What a Mac Specialist told me today...

[Jared]

...So I know that Mac Sales Associates are not in the loop of what is going on over at Apple (no pun intended) but I was at work and one came in to get a bite to eat. I asked him when they should be getting the new G5's in and he said that the new dual 1.8s were in but the other two models were not expected until late next month then he asked me if I was a big computer user....I said of course....

He then went into his over excited spiel about how the G5's have this and that and when I said it was to bad that they (Apple) could not come out with dual 3.0, he said "yeah they were suppose to be out now but they couldn't get there just yet." he then went onto say this....

"And pretty soon Apple will be coming out with a PDA that will blow away anything that Palm has to offer" I stopped him and asked "which company did you say again?" thinking maybe he did not really say Apple and then he went onto say "Apple will. It will have the same hard drive as the iPod Mini so a 4GB drive and will have a full color screen..." he sounded pretty damn confident in himself and I was pretty shocked to even hear him "speculating" on unreleased products, let alone sounding as if it were a for sure thing.

Lately everyone I have talked to over at the local Apple Store sounds pretty excited these days, like they are in the know - which is not the usual vibe I get from them. So, food for thought on this one and these next few weeks should be pretty interesting....

[sparhawk]

am sure that i would buy one or two for that matter, but it's still speculating of course. Sooner or later we should here some specs i suppose

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Steve-O has already said NO!

[MacsRGood4U]

Ho hum.

[Stylesheet]

Originally posted by T'hain Esh Kelch
Steve-O has already said NO!

a diversion?

or not...

[~ufo~]

Originally posted by Stylesheet
a diversion?

or not...

yes of course

it's an evil scheme developed to lead us to believe Apple are not really gonna produce all the things we might think of as neat....

[macfly]

steve said no...about a pda in the past. he recently was quoted as saying he was proud of the pda that they DIDNT release....not that there was none designed or possibly yet released. for all we know, the timing might not have been right to get into the market. now that sony has pulled its clie models from the U.S market there is only palm which just doesnt have that much, IMO, to offer in terms of usefulness overall with a mac. a new pda with a nice hard drive which would likely have wireless and could be used as a controller and so forth might be a possibility.

[hobBIT]

Maybe it's not really a 'PDA' but more like a sub-notebook with pen input. Tying into those 'Apple tablet' and 'Apple gadget for around $650' rumors.
Perhaps something running OS X on a battery friendly embedded G3 variant.
iWalk anyone (http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,49463,00.html?tw=wn_story_related)? ;)

[iDunno]

Using Australian prices here, but an iBook is $1695, and the 40gig iPod is $799, so should we assume the PDA would fit in between? If so, I would rather just the iBook. It would be much cheaper and easier to just carry around a little pencil and notepad.

Les.

[Bancho]

PDA's seem in decline (in the US at least). Phones with greater range of function seem the way to go. Sony already packed their bags and went home with the clie line. As much as I would love to see an Apple PDA I would rather they didn't release one just because "a few of us would think it's really cool" (a few of us relatively speaking).

[Stylesheet]

Originally posted by ~ufo~
yes of course

it's an evil scheme developed to lead us to believe Apple are not really gonna produce all the things we might think of as neat....

As i suspected....

[hobBIT]

Many think that Sony's exit of the International PDA market has a lot to do with their realisation that highend PDAs should rather be pocketable PCs - running the user's desktop OS and desktop applications.

At least the timing was interesting that Sony announced the CLIE's demise the very week they shipped their new VAIO U50 and U70 in Japan. The U70 runs a Pentium M processor at 1GHz.

VAIO Type U website (Japanese) (http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/VGN-U50/)
Dynamism.com's review (English) (http://www.dynamism.com/u70/main.shtml)
Video review of the U70 at Kurns & Patrick (English) (http://www.kurnspatrick.com/) [it's 20MB and in WMV only but plays fine in VLC]

May we dare to hope that Apple is heading in the same direction with a new 'PDA'?

[Bancho]

Originally posted by hobBIT
Many think that Sony's exit of the International PDA market has a lot to do with their realisation that highend PDAs should rather be pocketable PCs - running the user's desktop OS and desktop applications.

At least the timing was interesting that Sony announced the CLIE's demise the very week they shipped their new VAIO U50 and U70 in Japan. The U70 runs a Pentium M processor at 1GHz.

VAIO Type U website (Japanese) (http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/VGN-U50/)
Dynamism.com's review (English) (http://www.dynamism.com/u70/main.shtml)
Video review of the U70 at Kurns & Patrick (English) (http://www.kurnspatrick.com/) [it's 20MB and in WMV only but plays fine in VLC]

May we dare to hope that Apple is heading in the same direction with a new 'PDA'?

That may indeed be possible but the prices on those is quite high and would only appeal to a small niche as a result. The form factor is also clumsy in that it is not pocketable yet not really large enough for what people would expect for a machine in excess of $2000. These machines always seem to appeal much more in Japan which is why none of them ever make it here in any mainstream way.

It looks to me very much like those tablets the crew member takes to the captain on star trek to get his signature. Nerd factor - extremely high.

[Messiahtosh]

Originally posted by macfly
steve said no...about a pda in the past. he recently was quoted as saying he was proud of the pda that they DIDNT release... Steve never said that, he said he was proud OF THE FACT THAT THEY DID NOT RELEASE IT.

[murk]

Maybe the guy has been reading: http://www.macnet2.com/more.php?id=457_0_1_0_M http://www.macnet2.com/more.php?id=455_0_1_0_M They have recanted due to the repeated “no PDA” quotes from Steve Jobs. Then again, I wouldn’t put it past Stevie to pull a sneaky one. His recent quote: “ "We said we're going to invest in the iPod rather than a PDA and we also said it looks a lot like a $400 computer.“ (Link to quote) (http://www.macminute.com/2004/06/14/cheaperipods) Considering the state of the PDA market, and considering the demand for the iPod, maybe Apple will make a PDA, but pass it off as an iPod. The PDA is dead. The iPod 2, that’s something completely new. ;)

[Addison]

I think this chap was winding you up, but notwithstanding...


I don't think that Apple will ever release a PDA, a convergence device remains a possibility. I phone/ipod/pda would be pretty cool and popular. Personally I use a Treo 600, which is exactly that without the iPod although it can't connect to the iTMS. So imagine being able to have a mobile with a built in iPod that would connect to the ITMS via GPRS with a PDA built in.

