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Can someone please explain the use of the tablet to me? - Page 2

post #41 of 62
1/27/10 at 7:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carniphage View Post

Depends who you mean by we.

I think we professionals did not get what we need from this product.

But to be fair... we professionals have had the entire computer industry making us products for the last 25 years.

But we consumers will get a device which is pretty cool, and people will ask why no one has build a consumer computer before.

C.

The problem I have with this though is that I think ANYONE is capable of making the kind of device you are talking about. I think the CES was flooded with them.

This is why it is so imperative that Apple deal with the bigger issues.. because they are the only ones that can possibly handle them. If they don't do it then who will? This is why I say leave the media machines to them.

The way I look at it is that apple is in a position to make a wacom or Cintiq that works seamlessly with all the other capabilities Apple computers have... Imagine a Modbook made by Apple melded with the touch interface from the video I showed you before crossed with a fingerWorks keyboard.. that's my Apple tablet. I think I'm going to have to make it myself!
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post #42 of 62
1/27/10 at 8:02am
Thread Starter 
@ArticulatedArm for all we know that could be exactly what we're getting.
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post #43 of 62
1/27/10 at 8:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ohsnapple View Post

@ArticulatedArm for all we know that could be exactly what we're getting.

I did think that that was what we were getting.. but I find it hard to believe we wouldn't have heard about those features yet.

So far all I have really heard about is media and books... major let down for me though. I hope you are right though!
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post #44 of 62
1/27/10 at 8:16am
That's the million dollar question.

But the ultimate benefit is convenience.

Instant-on, durable, portable, lighter weight compared to desktop or laptop.

And more screen real estate and power to do work on than an Iphone.

IT's Apple's answer to the netbook/ereader.

If I want to read a document I'll grab a tablet. At least that's what I forsee doing.

If I want to surf I'll grab the tablet half the time. Would rather surf on the couch than at the desktop. Would rather surf on lighter yet durable screen that I can just drop back on the couch than on a laptop which is 5 lbs.

Interface will be more convenient and natural for these tasks as well compared to trying to move around the screen with a trackpad.

Also using this thing in the kitchen etc will make more sense.

Plus it sounds like Apple is going to bring content providers on board specifically for this form factor - novels in a tablet format, textbooks (obvious win here for students compared to carrying 5 large textbooks,) music plus art, video, newspapers/magazines, games, ....

On top of it, basic content creation will be the game. iWork made for this thing. Simple photo manipulation etc.

The question remains of course is will be people pay $1000 for this thing when they could get a cheap laptop and get by?

I tend to think eventually this thing could take off. And a laptop with a full fledged OS will be seen as cumbersome in comparison.

I also see that my kids and wife and I don't need 4 full fledged computers. 1 main computer and some tablets would work quite well.

There's also the chance this tablet can run whatever is on your computer remotely.
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post #45 of 62
1/27/10 at 8:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by talksense101 View Post

maybe something like http://tapntap.com

Interesting...but what a f-ugly name
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post #46 of 62
1/27/10 at 8:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArticulatedArm View Post

IMO you are dramatically underestimating people. I think most people want to do a lot more with their PCs but don't have the money or the knowledge and ability.

Well people always want to do more, but lack of time gets in the way. That's the biggest issue. Lack of time.
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post #47 of 62
1/27/10 at 8:43am
Quote:
The question remains of course is will be people pay $1000 for this thing when they could get a cheap laptop and get by?

I agree. This is why I felt it was so important to make this thing double as a FingerWorks keyboard from the future. It would add so much utility it would make it extremely worthwhile to buy one. I don;'t REALLY need a laptop.. I would like to have one.. but it is too much of a pure luxury item to justify. Add the utility of an incredible input device drawing pad and it would make what was a luxury item a total bargain.
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post #48 of 62
1/27/10 at 9:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArticulatedArm View Post

The problem I have with this though is that I think ANYONE is capable of making the kind of device you are talking about. I think the CES was flooded with them.

