Rob Bushway, owner of Zoe Technologies, a firm specializing in web development and technology consulting, who also runs TabletBible.Com for inkable bibles and books for Tablet PCs has posted this on his blog:
I have no less than 5 sources saying an Apple Tablet announcement is due soon… And the Intel talks are for battery saving Sonoma-like Powerbook and Tablet tech, I’d heard this 3-4 weeks ago from 3 sources… And it exists, honest, [have] seen a prototype. Instant On, running a reduced version of OSX, with some funky start-up PDA like Apple icon menu. Touch only (white touch pen), [at] least the version I saw.
Full article here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Apple granted U.S. patent for Tablet Mac (with images) – May 10, 2005
Apple looking to add wireless connectivity to iPod, rumored Tablet Mac? – August 25, 2004
Apple hints at ‘handheld tablet computer’ with European design trademark filing – August 13, 2004
The Age ponders video Bluetooth iPod; tablet Mac possibilities – January 22, 2003
Apple readying secret iTablet for Macworld unveiling? – January 03, 2003
Tablet Mac watch begins – November 17, 2002
Shocker!!
eh not gonna happen… not yet anyway
This is it, folks! The WSJ does not report hooey. Apple tablet running on reduced power consuming Intel processors using Transitive Technologies processes.
http://www.transitives.com/technology.htm
Check it out.
” And the Intel talks are for battery saving Sonoma-like Powerbook and Tablet tech”
I used to work at a battery technology company that began working with Intel to develop a high-power, high-energy laptop battery. Could be that Apple just wants some of these batteries for something like a PB G5.
OHPLEASELETITBETRUE!!!!
Nobody posted that yet, so I thought I would. Honestly, I have no need for such a device if it’s just a small, smart computer screen.
Apple has a bad habit of making the orinary extraordinary though, so I’ll probably want one after I see it.
Newton on steroids?
It’s not a tablet Mac per se.
It’s the remote control for Airport Express/AirTunes.
And maybe AirFlicks, down the road.
A “reduced version of OSX”, please… The last thing I want to see is Apple coming out with an OS flavor of the month like M$…
While I understand that there need to be some major OS division (handheld units, desktops, servers) I don’t see the need to run a “reduced version of OSX” on a device that should act as a portable desktop.
The size of the tablet from the patent drawings had a screen at least the size of a 12″ PowerBook. OS X has handwriting and voice recognition.
It may not be able to pack as much RAM into the unit but leave the OS alone please!!
I’m betting that it’s Apple’s take on “Thin Client” Computing. As a standalone, it’s got PDA-like capability, but when on a LAN could have the full power of OS X hosted on another computer or server. It could trump Microsoft’s vision of the Tablet in cost, performance and size.
With built-in BT, 802.11B/G & a 3G chipset it could be the ultimate portable computer. Host Mac OS X on a powerful desktop or server and run it with the thin client as the interface. The Intel connection could be any number of chips they produce for PDAs & smart-phones. The combo of the thin-client and the mini could be killer.
Had nothing to post on this topic, but the Magic Word says it all so I just had to post it:
BELIEVE
’nuff said.
“building”
Ok, well if it’s not reduced OS X, then maybe it’s a misunderstanding and they meant a reduced Mac, without a mechanical drive. The tablet drawings I saw appeared devoid of ports, except for a standard port port. There was strangly a latch like a ‘Book would have, although that may have been to act as a diversion.
A solid-state display without any ports or inputs except a touch screen would be really great for… um… well something I’m sure. It would certainly have a coolness factor. You could stream your G5 processor to the display. Of course the display is using a specialized h.264 decoding processor and it requires a G5 to encode the signal to it.
Would Airport have the bandwidth to send that kind of signal? Sure, especially if the tablet has a resolution of 1024×768, or similar. Would it be good for Web surfing, yes. Email, no… unless it has bluetooth.
Bluetooth is the missing link here. Now we have a Processor, our G5. A display, the Mac tablet (lowercase of course). Input is our bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Now your setup is becoming geographically as well as geometrically flexible.
I hope it doesn’t cost more than a Cinema display. What are the chances of that?
MW: “less”
I don’t think this is true by any means, however, does anyone know what the “Navigator” was?
