Former Google China president reveals details on Apple's tablet - Page 2

I clearly stated iPhone, not Mac. Assuming its multitouch and uses fingers as the primary input, you cant have Mac apps on this device without the apps all needing to be rewritten to use fingers. Mac OS apps are all written to use a very finite pointing device that has aspects that a finger on glass cant easily accomplish.

I guess this is why Google's corporate espionage team [former board member Eric Schmidt?] earns the big bucks and the general public until now knows bupkis.

I agree about the MacBook 13". The problem I can see that is pending on this slate is that it's rumored to run iPhone & not OS X, so modifying / creating Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, Power Point presentations, reports in PDF format, etc. & et al, really becomes problematic.

How would a guy deliver a PPT to a roomful of customer engineers? Knowing Apple, they'll either be some sort of custom display output port which will require another cable to tote around. However, if it's iPhone & not OS X, it probably won't have a dedicated USB port - or even a display out port. These things would make such a tablet difficult to leverage for business.

But man oh man, Mac users need and deserve a compact machine that's much more fully featured than the MBA.

Yeah, that could work. But what if I'm chatting with a female friend and she asks me if I think she's getting fat. So she wants me to see how her jeans fit in the back. With a stand she could step back from the tablet and do a 180 degree turn so I can take a look. Without a stand it gets kinda awkward.

Haha. I'd personally tell her to come over so i could take a look in person.

It is interesting that Kaifu should talk about the tablet at this time.

He is a very important person in the history of Google, Microsoft and in the Steve Jobs world.

Both Jobs and Gates directly sought to hire him in the 90's Whereas Avie Tavanian was also sought by both, and in the end went to Next and then Apple, Kaifu went to Microsoft.

Kaifu Lee was Bill Gate's protege at Microsoft. He was portrayed several times in interviews with Gates as well as in a big NYT portrait of the Microsoft inner circle, as the most likely to succeed Gates as the central guy. When he defected from Microsoft, lured away by Google to head up Google China, Microsoft sued Google.

His time at Google China was apparently personally difficult for him, caught between Google and the emerging technology markets in China.

http://cnreviews.com/business/resear...ws+(CN+Reviews)

In this article, Kaifu discusses leaving Google China by citing Steve Jobs:
http://cnreviews.com/business/compan..._20090906.html

OS X = Umbrella term for all three Apple OS versions running Darwin OS

Mac OS [X] = Apples PC OS

iPhone OS [X] = OS for iPhone and iPod Touch

AppleTV OS = An unnamed flavour of OS X.

iPod OS = Microkernel embedded operating system.

Tablet OS = A new OS employing the best aspects of all previously created OS, though mostly from the iPhone OS, likely with an entirely new UI specific for the device size and usage?

This is the magic tool which will be used to automate the health care system under Obama's haalth care plan. It will be integrated with blue tooth connections to patient monitors, scan and time date the meds with the camera when being given, provide alerts to the nursing staff of anything outside of specified limits, etc, etc. Thats about 500K units over 3-5 years and a lot of app type sales.

I beleive that if the unit is carrier subsidized and available for about the px of my 64 K iPOd, the 1.2 million projection CY 10 (Q2-4) is way low, if it has a global release and production can keep up.

I can see the unit becoming required hardware at multple universities for digital texts and class assignments, replacing the iPOd/Iphone in these apps.

I will be buying one for sure and only just bout a 64G ipod in December.

Someone that high up in Google's organization would probably know. The guessing game is over. All that's left is the product reveal and pricing. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I'll bet Teh Steve would throttle this guy if he could get his hands on him.

If this technique is used, it could explain that rumor a few days ago where someone said we would be surprised at how users interact with the tablet/slate thing.

But that would be immoral and illegal

here comes the Jesus Tablet.

Why would you want a macbook and a macbook pro? The answer to that probably hints at who would want a tablet.

I don't really feel enlightened at all. This falls exactly inline with all the other rumors, I could have made that statement. Even if this is 100% credible, we still know very little about the device.

Edit to avoid a triple post:


Why? If there is a market, the appropriate apps will be created and they will actually be designed to work properly on the touch interface of a tablet.


My guess would be with the tablet hooked to a projector and navigating with an iPhone or possibly an Apple remote if they give it an IR port. The choice of OS has nothing to do with what display outputs this tablet is given. If I had to pick one, it would probably be hdmi as it is mostly consumer focussed and a TV would be the most likely device the tablet would be outputting to, and it isn't unprecedented as apple tv has hdmi. An adapter would most likely be needed for most projectors as you suspect, but even vga laptops are becoming less common. They could also have more than one port, or more likely have a new dock connector (the current one is a little small to dock a tablet) that serves all purposes. I don't think carrying a dock adapter for whatever output you needed would be a huge deal.