This would be a great commercial product, the 'phone companies would love it, Apple would love it and it would be a huge hit with the kids.

Sounds good but seriously, look at al the apps available for the Palm. many are high end commercail applications and I can't see them all being r3e-written for a version of Pocket OSX. We know that Linux works sucessfully on a PDA, Sharp has done it for years., but I just don't think it will happen. Windows PPC/Phone/iPod lookalike possibly but not Apple.

[pscates]

A new iPod - with a 60GB hard drive - and a color screen, AirTunes/Bluetooth abilities AND incorporating that Inkwell stuff so you can push buttons and scribble directly on the screen to input stuff...wouldn't that be sort a PDA, only cooler/better?

Apple/Steve says "no PDA". Fine, whatever. ;)

What they DIDN'T say is "no cool-ass, next-generation iPod with wireless - and user input - capabilities". Hard-drive-based, lots of room, Apple's ease-of-use, integration with .Mac, iTunes and iPhoto, color screen, the rumored "home on iPod" feature, etc.

:wow:

Furthering the notion that, upon the iPod's introduction 3 years ago, I immediately thought "Pod? What is a pod? Why no music-oriented name, unless it's destined for much more...".

We can parse "PDA" and Jobs' comments about it all live-long day, I suppose...

;)

We've got this Toshiba leak about 60GB drives. We've got this persistent "home on iPod" talk (Tiger marquee feature?), this recent AirTunes/wireless stuff, etc.

[Zab The Fab]

As you all know, PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant.

Steve Jobs has repeatedly said that Apple will NOT come out with a PDA. In stead of talking back and forth about if he is serious or not (because HE IS!) the more interesting thing is lookin into WHAT a PDA really is.

What I mean is, Apple could release the "next thing" in a handheld product. He never said they would never release a "handheld" product. The iPod is a handheld product...see where I'm going?

When Steve jobs says they will NOT release a PDA, they will NOT release a Personal Digital Asistant, end of story. Anyone still talking about this should get a hobby :). I'm not talking about the thread starter, it's as relevant as anything else in here to post the information he is sharing.

Let's analyze what a PDA can DO, what it IS. If we can define this, then we know what Apple will NOT release. At the same time we could try to come up with "the next" thing,or what would "the next thing" do? Communication?, GPS?, Video? ....something we haven't thought of yet?

I hope my post can help us all focus on the relevant issues in this exciting subject.


Sincerly

Brian Zebeaune

[Chaser]

Originally posted by Messiahtosh
Steve never said that, he said he was proud OF THE FACT THAT THEY DID NOT RELEASE IT.

Jobs stated that he is proud not only of the products Apple has shipped, but also the products Apple has decided not to ship. When asked to elaborate, Jobs replied, "an Apple PDA."


See here, it's on Apple Insider! (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=484)

[TednDi]

ipod

individual personal/peripheral organisational device

not a pda personal digital assistant

palm is done for....

STEVE if you are reading make the phone UNLOCKED!! works with any system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

keep the faith!!

an apple a day....

[kim kap sol]

Steve always breaks his promises so I bet an Apple PDA is right around the corner.

[Kickaha]

Originally posted by Chaser
See here, it's on Apple Insider! (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=484)

Yes it is, but it's wrong.

[Chaser]

Originally posted by Kickaha
Yes it is, but it's wrong.

:embarrass

[TednDi]

Remember also that Apple has legions of copycats. If apple was getting ready to release anything they wouldn't advance it and let some crappy beta version competetor release it first to steal the thunder. Apple will use intentional misinformation to throw off the industrial spies.

Sony is just japanese for apple rip-off clie is just cliche'

apple's hardware and software have always made me wish for the next version. You can see where they are headed and can't wait to get there.

Go apple Go!!

[peharri]

Maybe the "$99 iPod" rumours were right, and the plan is to release a $99 3GHz G5 based iPod with PDA functionality at WWDC. This will ensure the rumours are true and that Apple and IBM keeps their promises.

Be interesting if they do. Depending on the colour, I might buy one.

;-)

[The Angel of the Abyss]

Originally posted by TednDi
ipod

individual personal/peripheral organisational device

not a pda personal digital assistant

palm is done for....

STEVE if you are reading make the phone UNLOCKED!! works with any system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

keep the faith!!

an apple a day....

HEY man, stop SHOUTING at Steve OK ……… :mad:

He ain't deaf ya know !

Duh ! :D

[TednDi]

Originally posted by The Angel of the Abyss
HEY man, stop SHOUTING at Steve OK ……… :mad:

He ain't deaf ya know !

Duh ! :D


I know he ain't def but my voice is so small!!

:(

[onlooker]

Originally posted by peharri
Maybe the "$99 iPod" rumours were right, and the plan is to release a $99 3GHz G5 based iPod with PDA functionality at WWDC. This will ensure the rumours are true and that Apple and IBM keeps their promises.

Be interesting if they do. Depending on the colour, I might buy one.

;-)

Give me a break. Some of the biach-ing, and complaints are justified, and valid.

[oldmacfan]

It has been said before, Apple will not ship a PDA, Apple will not ship a video iPod, what I do believe Apple is working on is an iLife portable. With video-out, music, color screen, home-on features, maybe other features also.

What else would be cool to incorportate into such a device?

GPS, only for some.

Phone, only for some.

AddressBook, yes.

Ink well, can't see it.

Voice notepad, yes.

[TednDi]

the gsm phone chip and gps chip are bundled together
wouldn't be too big or too expensive
then gps could give you directions via voice and little screen


on ipod now,
we have calender
and address book

so, add...

larger landscape screen with controls on the front and screen on the back?

voice control perhaps. Integrate it with a voice recognition software in Tiger and the voice notes feature becomes very useful.

bluetooth/wifi integration- yes

roaming playlists using isync

direct downloadable itms support?

log on to linked machines when entering room

throw a little biometric thingy with encryption on it and a 4gig harddrive and it is ilife mobile.

[Matsu]

Apple will release a tablet, eventually, and it won't be like anything out there today.

I'm waiting on a digital moleskin-A5 sized device.

Sony has some interesting new technology that solves a lot of problems. Their digital paper solution -- a tiny electromechanical grid -- solves nearly all the viewing problems associated with LCD technology. Because it only needs to be refreshed when something on screen changes, it uses little power. It has great readability and contrast because it doesn't get better than black on white.

