Before I simply thought the iPod Touch was a superior product to this mythical giant, but looking at them side-by-side, now I know it for sure and think it's plainly obvious. That thing on the right looks big and clunky, underpowered, and tempting to throw as a frisbee.
Before I simply thought the iPod Touch was a superior product to this mythical giant, but looking at them side-by-side, now I know it for sure and think it's plainly obvious. That thing on the right looks big and clunky, underpowered, and tempting to throw as a frisbee.
Written on an iPod Touch.
So your unique version of x-ray vision allows you to see into a picture of a hypothetical product and discern the components within...?!?
Focus here people, the MacTouch is NOT a handheld, it is a SLATE TABLET...
Think netbook/laptop, but without the keyboard or the folding in half...
I for one would LOVE the above pictured MacTouch. Give it a next-gen dual-core Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD & a nVidea 9400M GPU; make BlueTooth, WiFi, 3G & GPS standard.
This would be a killer in the educational markets. No more heavy textbooks to lug around!
This would be perfect for ANYONE who would like to actually get work done on a tablet. And before the naysayers start saying nay; there isn't ANYONE who is going to really want to work on iWork files on an iPhone/iPod Touch anytime soon... That would just be madness. But on a spacious 10" slate tablet, awesome!
This would be perfect for sitting on the coffee table, as a digital picture frame. But it would also do slideshows with transitions & show video clips. It could be picked up to check the WiFi security camera at the front door. It could be used to change the lighting scheme in the house. It could be used to remote control the Apple media center.
I could go on...
And please, PLEASE! stop telling me how an iPhone can do (most of) these things just as well! I want a larger screen damnit! I want to keep from straining my older eyes any more than I have to. I want to surf the net or read email without accidentaly clicking on something I did not intend to. I do NOT want to feel like Gulliver trying to use a Lilliputian slate tablet!
Could you mock-up a version that is 8.5"x5.5"? If anything progresses on this front, this would be the next logical size to add to the multi-touch pantheon.
Could you mock-up a version that is 8.5"x5.5"? If anything progresses on this front, this would be the next logical size to add to the multi-touch pantheon.
I could, but if you take a device like this (with a diagonal display size of 10"), that makes the dimensions of the whole device, right out to the edge of the hardware; 9" across, by just under 7" deep. You'd be surprised that those dimensions give you a 10" display diagonal, including room for a bezel and some chrome trimming within these dimensions. Pretty much a perfect compromise between being just small and light enough to bring most anywhere, but still big enough to "work" on, efficiently.
This device would be everything the Air wants to be, and more.
what is the point of this tablet/touch screen idea? Wouldn't everyone rather have a keyboard and a mouse then typing on a touch screen, along with having a 50/50 shot on clicking on the correct item? I just don't understand this.
what is the point of this tablet/touch screen idea? Wouldn't everyone rather have a keyboard and a mouse then typing on a touch screen, along with having a 50/50 shot on clicking on the correct item? I just don't understand this.
what is the point of this tablet/touch screen idea? Wouldn't everyone rather have a keyboard and a mouse then typing on a touch screen, along with having a 50/50 shot on clicking on the correct item? I just don't understand this.
[sarcasm]
What is the point of this mouse/graphical user interface idea? Wouldn't everyone rather have a command line and a keyboard then clicking on assorted icons... I just don't understand this.
What is the point of this mouse/graphical user interface idea? Wouldn't everyone rather have a command line and a keyboard then clicking on assorted icons... I just don't understand this.
So your unique version of x-ray vision allows you to see into a picture of a hypothetical product and discern the components within...?!?
Focus here people, the MacTouch is NOT a handheld, it is a SLATE TABLET...
Think netbook/laptop, but without the keyboard or the folding in half...
I for one would LOVE the above pictured MacTouch. Give it a next-gen dual-core Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD & a nVidea 9400M GPU; make BlueTooth, WiFi, 3G & GPS standard.
This would be a killer in the educational markets. No more heavy textbooks to lug around!
