“Rumors have it Apple is a month away from announcing a tablet computer. Another tablet, the Crunchpad, is also due for imminent release. These and other fine keyboardless computers get great play on gadget blogs (including our own Crave), but in the real world, I believe this whole category is a nonstarter. Why we keep waiting for the killer tablet computer is beyond me. Few people really want one, especially at the prices that they will have to sell for,” Rafe Needleman writes for CNET.
Needleman writes, “What you can do with a screen-only computer gets really limited when you expand the device beyond pocket size. There are two big limitations. First, you need a keyboard for doing real work. At least most people do.”
MacDailyNews Take: Daring Fireball’s John Gruber said it best:
A hardware keyboard is a significant selling point for only one group of customers: those who already own a phone with a hardware keyboard, and that group is a niche. A nice niche, but a niche nonetheless.
Here’s why. Most normal people have yet to buy their first smartphone. That’s why the stakes are so high — it’s a wide open market frontier, but it won’t remain that way for long. Normal people aren’t planning to do much typing on their new smartphones, and they’re probably right. Any smartphone QWERTY keyboard, software or hardware, is going to be better than what most people are used to, which is pecking things out on a phone with a 0-9 numeric keypad.
I type far better on my iPhone than I expected I’d be able to, and that seems to be true for everyone I know who owns one. The only people who struggle with the iPhone keyboard are those who are already accustomed to a hardware smartphone keyboard.
Please see also: Palm Pre users complain about lack of virtual keyboard – July 09, 2009
Needleman continues, “And typing on the screen, even if you can do it, is an ergo disaster. Either you have to keep your hands up in the air (if the computer is mounted vertically in front of you) or you have to hunch over your screen to see it… While a tablet may be great for browsing the Web and viewing media, it’s too big to replace a phone and too limited to carry around as a work computer.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: First, a pair of headphones with a mic – just like the ones that come with iPhones today, prove that the “too big to replace a phone” issue is already solved. Second, the “too limited to carry around as a work computer” is – like everything else in Needleman’s article – simply a criticism of current Windows-based tablet PCs, that understandably, and for all of the reasons and limitations that Needleman covers in his full article, never caught on with a wide audience.
It is, of course, impossible to apply Needleman’s criticisms to an “Apple tablet” not only because nothing at all concrete is known about the device , but because Apple historically doesn’t simply enter markets with new products; Apple’s new products redefine and/or create new markets.
It’s when Needleman starts proclaiming things as if they’re a done deal instead of a nebulous rumor that he gets in trouble. For example: “If Apple releases a tablet in the rumored $700 to $800 price range, it will die. Not because people won’t love it and lust for it, but because they won’t be able to justify it.”
Rafe, you really can’t say that “it will die” when you don’t yet know what “it” is. People who prejudged the rumored “iPhone” based upon the so-called “smartphones” available just before Steve Jobs unveiled the actual iPhone didn’t fare too well, either.
Call us crazy, but if it were us, we’d wait to see exactly what Apple has cooked up, what it’s capabilities will be, what its form factor is, and how much it will cost before writing and publishing articles about its viability.
In the meantime, Rafe, you’ve been iCal’ed.
The Mdn iCal Death Match, coming soon.
iAgree with him… and so would you.. if it were Dell releasing this product.
I wouldn’t use a tablet as a notebook replacement. I *might* use one as an e-reader and media center controller.
latest iPhone OS software keyboard seems to have really improved fidelity and I imagine that on a tablet (with bigger keys to aim at) would soon become accepted. Again it’s all about quality!
Maybe in a few years even desktop keyboards will be multi-functional software based interfaces without actual keys as such?
A software keyboard now, a piano keyboard later etc!
“And typing on the screen, even if you can do it, is an ergo disaster. Either you have to keep your hands up in the air (if the computer is mounted vertically in front of you) or you have to hunch over your screen to see it.”
1. A tablet would never be mounted vertically in front of the user for typing.
2. If horizontal, you no more have to hunch over to see it than you do an paper tablet.
I have a vision disability. I find it easier to type on the iPhone.
In a way, Apple has become the new Microsoft…hold off the flames, folks! What I mean is that Apple has become so successful that a significant number of analysts have become almost obsessed with finding a weakness, to the extent that they are willing to generate one through speculation and rumor. They are attempting to create a self-fulfilling prophesy of doom.
What is ironic to me is that a company (M$) with a history of mediocrity releases failure after failure with only moderate criticism. But a company that consistently releases amazing successes will be raked over the coals at the first hint that a new product is less than spectacular. That is unfortunate, because great success is only achieved by taking educated risks.
And the world is flat! Man will never walk on the moon! Man will never fly!