Yes yes, sony's device is an eBook, and eBooks basically suck, but perhaps not for much longer.

Throw in a capacious 20-60Gb 1.8" HDD, and suddenly you can hold a considerable text library on your device. Role in palm-level computing power and some intelligent database software, and searches become interesting too. Perhaps throw a clear digitizer over the screen, and you have an eBook you can write upon aswell.

Check email. Why not? anything that's more like paper will be easier to read than a standard screen.

Project Gutenburg alone would keep my digital moleskin hopping for years: I don't even need copyright material! A reference library in your pocket! And a calendar/notepad/mail reader too.

[Arty50]

I wonder why Palm announced that future versions of Palm Desktop would not support Mac OS X...

[hobBIT]

Many times I asked myself what would be Apple's next iLife device. I'm not talking about an evolution of the iPod, we've discussed those, but a completely new device.

At some point I was sure it would be a HD based digital camcorder with FireWire that also does pictures. No more tapes, yet perfect DV quality videos. Perhaps even a Foveon X3 chip.
Well, it didn't happen.

My current favorite is a PDF/Photo Viewer. Kind of ties in with what Matsu said.

iTunes keeps an archive of your music. iPhoto an archive of your pictures. How about a new iLife application, let's call it 'iDoc' that keeps an archive of your documents? Anything that no longer needs editing. Old Word or Excel files, PDFs you downloaded, even eBooks in PDF format (with DRM). All those would be archived in iDoc. With easy powerful searching and viewing. Since OS X is PDF based, basically anything that can be printed (most anything) can be archived in iDoc's native PDF format. And what would accompany iDoc better than a new A5 sized PDF viewer?

It would have a color screen and show PDFs and photos from iPhoto, plus iCal calendars and addresses. Probably not movies, at least not in its first version.
And since PDFs allow for annotations, perhaps one could even annotate these PDFs.

Would that perhaps be the rumored 'Apple Tablet'? An iDoc/iPhoto viewer?

And to top it off it could also have WiFi built-in. This would allow it to be used as a mobile web browser with any WiFi hotspot.

And get this: with WiFi built-in it would be ever so easy to upload new PDFs wirelessly. How cool would it be to go into shops or visit expos and be picking up brochures and other leaflets wirelessly - to read on the go and/or sync with iDoc later. No more lugging around of heaps of paperwork.

[TednDi]

I like that Idea!

And get this: with WiFi built-in it would be ever so easy to upload new PDFs wirelessly. How cool would it be to go into shops or visit expos and be picking up brochures and other leaflets wirelessly - to read on the go and/or sync with iDoc later. No more lugging around of heaps of paperwork.


That would be cool. go into stores and get the info and then later be able to read at lesure.

[hobBIT]

And to spin things further...

WiFi pickup of brochures could even have an option to allow certain 'publishers' to distribute PDFs to you automatically, by just passing a WiFi enabled 'leaflet dispenser'.
So for example whenever you enter an Apple Store, merely by entering and leaving the store you'd find the latest set of PDFs of Apple products on your Viewer. Convenient. Browse them, keep them, delete them - whatever you fancy. In the end it saves tons of trees. Literally.

And at some point you could even purchase newspapers or magazines that way. Imagine having a subscription of newspaper x or magazine y. Just walk up to the nearest WiFi enabled newsstand and <poof> within seconds the subscription is verified and you will find your newspaper or magazine delivered to your Viewer. Wirelessly, effortlessly.

And like a music store built into iTunes, why not a newspaper/magazine store built into 'iDoc'?

We've all seen eBook readers. More or less they are all crap and failed. But if done right, the possibilities are endless! Like with the iPod.

[iDunno]

Gotta ask, how big do you envision this iDoc? Because I am already hating the idea of it, if you are picturing it large enough to display pamphlets and not have to squint to read it... may as well just get an iBook.

[TWinbrook46636]

Originally posted by Jared

...So I know that Mac Sales Associates are not in the loop of what is going on over at Apple (no pun intended) but I was at work and one came in to get a bite to eat. I asked him when they should be getting the new G5's in and he said that the new dual 1.8s were in but the other two models were not expected until late next month then he asked me if I was a big computer user....I said of course....

He then went into his over excited spiel about how the G5's have this and that and when I said it was to bad that they (Apple) could not come out with dual 3.0, he said "yeah they were suppose to be out now but they couldn't get there just yet." he then went onto say this....

"And pretty soon Apple will be coming out with a PDA that will blow away anything that Palm has to offer" I stopped him and asked "which company did you say again?" thinking maybe he did not really say Apple and then he went onto say "Apple will. It will have the same hard drive as the iPod Mini so a 4GB drive and will have a full color screen..." he sounded pretty damn confident in himself and I was pretty shocked to even hear him "speculating" on unreleased products, let alone sounding as if it were a for sure thing

Congratulations on not having to get him drunk first!

[pscates]

Originally posted by oldmacfan
It has been said before, Apple will not ship a PDA, Apple will not ship a video iPod, what I do believe Apple is working on is an iLife portable. With video-out, music, color screen, home-on features, maybe other features also.

What else would be cool to incorportate into such a device?

GPS, only for some.

Phone, only for some.

AddressBook, yes.

Ink well, can't see it.

Voice notepad, yes.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I said. (minus the GPS...didn't think of that).

[kim kap sol]

Originally posted by hobBIT
My current favorite is a PDF/Photo Viewer. Kind of ties in with what Matsu said.


LOL...that should give a new meaning to Portable Document Format.

[hobBIT]

Originally posted by les t
Gotta ask, how big do you envision this iDoc? Because I am already hating the idea of it, if you are picturing it large enough to display pamphlets and not have to squint to read it... may as well just get an iBook.
'iDoc' is not the name of the device, but the name of the accompanying software, like iTunes.

I envision the device to be A5 in size and as thin as possible. Ideally something like 210mm x 150mm x 10mm (for the metric challenged audience: 8" x 6" x 0.4"). Much smaller than an iBook, about 1/4 the volume. Pretty much the size of a DVD box. Thinner even if Apple can manage the 4+GB HD, battery and electronics to fit. Perhaps with an OLED screen they could make it 5mm thin (0.2").
Considering the size of an iPod and that includes a 40GB HD, battery and electronics, the size of a DVD box should be doable.