No I don' think that was the case.
As far as I know, to date - no one has yet bothered to make a computer for regular people.
Someone always gets bored and sticks Microsoft Windows on it and hopes for the best.

So a consumer gets hold of it, and can't figure out how to run Word on it, and then gets frustrated.

What Apple is able to do is bring a purpose-built user-interface onto this class of device. Along with an infra-structure of content providers, and a solution for new software.

No one but Apple could do this.

But it does not sound like this device is *for* you. Because it sounds like you need a tool to unlock your creativity.

So If you want to try out Z-Brush sculpting. Or paint an amazing 2D image. Or render an incredible 3D landscape. Or just write a screenplay. Then go buy a Mac.

C.
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post #49 of 62
1/27/10 at 9:53am
I really don't understand these arguments. What the iPhone can do is primarily limited by its size and processing capabilities, both of which would be improved upon in a tablet. The tablet also allows for more multitouch (potentially up to 10 fingers) and richer gestures. Why do we have different specs of laptops? Why doesn't everyone use a 15" monitor?

Apple will provide us with their vision of what they feel the tablet will be good for today and over time, the thousands of app developers will do the same.

Edit: Would the people wanting more be satisfied with something like back to my mac for the tablet? Screen sharing programs already exist for the iPhone and they can be vastly improved upon in a tablet. There are so many uses for a tablet that I wouldn't know where to start to describe them. I don't know where to start with an iPhone either.
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post #50 of 62
1/27/10 at 9:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carniphage View Post

No I don' think that was the case.
As far as I know, to date - no one has yet bothered to make a computer for regular people.
Someone always gets bored and sticks Microsoft Windows on it and hopes for the best.

So a consumer gets hold of it, and can't figure out how to run Word on it, and then gets frustrated.

What Apple is able to do is bring a purpose-built user-interface onto this class of device. Along with an infra-structure of content providers, and a solution for new software.

No one but Apple could do this.

I didn't need an iPhone.. I didn't need a massive iPod.. I don't need a 500 dollar media player to watch movies or read books on the go. Who really does? I think these things are luxury items. What was valuable to me on the iPhone was the user interface. I think it was so spectacular it caused people to buy a device they really didn't need. Now I would like to see them apply that user interface to a product that is actually useful rather than a luxury item.

Quote:
But it does not sound like this device is *for* you.

Exatly.. luxury items or stus symbols aren't my bag..

Quote:
Because it sounds like you need a tool to unlock your creativity.

Not unlock my creativity.. thats already unlocked.. What I want is a device and computer system that is suited for creative artistic people.. right brained people that are more comfortable drawing something than writing about it or people like myself that are more tactile and therefore inhibited by the restrictive nature of the keyboard and mouse not to mention the restrictive nature of current computer operating systems in general.

I see my idea of a tablet as a blank canvas allowing people to workout the best way to interact with their PC rather than software engineers who may not be the most right brained themselves..
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post #51 of 62
1/27/10 at 10:05am
Regarding Text Books, I think you will see a significant price drop when purchasing educational materials on the tablet. Even used books I paid $200 for I would only get something like $60 back for them. The sellback option was still a rip off for students. Also, I ended up keeping many of my college text books. Sure, I could have used the money, but those books still come in handy 11 years after the fact.

Also, I think the additional content that could come with the text books will make it very worth it.

But that's just me. If you don't see a need for a tablet in your life, then it is very likely that you don't want one. Other people may find great uses for such a device.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ohsnapple View Post

Points considered you're still basically talking about a device like the iPhone. I have an ipod touch, have the facebook app, the pandora app, i have games, movies, photo's, and ofcourse all my music. It works with that super easy concept of, touch it, and there it is working, and yet it fits in my pocket. i dont need a backpack or extra carrier to tote it around.