You want a device smaller than a macbook air with a multitouch screen that is also more fully featured? Are you expecting to pay less for it too? Sorry, the assumptions you made (as well as your expectations) happened to match my biggest pet peeves about the anti iPhone OS camp.

Explain this reply to me like I am 3 years old.

I am doubting this will kill my aquarium, my fire place, or just sitting down with a good book (a real paper one).

But not a Kindle-Killer? I think that is the least it will be.

I would love to take one a field trip; I can see it now:
At museum: "here are your two tickets. May I interest you in one of our wifi guide booklets which you may keep when you leave? The boring grey-scale text-only Kindle one for 1.50? Or, the full-color interactive tablet one for 2.50 with photos, charts, time-lines, history notes, cross-referencing between all the exhibits and wiki-notes, and a voice-over by Angelina Jolie for our special Mayan exhibit (to name a few things)? Oh, I see you brought your tablet, sir. Good choice. BTW each table at our cafe has a tablet dock. Have a nice day, sir."

I think it could possibly kill a bunch of other things too...
note pads for waitresses and reservation-takers
electronic signature pads for the UPS guy
clipboards for lawyers and doctors
...there's umpteen specialized devices it may well kill because it will do all these tasks and more better than any specialized device. Why because of the apps like those we have already seen for the iPhone. If it only extended these, it would be great. What can the Kindle OS do besides books?

Dunno, this sounds like it could be a full blown computer in its own right. Screen is laptop size and probably packing a lot of power. I imagine syncing iphone and smaller toys directly with this thing, and using full apps like iLife on it.

Multitouch panels like this could be the new personal computer, moving people away from laptops and/or desktop boxes with a keyboard/mouse interface.

So you want to see a touchscreen device with a touchpad on the back and a keyboard?

http://phandroid.com/2009/12/16/moto...tures-details/

What about Apple's patent for a screen that can take pictures (videos?)?
I don't know if you would have to hold the screen perpendicular to the scene you want to film or
if it needs a special angle that you regularly adjust to when working with a tablet.

Quite simple. I quoted someone who felt that it was completely reasonable to have two laptops, but felt that a tablet would have no home. Obviously most people do not have two laptops, but since he feels it is not out of the ordinary, lets evaluate what a macbook has that a macbook pro doesn't.

Smaller size
Lighter weight
less computing power

Now how would a tablet stack up to a laptop?
Smaller size
Lighter weight
Less computing power
Killer touch screen

How can you in one hand, consider the first scenario completely reasonable and in the other hand suggest that the second scenario is somehow out of place? Obviously a tablet may not work for him depending on what he needs the macbook to do, but I suspect his reasons for using two laptops may mirror the reasons other users choose to purchase a tablet to supplement their existing setup.

As Bill Gates will tell you, tablets don't sell. And who would really buy a giant iPhone that's too cumbersome to carry around in a pocket?

And yet Apple confidently expects to sell 10m of these things in year one - more than even the (cheaper) iphone, which entered a market category that already existed.

It all suggests to me that we're looking at a truly stunning new product, with an interface that is not merely awesome but instantly desirable.

And that, for me, suggests that this is the device in which all those 3-d patents finally emerge blinking into the sunlight.

Just think:

• webcam behind the screen allows head-tracking (as well as video conferencing) (http://gizmodo.com/169886/apple-pate...inside-display)
• headtracking allows 3-d without the glasses (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw)
• 3-d without glasses allows new high end 3-d interface with depth (http://www.patentlyapple.com/patentl...interface.html)
• and allows iTunes to sell 3-d movies like Up and Avatar
• and allows book and magazine publishers to start selling a whole new category of publication
• and allows game manufacturers to create world-beating new games
• and so on, and on

I'd buy one.

It HAS to be something like this otherwise it will be a flop and it won't sell, and i think apple knows that. A scaled up iphone is a waste of time. My ipod touch is fun, but not that useful practically, and the games are cheap and feel cheap (no depth, quick time wasters).

Like everyone has been saying apple needs to CREATE a new market with a product so useful that people go 'how the hell have I been living without this!'. I suppose if it is incredibly cool with a brand new intuitive interface that makes computing 'fun' again, then it may get away without being incredible revolutionary in terms of productivity or usefulness.

I don't want an ebook reader and I print out most of the publications I read (scientist). Even though I know it's bad for the environment it's hard to keep track of and read lots of papers on a computer screen.

Sounds like your describing microdofts courier. What will be a feat for MSFT, would be if it's true that it's an actual Microsoft computer instead of licensing out the technology to oem's.
That would be a first and while I just started reading this thread, I wonder how long it will take before someone posts that fake huge iPhone that's been floating around for a while.

I just want something solid. Not rounded, slipping, shuffling aroung all over the place.