If the resolution is high enough people will be able to read pages in portrait orientation, especially for eBooks that would roughly be the size of a pocketbook anyway.
To get bigger print just rotate the device to landscape and you've got the full width and can view a half page at a time, scrolling neatly up and down.

Should be perfect.

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Originally posted by TWinbrook46636
Congratulations on not having to get him drunk first!
*LOL* Right on the spot!

[iDunno]

Sorry Hobbit, I'm not sold (but, I will admit that I have never been a fan of pda's in the first place). I still think that logistically, it wouldn't suit me... but hey, I'm just one person, the rest of the board may love it.

Les.

[hobBIT]

Les, no harm done! :)

Not everyone likes an iPod either, nor a Mac for that matter.
It's generally good that people have different tastes.

[Jared]

Originally posted by TWinbrook46636
Congratulations on not having to get him drunk first!

:lol: Am I the only one? ;) :D

[Zab The Fab]

you know guys, all these threads about the next device from Apple (and come one, the company that gave birth to the Digital Hub concept, can't stop after an mp3 player, ESPECIALLY when it's so successfull !) ...only goes to show one thing, the thinking up the product is everything.

A lot of different people here on this forums can see many differet devices doing many different things, but which ones would be successfull? Apple greatest talet is what their old slogan said: "Think Different" !

Since Steven P. Jobs came back to Apple, there has been a renewed focus, a clear vision of the future. Often we all sit back and wonder about why they are not doing this or that, and then they'll release something and we all forget our old ideas, because now we too see the light :)

All this talk about the next device goes to show how much we are all anticipating the next thing, one thing we all know: it will be simple and brilliant :)

Here's one for the crazy ones, the misfits....the Mac users and their "creators"


Sincerly

Brian Zebeaune

[Aries 1B]

The 20th century will not be over and done for me until computers (good computers, not Windows Contraptions) lose their keyboards.


Aries 1B

[geekmeet]

unless this "PDA" has a phone built in then forget it.
phones are THE mobile device that we all need and want and ANY pda must have a phone built in.......PERIOD.

IF IT DOESNT IT WILL FAIL!
:mad:

[pscates]

:mad: :mad: :mad: GRRRR...FAIL!!!

:D

[Kickaha]

ARRRRR! OOK FAIL! GRUNT GRUNT

:mad: :mad: :mad:

[talksense101]

PDAs are a dying breed.

[Carson O'Genic]

Originally posted by Aries 1B
The 20th century will not be over and done for me until computers (good computers, not Windows Contraptions) lose their keyboards.


Aries 1B

The world will change when they get real voice input that works without training-for anyone. Then you can say "hey, iPod call Aries 1B." I wonder how long and then what kind of processing power it requires.

[Foo Fighter]

Oh stop it!!! There is no Apple PDA. There isn't going to be an Apple PDA. And why in the name of Franz Ferdinand should Apple even WANT in this market. The PDA market is dead, people don't want them (except for geeks). :no:

[little mouse]

just remember how totaly unexpected the ipod was. many people thought it was the dumbest thing that Apple could have done. In my opinon the ipod is almost as important as the imac was to Apple. Up until the ipod, not many people could carry their entire musical library with them where ever they went. Basicaly, Apple is just a bunch of really smart people thinking up ways to do something so smart that most people think its stupid but then over time they realise just how implausibly clever it was. If Apple really does release something totally new, I doubt it will be a pda because that just doesn't seem clever enough for them, too expected. They could release something like a pda, and maybe they have been purposely holding off until all of the other major competitors pull out, and then will capture the pda market as well they did the music player market with the ipod. And then we would all think it was pretty dumb to release something new into a dying market, but over time, we would see it slowly start to appear everywhere and become something cool. Everything Apple makes has the "cool factor", its just something inexplicable about certain products, they either have or they don't. Price, speed, and practicality don't factor in the cool factor, and the cool factor just makes you want it. Just look at all of apples products and then at all of their competitors products and its pretty obvious which has the cool factor.

Edit - Before Apple came out with the ipod, did you really want an mp3 player with enough room for you entire music library?

[Michael Grey]

Originally posted by Jared
:lol: Am I the only one? ;) :D

You see? You see what you did? It's too close to WWDC to be messin' with people here.

[DeadArmadillo]

i have one thing to say, regarding "no keyboards"

i *know* i'm not the only one who feels stupid talking to the air when i'm by myself, let alone in an office full of people.

keyboards as our main input device are here to stay until we can hook the things right up to our melons.

[shetline]

Originally posted by Aries 1B
The 20th century will not be over and done for me until computers (good computers, not Windows Contraptions) lose their keyboards.
I doubt that even excellent voice recognition technology will replace the keyboard. Reduce the importance of the keyboard, yes, but not replace it.

Written and spoken language are different things, with different applications. There are things that are much easier to do with a keyboard and mouse (or other pointing device) than through spoken word.

I doubt we'd ever replace all written documents with audio recordings, for example. Can you imagine having to listen to every legal document, audio scan back and forth through it to check fine points (would the "fine print" be whispered?), and then have to sign it by voice?

If a document is meant to be consumed via reading rather than listening, doesn't it follow that it might often be easier to create that document via typing rather than dictation? Can you imagine have to talk your computer through moving words, sentences, and paragraphs around, rather than just clicking, dragging, and typing as needed?

Think of how noisy and distracting many offices would be with everyone talking to their computers all of the time rather than quietly typing away.

There are certainly some computer-as-household-appliance applications that good voice recognition will be useful for. I think that all but the most casual users, however, will still want to have keyboards for many of the things they'll want to do.

[TednDi]

Actually I have been far more productive inthe past with a program called dragon dictate. Yes it had problems but it allowed me to input almost twice as fast as i can type and with far ferwer typos, spelling errors and the like.

A keyboard is useful but for many of us and for those who cant' type or the elderly voice input may be the way to go.

yes the pda is dead but the telecom industry is exploding. Apple can do something that does the pda thing without being a pda. Almost like an afterthought not its primary function.

[vr6]

Originally posted by Arty50
I wonder why Palm announced that future versions of Palm Desktop would not support Mac OS X...

Because iSync/iCal/Address Book already do everything Palm Desktop did and they are built into OS X.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by hobBIT
Maybe it's not really a 'PDA' but more like a sub-notebook with pen input. Tying into those 'Apple tablet' and 'Apple gadget for around $650' rumors.
Perhaps something running OS X on a battery friendly embedded G3 variant.
iWalk anyone (http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,49463,00.html?tw=wn_story_related)? ;)

That device has been in the rumor pipeline for a while.

