The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)

Yes, I'm honest. I wasn't. Tablets have been shown time and time again in the PC space to be an idea that sounds neat that no one actually buys.

↓↑report

The thing is, I'd love to see how Apple would sell such a device. I am in complete agreement that a tablet for desktop computing is not useful - desktop/notebooks already do the job very well. However, maybe there is something that a tablet would be good at that I would like to do. I'm just intrigued at the idea more than anything else...

↓↑report

I was an early adopter of the TabletPC and tried several models. I really wanted to like the pen-based paradigm, but in the end I decided that for most applications it has limited advantages over the traditional keyboard/mouse combination.

Even with the seemingly killer application of graphics editing, I found that the difference between editing on a TabletPC and editing with a Wacom tablet wasn't enough to warrant the price of the TabletPC -- especially if this is the only application that makes it attractive.

Also, I found that because they fit into the same mental space as a clipboard, tablets tend to get more physical abuse than a laptop or netbook. You're more likely to casually toss it onto your desk, for example. But none of the models I tried were ruggedized enough to stand up to that. I experienced several hard drive failures, along with other mechanical failures in things like power switches, power adapters, etc. I came away thinking that the only way this type of machine will succeed is if it is entirely solid-state and has no moving parts whatsoever. (I suppose a supersized iPhone would fit that description.)

↓↑report

I don't think we'll see a "MacTablet", but I fully expect we will see a 6-9" screened iTouch at some point. The medical apps being released on the iPhone platform would make the a hot seller all by itself, not to mention gaming possibilities, movie viewing etc. But I really think the medical uses the iPhone OS platform has been turning up will see a larger format iPhone/iPod touch in the relatively near future.

↓↑report

i TOTALLY want a tablet, and i was really hoping for one this time around, with my credit card in hand. not because i want desktop computer power in laptop form — that's too many bells and whistles. i want apple to make a simple touchscreen ebook/document reading (and movie-watching) device, something with the ability to connect to the app store for downloads on the fly. that would *really* make amazon's kindle admit who's boss here. with all the patents they have in place, and the iphone/ipod touch already in existence, it's all there: just scale an ipod touch up a bit, and ta-daaaa. i can't believe they haven't done it already, it's so obvious.

↓↑report

or, additionally, things that make no sense (like iPods being announced at a time that is not September).

↓↑report

I concur. I wish the iPhone had just some of the more BASIC features of a smart phone or even basic Motorola flip phone from years ago.

I have the 2G 8GB iPhone and 3G 16GB iPhone and I very much enjoy owning them and thanks to pwnage I am able to record video, tether to my MBP AND use free MMS/SMS. I hoped for a nice FM receiver and video recording for 2G and 3G iPhones.

I went to Sprint yesterday and had a long hands-on with the Pre and I must say the first thing that blew me away was the LED lit display. It was SO great that compared to my iPhone 3G it was NO COMPARISON! Also - I very much liked the WebOS and after just a few minutes I was able to master all but the most esoteric features and I especially liked the ode to the vintage Palm OS in the 'launcher'. The 3G network is FANTASTIC and compared to ATT it is balls to the wall.

I was hoping for more and as usual I was disappointed - although I generally have higher expectations that I should. I must say the new processor and graphics chip in the iPhone 3Gs will make a HUGE difference but truthfully Apple has a SERIOUS competitor in the Pre and that should lead to BETTER phones from everyone and better apps and features.

For the record I was told that Palm has over 400 applications ready for the app store in the nest few days pending last minute testing. I went in thinking the Pre would be a nice phone with a quick and responsive OS that was easy to use - I left the Sprint store with a pre-order for a Pre.

D

↓↑report

To be honest, I think the Pre is more of a concern to RIM than it is to Apple.

↓↑report

The Pre doesn't have an OLED display. It's the same type of regular backlit LCD as the iPhone, but 3.1" instead of 3.5".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Pre#Screen_and_input

↓↑report

No, the Pre clearly states it has an LED display and no where did I state it had an OLED display. The screen is CLEARLY LED and that was confirmed by the manager at the Sprint store. I am often wrong but that information is available all over and I am sorry but Wikipedia is not generally my source for accurate and reliable information.

↓↑report

First of all, nobody wants FM transmitters. That's why there isn't one in the iPhone. It's a simple case of not enough demand. Not even close. Second, video recording? That's one of the things you want? And then you go gush about the Pre, which doesn't have video recording?

Do you not see how stupid that is? Obviously you don't care THAT much about video recording if you're so gung-ho about the Pre. Video recording is actually one of the things that puts the iPhone over the Pre, so how backwards is it that you're making it sound like the Pre is a better phone, while at the same time claiming that video recording is very important to you?

Also note that the iPhone 3GS will be at minimum as fast as the Pre but probably faster thanks to the significant hardware upgrades. This is obviously something Palm didn't take into account when they were boasting about their new "iPhone killer".

↓↑report

No no no, it's an LCD display with LED backlighting. You're all right. Or wrong. Depends how you look at it.

↓↑report

clownfat: Read the post this thread is responding to. It says, and I quote: "FM receiver would have been nice." Nobody is asking for an FM transmitter either.

H3: Copy and paste was ALWAYS on Apple's list of things to add to the iPhone, it was just lower priority than things like, oh I don't know, GPS, 3G, the App store, you know, little things like that. Apple specifically said that copy and paste would be coming in a future release.

When did Apple say an FM receiver was coming? Oh that's right. Never. Why? Because nobody wants one. The truth hurts, deal with it.

If you really want an FM receiver on the iPhone, go buy one.

http://www.usbfever.com/index_eproduct_view.php?products_id=141
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/navigate

I know, google is hard.

↓↑report

You know that what exactly what I was trying to say - it has a LED backlight from a conventional LCD display. The LED backlighting makes for a far more uniformed display and color representation.

As for video recording? The PRE I used HAD video recording. I said that Apple did not allow for recording even though it was completely possible even with the sub-standard camera from the get-go with third-party application like Cycorder and SnapShot - all work well even given the crap camera Apple threw-in at the last minute likely to reduce overall cost.

Apple has not allowed for even the most basic of phone features without the need to unlock your phone and get them someplace else. I have no problem doing that but it comes at a price to Apple and ATT - for me it was a swap to Sprint for a new PRE even though I still have my 3G and plan to keep it along with the Palm. I like them both but I see more upside to the PRE in terms of future enhancement as it has the hardware but lacks some of the software. So what? You can fix the software but the hardware remains constant. I think the PRE has a fantastic display and one that trounces my 3G. The keyboard is OK but I have never likes slide-out keyboards anyway. The WebOS is super and it will continue to improve provided Palm stays above water and I hope they will. The PRE is a super phone and a rival that many in these forums dismiss way to readily.

D

↓↑report