This would be perfect for ANYONE who would like to actually get work done on a tablet. And before the naysayers start saying nay; there isn't ANYONE who is going to really want to work on iWork files on an iPhone/iPod Touch anytime soon... That would just be madness. But on a spacious 10" slate tablet, awesome!
This would be perfect for sitting on the coffee table, as a digital picture frame. But it would also do slideshows with transitions & show video clips. It could be picked up to check the WiFi security camera at the front door. It could be used to change the lighting scheme in the house. It could be used to remote control the Apple media center.
I could go on...
And please, PLEASE! stop telling me how an iPhone can do (most of) these things just as well! I want a larger screen damnit! I want to keep from straining my older eyes any more than I have to. I want to surf the net or read email without accidentaly clicking on something I did not intend to. I do NOT want to feel like Gulliver trying to use a Lilliputian slate tablet!
Drop the 3g so you are not forcing a $30 /m data plan + voice on people with a 2 year att lock in.
Drop the 3g so you are not forcing a $30 /m data plan + voice on people with a 2 year att lock in.
I disagree. Add the chip (a nominal cost) and offer an optional At&t 12 month data contract. If you don't want to pay the subscription cost, don't. You're not forced to sign any contracts, and there's no carrier lock in on Mac touch, so other phone companies can offer competitive data packages for the device, which will allow Apple to sell the device at full cost, with the added benefit of data contract competition between the companies, which will result in cheaper data deals for the user, and stimulated sales for Apple as a result.
Just because the chip is in there doesn't mean you "have" to use it. But having it there without the need for any add on makes for a compelling argument for signing up for a data contract. For business owners everywhere it would prove very tempting I'd bet. And for teens, and the less well off they'd use the thing over WiFi and get on with it.
If I could make VOIP calls to & from the MacTouch over WiFi & 3G, then I would gladly pay US$30/month!
So add in the Apple stereo BlueTooth headset with microphone for US$129...
$30? How about $19.99
Apple could go talk to these phones guys and try and get them all to agree on $19.99. So you could pretty much pick the carrier of your choice @ $19.99
Apple could go talk to these phones guys and try and get them all to agree on $19.99. So you could pretty much pick the carrier of your choice @ $19.99
That would be sweet. Well I can dream can't I?
Or, or!
Apple could REALLY improve the value of MobileMe; keep the price as it is now for a 'start-up fee', and then add in a US$20/month charge for unlimited nationwide VOIP calling.
I guess that would kind of make Apple a MVNO, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, as has been discussed before the release of the iPhone...
I'm nonplussed. I think I'd prefer a 720x480 4.5" iPhone HD.
I have to agree that 10" unit is way to big. Like you I'd much prefer a slightly larger IPhone/ Touch device. The simple reason is portability. It is surprising just how useful iPhone can be and frankly it just gets better with each software release.
What is notable is that the device, if it is a Touch, doesn't have to get excessively bigger. Just blow out the screen in width and height. Height of course would increase the devices size in that direction but only by maybe three quarters of an inch. Much of the increase in length could be taken up in the wasted bezel space at each end. Thus you end up with a unit marginally longer.
The thing is a bigger screen offers up a much better user experience.
I also have this idea for a Classic replacement iPod Touch. For much the same reason a larger screen but more so room for more flash.
In each case though portabilty is important, that is where the 10 inched dies a nasty death. I've even contemplated a device slightly smaller than a Steno Pad but the question becomes how do you stuff it into a pocket? Maybe it would be posible if the could do away with the large glass screen. One has to wonder how you would make such large devices durable, a clam shell laptop has a greatvadvantage in that the screen gets some protection.
Unless you have pockets the size of bread bins, anything bigger than the iPhone won't fit in your pocket. Regular people, consumers, have regular pockets. If it's not going to fit in your pocket you'll need a bag to carry it, and if you can't carry a 9" x 7" x 15 mm device (10" screen) in this bag then it's not a normal bag.
In a normal world, with normal people, with normal bags, this device will pop in a sleeve or bag and go with you wherever you want it to go. And at roughly 2.3 - 2.6 pounds it be light too, with the added bonus of a 10" screen so you can be productive in school, on the couch, at a bar, on the train or almost anywhere.