[netbanshee]

The mention of a touchscreen/stylus as well as wi-fi in an iPod or Apple variant made me think of the Nintendo DS handheld system that debuted at E3. It appears it's possible to throw in these features in a form factor that's thinner than an ipod and still maintain a decent battery life. The color screens on this thing aren't that shabby either. So, there's an example of this kind of tech at work. I'm just wondering if it'll mate up in a system like an iPod which uses most of it's battery life on a hard drive.

[Arty50]

Originally posted by vr6
Because iSync/iCal/Address Book already do everything Palm Desktop did and they are built into OS X.

True. But you can't install software on your Palm without PD, unless I'm missing something here.

[Addison]

Originally posted by Arty50
I wonder why Palm announced that future versions of Palm Desktop would not support Mac OS X...

What isa even stranger is that they updated it about two weeks ago :\

[limtc]

Originally posted by Addison
What isa even stranger is that they updated it about two weeks ago :\

PalmSource only mentioned they will not support it (ie, done by PalmSource) for PalmOS 6 (aka BeOS). PalmOS 5 is still supported. palmOne does not say they will not support, and mostly likely will have its own solution (probably bundling 3rd parties software).

[Foo Fighter]

Originally posted by limtc
PalmOS 6 (aka BeOS)

PalmOS 6 is not BeOS, nor is it based on Be. According to PalmSource, very little code from BeOS has been used in OS6 (Cobalt). Perhaps future versions of PalmOS will have more Be technology, that is of course if PalmSource manages to survive.

[TednDi]

look, the palm with it's 1990 technology is nice. but even a stripped down ipod/phone would capture much more of the mp 3 player market even if it only had 10%of the phone market (for now...) most people have a phone and then an ipod. put the 2 together.......


soon.

please.....



T

[johnq]

I hate my phone (any phone). I hate receiving calls (from nearly anyone except my honey). I hate ringtones.

I love my iPod. I love drowning out the world (including phones ringing).

If I had to pause my iPod/music to answer a call, I'd hang my self.

Apple can make a phone...great, I'll buy one. But please God, no iPod with a built-in phone...

Granted, if anyone could make it work it would be Apple...but I'm leery of it.

[Tomb of the Unknown]

Originally posted by Chaser
[B]Jobs stated that he is proud not only of the products Apple has shipped, but also the products Apple has decided not to ship. When asked to elaborate, Jobs replied, "an Apple PDA."
Jobs has long maintained that the PDA was going to be eliminated by multi-function phones. And judging by Sony's retreat from the PDA market, he could be right.

Now, the question is: Does Apple have plans to release a multi-function phone? Steve's answer to that has been that it would be hard to do, and be profitable unless you had your own wireless network.

(Of course, there's always wireless access points and VOIP.... It might be difficult, but it's just the kind of paradigm shifting product Apple loves.)

[fred_lj]

Wouldn't the phone thing actually be easier to pull off in Europe? At least they've standardized with one protocol -- GSM. Or is GSM widespread enough now in the US for it to be a plausible "one fits all" service? But I think Apple getting into the phone area at all is unlikely.

[geekmeet]

Originally posted by little mouse
just remember how totaly unexpected the ipod was. many people thought it was the dumbest thing that Apple could have done. In my opinon the ipod is almost as important as the imac was to Apple. Up until the ipod, not many people could carry their entire musical library with them where ever they went. Basicaly, Apple is just a bunch of really smart people thinking up ways to do something so smart that most people think its stupid but then over time they realise just how implausibly clever it was. If Apple really does release something totally new, I doubt it will be a pda because that just doesn't seem clever enough for them, too expected. They could release something like a pda, and maybe they have been purposely holding off until all of the other major competitors pull out, and then will capture the pda market as well they did the music player market with the ipod. And then we would all think it was pretty dumb to release something new into a dying market, but over time, we would see it slowly start to appear everywhere and become something cool. Everything Apple makes has the "cool factor", its just something inexplicable about certain products, they either have or they don't. Price, speed, and practicality don't factor in the cool factor, and the cool factor just makes you want it. Just look at all of apples products and then at all of their competitors products and its pretty obvious which has the cool factor.

Edit - Before Apple came out with the ipod, did you really want an mp3 player with enough room for you entire music library?


this is easily one of the most insightful if not THE most insightful post ive ever read on this message board.
your dead on.

[McCrab]

Originally posted by pscates
We've got this Toshiba leak about 60GB drives. We've got this persistent "home on iPod" talk (Tiger marquee feature?), this recent AirTunes/wireless stuff, etc.

60GB does seem excessive for a music player. There must be something more to this next generation iPod

[McCrab]

Originally posted by Foo Fighter
Oh stop it!!! There is no Apple PDA. There isn't going to be an Apple PDA. And why in the name of Franz Ferdinand should Apple even WANT in this market. The PDA market is dead, people don't want them (except for geeks). :no:

Perhaps Jobs' statements regarding Apple's non-release of a PDA (with scaled-down OS) was made because there is now some prospect of putting a full blown OS X into a highly portable unit? Could be a very exciting proposition.

[hook]

It seems like a natural progression of the ipod to include a fully functional pda. It already includes a calendar that syncs with ical. Plus with addition of "home" on your ipod this seems even more likely. 60GB is a good starting point for this palm held computer.

Given the strong statements in the past about apple not venturing into the mobile phone business, it seems unlikely that a phone would be part of this. The mobile phone business is considerably more competitive than the dying pda market and requires more than just good design and marketing. Expertise in telecommunications is an absolute must and venturing into this industry without that bonafide expertise is suicidal.

There are some people out there walking around with their pockets stuffed with an ipod, cell phone and pda. Reducing the clutter to 2 helps - regardless of which 2 are combined. The average person would need to take a class to figure out how to use one device that had all 3 things. And Apple is all about appealing to the average person in order to gain marketshare.

[therubicon]

The response is nano-computing. The size of a PDA but the power of a computer. 60 GB + PPC + OLED + connection.

With such device, Steve is right when he said that apple will not release a PDA.

[Tomb of the Unknown]

Originally posted by fred_lj
Wouldn't the phone thing actually be easier to pull off in Europe? At least they've standardized with one protocol -- GSM. Or is GSM widespread enough now in the US for it to be a plausible "one fits all" service? But I think Apple getting into the phone area at all is unlikely.
GSM, or no GSM you can't compete with phone companies that give away phones to sell the service. Do you think Apple wants to become a phone company just to sell a multi-function phone? No.

