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TUAW Poll: What features would you like to see in the Apple tablet?

Being an Apple blogger must do something strange to your brain, because instead of having "visions of sugarplums" dancing in my head on Christmas morning, I was thinking about what cool features an Apple tablet could feature.

While we've heard of some of the proposed ideas -- it's supposed to be a good ebook reader, for example -- I thought of a few more things I'd like my first-generation iTablet / iSlate / iPad / iWhateverIt'sCalled to do or have:
  • A camera built into the display side of the device for iChat videoconferencing or streaming services
  • Allow "multi-multitouch" so you can have several people playing a game on the display surface, all interacting at once
  • Something like Autograph built-in to allow digital signing of documents
  • A built-in suite of touch apps to allow limited editing and full viewing of Word / Excel / PowerPoint / Keynote / Numbers / Pages documents
  • At least one display port for connecting to an HDTV or monitor
  • Access to both the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook digital book libraries through iTunes
  • Voice control of app launching to avoid skimming through page after page of app icons
  • Dock for using the tablet with a keyboard and/or setting it up as media center (replace the Apple TV)
Which one of these features would be on your short list for an Apple tablet? Vote in our poll below, and if you have any great ideas that weren't listed here, please leave them in the comments.

What features should the Apple tablet have?
Videoconferencing camera on the display side1555 (25.0%)
Multiplayer multi-touch for gaming441 (7.1%)
Electronic signature capability202 (3.2%)
Built-in business productivity apps698 (11.2%)
Display port for output to monitor or HDTV599 (9.6%)
Access to Nook and Kindle ebook libraries through iTunes875 (14.1%)
Voice control of app launching104 (1.7%)
Dock for use with keyboard or as a media center1751 (28.1%)


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Being an Apple blogger must do something strange to your brain, because instead of having "visions of sugarplums" dancing in my head on...
 

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poly

I want to be able to use Adobe CS4 Suite. I need this to be better than my laptop. Otherwise, I can use my laptop.

February 09 2010 at 6:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Markus

I'd like to use these as drone display+input devices. A few of these would make a great poor-man's Microsoft Surface -type interaction model. Imagine doing video editing using an interface split between four of these, with the actual processing managed by a beefed-up Mac Pro. _That_ would rock.

January 28 2010 at 2:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
emmbee

I wish the tablet could let me compose pdfs during a film shoot. I want to make comments about each take and then send them to the editors.

January 23 2010 at 6:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
reggieszter

In the spirit of Apple holistic thinking, I would speculate that:

1.) input will be in multi-touch handwriting, i.e. one "writes" on the screen with three fingers as if they were holding a pen. Virtual keyboard usage would be clumsy - especially on your lap and pixel-proximity programs for entering chinese, japanese, etc. have improved greatly and work well;

2.) will introduce a book and periodical wing of iTunes store (what good would a reader be without one?);

3.) 802.11n wireless - naturally;

4.) seamless synchronization with the mothership (e.g. one's desktop) and projectors all wirelessly.

5.) internal, fold-out stand;

6.) garageband turntable scratch samples and tutorials;

7.) a lot of flash memory to beef-up the spec sheets against competition and as they buy this stuff in bulk to get a better deal on it anyway;

8.) gummy edges (maybe leather covered) to render it grip-able and drop-able;

9.) some flexible part which folds/rolls out and does something;

10.) induction stove, marine signal light, bongo drum, etc.


January 13 2010 at 10:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sloegin

Color e-ink.

That is all.

January 13 2010 at 5:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Keith King

I know one thing it should have: Adobe Flash! Because let's face it, you can only watch YouTube vids on the iPhone/iPod Touch, and that's not good enough for me. Besides, the tablet seems to have a good size screen; perfect for watching online videos. Like the high quality vids on Newgrounds, instead of watching them in low quality on YouTube, where the people upload them, and steal the creator's credit.

December 29 2009 at 12:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kim.landwehr

I actually would have chosen 5, 6 and 8 but too me they kind of go together.

December 28 2009 at 11:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
palegolas

My most wanted features:
* 10+ hours continuos run time
* For it to interface with the Mac.
* Pen support for artists.
* Semi tactile keyboard (like that patent they got with raising dots)
* Worldwide app store new media availability at introduction.
* Light weight and sweet size.

December 28 2009 at 6:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Steve L

Jobs usually wows the crowd with devices that have a number of killer features and not just one. He whips them into a frenzy and gets them ready to run right out and buy...That being said, here are what I think he will pitch:
Dual core low power Atom or Core 2 Duo CPU
Voice commands, voice app launch, voice search, texting and email reply capability
Decent ebook reader capability (color capable)
Built-in camera for video chat
HD video capability
Device is bluetooth and wifi ready and requires a data plan (no voice plan).
Phone capability via Skype or equivalent
GPS and accelerometer equipped

December 27 2009 at 11:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sabi

*add: the ability to use it as a wacom like device on the actual touchscreen.
i.e. ( photoshop and using a capacitive pen to draw things etc..)

December 27 2009 at 11:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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