“For at least the third time since July, reports are circulating that Apple is developing a larger iPad, possibly with an attachable keyboard that would turn it into a notebook, a la Microsoft’s Surface tablets,” Michael Endler reports for InformationWeek.
“CEO Tim Cook has spoken critically of laptop-tablet hybrids. He dismissed the devices in April, comparing them to a product that tries to be both a toaster and refrigerator,” Endler reports. “Last fall he characterized Microsoft’s original Surface as compromised and confusing.”
Endler reports, “Is it likely a 13-inch iPad-laptop hybrid is the offing, despite Cook’s earlier misgivings? Forrester analyst David Johnson told InformationWeek in September that such a product has ‘interesting potential,’ noting that many people already use third-party keyboards with their iPads. Here are eight signs Apple is prepping a large-screen iOS product.”
1. Apple’s been thinking about laptop-tablet convergence for a long time.
2. Multiple sources have claimed a 13-inch iPad is in the works.
3. Apple is reportedly working on a power adapter for a new mobile device that will sit between current iPads and the MacBook Air.
4. The A7 processor will bring desktop-class power to the iPad.
5. Apple’s A7 chip could allow an iPad to run PC-style apps.
6. An iPad hybrid could offset falling Mac sales.
7. The revamped iWork suite could indicate a more productivity-minded iPad.
8. There’s a demonstrated market for an iPad hybrid.
Much more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: MacPad!
Gorilla Arm
An Important term relevant to the FAILure of touch-laptop hybrids.
The side-effect that destroyed touch-screens as a mainstream input technology despite a promising start in the early 1980s. It seems the designers of all those spiffy touch-menu systems failed to notice that humans aren’t designed to hold their arms in front of their faces making small motions. After more than a very few selections, the arm begins to feel sore, cramped, and oversized — the operator looks like a gorilla while using the touch screen and feels like one afterwards. This is now considered a classic cautionary tale to human-factors designers; “Remember the gorilla arm!” is shorthand for “How is this going to fly in real use?”.
http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/G/gorilla-arm.html
Why Touch Screens Will Not Take Over.
Why personal computers still need the keyboard and mouse, despite Microsoft’s best efforts to kill them off.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-touch-screens-will-not-take-over
A 12″ clamshell iPad. Believe the hype.
If Apple makes a 13-inch iPad, that’s all it will be. The iWork suite is available and will only get better. The iCloud environment is available and will only get better. There are already a plethora of third-party add-ons that Apple will provide better integrated versions of: BT keyboards, thin-client apps, display adapters, projectors, media servers, etc. So if you want to use the tablet as more of an office productivity device, Apple will show you how you can do it and provide add-ons to make it possible. Could be a huge business over and above their already huge tablet business (which has been plateauing of late and needs some added juice).
I would love to know the sales volume of bluetooth keyboards for the iPad and iPad mini. I use the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and my wife uses a Clamcase Pro for writing on the go. That would give some indication of the level of interest in an iPad with a removable keyboard.
I’ve had iPads since 2010 and it has completely replaced a laptop for me, but it needs a real keyboard for typing more than a Facebook update. I would buy a 12 inch iPad with an Ive designed keyboard cover in a heartbeat.
Those who have mentioned the enterprise opportunity have nailed it. Companies are finally phasing out XP for Windows 7, but I don’t see most corporate customers ever going with Windows 8. Due to Apple’s enterprise-friendly iOS features the iPhone and iPad are fully integrated into the Fortune 500. Make a larger “iPad Pro” and hype iCloud-synched iWork documents and watch Microsoft’s last cash cow slowly shrink away. Maybe Apple could use some of its billions in cash to offer early retirement to the IT doofuses who keep us corporate types shackled to Windows.
It’s likely that they’ve changed the battery and tailored the adapter to suit. A 13 inch iPad sounds ridiculous. Where’s the portability in that? The intro and success of the iPad mini showed that many people wanted smaller and less expensive. What benefits are there to having a tablet that would cost more that more than a MacBook Air (probably wouldn’t come in 16GB) for the large storage options and can’t do half of what you can do with the air?
Instead of a tablet that mates with a keyboard, how about a keyboard that mates with a laptop? And as a side benefit it could help us find out what happens when you take a testosterone supplement.
Said it before, sayin’ it again,
MacBook Air will eventually be
2 iPads with a hinge. In fact, a
magnetic hinge may be the product.