[TAZ]

As much as I would LOVE to have an iPhone, iWalk... whatever you want to call it I seriously doubt that Apple will do it. There are WAAAAAAAY too many well established incumbent phone manufacturers and face it the PDA by itself is dead being replaced by PDA phones like the Treo, Samsung I500, Moto MPx200...Aside from offering OSX on a phone Apple would not be bringing any other value to the market, so they would have to make up for it on price. Apple is not known as a low cost provider. If you think of the features we want: Bluetooth, 802.11/x, OSX, iCal, iSync, GPS, ...; its a phone comprable to the upcoming Moto MPx which is supposed to be at or slightly over $1000 retail. Dont think that Apple can undercut that price, especially since thay have no other place to absorb the development costs. Maybe a partnership as Moto is putting a Linux phone out, so why not an OSX phone. The pure Apple phone thing aint gonna happen as ther are way too many hurdles, just in development and not counting FCC certification, service provider agreements...

[TednDi]

If the phone is added to the ipod it wouldn't be too much$ apple could buy from moto the bluetooth/gsm/gprs chips.

If the device is sold unlocked then you could use the phone on anyone's gsm service. put the sim chip into the back of the device and you have a working phone. Go to europe plop another gsm chip into the phone and your phone now has a euopean number. In the US you can't get an unlocked phone.

Some people like me, want a phone where they can use it anyway. Apple just needs to do some education. Teach people how to change gsm/gprs sim chips. Having once done it it is ridiculously easy.

They are selling very cheap phones out there. prob with a manufacturing cost of $20. to add that value to an apple device would make for cost effectiveness and thus eliminate 1 device the phone/music player Apple has bundled into the ipod, to do list the calander and the phonebook. For very little money Apple can get into another market share. even if it is only 5% of it's core business it will draw people to the ipod and itms. They will make the choice for apple. People routinely spend $300+ dollars now to buy locked subsidised phones with aggrivating synch abilities.

This product will work worldwide as it looks like gsm is now approaching the worldwide standard. In the US all of the cell companies except sprint use a gsm that includes T-mobile, Cingular/att wireless, Verizon, In europe it is everywhere with virgin, orange and O2 in england.

Perfect tie in with itms. europe.

[kraig911]

what a lot of you fail to realize that this market is a lot like mp3 players, at their inception a whole lot of people thought meh.. BIG DEAL. Stop and realize that it is because we have a lot of PDA's to choose from right now and nobody is buying them because they all suck, not because we don't see the value they would add if something more intuitive would come out.

[TednDi]

Phones are also about fashion. Ipods are fashion (hense the 4 week wait for the minis)

apple could change the design every year or so and still keep it's factories chugging out the next revision. If some company wants to bundle the ipod/phone let them do it. As long as I can buy an unlocked one from apple.

Huge sales numbers here the US market is only a tiny piece of the global telecom market. In most countiries now more people have a mobile than a wired phone.

Huge untapped market. Phone companies think like phone companies Apple has a different approach.

Go Steve Go!

The companies are all getting it wrong. They build phones that do other things poorly or they build something that is a phone that does both poorly.

apple can do better.

the Moto/M$ smartphone sux. it takes 3min to boot. and the battery life is too short to be useful.

[TAZ]

Kraig,
I will disagree, PDA's do not suck. My Axim is great as are many of the Palm and HP units out there. The reason my Axim is going on eBay is because I am tired of feeling like Bat Man with all the carp on my belt, especially since my phone can now act as a PDA. This, I believe is the downfall of the pure PDA.

TednDi,
Making a phone is not that simple. Nokia, Moto, Samsung have had years to ammortize their tooling and development costs, something that Apple will have to start with from scratch. Remember the price of phones when they first came out??? It has only been in recent years, say last 5-10 that phone prices have become affordable. Someone starting from ground zero would either have to go at a loss until their expenses are paid off or sell REALLY expensive phones to cover the development costs. There is also the issue of acceptance. EVERY phone has to be tested and acredited by the FCC and its bretheren accross the world. This is also paid for by the manufacturer. Once the government beurocrats have acredited the phone the individual service provider also does their own testing and beta field trialing, granted this is usually done in parallel with the governmental testing. The manufacturer supplies the phones, which means production facilities have to be established. Not easy to do when one is strating up and not having any $$ coming in. Then there are also liability issues that we dont want to go into. Want to get sued by JoeBlow cause the E911 system didnt get the correct location out to EMS???

Dont get me wrong, I'd like to see and Apple phone simply cause apple would atleast look a heck of a lot better. There are a LOT of issues with the phone market that make it not easy for first timers to enter. There isnt a huge market for expensive phones out there. People arent generally going to go out and spend $500+ on an unlocked phone and this is the likely price range of any Apple phone, simply to cover development costs.

Also, you cant simply make a phone, grab a SIM and use it. The phone has to be rated for the frequencies being used by the service provider. This is why we have the T610, T616 and so forth replications of the same phones. One operates on 900MHz the other on 1800 MHz or something like that anyway. All this means is that you cant take a T-Mobile phone and operate it on an ATT network. Granted there are multi band phones that cover every currently offered frequency, but they are still only going to function as a basic phone on networks that do not officially support the hardware. Ever try to get an unsupported phone working on a network? Tech service refuses to help for most service providers cause they arent making money off of the phone sale, so its a hackfest to get data service, messaging...

[TednDi]

the chipsets are tested by the manufacturers of the chipsets.

http://www.commsdesign.com/new_products/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=16500333

The locked phones that are marketed to the masses here in the US are the same phones being used abroad. Granted there are frequency issues particular to each company but. That is easily solveable using quad band chipsets. I am no tech guy by any stretch of the imagination. however I have a nice little panasonic unlocked quad band phone. It works nicely on my ATT wireless gsm service Before that it worked on cingular. Up untill recently Cingular and T-mobile were in a cross use agreement. Funny thing when I travelled to the west coast I was on the T-mobile network and when I got back to the east coast there Was Cingular. No roaming.

Now with the Purchase of ATT wireless by cingular there is one huge cellular company.

