82 replies to this topic

[DaveyJJ]

"If you annualize our quarterly revenue, it's surprising that Apple is now a $50+ billion company," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. "The new products we are planning to release this year are very strong, starting this week with a major new product that we're really excited about."

This from the outstanding financial call going on this afternoon. Hude profits for Apple.

But what is this "major new product" STeve is referring to?

I've not heard anything about that.  

[Sneaky Snake]

DaveyJJ, on January 25th 2010, 05:06 PM, said:

"If you annualize our quarterly revenue, it's surprising that Apple is now a $50+ billion company," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. "The new products we are planning to release this year are very strong, starting this week with a major new product that we're really excited about."

This from the outstanding financial call going on this afternoon. Hude profits for Apple.

But what is this "major new product" STeve is referring to?

I've not heard anything about that.  

I would be really interested in the tablet for school but only if it has full iWork functionality and video out (to do presentations). I have my doubts, but we'll have to wait and see.

[Eric5h5]

I would totally buy a tablet if it had the ability to unite with other tablets, take over the world, and enslave humanity to serve me as Ruler of Everything for eternity.  Also it should be able to squeeze oranges so I can have some nice fresh orange juice.

--Eric

[Frost]

Not even Steve's RDF can make an iTablet seem useful to me. It better be able to do something flat-out amazing or this is gonna be underwhelming.

[teflon]

Im interested to see what they bring out, but I don't think I'll be getting one or find one useful.
It'll also be interesting to see how it's received by critics and the public alike.

[the Battle Cat]

My guess is that it will be the iWidget, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that Steve is barking out his arse anymore.

[DaveyJJ]

I, for one, welcome our new Tablet overlords.

[AussieMacGamer]

Whatever it is, Jobs and Co. will find a way to make us need it. I think the only real question right now is wether it will be a glorified iPhone or a small touch panel Macbook

[Frigidman]

Its the new "iTV Anywhere" device. It basically picks up the satellite receptions from DishNet and DirecTV and gives you all channels all the time no matter where you are in the area of coverage for those providers. Its a little larger than the iPod touch, but just as slim and pocket friendly. Has an out plug to go directly into any TV's HDMI port for full screen viewing. Charge lasts 8 hours. Usual accessories available.

[AussieMacGamer]

Do we start on specifics now?

[Eric5h5]

AussieMacGamer, on January 25th 2010, 10:10 PM, said:

Whatever it is, Jobs and Co. will find a way to make us need it.

Indeed: http://www.penny-arc...omic/2010/1/22/

--Eric

[Mister Mumbles]

The sad thing is that it would probably apply to some people. Yeesh!

[Tesseract]

The tablet is totally going to turn out to actually be the iPhone Video. As in, it makes video calls. Comes with two little suction cup mounted cameras that you stick to the screen on the other person's pupils so it doesn't look like the participants are staring at each others' toes.

Screen with tactile feedback optional, for those "extra special" calls.

[Janichsan]

I'll hold off until Wednesday, but when the alleged iSlate (or whatever) turns out to be what the rumour mill says it will be, I will deem it pointless.

[teflon]

Tesseract, on January 26th 2010, 07:11 AM, said:

Screen with tactile feedback optional, for those "extra special" calls.

They really should make it with force feedback, so that if you punch the screen in the person's face, their iSlate will jump up and smack them one...

They should also make an X rated version. All those kids are gonna forget sexting if Apple releases what's tantamount to being a sex bot...

[Frigidman]

teflon, on January 26th 2010, 05:45 AM, said:

They really should make it with force feedback, so that if you punch the screen in the person's face, their iSlate will jump up and smack them one...

They should also make an X rated version. All those kids are gonna forget sexting if Apple releases what's tantamount to being a sex bot...

iSexBot

mmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

[the Battle Cat]

Frigidman, on January 26th 2010, 06:49 AM, said:

iSexBot

mmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

Poor Frigidman's been all alone in that big new house of his a little too long.

[Frigidman]

the Battle Cat, on January 26th 2010, 10:11 AM, said:

Poor Frigidman's been all alone in that big new house of his a little too long.

LOL

[DaveyJJ]

AussieMacGamer, on January 25th 2010, 10:10 PM, said:

Whatever it is, Jobs and Co. will find a way to make us need it. I think the only real question right now is wether it will be a glorified iPhone or a small touch panel Macbook

I broke my "wishes" for the tablet-thingy into three lists ... need (to buy), want, fantasy. I actually have approval to buy, based on the current household finances, given my criteria. To answer your question, AMG, I definitely need it be something more than a large iPod touch, but yes, less than a MacBook Pro. I will not be buying if it's nothing more than a glorified (aka big) iPod touch.

I assume at a minimum it has WiFi 802.11N access. And multiple colours like the nano (just like the invite perfectly matched the iPod nano colours; it is a consumer device after all).

So without further ado, and so that we may mock me tomorrow after noon (Eastern time) when I'm remarkably wrong, here is my list ...

Need (must haves to buy)
- something between the power/storage of the iPod touch and 13" MacBook Pro
- real, all-day battery life (real-world, not in Steve's absolute-zero fridge)
- decent pricing (between a top end iPod touch $400 and the low end MacBook, $1000) ... $699 and $849 (high end model?) ... $599 would be better
- no forced data contracts for 3G connectivity (if it has it at all?)

Wants
- 10" diagonal screen (I, too, have a cardboard mockup of that size and that size is delicious)
- ability to run new versions of iLife/iWork '10
- light, sleek industrial design
- new UI thinking (get ride of desktop folders metaphor)
- ability to run current iPhone apps
- always on connectivity through multiple 3G cellular partners (see below)
- ability to run new apps that get recoded for device ... e.g., Coda, Acorn or Pixelmator, Sketchup, PopCap stuff etc

Fantasy (these would be nice, but so would an anti-gravity belt)
- new Sketch/paint app (or a version of something like Scribbles or ArtRage that can run on it)
- bundled MobileMe account
- data plans through multiple carriers cheap ... 10GB for $20/month, no three-year contracts required
- hell, why not, let's also toss in some form of cloud-based iTunes/apps thingy too
- no Flash
- and it needs to make bacon, too (not too crispy though), and give massages like Frigidman's iSexBot

And I still say the name iBook is in the running, although I do like Canvas. I want this thing to redefine what a mobile PC "is" ... it should be powerful enough to do most basic app tasks on its own, but also act as a portal back to a desktop unit (and maybe run apps that way as well?). I know there are nay-sayers who will never ever use a flat tablet to type on, but there is no denying that if this thing meets more than 50% of basic expectations, it will sell like mad.

PS Apple awarded 13 patents today ... many of which tied directly to tablet-like-things.

[Frost]

I could totally do with an iSexBot too. Custom-tailor her how you like, and best of all, if she starts getting too clingy or annoying, you can just turn her off for a while till you get the urge for her company again. Perfect!