Apple's latest doodad
January 27, 2010 6:49 AM   Subscribe

Apple is set to announce something today, which all signs say is a tablet computer. Various people, from the Ceo of textbook and magazine publisher McGraw-Hill and Weblogs. Inc founder Jason Calacanis have talked about their experiences using and testing the device. But the most interesting aspect of the computer may not be the technology, but rather its potential for use in creating and participating in content creation which could revolutionize digital magazines and newspapers
posted by Brandon Blatcher (49 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: After months of hype, you did a post three hours before the reveal? Let's wait until it actually happens maybe? -- mathowie



 
You couldn't wait until they actually announced something?
posted by Popular Ethics at 6:50 AM on January 27, 2010 [7 favorites]


I sure hope its more than just a giant iPod Touch.
posted by blaneyphoto at 6:51 AM on January 27, 2010 [2 favorites]


I bet it's a unicycle.

iCycle. The kids will love it.
posted by Theta States at 6:52 AM on January 27, 2010


Anticipation fatigue. This feels like the Segway all over again.

"This is going to revolutionize bathroom-related activities! It'll be bigger than Uncle John's Reader!"
posted by backseatpilot at 6:53 AM on January 27, 2010 [2 favorites]


Pepsi Vapor
posted by DU at 6:53 AM on January 27, 2010 [2 favorites]


It's an S ! It's an O! It's a crazy radio!
posted by Joe Beese at 6:54 AM on January 27, 2010 [4 favorites]


Did Apple really give these out with an NDA that expired before their announcement? That's amusing.
posted by smackfu at 6:55 AM on January 27, 2010



Apple Blue!

Ob. Onion link
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 6:55 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


Hey guys I heard that Apple might be releasing some kind of tablet computer soon!
I haven't seen it any mention of it on the internet though.
posted by demiurge at 6:56 AM on January 27, 2010


The revolution will not be for sale in the Apple store.
posted by Joe Beese at 6:58 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


It's weird how effective the Apple media hype is, year after year (sing to me your siren song, Steve Jobs). I can't wait until 10:00 am to find out just what it is that I already want so badly but can't afford.
posted by Auden at 6:59 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


I hate to keep linking to The Onion but they nail it every time.

New Device Desirable, Old Device Undesirable
posted by infinitefloatingbrains at 6:59 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


Here's a purported sneak peak
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:00 AM on January 27, 2010


And, as always, it will be a device that looks pretty good but turns out to be limited in stupid ways (no background processes? really?) and with the usual Apple Knows Best software and hardware restrictions.
posted by DU at 7:01 AM on January 27, 2010 [2 favorites]


I agree, it would make more sense to actually wait for the announcement, but I'll throw my $0.02 in anyway.

My guess is that the hardware is not going to be revolutionary: some kind of cross between an iPod Touch and a Kindle. Some new gesture system for "writing" on it, perhaps. The revolution part, has already been televised. It will be the iTablet Store.

Imagine having access to every copy of the NYT from 1800 on, for $0.99 an issue. Imagine text books for one third the price of the college bookstore copies. Imagine a magazine rack full of current and back-issue magazines that can be purchased and downloaded instantly.

The thing that makes the iPod/iPhone more than a music player or a phone is the app library on iTunes. The same has to be true for the iTablet as well. CES was full of eBook readers and tablets, but they're just pieces of plastic unless you've got content and a delivery system.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 7:02 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


Yeah, there are already folks in line in front of the Soho Apple store. Looks like they have been there all night.
posted by R. Mutt at 7:02 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


On a related note, I've heard a bit of gossip that in a few weeks Apple will be leaking a mention to a bit of news about possibly discussing the release of an announcement regarding when they will officially have something to say about an as-of-yet unidentified tidbit of propaganda involving something that might revolutionize some part of of somebody's life. You heard it here first.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 7:02 AM on January 27, 2010 [2 favorites]


We already have something that's "revolutionize digital magazines and newspapers", they're called "PCs"

This is just an attempt to get people to stop reading content on their computers, and start reading it on devices that are loaded with DRM and force you to pay for it. I'd hardly call that a step forward.