This device is not meant to be bigger iPhone or iPod touch, but a smaller touchable MacBook (tablet) - if you catch my drift. Desktop, Finder, Spotlight; i.e. a Mac. You'll own both this "and an iPhone", not either or. And like I have been saying for a long time now, this device is meant for (well targeted at) desktop owners. You have a large screened Mac at home (24"), a 10" Mac touch on the move, and a 3.5" iPhone with you at all times. This size of a screen is important, to clearly distinguish it from the iPhone or iPod touch, as to sell it to those product owners/users as not "I don't need it because I have an iPhone" but "I want it because I like my iPhone". It's about keeping the screen big enough to be used for "work", while still being portable and light enough to throw in a pouch, sleeve or bag - to take anywhere.
I can't help but think 10" is the sweet stop for this Mac touch.
So your unique version of x-ray vision allows you to see into a picture of a hypothetical product and discern the components within...?!?
It is fairly simple to guess at what would go in. If you want all day battery life then it will be underpowered.
Quote:
Focus here people, the MacTouch is NOT a handheld, it is a SLATE TABLET...
Then please focus a bit more and explain to us what good a slate tablet would be? Really! If it can't be handheld while it is being used it is crap! There is no market for such a device, never has been and never will be.
Quote:
Think netbook/laptop, but without the keyboard or the folding in half...
Ok I just did and have to ask why? Why no keyboard. Why no protection for the sceen. Why give up the usability especially in a device that big. Why would you want such a device?
Quote:
I for one would LOVE the above pictured MacTouch. Give it a next-gen dual-core Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD & a nVidea 9400M GPU; make BlueTooth, WiFi, 3G & GPS standard.
You do realize that Atom sucks as a low power processor don't you. Further all the other crap you added sucks even more power. It is simple guy if you want the power of a laptop then buy one.
Quote:
This would be a killer in the educational markets. No more heavy textbooks to lug around!
We have that today they are called laptops. In anyevent there are advantages to text books. For one they don't have glass screens to break. Further you can swap text books just like wives and girlfriends. Would you really want to swap your precious tablet.
I'm going to suggest that you would likely give it away after attempting to use it for awhile. Of course finding somebody to take it off your hands won't be easy as most people would recognize the usability issues right off the bat.
Quote:
This would be perfect for ANYONE who would like to actually get work done on a tablet. And before the naysayers start saying nay; there isn't ANYONE who is going to really want to work on iWork files on an iPhone/iPod Touch anytime soon... That would just be madness. But on a spacious 10" slate tablet, awesome!
This would be perfect for sitting on the coffee table, as a digital picture frame. But it would also do slideshows with transitions & show video clips. It could be picked up to check the WiFi security camera at the front door. It could be used to change the lighting scheme in the house. It could be used to remote control the Apple media center.
I could go on..
Thankfully you didn't! You are going to hate this but all of the above can be done on an iPhone which can live in your pocket. Besides if there is somebody at the door I'm going to reach for a shotgun because that video camera and tablet won't do you much good.
Quote:
And please, PLEASE! stop telling me how an iPhone can do (most of) these things just as well! I want a larger screen damnit!
Whoops already did, but just incase you missed it IPhone can do all of the above!!!! Don't get me wrong I'd love a larger screen also but it still has to fit in a pocket or is other wise reasonable for portable usage. To many 10 inchers in ones pockets leads to unsightly bulges.
Quote:
I want to keep from straining my older eyes any more than I have to. I want to surf the net or read email without accidentaly clicking on something I did not intend to. I do NOT want to feel like Gulliver trying to use a Lilliputian slate tablet!
I know all about random touches screwing things up but you know I have that issue on my MBP too.
As to text size the iPhone only needs to get slightly larger to deal with that. I do wonder how you expect to be generating all of these letters on a device with no keyboard. It won't be easy.
The thing is a bigger screen offers up a much better user experience.
...portabilty is important, that is where the 10 inched dies a nasty death. I've even contemplated a device slightly smaller than a Steno Pad but the question becomes how do you stuff it into a pocket?