Apple could buy the chips pretested from a supplier like phillips then sell the phonepod to anyone. The only reason that the phones are locked here in the US is that the carriers want to keep you locked into their contracts.
Currently there is a lawsuit in California to compel the wireless carriers to unlock the phones after these contracts are over.

http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-phones8jun08,0,251819.story?coll=la-headlines-technology

My little panasonic unlocked phone has worked on Cingular, Att wireless, T-mobile, Virgin (in the UK) and Orange (in th UK) It has also allowed me to roam onto Vodaphone and O2 networks using my prepaid sim cards from orange and virgin.

Apple simply has to buy quad band gsm/gprs chipsets and put it together.

[no1allowed]

Originally posted by therubicon
The response is nano-computing. The size of a PDA but the power of a computer. 60 GB + PPC + OLED + connection.

With such device, Steve is right when he said that apple will not release a PDA.

I agree. I believe it is a full blown 750GX run OS X based computer that can fit in your shirt pocket. All it needs is a DVI, USB and 4-pin Firewire connectors and you're in business. They already have a Windows XP based micro computer - http://www.oqo.com/hardware/basics/. They could try OLED for a display instead of the transflective LCD.

P.S. This was designed by 4 engineers - 2 of them ex-Apple engineers.

[DCQ]

Originally posted by McCrab
60GB does seem excessive for a music player. There must be something more to this next generation iPod

Yep. 20 GB more...

[limtc]

Originally posted by DCQ
Yep. 20 GB more...

probably enough for Apple to switch to an OS that uses a lot more HD space, and controlled by Apple.

[afterhours]

Apple sales reps are not told any more than we are. Apple's created PDAs before (or are all of you too young to remember the Newton?) -- and they could certainly expand on the capabilities of the iPod -- but some sales drone isn't likely to know more than what i could make up and feed to you.

BTW -- isn't it ironic that AppleInsider is running ads for Gateway computers in this forum :)

[hobBIT]

Originally posted by limtc
probably enough for Apple to switch to an OS that uses a lot more HD space, and controlled by Apple.
How about 'QuickTime 7' as the new iPod OS?

[ZO]

The "PDA" like Palm is DEAD and buried since years. Anyone with just about any portable phone from the last couple years has the same basic functionalities as a PDA.

I used to have a Palm III that I havent touched in years because I can set appointments, and obviously contacts, and stuff on my GSM...

Indeed, Jobs said PDAs are dead... but that doesnt mean Apple may not be working on somekind of OQO device...

I really would want a mini mini PowerBook/Tablet type device. A small 8 to 10 inch screen...

[Gamblor]

The "PDA" like Palm is DEAD and buried since years. Anyone with just about any portable phone from the last couple years has the same basic functionalities as a PDA.

...except for a resonable text input method-- not to mention a resonably sized display. Sorry, but even though current PDAs don't have all that great a method of text input, it beats trying to key in alphanumeric characters with a 10 key keypad. Thumboards are a bit better, but it's still no substitute for good handwriting recognition while on the go.

I miss the Newton. :(

[niji]

in yr pref panel there is network. open it up and look at the iPv6 address.
this will be yr fone number within two years, after wi-fi is invested in by everybody, everywhere.
the device is a small, wi-fi connected screen with colour lcd, and camera built in.
runs regular version os x.
airport express increases the coverage area.

dont think iPod. think access. think live communication device.

[zpapasmurf]

I really would want a mini mini PowerBook/Tablet type device. A small 8 to 10 inch screen...

They make laptops with 10 inch screens already, and im not sure about laptops with 8 inchers, but 8-10 inches is far from what I consider portable.

*IF* they choose to do something like this it should have no larger than a 5 inch screen. It needs to be able to fit into a pocket easily or else it is pointless.

[othello]

Originally posted by niji
in yr pref panel there is network. open it up and look at the iPv6 address.
this will be yr fone number within two years, after wi-fi is invested in by everybody, everywhere.
the device is a small, wi-fi connected screen with colour lcd, and camera built in.
runs regular version os x.
airport express increases the coverage area.

dont think iPod. think access. think live communication device.

is this your guess or something else? ;)

[Jared]

Well just to add a little more fruit to the mix, Volt, a contracting agency that hires people to work for Apple in various teams has a new position available....

Location:
__Cupertino, CA


Description:
__Functional testing, test case authoring and refinement, bug reporting and isolation on various platforms (Various versions of Mac OS X). Must have Mac testing experience and posses excellent written and verbal communication, along with previous software application testing experience.

I called up the contracting manager that works for the Apple accounts and asked him about the position. He asked me if I have any PDA experience or something like that. Unfortently I do not but, this confirms that something in fact is coming from Apple. Though the job description does not pin point it specifically it does seem to hint at a Mac OS X lite.....

[othello]

good catch!

[The General]

Originally posted by Jared
Well just to add a little more fruit to the mix, Volt, a contracting agency that hires people to work for Apple in various teams has a new position available....



I called up the contracting manager that works for the Apple accounts and asked him about the position. He asked me if I have any PDA experience or something like that. Unfortently I do not but, this confirms that something in fact is coming from Apple. Though the job description does not pin point it specifically it does seem to hint at a Mac OS X lite.....

hmmm, of course something like this could mean ISYNC stuff, or maybe an apple version of hotsync.

[Jared]

Originally posted by The General
hmmm, of course something like this could mean ISYNC stuff, or maybe an apple version of hotsync.

Then both the description and the contract manager would mention just that. At least with iSync and they would also mention the kind of framework for that kind of software. They are not quiet about specifically what they need (just go to the Apple job website and you will see what I mean) unless it is going to be something major and there are very little details here.....

[Carniphage]

PDAs... get over them.

This is not a dead market - it's a market that barely existed in the first place. Real people have no reason to carry around yet another bulky pocket device with all of the maintenance and tamagotchi like attention they require. Don't get me wrong - I love gadgets, but what the heck does one *do* with a PDA for goodness sake.

Yes, I know that they are attractive gadgets which have a potent technological fetish value - but to the typical person, a phone is the one and only must-have pocket device.

Need a diary? - use your phone
Need contact info? - use your phone
Need crappy Java games? - how tedious. Well try your phone. or a Gameboy!
Need mobile intenet and email? - well try a smartphone.
Need tiny movies to watch? - It sounds like you really need a P900 - it even has a stylus!
Need to take slow handwritten notes in meetings? - try paper - really!
Need music. i have just the thing...
Need a fully featured PC the size of a business card? I really really doubt it.

Apple should focus on real needs - not silly Startrek bullshit.