Happy Newyear

I'm intrigued - why does the webcam come up time and time again as a WOW, killer feature in this tablet? Since when was video conferencing ever a desirable feature in a handheld device? Does anyone actually know anyone who attends video conferences?! I don't get why people keep spouting such niche features as features that are highly desirable and will make Apple sell millions upon millions of these devices! Video calls have been around for many years now already, and it's barely taken off - I've tried one, and there's a certain amount of discomfort in knowing the person on the other end of the line can see you, and it just doesn't feel like a natural interaction. You also have to be in a private location due to having your voice and the voice of the other person coming out loud and clear, nevermind that people passing by would be able to see the other caller on the screen too. This is of course assuming the device has some sort of telephony functionality, but even without it, a webcam would be somewhat a gimmicky feature given the amount of jostling and moving around a handheld device would need to operate it properly. The person on the other end would get sea sick!

Hallelujah... someone gets it!

Within my family is a major company CEO here in Germany that does major tech planning for hospitals and clinics. They've been excited about BT enabled devices... incl. the iPhone/iPodTouch, and integrating them within their advanced health care and out-patient monitoring.

HOWEVER... the devices are too damn small for geriatrics to use and see. I've been telling him for a few months to just wait a little longer due to rumours of this device. It will be perfect for his clients!

I'm expecting this device to be back-ordered to the tune of about 10 million devices by July, for this reason and no other.

Now take into account the web connectivity, e-reader, magazines, video, etc. etc for the "consuming" masses, and you have a device that will change the world.

Someone on another blog asked "so will it cure cancer?". Answer: not cure... but may help in saving lives in health emergency situations... you bet!

I'm always amazed at the myopic and egotistic points of view here, like, " I have this, that, and the kitchen sink... why do "I" need a Tablet?" "YOU" probably do NOT need one.... YET! Wishing y'all good health 'til that day inevitably comes. You may not be hooked into an Apple one at that time, but this device will have paved the way for the sure-to-come copycat devices on the horizon.

I personally will be buying 3 of these on launch:
1 for my inlaws, who are scared to death of computers, but love their daughters new iPhone;
1 for my Dad, who's 81 and doesn't want or need a PC, but still wants the web;
and
1 for "Moi"... just for fun, and better than slogging my 17" MBP around the house when I'm not in front of it, or my MP in my atelier.

Syncing will be done on a Mac or PC using iTunes... and/or "Voila", stand-alone with a MobileMe account. The new mega data center in NC goes online before the end of 2010.

PS: do y'all now see why a "National Broadband Initiative" supported by tax dollars is absolute necessary, and no longer a "luxury" item?

Of the people who 'get it', I think the 2 of you are the furthest from the mark. Apple make consumer grade products for everyday people, not medical products. I can't even begin to imagine how big a waste of money it would be to integrate such devices into a system that probably already does the job just fine. Apple will be asking top whack for these devices to keep on inflating their massive bank balance, whilst leaving hospitals and medical institutions with a bunch of devices that are completely frivolous for their needs. What do you suppose the hospitals do with these devices; hand them out to terminally ill people so they can book their online funeral and purchase themselves a gravestone from Amazon?

Oh whatever. Gimme a break. It helps create buzz. I figured out there wasn't really a Santa Clause when I was 7... but it didn't make Christmas any less fun. Heck, even my 70 year old parents have heard the tablet rumors!!!! I think it's amazing. Having used Macs for over 15 years and suffered through the Gil Amelio years... I'm ecstatic to live in a world where people CARE about Apple and have long-since stopped using the word "beleaguered" every time the company is mentioned. You should he happy people are talking about Apple.

You obviously don't know much about the medical space. Medical is a huge market segment for currently available tablets. A lot of EMS trucks have tablets in them for starting a file on a patient en-route. When the patient arrives at the ER the doctors already have all the info they need and are prepped and ready to go. But again,,, the hardware they are trying to run these systems on are CRAP. The iPhone has found a LOT of niche uses in the medical and science fields... and this tablet will do the same... but much more so. Sure, it won't be the main market. Not by a long shot. But there IS a market for a great tablet in the Medical segment.

Surely as long as they know who you are, can they not already just pull up your medical information on the computer?

Have you not heard of "Documents to Go" by Dataviz? I had this on my old Palm and it worked beautifully, you could read/write/edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint files and sync back to your Mac/PC. There is now a version for the iPod Touch and iPhone, which I have, so there would be no problem for the same on the tablet.

I am still waiting for Filemaker (Apple) to bring a mobile version of Filemaker for the iPod Touch/iPhone. Bento is too limited and Filemaker (Apple) are missing the boat big time here. It seems to me that Apple are starving Filemaker of investment, all their updates are generally fairly minimal, but pricey. Not worth every upgrade in my opinion.