I disagree, 10" is indeed the 'sweet spot'. At 10", this device is similar in size to a steno pad or a standard DVD case. I have no problem fitting these items into the back pocket of my jeans, the indise pocket of a jeans jacket or the lower patch pocket of a blazer or lab coat. YMMV...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland
This device is not meant to be bigger iPhone or iPod touch, but a smaller touchable MacBook (tablet) - if you catch my drift. Desktop, Finder, Spotlight; i.e. a Mac. You'll own both this "and an iPhone", not either or. And like I have been saying for a long time now, this device is meant for (well targeted at) desktop owners. You have a large screened Mac at home (24"), a 10" Mac touch on the move, and a 3.5" iPhone with you at all times.
I actually can see folks moving away from destop machines (professionals & hard-core gamers aside...) and more towards a mobile experience. Those who need the 'power' that a desktop used to provide over a laptop will graviate towards the MacBook Pro models. Many will do with the 'lesser' power of a new MacBook. And a great deal of folks really need nothing more than a netbook version of the new MacBook (which could just as well be a 10" MacTouch).
I would see it more like this (with a bit of reworking on the original concept as presented by Ireland:
You have a Mac mini home server/media center controlling & syncing mobile accounts at home (and the 60" HDTV in the living room is the display for this, with an Apple BlueTooth keyboard & mouse on the coffee table), a 10" Mac touch on the move (you could throw another Apple BlueTooth keyboard/mouse combo into your bag if desired), and an iPhone nano with you at all times.
Unless you have pockets the size of bread bins, anything bigger than the iPhone won't fit in your pocket. Regular people, consumers, have regular pockets. If it's not going to fit in your pocket you'll need a bag to carry it, and if you can't carry a 9" x 7" x 15 mm device (10" screen) in this bag then it's not a normal bag.
Then you might as well get a traditionally shaped laptop. At least then the screen is protected while in you bag.
As to pockets my little Cambodian friend has pockets that could handle a large iPhone. So my pockets are no problem. I have to wonder what size pockets you have that end up crowded by an iPhone.
Quote:
In a normal world, with normal people, with normal bags, this device will pop in a sleeve or bag and go with you wherever you want it to go. And at roughly 2.3 - 2.6 pounds it be light too, with the added bonus of a 10" screen so you can be productive in school, on the couch, at a bar, on the train or almost anywhere.
I do the above everyday with my IPhone. Further it is light enough for my pocket. Like wise it is NOT NORMAL for guys to carry around bags!!! It would serve you well not to suggest such again!
The exception to the above is the train ride. The only one I've gotten on was in a Museum. I'm not sure how trains even fit into this discussion.
Quote:
This device is not meant to be bigger iPhone or iPod touch, but a smaller touchable MacBook (tablet) - if you catch my drift. Desktop, Finder, Spotlight; i.e. a Mac. You'll own both this "and an iPhone", not either or. And like I have been saying for a long time now, this device is meant for (well targeted at) desktop owners. You have a large screened Mac at home (24"), a 10" Mac touch on the move, and a 3.5" iPhone with you at all times. This size of a screen is important, to clearly distinguish it from the iPhone or iPod touch, as to sell it to those product owners/users as not "I don't need it because I have an iPhone" but "I want it because I like my iPhone". It's about keeping the screen big enough to be used for "work", while still being portable and light enough to throw in a pouch, sleeve or bag - to take anywhere.
I don't see how this type of device would sell to an iPhone or Touch user. Especially if such a user where to have at his disposal a slightly larger touch device. Frankly iPhone is one excellent companion to my MBP. A grossly larger device would make no sense at all.
You are right that screen size is important but you are way off as to what is acceptable. Even reverting back to your bag argument, if look at what woman carry around you will see there is no space for you device. Even if there was the oppotunity for breaking the screen is high. There are things in those bags that would hurt a guy much less a tablet.
Quote:
I can't help but think 10" is the sweet stop for this Mac touch.