Yep, ‘ol Rafe totally nailed it. That’s why he’s such a household name…
Remember, C|Net is always right. Any organization that supports Windows like they do can’t be wrong. Oh, and a moose bit my sister once…
Suppose the Mac tablet has vastly improved handwriting recognition technology. So that instead of trying to type on it you just wrote on it and watched it magically turn your writing into text. Nobody has done handwriting recognition as well as the Newton did almost 20 years ago and I’m sure Apple can make the kind of improvements that will blow everybody away. Also suppose you will be able to speak into a headset with microphone and watch your words be transcribed into text? This into a small device that can easily be carried. That’s a netbook that will find a market. Stay tuned.
This guy is a pure dime-a-dozen clueless hit whore asshat.
MDN feels compelled to defend all things Apple. Needleman’s questions are valid. Gruber’s comments refer to typing on the iPhone-they are not relevant to typing on a tablet.
It is not necessary or seemly for MDN to attack anyone who does not 100% agree with Apple.
Why not just talk into your tablet instead of typing? Apple can do it, if anyone can.
Connor is on the right track
A Tablet Mac/Pod can be anything you want since the screen can display anything. Apple just proved that this with the iPhone and have developed the App Store with huge success.
This list of possible uses is up to the imagination of developers.
e-reader and media center controller are a few.
We already have medical apps being used on the iPhone.
Data entry is obvious for many types of businesses that need portable units.
Schools could benefit instead of using books and more expensive laptops.
So the potential is there and the success will largely depend on the apps that run on it. M$ and Apple only became successful initially because there were applications available that consumers and business needed.
I agree. Capsules are much easier to swallow…
People in healthcare need tablets, in private practice and in healthcare facilities … just one example, and in a multi-trillion dollar industry.
@Kingmel
Actually, you’ve got the first point completely wrong. ANY time Microsoft announces an upcoming product, vaporware or not, the tech press is falling all over itself to praise it.
Part of Microsoft’s success has hinged on…
• Seeing a competitor’s software product
• THEN deciding to create there own version
• THEN announcing with great fanfare this suddenly earth shattering new product they have invented.
• THEN, because of Microsoft’s domination of the OS market, the already existing, already successful product would suddenly lose sales, because the world was waiting for the “real McCoy” coming from Redmond.
On the Apple side, rumors of ANYthing coming from Apple that is perceived to stray from the “industry norm” (Microsoft and their ilk) are greeted with skepticism, derision and proclaimed a failure…
YES, BEFORE a product is even announced/.
Of course, after the announcement, the tech press twists itself into little balls of hate trying to pick apart every aspect of this product which they perceive (real or imagined) to stray from the “industry norm”.
Apple RARELY loses here. I could make a list to fill the page with Apple products that were announced DOA by the all-knowing tech pundits.
How many real DUDS has Apple released since Steve Jobs return? The Cube, only because of price and (arguably) TV?
i think we should wait until Apple ctually does release this product before we decide it’s fate. Personally, because of my visual disability, i would welcome a computer where the key board is on the screen. Keep in mind that all I use on my MacBook for is iWork, Safari, iLife, Mail, AddressBook & iCal.
if the analysts say it won’t sell, i recommend you buy apple stock now, because it WILL sell. its kinda like the george costanza effect from sienfield.
@DogGone
“This list of possible uses is up to the imagination of developers.
e-reader and media center controller are a few.
We already have medical apps being used on the iPhone.
Data entry is obvious for many types of businesses that need portable units.
Schools could benefit instead of using books and more expensive laptops.”
Exactly! I put this on CNet on the original article where everyone is saying, “Oh woe is me, no market, who’s gonna buy one” Maybe someone who wants to play games or relax and read on the sofa.”
The commenters kept pointing out that Apple itself, despite there is no official announcement or ad, seems to want to market it as a fun thing for consumers. Apple hasn’t even talked about it yet!
Anyway, yes, the iPhone has been more or less targeted at consumers, but that is so they can take it home, check it out, and then tell their bosses and IT managers how they have to be able to use them at the office or they quit! MS, on the other hand says, “hey purchasers, this is for your industry (big ass table for the tourism and restaurant industry); it’s gonna be a hit though no real people have actually ever used it!”
Apples product will come into business through the backdoor, as already tested and loved by its real users.
I agree about the uses mentioned, particulalry med industry. Already, every med school is GIVING iPhones to every new student! The specialized apps are already there and proven! Next, UPS drivers, etc. — who likes signing stuff on those weird little gizmos they carry?
Meter checkers.
Inventory stock taking.
Waitresses.
Cashiers who can walk around the store as personal shoppers, a la Apple Store.
Librarians.
Wedding Coordinators.
Coaches.
Event managers.
The list goes on.
2 million in first month, easy!
I work in educational technology, and I think an Apple produced tablet could be a huge hit in schools. And if a product were a huge hit in schools, it could be a success for Apple even if not a single ‘consumer’ bought one. We already spend a ton on books which cannot be used to their capacity of usefulness if you can’t get the students to carry them home, and they are quickly outdated. A multi-use device like a tablet could be the answer, and there is no one I trust more to surprise us with something we never thought of than Apple. Thus, I don’t need to understand exactly how the keyboard or other input methods would work in order to be very excited about the possibility of a Mac tablet.