I mean, anyone can publish on the internet, for free. You want to publish a blog or book on the Kindle? That's going to require submitting your material for approval, and it's apparently pretty expensive to format books for the Kindle as well. I'm guessing this will be the same.
posted by delmoi at 7:02 AM on January 27, 2010 [5 favorites]


Who knows? Maybe my own splendid notion: a kitchen computer. With fold-out scale. Coverts weights to volumes, where needed, and vice-versa. Of course it does all those things you expect such handy things to do: calendar, email, web access, etc. Maybe it even reads to you while you wash the dishes.

Or maybe that's just a version of whatever is going on. Maybe it'll be a fistful of magic dust. The fanboys will go Ooo! and Ahhh! The naysayers will say the same as always.
posted by Goofyy at 7:02 AM on January 27, 2010


10:00 AM Pacific Time - Steve Jobs announces revolutionary new iPad device, prices starting at $850.

10:09 AM Pacific Time - After a bathroom break, Steve Jobs announces 2nd generation iPad with more memory, prices starting at $775.
posted by Joe Beese at 7:04 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


I call this one a bust. What is its main purpose?

An e-reader? They're still only catching on, and it's only the e-ink screen that has won over avid readers.

A college textbook reader? That cuts out the used textbook market...not to mention the "photocopy the textbook and return it to the bookstore" market. And no U will be able to force its students to purchase one of these things, at least not in the near future.

A movie player? We have our laptops for that when on the road, and I think few travellers will want to bring yet another electronic device with them. At home, we have our TVs, and computers to beam them movies wirelessly, if need be.

A TV show player? See above.

Somehow I can't see the kids towing these things around, nor is it necessary for business users with their own work laptops.

Not to mention the price points are going to be the final nail in the coffin.

So sorry, no, Apple re-creates the Newton with this.
posted by hiteleven at 7:04 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


One day I will finally buy an Apple product, they just seem so awesome. But I'm such a cheapskate, I know once again today will not be that day.
posted by poppo at 7:04 AM on January 27, 2010


Oh and a heads-up: When they do actually announce something and it is breathlessly transcribed to an FPP I'll be flagging that too.
posted by DU at 7:05 AM on January 27, 2010 [2 favorites]


Maybe some kind of magic bean-based operating system? For us to overthink even?
posted by Mister_A at 7:05 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


If it's not an iFab 3-D object printer, then it's lame.
posted by oddman at 7:06 AM on January 27, 2010


Hey remember in the 90s when everything was PowerWhatever? Power Mac, PowerBook, blah blah blah. And before that everything ended with Plus?

When are we going to be done with the iConvention?
posted by shakespeherian at 7:06 AM on January 27, 2010


Imagine having access to every copy of the NYT from 1800 on, for $0.99 an issue. Imagine text books for one third the price of the college bookstore copies. Imagine a magazine rack full of current and back-issue magazines that can be purchased and downloaded instantly.

Imagine comic books comic books comic books
posted by rifflesby at 7:08 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


Been there, done that.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 7:10 AM on January 27, 2010


I hate to keep linking to The Onion but they nail it every time.
New Device Desirable, Old Device Undesirable



Let's not forget the even more relevant: Apple Introduces Revolutionary Apple Wheel
posted by Theta States at 7:11 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


Jesus, FIAMO, threadshitters.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 7:11 AM on January 27, 2010


When are we going to be done with the iConvention?

Hopefully soon.
posted by Forktine at 7:12 AM on January 27, 2010


I've already FedExed my wallet to Cupertino.
posted by Construction Concern at 7:13 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


Just imagine how cool you're gonna look using your iPad as you cruise through the redesigned cities of the future on your Segway.
posted by briank at 7:13 AM on January 27, 2010


Imagine having access to every copy of the NYT from 1800 on, for $0.99 an issue.