I've imagined all sorts of devices in the Touch mold but none of them get that big. I've yet to have seen an argument for such a large device that isn't won by a clamshell laptop with a real keyboard and screen protection.
Quote:
Why, what diagonal screen size had you in mind?
Frankly I have thought much in terms of diagonal but rather how much bigger can Touch/IPhone become before they are no longer portable. My guess is about a half inch os so in width and an inch or so in length. That inch or so in length could actually result in a much longer screen if some of the useless bezel is done away with. In any event I think it is much more useful to have a longer screen than it is to have higher. It is far better for reading and composing documents.
Comments
Written on an iPod Touch.
Before I simply thought the iPod Touch was a superior product to this mythical giant, but looking at them side-by-side, now I know it for sure and think it's plainly obvious. That thing on the right looks big and clunky, underpowered, and tempting to throw as a frisbee.
Written on an iPod Touch.
So your unique version of x-ray vision allows you to see into a picture of a hypothetical product and discern the components within...?!?
Focus here people, the MacTouch is NOT a handheld, it is a SLATE TABLET...
Think netbook/laptop, but without the keyboard or the folding in half...
I for one would LOVE the above pictured MacTouch. Give it a next-gen dual-core Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD & a nVidea 9400M GPU; make BlueTooth, WiFi, 3G & GPS standard.
This would be a killer in the educational markets. No more heavy textbooks to lug around!
This would be perfect for ANYONE who would like to actually get work done on a tablet. And before the naysayers start saying nay; there isn't ANYONE who is going to really want to work on iWork files on an iPhone/iPod Touch anytime soon... That would just be madness. But on a spacious 10" slate tablet, awesome!
This would be perfect for sitting on the coffee table, as a digital picture frame. But it would also do slideshows with transitions & show video clips. It could be picked up to check the WiFi security camera at the front door. It could be used to change the lighting scheme in the house. It could be used to remote control the Apple media center.
I could go on...
And please, PLEASE! stop telling me how an iPhone can do (most of) these things just as well! I want a larger screen damnit! I want to keep from straining my older eyes any more than I have to. I want to surf the net or read email without accidentaly clicking on something I did not intend to. I do NOT want to feel like Gulliver trying to use a Lilliputian slate tablet!
Could you mock-up a version that is 8.5"x5.5"? If anything progresses on this front, this would be the next logical size to add to the multi-touch pantheon.
I could, but if you take a device like this (with a diagonal display size of 10"), that makes the dimensions of the whole device, right out to the edge of the hardware; 9" across, by just under 7" deep. You'd be surprised that those dimensions give you a 10" display diagonal, including room for a bezel and some chrome trimming within these dimensions. Pretty much a perfect compromise between being just small and light enough to bring most anywhere, but still big enough to "work" on, efficiently.
This device would be everything the Air wants to be, and more.
what is the point of this tablet/touch screen idea? Wouldn't everyone rather have a keyboard and a mouse then typing on a touch screen, along with having a 50/50 shot on clicking on the correct item? I just don't understand this.
50/50 ?
what is the point of this tablet/touch screen idea? Wouldn't everyone rather have a keyboard and a mouse then typing on a touch screen, along with having a 50/50 shot on clicking on the correct item? I just don't understand this.
[sarcasm]
What is the point of this mouse/graphical user interface idea? Wouldn't everyone rather have a command line and a keyboard then clicking on assorted icons... I just don't understand this.
[/sarcasm]
[sarcasm]
What is the point of this mouse/graphical user interface idea? Wouldn't everyone rather have a command line and a keyboard then clicking on assorted icons... I just don't understand this.
[/sarcasm]
So your unique version of x-ray vision allows you to see into a picture of a hypothetical product and discern the components within...?!?
Focus here people, the MacTouch is NOT a handheld, it is a SLATE TABLET...
Think netbook/laptop, but without the keyboard or the folding in half...
I for one would LOVE the above pictured MacTouch. Give it a next-gen dual-core Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD & a nVidea 9400M GPU; make BlueTooth, WiFi, 3G & GPS standard.
This would be a killer in the educational markets. No more heavy textbooks to lug around!
