Hysteria has reached fever pitch as techies around the world can hardly contain themselves until January 27, when Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) is rumored to be announcing its new tablet computer. Also, during the past several months, interesting tablets and concepts for tablets have been unveiled by other manufacturers. The New York Times has called 2010 "The Year of the Tablet."
Could the Times be correct? Yes.
However, 2010 tablets will be about more than the rumored Apple product (perhaps called iSlate), although the Apple product certainly will be a big part of the tablet ecosystem.
For all the articles written about iSlate, the world knows nothing official. The Wall Street Journal says
it will feature a display between 10 and 11 inches and is scheduled to ship in March. It quotes sources saying the device could cost $1,000 and could include WiFi. Operative word: could -- not will.
PhoneArena says it has received images of "what seem to be internal Apple documents" that show the iSlate has a 7.1-inch multi-touch screen with "intelligent feedback," a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo microprocessor, 2GB of SDRAM (supporting 8GB), a 120GB hard disk drive (4,200 rpm), an iSight camera, projector, Ethernet port, 802.11n, Bluetooth, stereo speakers, omnidirectional microphone, and Mac OS X Clouded Leopard v10.7. Operative phrase: seem to be -- not are. (Clouded Leopard?!)
Still, much as I loathe the hype, an iSlate could genuinely revolutionize the tablet market. Although every Apple product hasn’t been a big hit, the company has brilliant hardware and software design expertise, a great sensitivity to consumer desires, the incredible sales powerhouse of iTunes, a knack for capturing existing markets (e.g., MP3 players, cellular phones), and a CEO
who is able to bully Fortune 500 executives into providing content.
Any iSlate is likely to be expensive at the outset, but the price will decrease and/or the capabilities will increase. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple were to create a brilliant interface that makes it a joy to view Web pages, watch videos, and even hold two-way cellular and VoIP calls.
I can see (and really hope for) the iSlate ushering in the era of "smart" multimedia publications -- if Apple convinces publishers to develop multimedia-rich books, magazines, and newspapers. Even if the iSlate isn't the e-book reader that changes everything, there are many others already available or on the way.
I like the Lenovo IdeaPad U1 Hybrid laptop with a removable, self-contained touch-screen display. As a laptop, it uses Windows 7 with an Intel Core 2 Duo CULV processor. As a tablet, the display employs Linux with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It's a design that other computer manufacturers should seek to emulate.
So, will the dream of Microsoft chairman Bill Gates to see tablet PCs overshadow laptops come true? Gates unveiled prototype tablets in 2001, but Windows tablets have succeeded only in vertical markets. Microsoft supposedly is working on an intriguing dual-screen Courier tablet, which might (or might not) be demonstrated during Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's keynote address at CES.
I'm still not convinced Microsoft will lead the way to commercial success. I suspect Apple will have the One Tablet to Rule Them All, and others will follow the leader.
Tablets certainly won't replace traditional laptops and netbooks for many people. But I am finally convinced tablets will play an increasingly important role in computing and Internet access, and indeed replace traditional portable computers for certain applications.
I can't remember such excitement over a technology product except, perhaps, the iPhone.
I'd love Apple to sell a version of a tablet for $500, assuming it wouldn't be competely crippled. But based on Apple's history of pricing products, I think $500 is too low.
I'd even be surprised if the tablet was as low as $600. But we'll see, perhaps, this Wednesday.
I'll certainly be reading tech blogs that are covering the event live. I don't think there will be any live broadcasting, but Apple typically posts an HD video of these sorts of presentations, often the same day.
Even if the iTablet is to sell at $500, selling 5 billion units of the iTablet within a year ia a super heroic marketing feat. We only have to wait and see what happen since I can't bet againt Apple!
This is article is staing that the iTablet will sell 5 billion units during the first year. How can this be possible when we have a world population of just above 6 billion and a likely prize tag for the iTablet be $600? Is this simply case of tech reporters exaggerating stuff?
They will probably sell it also on other planets and on the Pandora.
I think that many people are excited about the new apple device and at my university plans are even been made so that we could watch the "launching" event live. The number of units sold will depend on the price and $500 will be in my opinion reasonable.
PS: Paul Whyte, the link you provided seems to point to the wrong place
This is article is staing that the iTablet will sell 5 billion units during the first year. How can this be possible when we have a world population of just above 6 billion and a likely prize tag for the iTablet be $600? Is this simply case of tech reporters exaggerating stuff?
The iTablet/iSlate could be a lifeline for old media only if old media becomes "newer."
If books, newspapers and magazines simply offer the same content as in their paper versions, and expect people to pay for it just because it's on an Apple tablet and sold on iTunes, they will fail.
The hope for old media is, as I've written many times, creating publications the integrate multimedia -- and multimedia that isn't the same as on the Web for free. Even then, it will be difficult to convince people to pay.
But if the additional content is compelling, perhaps an Apple tablet could help usher in a new era. If you've seen the various concept videos of how a magazine could become a multimedia product, you know what I'm talking about it.
As I wrote, Apple sometimes sacrifices ergonomics and features for "cool." Of course, the company seems to be doing, uh, rather well without offering what I'd prefer!
So, we'll wait until January 27 to see if Apple indeed announces a tablet and see what it offers.
Content is certainly important. Indeed, as I've written many times, the future of the book is multimedia, and I am hopeful that an Apple tablet will spark the development of these types of products, assuming what is rumored is true.
But it's Apple's entire ecosystem that will make or break the tablet market, not just content (important as that is). We'll just have to wait until January 27 for the supposed announcement.
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