Hands-on with the Apple tablet?
By Peter Rojas 
posted May 24th 2005 7:55AM
posted May 24th 2005 7:55AM
By this point you're probably getting immune to/annoyed by all the endless Apple tablet rumors, but if you can handle one more round of unverifiable speculation, Rob Bushway relays a report from a source who claims to have actually played with a prototype. His source says that the Apple tablet prototype he handled had instant on, a touch screen, and was running on a stripped down version of OS X. We're not even going to pretend that any of this is even close to confirmed, but Rob's source also says that the report from yesterday about Apple meeting with Intel was (at least in part) about them getting some sort of customized version of Intel's power-saving Sonoma chipset for use in a new Apple tablet.
Wouldn't Apple have to already have chosen a chip to have a working prototype? Isn't it a lot of work to build a tablet PC using one chipset and then try and get a different chipset?
This would mean that the 'cut down' version of OS X has been changed to run on x86, seems a little strange.
The whole 'cut down OS X' doesnt hold much water in my honest opinion - does Apple really want to try and maintain a subset or version of it's OS? Probably not.
While a tablet would be nice and interesting, our very own uncle Steve has said no previously to tablets - not to say it will never happen, but Apple getting a patent may mean nothing, and all this Intel chip business is just adding fuel to the fire, which has been going for years.
Only two things are sure:
1: Only announcements from Apple can confirm or deny this
2: Be prepared to not see a tablet - look what happened to the Apple PDA!
moooo!
Maybe this is going to be the video iPod?
Makes more sense than a device with a tiny screen that plays video.
It will most likely have the iPod name which will sell it and the stripped down version of OS X on it will be very easy to use which might encourage more switching to Macs.
Why not? Darwin runs on x86 and a stripped down version of OS X doesn't include every application. The included applications just need a recompile. I'm damn sure Apple already has a working OS X for x86 PCs in case IBM can't deliver the PowerPC anymore. Steve wouldn't allow Apple to get near that risk.
If there actually will be a tablet Mac is a different story. I don't think so as I see no market for something like this. (Remember tablet PCs and how they were hyped? Where are they now?)
Strange, the current crop of G4s have a lower power dissipation the Sonmoa. Sorry, I still don't buy this as much as I want a iTablet running OS X.
If a tablet were in the offering, I'd much prefer to have a full version of OSX running on it rather than some mutant cute down version, maybe it's me but I dont see the value in going down a route where, as a company, you're building systems with different CPU's in and building and maintaining two different pieces of software.
But like most thing, it's down to user preference and opinion.
If a tablet were available tomorrow, like I said before, PowerPC CPU and full version of OS X with CD and all the bells and whistles.
Think of it this way, take a good look at your Powerbook G4, remove the keyboard and trackpad, latch mechanisms etc, now take the screen and sit it where the kayboard used to be. Ta-da, tablet Mac.
I know it's not quite that simple, but Apple has a knack of nailing things like this!
mooo!
Too bad my handwriting is so bad that none of the programs can recognize it on these things. :(
I think it could end up being a remote control for Airtunes/Video streaming along the lines of the Sonos digital music system.
tablet machines generally sell as having the power of a laptop / desktop machine... but with the form factor of a giant PDA. does anyone really want to buy 2 versions of every app in order to run in at home and on a tablet? (MS and Adobe both allow for multi-installs for personal use... or did.) a cut-down version of Intel OSX would have a seriously cut-down selection of apps... cut-down enough to not be that useful.
a PDA running an Xscale makes more sense to me. where it isn't expected to replace a machine or have the full complement of features... but instead is *supposed* to be an extension. i'd really like such a device personally... as right now i am having a hard time trying to decide which set of compromises/features i want to deal with (Palm OS / Windows Mobile). an Apple PDA would most likely meet all my needs. and do so without a major hassles or general sloppiness.
Just for the record:
iPad: Your new digital lifestyle
and if Apple did go for it, how quickly would an OS X version of etch-a-sketch appear, couple that with the nifty motion sensors used in the new Powerbooks = most groovy!
Why not a stripped down OS X.. thing thing likely won't have a keyboard.. if it's going to be an HD movie player/photo viewer.. there aren't a lot of uses for the keyboard.