This would be perfect for ANYONE who would like to actually get work done on a tablet. And before the naysayers start saying nay; there isn't ANYONE who is going to really want to work on iWork files on an iPhone/iPod Touch anytime soon... That would just be madness. But on a spacious 10" slate tablet, awesome!
This would be perfect for sitting on the coffee table, as a digital picture frame. But it would also do slideshows with transitions & show video clips. It could be picked up to check the WiFi security camera at the front door. It could be used to change the lighting scheme in the house. It could be used to remote control the Apple media center.
I could go on...
And please, PLEASE! stop telling me how an iPhone can do (most of) these things just as well! I want a larger screen damnit! I want to keep from straining my older eyes any more than I have to. I want to surf the net or read email without accidentaly clicking on something I did not intend to. I do NOT want to feel like Gulliver trying to use a Lilliputian slate tablet!
Drop the 3g so you are not forcing a $30 /m data plan + voice on people with a 2 year att lock in.
Drop the 3g so you are not forcing a $30 /m data plan + voice on people with a 2 year att lock in.
I disagree. Add the chip (a nominal cost) and offer an optional At&t 12 month data contract. If you don't want to pay the subscription cost, don't. You're not forced to sign any contracts, and there's no carrier lock in on Mac touch, so other phone companies can offer competitive data packages for the device, which will allow Apple to sell the device at full cost, with the added benefit of data contract competition between the companies, which will result in cheaper data deals for the user, and stimulated sales for Apple as a result.
Just because the chip is in there doesn't mean you "have" to use it. But having it there without the need for any add on makes for a compelling argument for signing up for a data contract. For business owners everywhere it would prove very tempting I'd bet. And for teens, and the less well off they'd use the thing over WiFi and get on with it.
Drop the 3g so you are not forcing a $30 /m data plan + voice on people with a 2 year att lock in.
If I could make VOIP calls to & from the MacTouch over WiFi & 3G, then I would gladly pay US$30/month!
So add in the Apple stereo BlueTooth headset with microphone for US$129...
If I could make VOIP calls to & from the MacTouch over WiFi & 3G, then I would gladly pay US$30/month!
So add in the Apple stereo BlueTooth headset with microphone for US$129...
$30? How about $19.99
Apple could go talk to these phones guys and try and get them all to agree on $19.99. So you could pretty much pick the carrier of your choice @ $19.99
That would be sweet. Well I can dream can't I?
$30? How about $19.99
Apple could go talk to these phones guys and try and get them all to agree on $19.99. So you could pretty much pick the carrier of your choice @ $19.99
That would be sweet. Well I can dream can't I?
Or, or!
Apple could REALLY improve the value of MobileMe; keep the price as it is now for a 'start-up fee', and then add in a US$20/month charge for unlimited nationwide VOIP calling.
I guess that would kind of make Apple a MVNO, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, as has been discussed before the release of the iPhone...
I'm nonplussed. I think I'd prefer a 720x480 4.5" iPhone HD.
I have to agree that 10" unit is way to big. Like you I'd much prefer a slightly larger IPhone/ Touch device. The simple reason is portability. It is surprising just how useful iPhone can be and frankly it just gets better with each software release.
What is notable is that the device, if it is a Touch, doesn't have to get excessively bigger. Just blow out the screen in width and height. Height of course would increase the devices size in that direction but only by maybe three quarters of an inch. Much of the increase in length could be taken up in the wasted bezel space at each end. Thus you end up with a unit marginally longer.
The thing is a bigger screen offers up a much better user experience.
I also have this idea for a Classic replacement iPod Touch. For much the same reason a larger screen but more so room for more flash.
In each case though portabilty is important, that is where the 10 inched dies a nasty death. I've even contemplated a device slightly smaller than a Steno Pad but the question becomes how do you stuff it into a pocket? Maybe it would be posible if the could do away with the large glass screen. One has to wonder how you would make such large devices durable, a clam shell laptop has a greatvadvantage in that the screen gets some protection.
Dave
I have to agree that 10" unit is way to big.
