Recent Comments:
A Mac tablet? Not just yes, but 'heck yes' {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Jul 23rd 2008 1:38PM I think they can definitely do this for under a grand, especially if they are willing to eat some margin up front.
I am thinking more along the lines of a PA Semiconductor-powered, expanded iPhone/iPod Touch (but running essentially full Mac OSX), rather than a shrunken down MBA. The iPhone/iPod Touch really re-defined what can be done with mobile CPU's and mobile interface IMO. A larger screen allows them to expand on this, possibly up to full MAC OSX GUI capabilities. But I think it's less important whether it is full Mac OS X, as it is that Apple really customize the user interface for the device and device size.
A Mac tablet? Not just yes, but 'heck yes' {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Jul 23rd 2008 1:34PM Why do you want the debate to be 'over'? Your list of other products is great, but no reason why Apple can't also develop brand new products.
A regular notebook is a better work machine, but who says everyone buys a notebook for that? The big splash of cheap 'netbooks' might suggest otherwise (though those are still good enough for Office type work.)
A tablet with a say a 6" wide screen and Apple's soft keyboard technology might be very usable IMO (not for typing your dissertation, but that's not what this unit would be designed for.) Plus there is also the option of external keyboards.
I am also not sure why you would have to 'lay it down all the time'. I am picturing a device that would be used for personal stuff, not work stuff, so might be used sitting on a couch, lying on the floor, etc. A notebook is not necessarily the best form factor for everything.
I guess I am not thinking of something that would compete with notebooks, but something that would be more along the lines of the little Nokia unit. I love my iPod Touch, something with a bigger screen would be very tempting. You lose portability, but gain a bigger screen for the great browser, better soft keyboard, etc.
Just speculating...
A Mac tablet? Not just yes, but 'heck yes' {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Jul 23rd 2008 1:22PM Ultimately it is all about the applications. If Apple has a new tablet, they are probably envisioning it being used in ways we haven't yet conceived. That's what I didn't really agree with the 'Heck No' article.
There are some good points pro and con here, but in the end Apple always surprises people with their new products and design directions. Apple would never release a headless Mac (Mac Mini), would never release a screen-less iPod (Shuffle), would never abandon the clickwheel (Touch), etc. Then look at all the negative backlash against the original iPod (which turned out okay), and even the iPod Mini (worked out pretty well too.) We love our Apple products and grow attached to them, and are often naturally resistant to changes.
The Touch interface is a really great interface for many things- multimedia, iLife stuff, etc. It's not so great for heavier computing tasks. There might be something there, I don't know. Something that extends the MBA concept of pairing hardware together, which AppleTV also does in a different way. Notebook computers are great as mobile work machines, but are they the ideal form factor for general consumer use? I think the whole 'netbook' concept attempts to address this, by reducing costs in areas that won't affect what consumers are generally doing with a notebook computer. But of course, when Apple looks at something they don't just tweak existing designs, they start from the ground up and come up with something like the iPhone. So I think there might be something there, at least worth looking at in Apple's design labs. I have a 32GB iPod Touch, and it amazes me how much tech and UI goodness they are able to squeeze into such a thin package. Give them another quarter inch in thickness, and a couple of inches in footprint/screen size, and who knows what they might come up with.
I also really like the idea of point/counterpoint posts, especially with rumors like this (not sure if this was by design or by accident, but I like it!) I hope we see more of it.
First Look: FileMagnet {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Jul 23rd 2008 12:53PM Hey TUAWer's,
How is viewing text and RTF's with this app? Is there any way to adjust font size, or is it unnecessary?
Thanks!
Pics aplenty: BMW M1 Hommage Concept {Autoblog}
Jul 23rd 2008 12:43PM My thoughts exactly- I love it as a concept car and styling exercise. It's obviously not something that is meant to go into production as is (i.e. a prototype).
I do think it has more of a 70's mod look to it, than 80's. It makes me want to go listen to my old solid state Harmon Kardon stereo with lighted dials.
Earnings call takeaway: New products in September {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Jul 22nd 2008 4:23PM Robot butlers and flying cars.
But seriously, I don't think they would stress the 'new product' thing if it was just redesigns of existing lines.
Electric MINI hitting US streets in summer 2009 {Engadget}
Jul 22nd 2008 1:20PM No, it will be $40,000!
Even though much of our electricity is generated by coal, electric and series hybrid cars still represent great progress. They can be 'upgraded' to renewable energy sources as we gradually develop new power plants.
Whereas a gasoline car is stuck running gasoline forever (unless you do one of those biodiesel mods, or E85 I guess).
Re-thinking the iPhone's home screen {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Jul 21st 2008 5:02PM What we need is some sort of 'launcher' button, located on every page, say in the lower left hand corner. It could also be used to launch settings, shut off your iPhone, and perform other commonly used tasks.
Let's call it the 'Start' button...
A quick rant about Notes {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Jul 17th 2008 5:55PM While it's criminal for Apple to neglect this, there are a couple of decent options.
iPhoneNotes works great with jailbroken Touches/iPhones (and is free!)
PhoneView works with all Touches/iPhones (but costs $20.)
First Look: iZen Garden {The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)}
Jul 16th 2008 2:14AM I actually bought one of these apps, but it was only 2 bucks. For that I thought it was alright, I like Japanese gardens, now I have one in my pants.
