While patiently awaiting a replacement for my 12" PB G4, I keep running across rumors of a Mac Tablet. Why would anyone want a tablet, unless they were a UPS delivery guy or some sales representative who had to gather signatures? Then when hefting my son's textbook laden 30 pound backpack out of the back of my car, it dawned on me. Apple needs to create the iText.
Imagine using Apple's content negotiating savvy with text book publishers like they currently work with the music and video content industries. In this case, working out mega deals with school districts and universities worldwide for textbooks with live links to constantly updated content. Textbook publishers would have an outlet for copyright protected content while no longer having to go through the expense of hardback publishing and distribution. The revenue sharing possibilities would inject Apple with cash just like the iPod universe has done.
E-books have been done (see Amazon's Kindle), but they're lame because they don't offer any advantage over purchasing a $1.99 paperback that can fit in your back pocket. But with text books, this opens a whole new world of possibilities. I was just joking with my daughter that it was too bad she couldn't Google her American History text book to find out what significant event occurred in the middle colonies in the mid 1600's. Imagine using a touch interface to zoom in on graphs and multimedia content, or to pull up an instant reference, Google search, or dictionary citation. Flipping through pages would be a natural application for a touch interface and notepad (iText).
Swapping 30 pounds of hardback texts for a sleek 1 pound tablet would be a no-brainer. Built-in WiFi and bluetooth would enable teachers to send e-mail homework assignments, checklists, and (Apple iBoard) notes, while also enabling students to submit classroom assignments and tests wirelessly. In addition to the touch interface, they could use bluetooth keyboards, or have keyboards built into their school desks that the iText would dock into to charge.
The market for this would be huge. Unlike most notepads, which target a very small sales force/delivery market, this could mean a iText for every single public school student in the country. Can you imagine the power of having your product in the hands of all those kids? Let's get Apple back into the education market big time.
I'm hoping Steve Jobs and the folks at Apple are way ahead of me on this one. If not, they had better get busting before Bill figures this one out.
For those looking for a device strictly for reading, the new Kobo is a nice little option. It's small enough to slip into a pocket, can do more with a PDF than the competition, and at $129, it's $10 cheaper than both the Nook and Kindle WiFi.
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While patiently awaiting a replacement for my 12" PB G4, I keep
running across rumors of a Mac Tablet. Why would anyone want a
tablet, unless they were a UPS delivery guy or some sales
representative who had to gather signatures? Then when hefting my
son's textbook laden 30 pound backpack out of the back of my car, it
dawned on me. Apple needs to create the iText.
Imagine using Apple's content negotiating savvy with text book
publishers like they currently work with the music and video content
industries. In this case, working out mega deals with school
districts and universities worldwide for textbooks with live links to
constantly updated content. Textbook publishers would have an outlet
for copyright protected content while no longer having to go through
the expense of hardback publishing and distribution. The revenue
sharing possibilities would inject Apple with cash just like the iPod
universe has done.
E-books have been done (see Amazon's Kindle), but they're lame
because they don't offer any advantage over purchasing a $1.99
paperback that can fit in your back pocket. But with text books,
this opens a whole new world of possibilities. I was just joking
with my daughter that it was too bad she couldn't Google her American
History text book to find out what significant event occurred in the
middle colonies in the mid 1600's. Imagine using a touch interface
to zoom in on graphs and multimedia content, or to pull up an instant
reference, Google search, or dictionary citation. Flipping through
pages would be a natural application for a touch interface and
notepad (iText).
Swapping 30 pounds of hardback texts for a sleek 1 pound tablet would
be a no-brainer. Built-in WiFi and bluetooth would enable teachers
to send e-mail homework assignments, checklists, and (Apple iBoard)
notes, while also enabling students to submit classroom assignments
and tests wirelessly. In addition to the touch interface, they could
use bluetooth keyboards, or have keyboards built into their school
desks that the iText would dock into to charge.
The market for this would be huge. Unlike most notepads, which
target a very small sales force/delivery market, this could mean a
iText for every single public school student in the country. Can you
imagine the power of having your product in the hands of all those
kids? Let's get Apple back into the education market big time.
I'm hoping Steve Jobs and the folks at Apple are way ahead of me on
this one. If not, they had better get busting before Bill figures
this one out.