Apple, of course, will develop a nice UI for the stylus interaction..and maybe even use some voice recognition software..
If you could hand this thing on the wall and voice recog. to 'stream' a movie from the ITMS.. *droool.. how sweet would that be...
"Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
screen"99 cents for one stream"
"OK, charge it to my Mastercard, click"
screen "click here to start the movie"
you go get some beer and chips.. and your girl.. and you've got a nice little portable entertainment station for your room
(a 17-19" screen would be cool for a bedroom.. this isn't for the living room.. think of the SHarp Aquos portable screen)
Oh yeah.. it's gotta have built in speakers.. ugh..
Why does everyone assume it's the x86 chip they're talking to Intel about? Intel also does some rather good StrongARM chips which are probably better suited to this type of device than some x86 variant.
hasn't been this done by microsoft already, whats the big deal about an apple knock-off. i hope its a video ipod, i'd like to see apple's take on that, especially with the iAudio release.
#1, No, especially not if now they require the chips in quantity instead of just 3 sets.
#3, It is a prototype why wouldn't it have a cut-down os? It may only take 2 man years to get the os to work 90% in a cut-down form to test the hardware. The next 10% might take 15 man years of effort. If they like the first 90% and build the thing then and only then spend the extra effort to get the last 10%.
(all effort estimates for arguments sake only)
My only worry is.. if Apple get into bed with Intel.. future Apple TV commercials will have that annoying Intel plink plonk plink sound they always attach to other intel using adverts! What a nightmare that would be!
If its instant on, then its more likely some Linux/Java kernal like in the Zaurus, but GUI'ed to look like OSX. That will take an XSCSALE for sure. No X86 products are instant on. After all, XP apps sone work on CE and vice versa - I think Apple is looking to make something simple again - only the necessities. Thats what the iPod is all about - Just plays music. Thats why its so siccessful.. so, we'll see I guess.
PLUS.. wait to see XSCALE get a Sonoma appetite in the near future - it only makes sense.
Paul Thurrott is getting some of the same info I'm getting and posts his thoughts on his blog:
http://www.internet-nexus.com/2005_05_22_archive.htm#111690362236228815
OSX just runs on a Unix kernal, I believe. You can get Unix for x86, so I presume it wouldn't be *that* difficult to get OSX on an x86.
I think the only snag would be the rather different instruction sets for complex multimedia stuff -- 3D graphics etc. Apple have the 'Velocity Engine', while Intel have the similar, though not directly comparable, SSE3 extensions to the x86 instruction set. Whether the complex 3D nonsense is needed on a tablet PC is open to question (Doom 3 on a tablet? Could be cool!) -- maybe this is the area where OSX has been 'cut down'?
I imagine the reason for 'looking' at Intel is that IBM is concentrating too much on PowerPC for game consoles, and not enough on getting the G5 power consumption down to Intel Sonoma levels...
I agree with the chap above. You can bet Apple have a version of OSX running on x86 -- at the very least they can take it along to the meetings with IBM each time they're due to renegotiate the PowerPC price and roadmap!
Discount nothing -- however unlikely...
I bet you dollars to donuts that this design patent is for the next generation iPod, not for a tablet computer.
I personally have some inside information here, and this is very hush hush, but Apple has been actually working with Arthur Granjean on this tablet concept. Enough said...NDA's all over the place on this one
If you push in Tiger Alt-Option on PowerBook Al and you've got Tiger and go to System Preferences-->Monitors you'll get special menu Rotate, and you could rotate your PB screen to 90-180-270, so Apple is going to release Tablet on the MacOS X.
#12 Why not use your perfectly working PC to watch movies etc. Buy a 2nd hand thin client - £20/$40 and hey presto. Access everything off that computer and be able to use it from your room. Save the money on the iPad(or whatever) and buy a decent LCD screen.
with some funky start-up PDA like Apple icon menu
what the?.. there is no thing like "funky start icon menu" on mac os x.
Considering OS X is a derivative work of FreeBSD, the only change they would have to make is porting their alterations over to the other chipset.
