probably do it.And they'll be late to market again. The Archos 9 already sits in this space at about $500.TV Tuner, 80GB HD, Bluetooth, Windows 7, Mutlitouch tablet:<a class="user" href="http://www.archos.com/products/nb/archos_9/index.html?country=us&amp;lang=en" rel="nofollow">http://www.archos.com/products/nb/archos_9/index.h ...</a>
hasnainhyder1Aug 30, 2009
Apple makes expensive gadgets....I hope they price it reasonably so that most people get their hands on it !!!
ciphexSep 3, 2009
A gizmodo poster wrote: "they need to write APIs to support whatever hardware innovations it brings, and provide 3rd party developers the tools to write for it."This is the key to the whole guessing game right here, and we don't have to guess. Apple has been developing it's Cocoa framework for years, the framework responsible for the uniform and integrated look of modern OS X applications.Apple has developed an extension to the Cocoa framework, dubbed CocoaTouch. It is the foundation of iPhone application interfaces, evolving along side the iPhone OS, which recently turned 3. Being an extension of the existing Cocoa Framework, there is virtually nothing at all to prevent CocoaTouch interface frameworks from running directly on OS X right now. It's capabilities are beyond what you can do on the iPhone, and can only be better realized on a more powerful device.Watch the OS, Apple always drops hints. The OS X dock+expose were the largest in a hand-full of interface lifts in Snow Leopard. They brought better touchpad gesture support and a refined layout of the window management interface in expose. A running application's window set can now be activated in the dock by holding your left-click on it's icon... or on the touchpad by holding your finger tap. The evolution of Apple's touchpad and it's gesture support provide helpers for interacting with your fingers in a confined space, but they would really shine with more real estate.When you can navigate quickly, by the touch of your fingers, through any window on the desktop (open or hidden), there is no excuse not to build a 15" unibody tablet, with a gorgeous touch screen and a stylus, because of course there is solid handwriting recognition built into Snow Leopard. Supporting full Chinese Character sets.I don't see anything stopping them, the tools are already here, given free to any would-be developer. They must be taking their time to do the hardware right, as usual.Speaking of hardware, maybe it has a support that slides out from the underside, to stand it like a picture frame, and then pair with their bluetooth keyboard. All in aluminum and glass. Classy.
johnnysoftwareDec 3, 2009
LOL, take a look at how much of the mobile phone market is running Mac OS X. It is a heck of a lot more than 4 percent, buddy.