Worth thinking about.
Could someone please post some postulation on how this might be useful for me? Give me some real life thought experiments with some useful results.
non-disclosure?
Another rumor lawsuit…..
Think guide…
Jobs is trying to find middle ground between the PDA (which he says he doesn’t like), the iPod (which he said was too small for video), and the notebook (which would suck up battery needlessly for video).
Throw in an iTMS that sells videos, QuickTime 7 (H.264), and…
Yeah, I’m seeing how all this is coming together.
The main reason why Tablet PCs haven’t taken off if they are clunky, and the OS they run is clunky. The smaller the screen gets, the more difficult Windows is to use. It’s always getting in your way and taking up unneccessary space on your desktop, demanding attention from those bloody annoying bubble messages telling you stuff you either already know of couldn’t give a flying toss about (There’s icons hidden under the task bar; New software is available; You have lost network connection; Take a tour of Windows; etc, etc). GGrrrr! It drives me nuts, and our help desk folk don’t know how (or if) these annoyances can be turned off!
Some of these messages are downright baffling, I mean, how can the network be down, I’m still accessing resources and non-local applications?!?? How could there possibly be a newer version of TravelLink, it’s auto-updated for godsake!
Anyway, now that I’ve got that out of my system.
A Tablet Mac as elegant as the ‘book line with a stripped back version of 10.4 would fly off the shelves, especially for students being able to carry their Tablet containing all their e-textbooks with all sorts of interactive and media rich content, instead of 50kg of the static paper variety.
Just like the iPod, it would be something that is done right for the very first time, and that’s what people appreciate and are waiting for.
A “reduced version of OSX”, please… The last thing I want to see is Apple coming out with an OS flavor of the month like M$…
OF COURSE IT”S A REDUCED VERSION
This thing likely doesn’t even have a keyboard man.. so the thing isn’t going to be a fully functional OS on which you could install games, etc, it’s just a client that connects back to either your Mac or PC.
You do all the ‘real’ work on the PC (ordering up movies, organizing your music, etc)
Remember how people hated having to walk back to the Mac to change stuff with AirTunes?
This is a remote control that will play content/display content from your Mac/PC ..
(I assume Mac/PC, because if it wasn’t also for PC there would be nothing to talk about.. I mean.. servicing only 2% of the market.. come on.. sales would be abysmal.)
How to do it? Easy. Sync with the My Movies, My Pictures, etc folders… the tablet would just look to the mother PC for files etc, but everything else would run on the tablet..
The tablet, as sb pointed out, acts as a remote control..
Stuart.. the prices thusfar have been high.. like $1700+ I think? Plus they’re aimed at business professionals to take notes in a meeting.. call me crazy but.. that’s not a compelling solution.
remember that “Home Sync” feature what if that was for a tablet like device. Would it be slim enough for DVDs and have th power to decode H.264?
the home sync feature is disabled in 10.4 but not in 10.3 because ipods could have mobile home folders on them.
Possible specs
a 1.2ghz G4
that H.264 decoder/video card
512 or 256mb ram? mini ram
802.11g ,BT 2.0 +EDR, Wireless USB 1.0
DVD-ROM no burner
$1000?
you cover the whole Intel-Apple talks with the new Wireless USB 1.0 standard
Possible Plan – walk to your house…it syncs with your G5 and iTunes 5.0 or is it iMedia 1.0…..walk away..watch a H.264 movie
The technology is available to provide consumers with a product like “iSlate”. Of course only Apple could really do it right, although several other companies are attempting to create some variation of this device. This product would integrate well into the “Digital Lifestyle” philosophy & compliment existing Apple products.
It would provide a screen large enough to actually watch video & view photos, while still being small enough to be portable. It needs to be smaller than a notebook computer, but larger than a PDA. Granted, you can not put a device the size of a DVD case in your pocket, but something doesn’t have to fit in a pocket to be portable. This device could be used in so many different situations that it would have broad appeal in the market. They have an opportunity to impact the industry with the iSlate & iVideo media Store as much as the iPod & iTMS will.
iSlate
New Apple mini-tablet –> PMA (portable media appliance)
Designed not to be a creative device like a desktop or laptop, but rather a sophisticated display device that communicates seamlessly with other devices via Rendezvous & 802.11, BT, GPRS, FireWire, etc.
