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Mobile Me = Apple's UMPC?

post #1 of 32
3/7/06 at 10:04am
Thread Starter 
Just a fun little guess, but considering:

*All of Apple's recent touchscreen patents
*Apple's move to Intel (due to, surely, more than just faster chips)
*The upcoming Intel UMPC (Ultra MOBILE PC)
*Apple's disdain for "tablets"

... could Mobile Me be Apple's branding for its Intel UMPC? It technically isn't a tablet, since Intel is positioning it as a whole new breed of device (though let's face it, it is rather mini-tabletesque). Apple would want to leverage the technology in a very Apple way... it isn't a Mobile PC, it's about what the Mobile platform can DO for your life.
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post #2 of 32
3/7/06 at 10:21am
My wild guess is the iBook name will be rebranded for the dual touchscreen UMPC. It will play on the iPod branding. Mobile Me will be software & services for the device.
When they said "Think Different", I ran with it.
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When they said "Think Different", I ran with it.
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post #3 of 32
3/8/06 at 12:22pm
Here is what Engadget had to about the Microsoft Origami device that was to have us so worried...

So we managed to get our hands on an Samsung Q1 / Origami device set to roll tomorrow here at CeBIT. Don't ask how, but it'll be awhile before we recover from the brutal caning we just received. From the five minutes we spent with it we can tell you, well, its an XP Tablet PC with a 7-inch display. Sorry, thats about it, nothing earth-shattering here folks. In fact, for all the hype, its hard to find anything revolutionary or even evolutionary in the hardware specs or loaded software (perhaps that will come when the price is announced). Sure, Samsung did call it a prototype unit, but the final prototype prior to manufacture won't see much changed other than a "brighter TFT LCD" we were told.

Now, beyond what we saw earlier today, Samsung will release their UMPC / Origami device with optional GPS and DVB-T mobile digital TV expansion modules, as well as WiBRO support for when that goes live in Korea around June. The version we grabbed, the Q1, also supports Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP and sports a 30GB hard disk. Unfortunately the whole thing just felt wrong in the hands very plasticy and without substance. Take a look for yourselves after the break, we've got tons more shots.

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     197619842013  

     Where were you when the hammer flew?  

 

MacBook Pro Retina, 13", 2.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD

iPhone 5 • iPad 4 • CR48 Chromebook • ThinkPad X220

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post #4 of 32
3/9/06 at 9:16am
The fact that Intel calls it UMPC and it is only Origami with Microsoft extensions means there's no reason why Apple can't use the UMPC hardware reference for their own version. Does UMPC use EFI?
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James Savage - "You can take my Mac when you pry it from my cold dead fingers"

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post #5 of 32
3/9/06 at 9:38am
Too...many...acronyms....
Living life in glorious 4G HD (with a 2GB data cap).
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Living life in glorious 4G HD (with a 2GB data cap).
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post #6 of 32
3/9/06 at 9:51am
Quote:
Originally posted by CosmoNut
Too...many...acronyms....

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post #7 of 32
3/9/06 at 3:08pm
Quote:
Originally posted by CosmoNut
Too...many...acronyms....

aka, "TMA"
apple gets "it."
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apple gets "it."
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post #8 of 32
3/9/06 at 3:09pm
  • Kickaha
  • Really Fast Typing Member
No, no... it's TMT.

Too Many TLAs.*

*Three Letter Acronym

C'mon, give it at least *one* level of acronymic indirection!
My brain is hung like a HORSE!
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My brain is hung like a HORSE!
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post #9 of 32
3/9/06 at 3:33pm
Thread Starter 
I would love a device like this.

The UMPCs that just came out are HIDEOUS. I know Apple could really do it right.

Imagine... in iPod white or black, smaller bezel, with a clickwheel on one side, maybe a Mighty Mouse nipple on the other

Includes Ink, AirController to handle AirTunes remote control, full OS X, expresscard slot for future EVDO...

I don't like Microsoft's DialKeys implementation. I say either go with a slide-out keyboard, or keep it all handwriting-based.

I know this is all a pipe-dream. It's all way too "Newton 2" for Steve.

But I would SO buy one (especially if they could get the price down around $699-$799).
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post #10 of 32
3/9/06 at 7:01pm
Once again, what I would like to see... Would be great for keeping on top of the network/servers...

