Comments on: Gizmodo: More (and Less) on the Apple iTablet

By: Maryellen Bonomi

Maryellen Bonomi — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:06:19 +0000

Great opportunity for growth and in-line with Raleigh's Comprehensive Plan. This is a obvious path for downtown growth and this study will help to strengthen the partnership between NCSU and the City of Raleigh.

By: KayJayWhy

KayJayWhy — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:04:38 +0000

I learned long ago that an easy way to be wrong about something is to predict a major new Apple product will be a flop. The last time I did that was with the iPod mini (remember it?). It was something like $50 less than a regular iPod with something like a quarter of the space. I couldn't imagine anyone would want to buy it. It was an instant hit. Since then I've read people on various blogs and forums predict deathly sales numbers for everything from the Mac mini to the iPhone. Clearly, Apple has a good idea what people want and what they're willing to pay for it.

The description of the rumored tablet in this post is the first prediction I've heard that makes any sense to me. Imagine a Cintiq-like touch pad that can also be detached from the computer to which it's connected and become a small computer on its own. Also, those orders Apple placed for all those touch screens were for OLED screens, weren't they? OLED screens require no backlight and a device based on an OLED screen can be millimeters thin and possibly flexible (though the technology might not be quite at flexible yet).

So imagine a paper-thin (not literally) Cintiq-like touch pad that is also a paper-thin full color Kindle. I'm not saying that's exactly what Apple is developing, but doesn't that sound a little more enticing than some kind of netbook/iPod touch hybrid?

By: Dexter

Dexter — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:13:04 +0000

Take a look at that picture and think about this... the new iPhone! It really does look like it could be a next generation iPhone with an updated OS.

By: Hakala

Hakala — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:05:32 +0000

Obviously, as said, this IS a rendered design. I do know that. What i was trying to get out was that, if the designer were going to make a legitimate mockup, would be to remove the "Cellphone/iPhone" qualities or features. ...Just saying....

By: fastlane

fastlane — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:17:44 +0000

@Truth:

The next major redesign is when someone comes up with an input that balances the feedback of a tactile keyboard...

No, it's just time to let go of the training wheels and the pacifier.

By: Truth

Truth — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:37:43 +0000

@icebike

I can tell your right now I am not buying that POS. You go ahead and act like its a great idea but I think this is going to flop. I am pretty much done with Apple and their products. I really like what Microsoft is doing with the Zune division and soon I will be selling my Iphone 3g for a Pre (new revision with the better build quality).

How can it be the first major redesign of the PC when all it is a big ass iphone that probably runs multiple apps. I still can't type effectively on the device so it fails.

The next major redesign is when someone comes up with an input that balances the feedback of a tactile keyboard with the appeal of a touchscreen. So far no one has nailed it.

By: icebike

icebike — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:58:54 +0000

@Truth:

I predict you WILL get it.

I predict that within 6-8 months you and the rest of us will GET it by the millions.

This is the first major redesign of the personal computer since the laptop, and if the fanboys are to be believed, the only people on planet earth who can pull that off all work for Apple.

I'm betting its a Computer, a book reader, a web browser, a video player, an artists easel, a gaming device, an always-connected-better-than-Skype Video Phone, and more.

A Macbook Air without the bottom portion, your storage is on Mobile Me, your keyboard is on the screen.

Sure you can do some of these things in a half-assed way on that itty-bitty iPhone screen. But its painful and slow.

(I further suspect Apple talked a Wireless carrier into being a dumb pipe, and allowing every protocol on their network.) . .

Don't be so negative. That's my job ;-) - And I'm fairly pumped about the potential.

By: Truth

Truth — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:43:04 +0000

@ Mark just rotate graphics 180 degrees... or scroll down which you'll be doing anyway.

By: mark

mark — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:45:36 +0000

Tablets will be portrait format color magazine newsreaders. Nothing like that exists today. What will you do with a device like this? On your iPhone go to sites like http://www.iFastNews.com and browse around and shortly you'll become a beleiver. Why are no current netbooks made in the portrait formfactor? Soon all the other vendors will be kicking themselves

By: JCALIFORNIA

JCALIFORNIA — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:42:01 +0000

Is it going to have flash or do what a regular computer does

By: Truth

Truth — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:34:05 +0000

What will it do that is better than any current device?

Making calls? No Typing? No Watching movies on the throne? No Music? No

I don't get it

By: Robert Najafabadi

Robert Najafabadi — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:29:40 +0000

I hope the OS would be Snow Leopard (os 10.6) and I like the price tag and size of 10in. I hope it comes out.

By: iPhone 3G (tulliver)

iPhone 3G (tulliver) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:24:36 +0000

I don't rate this iTablet - I just don't see why you'd want/use it?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:09:21 +0000

remember this pic is a render not a actual pic. i think it will be mac os x not a iphone wanna be. def a reskin but will be able to install mac os apps from our comps. i for one will get one if they can sync with my iphone. i love ultralights but the macbook air is still a little to big and expensive and my netbook sucks even if i hack it it is just to slow. i need a personal comp to sync with my iphone and can use my current laptop as a server / workhorse which never leaves (which has already happened)

By: Dionte

Dionte — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:34:34 +0000

I like engadget better

By: bakerjam

bakerjam — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:33:49 +0000

I don't think this device will be carrier dependent. The fact that tethering has now been enabled on iPhone's, suggests that in order to have an active mobile internet connection, you would need an iPhone. I can't imagine walking into an AT&T or Rogers store and buying an iTablet as a standalone smartphone.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:19:52 +0000

Gizmodo is a joke, and Brian Lam is a overbearing ham-handed tech blogger. Any criticism and he bans those who dare to criticize him from commenting. It's a website worth avoiding for its thin-skinned approach to "social" news.

By: Dionte

Dionte — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:52:03 +0000

It's one thing to have a phone with app's that have to be approved by apple because I will get confused or they duplicate functionality. Good luck with them pulling that off an another device. I'm sure apple would love to be able to make money off every application people use on their overpriced computers.

By: Hakala

Hakala — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:50:54 +0000

Also, why is there an SMS and Phone icon on the "Dock" of this little itablet? Would it really be able to send SMS (dare I say, MMS!) over the carrier network? So basicly if you can get confirmation on mms, that would automaticly rule out AT&T! Lol again it's too early to tell for me.

By: iAnyhow

iAnyhow — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:49:39 +0000

Why is there a 'call' icon?

Ok. Imagine holding the big screen. Calling people. Say. Hello.

By: Hakala

Hakala — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:46:59 +0000

Still might be too early to tell. So far I've been playing switzerland on this topic, because I'm not too too sure about how the data connections would work and if people would actually buy this over the iPhone or even iPod touch. I'm neutral on the topic so i'll just sit back and watch the rumor gates flood open.