You are going crazy folks, they wont port it to Intel or any PC crap, sorry but it's true. There is no way they will port Core Image, Core Audio and other stuff that now Tiger have got, by the way Tablet will run Core Image as well.
Remind me again why we would want a tablet PC/Mac?
@#22-I believe you're more prescient than you may think.
Oh, Paul Thurrot is claiming to be the source of all this Apple/Intel news. It just has to be true then doesn't it as he's never wrong.
Seriously though, I'd absolutely love a sub-iBook sized, and hopefully priced Apple, even if it is a tablet. Talk of non-PPC processors seems to be off the mark though when G3 and G4 processors easily beat Intel x86 for power requirements. As long as it's got bluetooth so I can 'connect' a ThinkOutside keyboard, 802.11b/g so I can use it for Airtunes and in the cafe and it runs Apple Remote Desktop so I can see the Mac at home, it'd be perfect.
I'd love an OQO or even a Libretto U100 but not without OSX.
http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/05/20050524131055.shtml
#27 Yeah, maybe you're right. If all he wants is streaming movies there's a few cheaper methods though. I guess i've just got thin clients on the brain. I want to try something with them in my house. Maybe have one beside the tv in the living room or something. Not too sure yet :)
ARTTTTTTTT... D@M it ! Dont you understand !! The tablet is for ART ! It lets you draw directly where you want. You see something you need to edit , Plink poke right there edit ! . Fastest method to getting the idea out of your head as it can be.
Now, the only thing needed after that is some way to reorganize the menus in apps cause if the interface is still stuck inside menu8 after menu then you still have a slow down cause apps need to have a gui made for tablets speed of use.
I think that a Tablet Mac (iTablet?) would be great!
Here's how I envision it:
A tablet style computer that does two things -
play video and surf the net.
Think about it - how cool would it be to grab your tablet and be able to have it instantly turn on so you can surf the net in a coffee shop immediately? With a normal laptop, I have already eaten my food by the time my laptop has booted up! However, a tablet machine that is designed for only two functions would be speedier and not weighed down with all the other OS stuff (just like an iPod).
Plus, if you could hook it up to your large Mac (like an iPod) and download movies (from an iVideo Movie store?) on your computer and transfer them to your tablet - this would be huge!
Plus, this would seem to be in keeping with Apple's plan of making products that are easy to use, simple and does those simple things extremely well.
Seems to me if this were predominantly a media device ie video centric, largish screen but with other (especially pen based) functionality then a stripped down Tiger would make sense. You would only need what functionalty is relevant to its use. Such a device is one of the few direct expansion areas for an iPod like device (or at least one than can be presented as one) so with the handheld market on the rise again, with media capabilities on the rise and with battery saving capabilities on the rise perhaps this is the answer.
Maybe it's not a tablet laptop - maybe it's a table portable hdtv player, like that silly Sony TV to go thing?
Tablets aren't selling so well on the windows side. Why would they do any better on the mac side?
mveloso.. yea.. what i said.. consider that this thing likely won't have a keyboard like Gates' swivel designs...
SO it'll be a touch screen-only.. useful for entering basic commands...
These aren't like the Windows tablets and they're not aimed at Business execs (the Windows ones are intended for.. well.. taking notes in a meeting etc.. it's a little hurting..)
The technology is available to provide consumers with a product like "iSlate". Of course only Apple could really do it right, although several other companies are attempting to create some variation of this device. Unfortunately many are too focused on video playback only, & not creating a true multi-function device that could be used at home, at the office, or on the road. This product would integrate well into the "Digital Lifestyle" philosophy & compliment existing Apple products.
It would provide a screen large enough to actually watch video & view photos, while still being small enough to be portable. It needs to be smaller than a notebook computer, but larger than a PDA. Granted, you can not put a device the size of a DVD case in your pocket, but something doesn't have to fit in a pocket to be portable. This device could be used in so many different situations that it would have broad appeal in the market. I only pray that Apple is working on such a device & will release it in 2004. They have an opportunity to impact the industry with the iSlate & iVideo media Store as much as the iPod & iTMS will.
iSlate
New Apple mini-tablet –> PMA (portable media appliance)
Designed not to be a creative device like a desktop or laptop, but rather a sophisticated display device that communicates seamlessly with other devices via Rendezvous & 802.11, BT, GPRS, FireWire, etc.