8" widescreen multi-touch LCD
1.06GHz ULV Core Duo CPU w/2MB shared cache
533MHz FSB
512MB NAND flash memory
2GB DDR2 SDRAM (two SO-DIMM slots)
80GB 1.8" HDD
Intel GMA950 integrated GPU
WUSB (wireless USB)
AirPort Extreme
BlueTooth
Quad band cell capabilities
Pivoting iSight camera
stereo BlueTooth headset w/microphone
Stylus

About the size of a DVD case (which is really close to a 16:10 ratio) and half again as thick...

US$666

Happy 30th Birthday Apple Computer
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post #11 of 32
3/10/06 at 3:15am
Quote:
Originally posted by MacRonin
Once again, what I would like to see... Would be great for keeping on top of the network/servers...

8" widescreen multi-touch LCD
1.06GHz ULV Core Duo CPU w/2MB shared cache
533MHz FSB
512MB NAND flash memory
2GB DDR2 SDRAM (two SO-DIMM slots)
80GB 1.8" HDD
Intel GMA950 integrated GPU
WUSB (wireless USB)
AirPort Extreme
BlueTooth
Quad band cell capabilities
Pivoting iSight camera
stereo BlueTooth headset w/microphone
Stylus

About the size of a DVD case (which is really close to a 16:10 ratio) and half again as thick...

US$666

Happy 30th Birthday Apple Computer

Apart from the price that should be doable, although I doubt you'll see onboard WUSB or NAND yet.

My ideal specs:

8" widescreen multi-touch LCD
1.67GHz Core Duo CPU w/2MB shared cache
533MHz FSB
1GB DDR2 SDRAM (two SO-DIMM slots)
80GB 2.5" SATA HDD
Intel GMA950 integrated GPU
2 USB
1 Firewire
ExpressCard54 slot
AirPort Extreme
BlueTooth
Pivoting iSight camera
stereo BlueTooth headset w/microphone
Stylus

All for $799. I'd buy.
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http://www.blackcat-software.com/
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James Savage - "You can take my Mac when you pry it from my cold dead fingers"

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post #12 of 32
3/10/06 at 4:25pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Blackcat
Apart from the price that should be doable, although I doubt you'll see onboard WUSB or NAND yet.

My ideal specs:

8" widescreen multi-touch LCD
1.67GHz Core Duo CPU w/2MB shared cache
533MHz FSB
1GB DDR2 SDRAM (two SO-DIMM slots)
80GB 2.5" SATA HDD
Intel GMA950 integrated GPU
2 USB
1 Firewire
ExpressCard54 slot
AirPort Extreme
BlueTooth
Pivoting iSight camera
stereo BlueTooth headset w/microphone
Stylus

All for $799. I'd buy.

Your CPU is too big/too hot... And your bus speed is wrong for that speed of CPU...

That is why I went with the Ultra-Low Voltage unit; only 1.06GHz, but OS X loves dualies... And the low speed makes it run cooler, thereby decreasing cooling needs (and increasing battery life)

I went with 2Gb of RAM because I am using integrated graphics, which leech from system RAM... More system RAM, better overall system performance & graphics capabilities...

Your HDD is also too big (physically), I want this product to be as slim as possible... Hence the 1.8" HDD (a la iPod)

The NAND is in there to keep things in NAND & RAM as much as possible, thereby reducing HDD activity, and reducing battery consumption...

I also went with the Wireless USB because I am trying to keep any openings in the units housing as minimal as possible... Although the ExpressCard/34 slot would be nice for interfacing the unit with various sensors/probes... Might also be useful to swap out various utility cards, Cellphone card, GPS card, etc. ...

The US$666 price point is a direct reference to the US$666 price point of the original Apple computer when introduced at the Homebrew Computer Club way back when...

;^p
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post #13 of 32
3/13/06 at 8:58pm
C'mon apple.............moblie ME!

DaHarder just got banned. Let's crack open the champagne.

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DaHarder just got banned. Let's crack open the champagne.