Device Size:
8” x 5.0” x .65” (±15oz)
± 1/2 size of a 17” PowerBook
± 2x size of a Palm T5 or an iPod
± size of a DVD movie case
small enough to hold with one hand by the bezel (.5” bezel on the sides)
Screen:
±8” LCD (16:9 ratio) -> 800 x 480 pixels minimum (1024 x 600 ideally)
± 1/2 size of 17” PowerBook screen
± 2x size of a Palm T5 screen
able to display “640 x 480 material” & DVD (720×480) quality video natively
Battery:
6-9 hr. Li-Ion battery (or some new battery technology)
Storage:
1.8” 40GB or 60GB hard drive (additional capacity can come from external devices)
128MB or 256MB RAM – fixed
CF slot (w/ adapter for SD, xD, Smart Media, Memory stick)
Processor & OS ?:
Motorola 800 MHz G4 mobile w/ Mac OS X lite or
Intel 400 MHz XScale PXA273 w/ Mac OS Mobile?
Connectivity:
802.11 –> Desktop or Laptop, Stereo, Internet via Wi-Fi hotspots
Bluetooth –> Keyboard, Mouse, PDA, Wireless Headphones, Internet via GSM Phone
FireWire –> iPod, Computer, Hard Drive, DVD/CD writer, Video Camera, iSight
USB 2.0 –> Printer, PDA, Digital Still Camera
mini-DVI w/adapter for:
-> ADC & VGA for larger monitor
-> DVI for video projector or HDTV
-> S-Video for video projector or TV
-> Composite for video projector or TV
Stereo mini out
Stereo mini in
Rendezvous for seamless connectivity to other devices
Input:
Inkwell via touch screen &/or stylus
Keyboard & mouse via Bluetooth or USB
Microphone
Remote control via Bluetooth
Applications:
inkwell, iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, Safari, QuickTime, iSync, Rendezvous
Preview or Acrobat Reader, Mail, iCal, Address Book, Sherlock, iChat AV
Keynote, FileMaker, Quicken,
A/V Formats:
Pixlet, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, JPEG, TIFF, GIF
Accessories:
Charger, External Battery, Stand, clip for iSight, Portable folding BT keyboard, BT mouse
Headphone w/Microphone boom, quality stereo headphones
Price ??:
$699 to $999
Create a device that is bigger that the largest PDA or Archos type device, yet smaller than the average notebook or tablet computer. Imagine if you will, holding a device (about the size of a DVD case) away from you anywhere from 12″ to 18″. Obviously a 4″ screen would be inadequate, but a 7″ to 9″ diagonal widescreen would be more than acceptable. It could still be small enough to fit in a stack of books, a briefcase, a large purse, of any number of other carrying cases. It would be something that could be viewed in an office, at home, in a coffee shop, on an airplane or train, or even in the backseat of a car.
The idea is to create a device that is a reasonable compromise between portability & “acceptable or pleasurable” viewing for multiple applications & that also complements existing devices.
Beyond the innumerable business applications it could fulfill, it could display video & photos on a screen that is much bigger than an Archos type device or PDA, & yet smaller than a notebook computer. It doesn’t need to carry everything all the time, so it doesn’t require a massive hard drive. The internal HD needs only to be large enough for the OS, applications & enough storage to carry material while you away from any connectivity to other devices or the internet.
From a strictly “video perspective”, a large part of its success would hinge upon Apple’s ability to distribute video clips through an online store much like iTMS. This store could provide educational content, business content, news content, & entertainment content beyond just movies. To be truly successful, it must integrate into Apple’s “Digital Lifestyle” strategy, & be truly portable (ubiquitous wireless connectivity & good battery life).
Originally Posted by: lajocaab on Feb 11, 04 | 11:05 pm
Nokia, of all companies has just released a new tablet: the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet.
Looking at the pictures, the thing looks pretty dang thick and ugly, but I couldn’t help but notice how much better it would look with a scroll wheel instead of those 4 arrow buttons! Maybe this move lends credibility to all this recent Apple tablet talk. If Nokia sees a potential market for this, why wouldn’t Apple?