Arment, Siracusa Weigh in on Apple iTablet
Previously we linked to Daring Fireball's John Gruber, who felt Apple was going to redefine the experience of personal computing with their (perhaps) upcoming iTablet/iSlate, and now Marco Arment of Tumblr and Instapaper, and John Siracusa of Ars Technica share their thoughts as well.
Arment starts off laying out the pros and cons of the iPhone and MacBook form factors and functions, and the struggle other devices have had trying to fill the in-between with a tablet. As to Apple's take:
I see two possible outcomes: either Apple has come up with a radical new input method for this form-factor that will overcome the fundamental problems that made every other similar device suck, or the Tablet isn’t this form-factor.
(Sure, there’s a third possibility: that Apple is repeating the mistakes of similar products and making their own JooJoo or Foleo. But that’s too unlikely — and stupid — for me to take seriously.)
He predicts the first, a radical new input method.
Siracusa sticks to what is either already known (not much) or can be inferred by the realities of available technology, Apple's huge iTunes customer base, massive iPhone developer pool, and established relationships with content providers.
The Apple tablet will have a color, video-capable touchscreen, about 10 inches diagonal. It will have flash storage, WiFi networking, and few ports and hardware buttons. There will be a software keyboard. Its operating system will be based on the same core as Mac OS X and iPhone OS, and its GUI API will be an evolution of Cocoa Touch. The platform will (eventually) be open to third-party developers. You will be able to buy media and applications right on the device using your existing iTunes account. Some of that media will be new territory for Apple: print media like magazines, newspapers, and books.
His "good bets" include a custom PA Semi chipset, and iTunes LP-like format and SDK for print media content. His "wildcard" is whether or not the first version with have 3G. Either way, he sees no surprises in hardware, but reminds us that software has far fewer limitations.
Take a read of both and let us know if either changes what you expect Apple to do with the iTablet (when and if they release it).
Editor-in-Chief of iMore, Executive Producer at Mobile Nations, co-host of Iterate and ZEN and TECH, cook, grappler, photon wrangler.
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Personally I wouldn't have any foreseeable uses for this but I can definitely see how this could catch on. They'll be in every coffee shop across the nation.
I really like the applications of Apple i-phone..It is awesome..Its sleek design is also very much useful..
I'm pretty much going to throw up if The iPhone Blog keeps talking about the iTablet.
Rumors are boring, just let Apple surprise you if they really are going to put one out. How bout news on the new iPhone? or the 4.0 OS that's creeping its way through the system?
His blog makes me sick, iTablet this iTablet that.
Rene, I know you are very excited about the possibility of a tablet. However I truly feel you are letting it take over your blog a bit too much. The occasional update or story about non-iPhone products is fine, but I think a lot of people are getting pretty sick of reading tablet rumours every day. When I want tablet rumours I'll check TUAW. When I want my iPhone news I come to the TiPB. Can you please stay on topic just a bit more?
If you don't like itablet please skip these posts and enjoy the 90% that focus on the iPhone.
However, I personally believe it's hugely important right now and will radically influence the iPhone going forward, so I encourage everyone to de-harshen their mellow, not get frustrated over blog coverage of all things, and enjoy the ride to Jan 26 -- itablet or iPhone
Well put Rene. I hope they have more choices than just black, white, or silver.
Sorry Rene but it is actually about 20% itablet by the count through of the last 40 posts I just did. Of those 40 there are 8 that are either itablet centric or at least mention it in the title. As I said before a mention here or there would be fine, but 20% coverage on a product that we don't know exists yet? A bit much.
When it is announced and we can really see how I will affect the iPhone world I can't wait to hear all about it, but for now can you try to trim it back a little bit? Not trying to "harsh your mellow," and it is definetely your blog, but I feel a good portion of your community here is getting a little burnt out on tablet rumours.
@Rknowlt
sorry buddy but that's just the way it is where ever you go for mac news and/or iPhone news lately. The iTablet is being talked about everywhere: Today In iPhone Podcast, Mac OS Ken podcast, mac world mac rumors.. Etc- the device is hot right now. It's ok if the iPhone or MacBooks take a backseat for a bit on media coverage.
Stop whining and just skip Rene's post if you don't care for it.
I'll be the first in line for one. I'm using my iphone more for the things I usually did on the laptop. I want an iphone with more real estate for when I'm in bed, in front of the TV or just lounging in my recliner. Tablet sounds like the shizzle.
Keep the stories/rumors coming... I'll read them!
I'm firmly in the "want one" camp as I love my iPhone and use it all the time and having all the things I like about my phone in a device that has a larger screen would be perfect for sitting on the couch browsing or to hand to show other trailers etc. Price is what will decide when I get one. Well that and if it actually exists.
I must agree With Rknowlt, too much tablet and not enough iPhone 4th gen/4.0 rumors. Let's hope for iPhone 4.0 announcement on JAN 26tg.
Rene, please post whatever you want to post. Thanks for the hard work.
Phonearena.com has islate specs.
islate has a projector
Personally I will be in line as well and love the coverage here.
I too would loves bit more real estate while relaxing in the den. I am going back and forth between iPhones and my aver netbook and can only salivate over an itablet or slate that would perform like my phone does
I just hate going back and forth glasses. No glasses lol
apparently everyone will be happy if you post a bunch of iphone 4.0 rumors. That sounds like a pretty easy fix. http://www.pomegranatephone.com/
I may be wrong, but the phonearena specs look like a complete hoax to me. Clouded Leopard OS X 10.7? That's not even trying to sound real...
And we'll post all 4.0 info as we get it. It's not an either/or folks
It's really an impressive posting. I liked it & think that it will be helpful for others. Keep up the good work. Good luck.
Web Royalty
Any "iTablet" is likely to be based on cocoa-touch, and may even run iPhone apps. Renee should be covering it, it's basically a new "bigger" iPhone!
I'm sure if there WAS news about 4.0, they'd post it. No ones talking about 4.0, because of the islate, so there's nothing to post about it.
Rene keep up the good blogging. I come here for iPhone and associated content. When the islate comes out I will associate it with my iPhone and hopefully this becomes tipisb - thanks for the hard work! (the iPhone and islate blog)
Nice.
They speculate things that seem to be logical. a New tablet OS has been a given though people disagree with it. The tablet OS will borrow from the iPhone like the iPhone did from OS X. The iPhone apps for the tablet might even be easily converted to the tablet format.
Love the post. Keep them coming. The itablet is an Important topic. I have a feeling any 4.0 will most likely have ties in with the itablet. I'm frothing at the mouth for this thing.
I want to jailbreak my itablet 1.1.0 does it work with blackra1n?
I like that its not all iphone topics, but varied coverage of mac stuff. keep on
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