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post #14 of 32
3/15/06 at 12:04pm
A friend of a friend told me he overheard a guy in an elevator talking about how Mobile Me referred to a new Apple cell service to be used with a new Apple iPhonePodPDA.
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post #15 of 32
3/15/06 at 12:10pm
  • Anders
  • Feared and Biased Moderator
Quote:
Originally posted by gdconway
... elevator ...
"I reject your reality and substitute it with my own" - President Bush
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"I reject your reality and substitute it with my own" - President Bush
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post #16 of 32
3/15/06 at 12:33pm
  • Kickaha
  • Really Fast Typing Member
s/elevator/bar/
My brain is hung like a HORSE!
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post #17 of 32
3/15/06 at 3:16pm
Quote:
Originally posted by gdconway
A friend of a friend told me he overheard a guy in an elevator talking about how Mobile Me referred to a new Apple cell service to be used with a new Apple iPhonePodPDA.

Yeah, that was probably me. I constantly blabber on with BS like this anytime I'm on an elevator. I actually don't know anything (or any of the elevator passengers for that matter) beyond the stuff I read hear.
When they said "Think Different", I ran with it.
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When they said "Think Different", I ran with it.
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post #18 of 32
3/15/06 at 4:08pm
Quote:
Originally posted by MacRonin
..

US$666


Nice.
iPad2 16 GB Wifi

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iPad2 16 GB Wifi

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post #19 of 32
3/15/06 at 4:15pm
Quote:
Originally posted by kcmac
Nice.

Nice with the joint smoking smily face because I must be high to suggest such a low price...?!?

Nice, etc. because I used a number synonymous with the fabled "Number of the Beast"...?!?

Or, nice because you also get the reference to the original pricing of Apple's first hardware product, the handbuilt Apple...?!?

From a handbuilt computer causing a revolution in the newborn PC market, to a handheld computer causing a revolution in the somewhat stagnating PC market...

Or maybe I am just too !
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post #20 of 32
3/16/06 at 3:06am
Trouble is Apple rarely does such low pricing. The TAM was 10k!

I fear we have no hope for a UMPC under 1k, if at all.
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post #21 of 32
3/16/06 at 6:40am
  • Kickaha
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The TAM was also sold in a very different era of Apple, with a leadership focussed on quarterly results and profit margins *instead* of products.
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post #22 of 32
3/17/06 at 6:08am
an apple version of the nokia 770 is what we need.

i've got a 770 and if it ran OSX (even a lite version), with bonjour etc it would be amazing.
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post #23 of 32
3/17/06 at 6:12am
Quote:
Originally posted by othello
an apple version of the nokia 770 is what we need.

i've got a 770 and if it ran OSX (even a lite version), with bonjour etc it would be amazing.

Hell yes!
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post #24 of 32
3/22/06 at 1:58pm
I was listening to an Engadget podcast today in which they interviewed the product manager for Microsoft Windows Mobile. The whole thing got me thinking about how Apple really needs to do something for the mobile market. I'm sure it's a nightmare, though, for Apple to negotiate with the cell carriers. They'll probably want to do the whole thing themselves, from the OS to the hardware to the service. I fear they will take to long to get to market, when all kinds of cool stuff is happening right now.
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post #25 of 32
3/29/06 at 7:09pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Silverlode
I was listening to an Engadget podcast today in which they interviewed the product manager for Microsoft Windows Mobile. The whole thing got me thinking about how Apple really needs to do something for the mobile market. I'm sure it's a nightmare, though, for Apple to negotiate with the cell carriers. They'll probably want to do the whole thing themselves, from the OS to the hardware to the service. I fear they will take to long to get to market, when all kinds of cool stuff is happening right now.

They don't HAVE to deal with carriers if they don't want to. All they need to do is make it GSM compatible and you simply insert your SIM card from any GSM carrier and you are ready to go.

GSM would be the likely target since GSM is the worldwide standard. There are now many unlocked GSM phones you can buy that have no connection to a carrier.

Alas, as the Macbook Pro doesn't have said GSM slot, it is unlikely to appear elsewhere.

Corey

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post #26 of 32
3/29/06 at 7:42pm
Yes, I agree; Apple does not need to deal with carriers for subsidizing. Apple customers are used to paying for an original Apple product.

However; I should remind those who do believe this to be a requirement in order to enter the phone market, there is that EarthLink and SK Telecom partnership that formed a US mobile virtual network called Helio. It is due for launch in about a month - give or take a week.

This new carrier will be very different from the other existing carriers and is predicted to give consumers a greater degree of choices/flexibility.