Device Size:
8” x 5.0” x .65” (±15oz)
± 1/2 size of a 17” PowerBook
± 2x size of a Palm T5 or an iPod
± size of a DVD movie case
small enough to hold with one hand by the bezel (.5” bezel on the sides)
Screen:
±8” LCD (16:9 ratio) -> 800 x 480 pixels minimum (1024 x 600 ideally)
± 1/2 size of 17” PowerBook screen
± 2x size of a Palm T5 screen
able to display “640 x 480 material” & DVD (720x480) quality video natively
Battery:
6-9 hr. Li-Ion battery (or some new battery technology)
Storage:
1.8” 40GB or 60GB hard drive (additional capacity can come from external devices)
128MB or 256MB RAM - fixed
CF slot (w/ adapter for SD, xD, Smart Media, Memory stick)
Processor & OS ?:
Motorola 800 MHz G4 mobile w/ Mac OS X lite or
Intel 400 MHz XScale PXA273 w/ Mac OS Mobile?
Connectivity:
802.11 –> Desktop or Laptop, Stereo, Internet via Wi-Fi hotspots
Bluetooth –> Keyboard, Mouse, PDA, Wireless Headphones, Internet via GSM Phone
FireWire –> iPod, Computer, Hard Drive, DVD/CD writer, Video Camera, iSight
USB 2.0 –> Printer, PDA, Digital Still Camera
mini-DVI w/adapter for:
-> ADC & VGA for larger monitor
-> DVI for video projector or HDTV
-> S-Video for video projector or TV
-> Composite for video projector or TV
Stereo mini out
Stereo mini in
Rendezvous for seamless connectivity to other devices
Input:
Inkwell via touch screen &/or stylus
Keyboard & mouse via Bluetooth or USB
Microphone
Remote control via Bluetooth
Applications:
inkwell, iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, Safari, QuickTime, iSync, Rendezvous
Preview or Acrobat Reader, Mail, iCal, Address Book, Sherlock, iChat AV
Keynote, FileMaker, Quicken,
A/V Formats:
Pixlet, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF, Audible, JPEG, TIFF, GIF
Accessories:
Charger, External Battery, Stand, clip for iSight, Portable folding BT keyboard, BT mouse
Headphone w/Microphone boom, quality stereo headphones
Price ??:
$699 to $999
Create a device that is bigger that the largest PDA or Archos type device, yet smaller than the average notebook or tablet computer. Imagine if you will, holding a device (about the size of a DVD case) away from you anywhere from 12" to 18". Obviously a 4" screen would be inadequate, but a 7" to 9" diagonal widescreen would be more than acceptable. It could still be small enough to fit in a stack of books, a briefcase, a large purse, of any number of other carrying cases. It would be something that could be viewed in an office, at home, in a coffee shop, on an airplane or train, or even in the backseat of a car.
The idea is not to see how much visual information one can cram into a small space (3" to 4" screens) or replace existing devices like the TV or Video Projector. The idea is to create a device that is a reasonable compromise between portability & "acceptable or pleasurable" viewing for multiple applications & that also complements existing devices.
Although a 4 lb, 12" notebook computer displays video beautifully (I use one everyday), it is too big for the situations I have described. Beyond the innumerable business applications it could fulfill, it could display video & photos on a screen that is much bigger than an Archos type device or PDA, & yet smaller than a notebook computer. It doesn’t need to carry everything all the time, so it doesn’t require a massive hard drive. The internal HD needs only to be large enough for the OS, applications & enough storage to carry material while you away from any connectivity to other devices or the internet.
From a strictly “video perspective”, a large part of its success would hinge upon Apple's ability to distribute video clips through an online store much like iTMS. This store could provide educational content, business content, news content, & entertainment content beyond just movies. To be truly successful, it must integrate into Apple's "Digital Lifestyle" strategy, & be truly portable (ubiquitous wireless connectivity & good battery life).
Posted by: lajocaab on Feb 11, 04 | 11:05 pm