A library card will get you the same thing for free.
posted by hiteleven at 7:15 AM on January 27, 2010 [2 favorites]


So if the average Apple geek already has an iPhone + monthly data plan payment, does that mean a tablet would come with a second (or doubled) monthly data plan payment? Because that would seem like a hard sell.
posted by R. Mutt at 7:15 AM on January 27, 2010


meh. Thaw me out when robot wives are cheap and effective.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 7:16 AM on January 27, 2010


I sure hope its more than just a giant iPod Touch.

I thought that a giant iPod Touch was pretty much the idea? Wouldn't a giant IPod Touch be pretty nifty? What else is it supopsed to be?
posted by Perplexity at 7:16 AM on January 27, 2010


You couldn't wait until they actually announced something?

People are talking about actually using the device and giving detailed specs.

Somehow I can't see the kids towing these things around, nor is it necessary for business users with their own work laptops.

Think long term. When a person goes to get a new laptop, are they going to go that route or get a tablet, which has more features than laptop?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:17 AM on January 27, 2010


Later that day: "Huh. That's funny. What's this Spooge Control button do?"
posted by pracowity at 7:17 AM on January 27, 2010


"So sorry, no, Apple re-creates the Newton with this."

Right, just like how Apple's iPod was simply a lame hard drive with no wireless and less space than a Nomad.
posted by autoclavicle at 7:18 AM on January 27, 2010


No wireless. Less space than a nomad. Lame.
posted by empath at 7:19 AM on January 27, 2010


damnit
posted by empath at 7:19 AM on January 27, 2010


Imagine having access to every copy of the NYT from 1800 on, for $0.99 an issue.

People are always so optimistic about pricing. NYT currently sells single article scans from their archives for $3.95.
posted by smackfu at 7:20 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


iCycle! iCycle!
I want to ride my iCycle!
I want to ride my Ike...

(Hmmm, did not end like I wanted)
posted by jkaczor at 7:21 AM on January 27, 2010 [1 favorite]


And, as always, it will be a device that looks pretty good but turns out to be limited in stupid ways (no background processes? really?) and with the usual Apple Knows Best software and hardware restrictions.

It's not stupid if it works.
posted by empath at 7:21 AM on January 27, 2010


Even the iPod took a few years to catch on. If this is part of a long-term strategy, then yes, it might work out. But analysts will be expecting iPhone-type instant success, and I don't think that's going to happen.

And I still don't see how the average business traveller or commuter (or even casual traveller or commuter) will be able to lug two big screens along wherever they go.
posted by hiteleven at 7:21 AM on January 27, 2010


Btw, here is what I want out of this:

The ability to run Ableton Live on this.

Or failing that, the ability to run this as an Ableton Live controller.
posted by empath at 7:22 AM on January 27, 2010 [2 favorites]


Even if I want one so bad I can taste it, and I kind of expect to, I don't think I'll be buying because it runs counter to my long standing rule: "Never buy version 1.0 of anything." Even it it's Apple.

OTOH if it costs around what a refurbished netbook on Woot does, I might break my own rule.

*snort*

Yeah, like THAT'S gonna happen. This is Apple we're talking about.
posted by lordrunningclam at 7:23 AM on January 27, 2010


About 15 years ago I started imagining something about the size and material of a large heating pad (no cord) which I could sit with on the couch. It would have magazines and music and puzzles and discussion groups and the like on it. I imagined I could roll it up and toss it back onto the coffee table. I could take it to the kitchen and press it onto the wall and it would show me recipes. I could carry it around in something like the sleeve your umbrellas come in. It would talk to other stuff as you traveled.

I have a laptop, and my laptop has never acted as the surrogate for the device I imagined. I expect this new dealie might — only, at first, it will be too brittle and too expensive. In about 10 years, these types of things will cost about $100 and will feel like a daily object and not something holy or breakable.
posted by argybarg at 7:24 AM on January 27, 2010


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