Sure, but the tablets are not really used for that. They are used (in my example) by Paramedics for recording and transmitting critical situational information en-route to the hospital. Vitals, mechanism of injury, etc. It's like an electronic SOAP note... but one that is captured electronically (no messy handwriting to make out) and most importantly... instantly available to ER staff... before the patient even arrives. Medusa Medical is a big player in this space.

If there are already more specific products suited for this purpose, what makes you think they are going to toss them out and buy a load of expensive Mac tablets? I'm sorry, but I just really can't see medical institutions using consumer grade products for such an important task - it seems far more likely they would use an implement that's been designed, tested and perfected for the job at hand.

It was an example. Look it up:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/example

Errr... yes, but what I'm after is some actual *realistic* examples of where this tablet is going to be of any use, not some half-baked this sounds really cool because it looks really futuristic an' all situation, somewhere where it is actually genuinely useful, bearing in mind all the consumer based features it is likely to contain?

Yup. Good point on the tablet in education -- this would be more a consumer device, though the tablet could still be good for elementary school, with various learning, drawing, coloring, etc. apps for kids.

Grades K-6 : Tablet
Grades 7-9 : Macbook+ iPod/iPhone
Grades 10-College: Macbook/Pro + IPod/iPhone

I could be way off in my market segmentation, so many young teens have iPhones now.

Oh, the madness.

I am excited to see how Apple wraps the tablet in a compelling eco-system starting with how you create content for it.

1. A new version of iLife and iWork to support HTML5 and be able to create interactive content (part document, part application) that will work on webkit browsers and as part of the iTunes LP/Extras standards.
It's not just about publishing companies but ordinary people. Yes it would be great to have interactive, multimedia textbooks but also how great for my own projects to be created and published in this way and student/company newsletters. This could lead to a creative revolution and one that it not confined to just the new tablet owners or even people with Apple devices but is open to all, especially if we get online versions if iLife/iWork to create content.
If I was Adobe I'd be a little worried about this.

2. A new version of iPhone OS (will this be v4?) that supports multi-tasking and resolution independence. Yes some iPhone apps will scale up to 10 inch screens but why not also use that screen size to show multiple apps at the same time. Starts to look a little bit like Mac Widgets. So why not make iPhone apps into Mac widgets and let them sync directly not this ridiculous web server syncing I have to do now. This is one thing that Windows Mobile got right (maybe the only one) by letting 3rd party apps use the ActiveSync conduits to sync with desktop apps.

3. A new version of iTunes (v10) that will support this new content type. Likely to throw in streaming (LaLa) and could even be cloud based.

4. Some big name content producers. Music, film, TV and Games for sure but sprinkle in some newspaper and magazine publishers too. From what I have seen full colour, interactive magazines could be very cool but pricing could make or break this. This type of print content is advertising funded so how will that play out. What would a Genius feature on electronic magazines do?

5. A new way to interact. Or maybe just a new way to combine existing input methods? Do I need a keyboard if I have pen/handwriting recognition that works. But then again as a Wacom tablet user a Pen is only good for some things. What if I could combine pen and finger gestures at the same time? The gestures on the Macbook trackpad work really well and have already been expanded to a mouse. Gesture is the next big thing in UI (look at Wii, Project Natal etc) and Apple is at the forefront of this. Also could I use Voice Command as well?

6. Supporting developments in battery life, graphics processing and wireless networking. Apple clearly has some stuff to leverage in these areas and this project is an ideal platform to showcase these.

If Apple gets all of this right then it won't matter so much what it's called, how it looks or even how much it costs. It could be a very long presentation on the 26th, let's hope so.

Just found another fascinating example of 3-d - this time on an actual iPhone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEPvUfC7wh8

And this only uses the accelerometer, not a head-tracking webcam...

I think Tablet OS is definitely a branch off iPhone OS... Maybe with a few learnings from OS X in terms of interface, etc.


How about a camera that doesn't move, but is able to detect where your face it and adjust the geometric distortion accordingly so that whatever angle you are to the tablet it still looks like you are looking at the camera face-on? That would be a Boom! feature.


Happy New Year. Yeah, Courier is the closest to what I envisaged. But Apple's not going to do the whole thing foldable, probably. Glass + aluminium unibody. Maybe a fold-out stand... Maybe... Imagine just setting it up on the stand, browsing through while having your morning coffee. Flat on the table is not the best angle, just because most of us read physical paper that way. But we read screens vertically. Tablet view as a hybrid of that, possible when using a stand, would be sweet.


The hilarious thing will be it will be designed for consumers but just like the iPhone it is going to storm into all sorts of different market spaces where competing products are many times more expensive and less versatile.

Ah, we're kinda thinking around the same lines (see my post above on some sort of face-tracking to adjust for angle against tablet)...