I've once before considered the possibilities of the tablet replacing text books (college level). I thought to myself how wonderful it would be to have my text books in a digital format, where i can highlight and make notes and still be able to get rid of them if i want. The ability to being able to use a search feature to find something i need rather than scanning pages seems like an absolute need for making things easier. How much easier could it get? books would be sold like apps, or like audiobooks. you find the one you need on itunes (rather than that treacherous search through your schools book store) and just click buy.

However there's one pretty huge downside to this idea. resale. If you're in college or have been, you know very well that the books are hugely expensive and you are likely short on money as is. Getting to sell back your books or to put them on ebay is pretty much a necessity, if you want to be able to afford your next semesters books. If you got them from a purchase on itunes, then that cant happen. You pay hundreds of dollars for a digital version of a book that you only needed for a few months. or worse, end up in those scenarios when professors require books, then on the first day of class tell you that you'll never use them and can return them. Well for those who bought the tablet version, too late. And thats a HUGE loss.
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post #52 of 62
1/27/10 at 10:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArticulatedArm View Post

I didn't need an iPhone.. I didn't need a massive iPod.. I don't need a 500 dollar media player to watch movies or read books on the go. Who really does?

I think everybody does. Which is what I have been saying. Most people use computers for these relatively dumb tasks. The problem is, up till now, computers are not very good at doing them.

Well, given the presentation so far...
Apple seems to think so too.

C.
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post #53 of 62
1/27/10 at 1:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carniphage View Post

I think everybody does. Which is what I have been saying. Most people use computers for these relatively dumb tasks. The problem is, up till now, computers are not very good at doing them.

Well, given the presentation so far...
Apple seems to think so too.

C.

I said who NEEDS these things.. not who is dumb enough to buy them... how often do you watch movies on the go? Not enough to justify this thing... that's for sure. This is why it needs to have some real utility.. and it would have been child's play to include that. Theya re probably holding out on that to milk more money out of the rubes...
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post #54 of 62
1/27/10 at 2:07pm
The iPad; buy one because it's cool. Own one because succumbing to the hype is easier than resisting it. During ownership justify it's existence by purchasing apps, music and videos through iTunes. 12 months down the line you realize you don't actually use it as often as you thought you would. Infact it's been weeks since you last switched it on.
Put iPad on ebay.
Unwittingly repeat cycle with iPad 2.0.
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post #55 of 62
1/27/10 at 2:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArticulatedArm View Post

I said who NEEDS these things.. not who is dumb enough to buy them... how often do you watch movies on the go? Not enough to justify this thing... that's for sure. This is why it needs to have some real utility.. and it would have been child's play to include that. Theya re probably holding out on that to milk more money out of the rubes...

Well said. We pretty much all need a phone and mp3 player. They're practical, easy to use and cheap.

Why would we buy THIS? I won't use it at home as I have better devices to watch movies with and surf the net. Would I use it as an ebook reader? Personally, no. Which is why I haven't bought any of the current ebook readers (also why their sales have been lower than expected). There are plenty of news outlets online available to browse.
So in the rare situation where I'm away from home, in a safe area with time on my hands and my iPhone/Ipod doesn't provide me with enough 'fun', I may 'need' to use this. BUT...that's why I'm thinking of buying a Macbook Air.

It's a lovely device. But for me, a completely redundant one too.
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post #56 of 62
1/27/10 at 2:21pm
I agree completely, Helbound. This is the Ultimate tech luxury item.. Sure.. we would all love to own one.. but I would feel like a total douche out in public with one.. not to mention how silly I would feel watching something on it.

And how do you justify using it at home when you could watch TV or use your primary computer. If it could be used as a peripheral to add power and utility to your primary PC it would actually be worthwhile and cool to have double duty as a media player though.
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post #57 of 62
1/27/10 at 2:42pm
I think all of us agree it would be a shame if this thing 'bombed' in the eyes of the public as Steve has supposedly put so much time/effort into it.
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post #58 of 62
1/27/10 at 2:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hellbound View Post

I think all of us agree it would be a shame if this thing 'bombed' in the eyes of the public as Steve has supposedly put so much time/effort into it.