Also worth noting that Apple has an 8% share of Earthlink. I believe 8% is what is required to have a controlling interest in a company.
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post #27 of 32
3/29/06 at 9:00pm
Anyone know what network Helio are based on? If its Cingular's GSM network then I can imagine them getting together with Apple. If its CDMA like Amp'd or Virgin Mobile then suddenly Apple has a phone that doesn't work with the majority of the world market.
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post #28 of 32
3/30/06 at 3:21am
Quote:
Originally posted by dr_lha
Anyone know what network Helio are based on? If its Cingular's GSM network then I can imagine them getting together with Apple. If its CDMA like Amp'd or Virgin Mobile then suddenly Apple has a phone that doesn't work with the majority of the world market.

Virgin are GSM here so can do both. If I were Apple I'd go GSM '2.5G' as 3G isn't taking off. Throw in Wifi/Bluetooth and you have a nice package - think HTC Wizard or SE P990 but running OS X Mobile.

People will happily buy sim-free unlocked phones, and I think the carriers would ask Apple for license to resell.
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post #29 of 32
3/30/06 at 10:12am
The Earthlink connection is interesting, but unless the Helios network is GSM I would be surprised if Apple used it.

T-Mobile would be an interesting choice for them to partner with though. TMO has just won JD Powers best call quality for three years in a row. They also have several years of best customer service awards as well. Add to that the fact that they have a strong overseas presence and also are in a similar position to Apple as far as the David and Goliath scenario goes...

That said, I think it is most likely that Apple would release it carrier free and then have the GSM players fight to carry it. As someone mentioned, Apple users are used to paying for their hardware and it seems unlikely that Apple would connect itself to a carrier and the potential bad press that goes with it; especially Cingular and their horrid network.

Perhaps an Apple branded virtual carrier setup where the device would only work with Apple's carrier. That is more Steve's style. Sole source and Apple has total control.

Corey
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post #30 of 32
3/31/06 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally posted by Blackcat
Virgin are GSM here so can do both. If I were Apple I'd go GSM '2.5G' as 3G isn't taking off. Throw in Wifi/Bluetooth and you have a nice package - think HTC Wizard or SE P990 but running OS X Mobile.

Sorry I was talking about the USA, where Virgin are based on CDMA, using Sprint's network. It appears that Helios are also based on CDMA, so I would suggest that rules out a link between them and any Apple iPhone.

EDIT: There are some phones that can do both CDMA and GSM, but I would imagine this costs more, and the CDMA market is really tiny compared to the global GSM market.
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post #31 of 32
4/2/06 at 9:15pm
Quote:
Originally posted by Corey
As someone mentioned, Apple users are used to paying for their hardware and it seems unlikely that Apple would connect itself to a carrier and the potential bad press that goes with it

Yeah, I was the one that mentioned that.

Quote:
Originally posted by Corey
Perhaps an Apple branded virtual carrier setup where the device would only work with Apple's carrier. That is more Steve's style. Sole source and Apple has total control.

This link COULD stand as evidence that Apple will eventually be providing their own satellite service. AstroVision, together with the Australian Government, have contracted Apple Computer over a year ago to provide the research and the technology in order to supply them with "continuous, high-resolution and true-colour motion imagery and data" from a satellite. (Maybe I should have posted this info in some sort of "Apple branded movie download service" thread.) We know that Apple is capable of providing for such a service; the question now is, will they bring it to us at a consumer level. The odds are, "yes" (that is my opinion anyway). They excel at serving the consumer market.

Perhaps this is the reason for their recent purchases of the 90,000-square-foot data-center in Santa Clara and the 107,000 square-foot facility in Newark.
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post #32 of 32
4/3/06 at 12:34am
Quote:
Originally posted by rongold
Yeah, I was the one that mentioned that.



This link COULD stand as evidence that Apple will eventually be providing their own satellite service. AstroVision, together with the Australian Government, have contracted Apple Computer over a year ago to provide the research and the technology in order to supply them with "continuous, high-resolution and true-colour motion imagery and data" from a satellite. (Maybe I should have posted this info in some sort of "Apple branded movie download service" thread.) We know that Apple is capable of providing for such a service; the question now is, will they bring it to us at a consumer level. The odds are, "yes" (that is my opinion anyway). They excel at serving the consumer market.

Perhaps this is the reason for their recent purchases of the 90,000-square-foot data-center in Santa Clara and the 107,000 square-foot facility in Newark.

I cannot find (nor did I REALLY look) the satellite photos, but I could swear that last I saw them there were a good number of really big satellite dishes that were part of the recently acquired data centers
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