Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Netz]

So everyone's heard the rumors about the possible announcement of the new Apple tablet at the end of this month. It's been predicted to be everything from a super-sized iPhone/Touch, to a scaled back Macbook tablet, but whatever it is, it's getting a lot of press/hype.

What do you think, another delayed release in Korea in order to buy time for Samsung Mobile and HTC to get their Google Chrome based tablet on the market first?

I personally would love a super-sized iPhone and can't wait to see what this thing actually turns out to be, apparently the next best thing to sliced bread.

http://gizmodo.com/5434566/the-exhaustive-guide-to-apple-tablet-rumors

[hugekebab]

I'd only buy if they managed to bring in a killer feature. At the moment it sounds like it's going to be an internet tablet and ebook reader combined (I'm guessing they will open an ebook store on itunes.) I just feel it needs more than that to justify what might be a large price tag.

If it's going to be an enlarged ipod touch then I'm not going to be interested, but I have a feeling it will be more than that. Jobs isn't stupid.

So, too many questions to say yes or no.

[pkang0202]

What will this tablet do that an iPhone doesn't already do?

On the go, you have your iPhone. At home, you have your TV and/or computer.

Where would this tablet thing be practical?

Its kinda like the Macbook AIR.

Macbook AIR:
Looked cool? Yes.
Practical? No.
Expensive? Yes.
Did a lot of people buy it? No.

I think the Apple Tablet will be the same. Of course, right now no one knows a thing about it. I'm just thinking, why would an Iphone user use their Iphone, and take their tablet on the go? At home, why would someone use the Tablet over their PC/Mac? I'm just trying to see where this tablet fits into the market. Is it meant to displace Netbooks? Is it meant to displace Tablet computers? Is it just something to browse the internet? Is it an ebook reader?

The tablet would be a definite buy if it can do things like be a universal remote, ability to sync with home automation equipment (control lights, heating/AC, etc..), wirelessly stream computer AND iphone contents, can sync with a Mac to serve as a "remote desktop", etc...

If it can do those things, its a definitely good buy. How great would it be to be able to use the Tablet as a remote desktop for your home Mac.

[victorology]

This is a total stab in the dark but I think it would be aimed at the netbook market. It's for people who don't need a full fledged PC... content consumers as opposed to producers. Web browsing, e-book reader, watch videos, play mp3's, etc. I definitely think there's a market for something like this but I don't think I fall into it.

[crescent]

[hugekebab]

I think they are going to aim it as an ebook reader and internet tablet. Jobs was supposedly always unhappy about the idea of an internet tablet (one quote was: So, apart from surf the internet on the toilet what else can I use it for?) This says to me that he's aware that it falls awkwardly between the iphone and a laptop, without the price advantage of a netbook. Therefore it needs to have some other sort of function. That has to be ebooks, surely? They can monetise it by opening a bookstore in iTunes. It makes perfect financial sense for apple, opening up a new market and putting out a new spanky piece of hardware.

Anyway, we shall see.

[Rusty Shackleford]

If it were me, I would upgrade the iphone/touch to be able to edit documents in google word and multi task. Then release a docking device with a screen/keyboard. The docking device could come in various sizes and be in a netbook form factor. Then you would have basically one machine for everything. The iphone touch screen would work as the mouse pad. I didn't invent this idea. I saw a mock up one time but I never bookmarked the page and haven't been able to find it again.

Something similar to this

http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/look/the-olo-dock-the-iphone-into-a-laptop-066732

but this is a slightly different concept in that it is a stand alone laptop.

[pkang0202]

I am still inclined to think this tablet will be like the Macbook Air, in that it won't get widespread adoption. People will go "Oooo...Ahh!" but no one will find any good reason to buy one.

I think the biggest drawback is the lack of a physical keyboard. A netbook would always have that advantage over any tablet. Anyone who has owned a PDA knows that writing on a glass screen with a stylus is clumsy and slow.

[victorology]

[Gnawbert]

If it does e-book content loads better than the Kindle, like embedded video, audio, full color, and has a camera on it like my Macbook for video chats, I'll probably pick one up, if the price is good. I've been wanting to get an e-reader for a while but I just don't like the Kindle and all the buttons it has. I hope publishers hop on it to make digital content that's above and beyond what's already out there.

If it's $999 for *just* a bigger iPod Touch...well...I probably won't get one.

[hugekebab]

[pkang0202]

http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-01/rumor-mill-apple-tablet-will-ship-march-cool-grand-apiece

Rumor has it going for $1000.

Who's gonna buy a glorified Ipod Touch for $1000? I could buy a nice Laptop for that much.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I would pay $1000 for this.

http://gizmodo.com/5439378/apple-islate-concept-is-exactly-how-this-thing-should-be?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

[hugekebab]

I think they've fine tuned the rumours to around 700-900 dollars. I don't think they are going to go for the full grand.

[Hamlet]

Interesting article about the future of computing based on Apple's past behaviors. An idea a bit overstated in my opinion...but still a good point.

http://www.popsci.com/gear-amp-gadgets/article/2009-08/how-apple-tablet-could-ruin-computing