For geeks, (and people who demand heavy computer use, with all the stuff that entails) - this tablet is a complete waste of time. They don't need it. They don't get it.

But the problem with the internet - and sites like this is they don't really represent the actual demographic. The world is full of people who find it ever so slightly confusing that desktops fill up with files. Or that useful applications are hidden in menus. Or that they have to run an email program before it tells them that emails have arrived.

The level of skill needed to operate computers is assumed to be universal. And it simply is not.

If there is anything wrong with the iPad, it is that it is a satellite device. And does not stand on its own. If it could exist without ever being connected to a PC or Mac - it would be more revolutionary.

C.
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post #59 of 62
1/27/10 at 3:29pm
I really don't get the use and personally I think they've made a big mistake using the iPhone OS. End of the day the iPhone OS was made for iPhones.

The device has all the things you would want for personal use at home as a very luxury item. But as something that could be productive at work it completely fails.

1. No main file system to connect to your office network and open files in relevant programs. This would be a great device for meetings but it lacks the integration.
2. No stylus. Again this would be amazing for taking notes on, particularly if it recognized short hand, but that on screen keyboard is never going to be fast to use.
3. App store lock in. Not every app is suitable for distribution through the app store, and your limited to only the things Apple approves.

Saying that though, I still might buy one just as a really really expensive internet browser.
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post #60 of 62
1/27/10 at 3:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carniphage View Post

If there is anything wrong with the iPad, it is that it is a satellite device. And does not stand on its own. If it could exist without ever being connected to a PC or Mac - it would be more revolutionary.

Exactly the reason I didn't want an iphone OS device. I wanted a mobile controlling device to complement my desktop that I could take on holiday but one that didn't require me to put out so much money on a heavy laptop. Netbooks don't give you portrait mode or touch input.

Here's a hands on video:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/a...irst-hands-on/

It looks good - the display is stunning being IPS and LED backlit. Sorting photos out would have easily been this device's biggest asset because it takes a long time to do and the interface flies through the pictures. Nobody wants to sit in an office chair to do it and it's great to be able to switch instantly between portrait and landscape.

But being a viewing device, that function is gone. No album sorting, no tagging, no red eye correction, no cropping and no deleting action that gets replicated on your main archive. Same with itunes music. I don't want to sit at my desk to sort my music, I want to lie in bed and be able to delete tracks and make playlists and then sync those with my iphone.

The device didn't need to run the full OS X to do these things but if it did then it could. Now it runs iphone OS and is basically a big ipod and that's all it is.

HP's slate looks closer to what I want but then I have to resort to using Windows. I guess there's better games at least but I wanted Mac OS X.

They could change the way the software operates over time, even before it hits the stores and maybe 3rd party developers will offer more control but in its present state, it's not functional enough to warrant buying one as well as an iphone.
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post #61 of 62
1/27/10 at 3:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin View Post

HP's slate looks closer to what I want but then I have to resort to using Windows. I guess there's better games at least but I wanted Mac OS X.

When Microsoft first started making tablets, people were wearing LED watches. They were wrong then and they are wrong now.

I did warn you.

C.
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post #62 of 62
1/27/10 at 3:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carniphage View Post

When Microsoft first started making tablets, people were wearing LED watches. They were wrong then and they are wrong now.

But if Apple's device doesn't do enough and Microsoft's device doesn't do it properly then surely they are both wrong in their own way.

A touch interface can be used to do everything you need to do whether it's productive or not. What's needed is a UI and OS designed correctly.

Apple have failed to demonstrate this just as Microsoft have. They may be building up to something more in future but they could have made a huge impression with a slick UI controlling OS X x86.

Just plug an iphone into a big screen like this:

http://screensplitr.com/about/

and it's more or less what Apple have achieved here. It doesn't take the iphone OS to the next level because it doesn't look like they added anything significant. I guess their peek gesture could be used for folders on the iphone but there's nothing immediately innovative here beyond what we've seen.
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