Carni

[hook]

The PDA as it stands now is primarly a business tool. Thats not to say that that is how it is always used. Although it is also purchased by techno fetish/gadget crowd, its real purpose and usefullness is business related.

On a professional level, the ability to syncronize your office workstation and home computer, as well as instant access on the street, is more valuable than you might think. Not just phone numbers and meeting times. Whether its used for marketing, project management, or just to figure out the address of your next meeting. Add on to this the potential to carry and exchange files (not just tiny little word documents either). This last bit already exists in various forms, including the ipod, but the ipod is clearly more of a consumer item than a professional tool. As far as the other stuff, the majority of the "smart" phones out there suffer from poorly written software, and/or a lack of integration with the mac.

Apple would like nothing more than to come up with a device that addresses business needs in the same way that the ipod appealed to the gadget conscious consumer. If they were to go in this PDA direction my guess is that it would be geared more towards the professional consumer. Although some of the possiblities that people have already mentioned point to more of a digital hub extension, Apple could really use a serious business tool for those that need it.

[The General]

Originally posted by Jared
Then both the description and the contract manager would mention just that. At least with iSync and they would also mention the kind of framework for that kind of software. They are not quiet about specifically what they need (just go to the Apple job website and you will see what I mean) unless it is going to be something major and there are very little details here.....

I don't buy it. asking if you have pda experience, I think is very basic. that COULD mean anything, I say software, others say it must mean hardware..

[Jared]

Originally posted by The General
I don't buy it. asking if you have pda experience, I think is very basic. that COULD mean anything, I say software, others say it must mean hardware..

Go to any of the jobs on the Apple job site (https://jobs.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Employment.woa/4/wo/OooX5DNpYJoyJxsImGb2Yw/4.4) and find me a position listed that has very general/vague information and maybe I will believe that. All of the ones I have come accross mention very specific information on what framework and programming language they require.

The fact that both an Apple employee and the manager in charge of the Apple accounts mention PDA. I have spoken to this manager a number of times and he would tell me I need PDA software experience. But he made no mention of software even though I told him I have very good knowledge of all variations of Mac OS X and Apple software.

[Carniphage]

This is an admittedly left-field suggestion: But go with me..

Apple sees its strength in innovation. Both in introducing new products - and redesigning existing ones.

Which massively commonplace technology with more than a billion units out there, desperately needs updating? It has a terrible user interface. Pretty much everyone owns several and although it would benefit from contact syncronization and internet awareness - it has not really happened.

I give you (Ta Da) the phone. Not the cellphone. But the desk phone. The home phone. The study phone. The big office phone with the 100 silly presets you have to enter by hand.

Imagine the phone re-engineered with PDA like savvy. BT syncing with contact info. Display with virual rolodex. iPodeque user interface. Call by address or Call by IM. Texting, Email delivery in homes with RendezVous. Free VoIP calls.

Want one? Want one enough to pay $150

It is quite quite doable by a company like Apple.

Someone should do this. It is the 21st century, should we really have to manually type in the IP number of the other phone to make a call?

Carni

[The General]

Originally posted by Jared
Go to any of the jobs on the Apple job site (https://jobs.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Employment.woa/4/wo/OooX5DNpYJoyJxsImGb2Yw/4.4) and find me a position listed that has very general/vague information and maybe I will believe that. All of the ones I have come accross mention very specific information on what framework and programming language they require.

The fact that both an Apple employee and the manager in charge of the Apple accounts mention PDA. I have spoken to this manager a number of times and he would tell me I need PDA software experience. But he made no mention of software even though I told him I have very good knowledge of all variations of Mac OS X and Apple software.

you can beleive what you want to beleive... but did apple announce "seeking experience with IPOD" when they were hiring for ipod support? NO. them seeking someone with PDA experience can mean lots of things, why dont you apply for the job then just to see if you can get more info. seems you are alone here thinking this 'tidbit' points to pda experience.. why dont they mention a specific type of pda? palm? visor? windows..? PDA is TOO vague..

[costique]

Originally posted by Carniphage
Not the cellphone. But the desk phone. The home phone. The study phone. The big office phone with the 100 silly presets you have to enter by hand.

Imagine the phone re-engineered with PDA like savvy. BT syncing with contact info. Display with virual rolodex. iPodeque user interface. Call by address or Call by IM. Texting, Email delivery in homes with RendezVous. Free VoIP calls.I've been thinking about it for a few years. It began (in my head) as a simple answering system and ended as an ultimate home secretary. It is a crazy idea, but seeing how tightly it might get integrated into a 'smart house' or 'digital lifestyle', I think it ought to have its customers.

[othello]

if what kormac is predicting is correct, this will be possible (and may well happen). he's talking about frameworks for a home network, which i imagine allows for devices to connect in a seamless way -- think Rendezvous.

[cubist]

Originally posted by Carniphage
...
Imagine the phone re-engineered with PDA like savvy. BT syncing with contact info. Display with virual rolodex. iPodeque user interface. Call by address or Call by IM. Texting, Email delivery in homes with RendezVous. Free VoIP calls.

Want one? Want one enough to pay $150

It is quite quite doable by a company like Apple....

It was done, by Siemens, and was built around a Newton design. Very few are known to be in existence.

I've often asked, Why are phones, and phone systems, so stupid? The only answer appears to be, that's what buyers are expecting.:(

[Carniphage]

Originally posted by cubist
[B]It was done, by Siemens, and was built around a Newton design. Very few are known to be in existence.

You mean this: http://newted.dyndns.org/gallery/notephone/0005.html

Whoa - museumtastic! John Logie Baird was one of the first to market with a commercial television. It had a 40line 4" screen. The rasterization was performed by a gigantic rotating mechanical disk. Not many of those were sold either.

I think a more modern design of phone (and television) could still catch on.

If you did want to make a smart deskphone which could work independently of a PC then the right place to start would be a network aware OS running on an Arm chip or similar. From an engineering standpoint, the project would not be a million miles from PDA development.

Carni

[booooo]

no. no. no. it would only be a 4gig so... that would put it right at the 300 mark? beating out the palm?? But what about WiFi???

Originally posted by iDunno
Using Australian prices here, but an iBook is $1695, and the 40gig iPod is $799, so should we assume the PDA would fit in between? If so, I would rather just the iBook. It would be much cheaper and easier to just carry around a little pencil and notepad.

Les.