For example: an on-screen keyboard could be just one of several ways to get text into the tablet– there could be a multi-touch area which also does ‘fingertip writing’ recognition; there could be a bluetooth-link to other devices, such as iPod Touch or standard mobile phone keypad that many kids these days are as fast at using as I am a regular keyboard; there could be a slide out ‘flat’ full-size, touch-sensitive keyboard. They might also come up with an easy-to-learn, intuitive new multi-touch keyboard layout that could be done with one-hand, with modifier keys (shift, ctrl, etc) on the top edge of the tablet that either righties or lefties could use equally well. Or, it could be a whole lot less complicated, just an on-screen keyboard which works much better than all previous systems, even the iPhone’s.
IF Apple comes out with such a system, it will be something good, I would bet. If it’s priced within reach of schools, a positive ROI on hardware sales would be not essential if the tablet tied into their other product line sales, such as iPods, iPhones, and MacBooks. I know of many cases where positive experience with Macs at school led to a family’s first home Mac purchase. In one case, I saw how that then led to the family’s father converting his small business to almost entirely Macs. I know this stuff happens, and you can be sure Apple does, too.
I still think that Apple will release 6″ or 7″ and 10″ iPads or iTabs.
Which OS they run, especially a 10″ unit, is up for grabs, but I had a flash the other day…
Since both Mac OS X and iPhone/touch OS share a lot of common OS X code (I’m assuming, not being a programmer), wouldn’t it be interesting if the thing could run BOTH.
Presumably, you could have the full iPhone/touch OS running in a separate window under Mac OS X. Sort of like VirtualBox or VMWare Fusion?
I really think that the convergence of Mac OS X, iPhone/touch OS (with TV running it, too) is the next step.
How many times have I wanted to double click and run an iPhone/touch game or app on my MacBook Pro?
For TV, that would give it the ability to run Safari, Mail, Address Book, etc. on your TV. It might need to be made marginally thicker to add iPhone circuitry and improve ventilation/heat dissipation. THAT would make TV a KILLER device! Maybe not even a “hobby” any more.
The uptake depends on price and possible Apple imposed limitations.
I’m thinking that if it is some sort of multimedia device like the iPhone/iPod touch then it may have limited uptake as people can get an iPod touch for much cheaper and it might only really appeal to those who are die-hard Apple fans and those with really poor eyesight. However if it is a tablet Mac then it would need a bluetooth profile for Apple’s wireless keyboard for any serious lengthy input. I have one of these babies and the batteries last months and they are so portable that they could fit in your briefcase for when you actually need to type a whole essay.
Another thing I think should come as standard is a stylus. A 10″ tablet is bigger than my little Wacom Bamboo and would be awesome if you want to touch up photos, design logos etc. An option for the creative types if you will. However as the surface would be a glass capacitance type like the iPhone then I would expect for ordinary use most of the input would be done using fingers.
I know some of you will balk at my suggestions but some of us who have been using Macs since the 80s and 90s are in a creative industry of some sort (Apple’s first and most loyal userbase) and might appreciate the option to use a lightweight tablet instead of carting round a MacBook Pro and Wacom Tablet.
Just my ten penneth!!!
Counterproductive and I were working along almost identical thought lines at the same time- bravo.
“Needleman continues, “And typing on the screen, even if you can do it, is an ergo disaster.””
Doug Englebart (sp?), inventor of the graphical interface and mouse, also invented a gadget that (after a little training) allowed one-handed typing–and at a faster speed than a keyboard. (Nowadays it could operate wirelessly.) Apple could offer this as an accessory, along with online training. Engelbart was very disappointed that no manufacturer got behind his gadget and gave it a push, because he thought it was his best idea. Maybe Apple will step up. (I hope they’ve at least given it a fair shake in their testing lab.)
@FalKirk
Perhaps you need to read MDN’s take again. I didn’t see an attack on Rafe Needleman; rather, I thought it was constructive criticism. Mr. Needleman is clearly proclaiming a product DOA before he even has a chance to see or use it. As for the “100% agreement with Apple”, MDN clearly was taking a wait and see approach as they apparently don’t know anymore than you or I do about what Apple has cooked up. So, there was no flame bait there, either.
Certainly, MDN bases some of its hopes for the success of an Apple “tablet” on Apple’s record, and the record of the tech pundits. I didn’t think the iPod was going to be as big a success as it has been, and the iPhone is without a doubt a gigantic success. The tech pundits were totally wrong about both. This doesn’t guarantee Apple’s tablet will be another success, if they release one. But both products show how Apple can remake a market sector, and be very good about it. Let’s see what they come out with before going all emo.