Unless you have pockets the size of bread bins, anything bigger than the iPhone won't fit in your pocket. Regular people, consumers, have regular pockets. If it's not going to fit in your pocket you'll need a bag to carry it, and if you can't carry a 9" x 7" x 15 mm device (10" screen) in this bag then it's not a normal bag.
In a normal world, with normal people, with normal bags, this device will pop in a sleeve or bag and go with you wherever you want it to go. And at roughly 2.3 - 2.6 pounds it be light too, with the added bonus of a 10" screen so you can be productive in school, on the couch, at a bar, on the train or almost anywhere.
This device is not meant to be bigger iPhone or iPod touch, but a smaller touchable MacBook (tablet) - if you catch my drift. Desktop, Finder, Spotlight; i.e. a Mac. You'll own both this "and an iPhone", not either or. And like I have been saying for a long time now, this device is meant for (well targeted at) desktop owners. You have a large screened Mac at home (24"), a 10" Mac touch on the move, and a 3.5" iPhone with you at all times. This size of a screen is important, to clearly distinguish it from the iPhone or iPod touch, as to sell it to those product owners/users as not "I don't need it because I have an iPhone" but "I want it because I like my iPhone". It's about keeping the screen big enough to be used for "work", while still being portable and light enough to throw in a pouch, sleeve or bag - to take anywhere.
I can't help but think 10" is the sweet stop for this Mac touch.
Why, what diagonal screen size had you in mind?
So your unique version of x-ray vision allows you to see into a picture of a hypothetical product and discern the components within...?!?
It is fairly simple to guess at what would go in. If you want all day battery life then it will be underpowered.
Focus here people, the MacTouch is NOT a handheld, it is a SLATE TABLET...
Then please focus a bit more and explain to us what good a slate tablet would be? Really! If it can't be handheld while it is being used it is crap! There is no market for such a device, never has been and never will be.
Think netbook/laptop, but without the keyboard or the folding in half...
Ok I just did and have to ask why? Why no keyboard. Why no protection for the sceen. Why give up the usability especially in a device that big. Why would you want such a device?
I for one would LOVE the above pictured MacTouch. Give it a next-gen dual-core Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, a 64GB SSD & a nVidea 9400M GPU; make BlueTooth, WiFi, 3G & GPS standard.
You do realize that Atom sucks as a low power processor don't you. Further all the other crap you added sucks even more power. It is simple guy if you want the power of a laptop then buy one.
This would be a killer in the educational markets. No more heavy textbooks to lug around!
We have that today they are called laptops. In anyevent there are advantages to text books. For one they don't have glass screens to break. Further you can swap text books just like wives and girlfriends. Would you really want to swap your precious tablet.
I'm going to suggest that you would likely give it away after attempting to use it for awhile. Of course finding somebody to take it off your hands won't be easy as most people would recognize the usability issues right off the bat.
This would be perfect for ANYONE who would like to actually get work done on a tablet. And before the naysayers start saying nay; there isn't ANYONE who is going to really want to work on iWork files on an iPhone/iPod Touch anytime soon... That would just be madness. But on a spacious 10" slate tablet, awesome!
This would be perfect for sitting on the coffee table, as a digital picture frame. But it would also do slideshows with transitions & show video clips. It could be picked up to check the WiFi security camera at the front door. It could be used to change the lighting scheme in the house. It could be used to remote control the Apple media center.
I could go on..
Thankfully you didn't! You are going to hate this but all of the above can be done on an iPhone which can live in your pocket. Besides if there is somebody at the door I'm going to reach for a shotgun because that video camera and tablet won't do you much good.
And please, PLEASE! stop telling me how an iPhone can do (most of) these things just as well! I want a larger screen damnit!
Whoops already did, but just incase you missed it IPhone can do all of the above!!!! Don't get me wrong I'd love a larger screen also but it still has to fit in a pocket or is other wise reasonable for portable usage. To many 10 inchers in ones pockets leads to unsightly bulges.
I want to keep from straining my older eyes any more than I have to. I want to surf the net or read email without accidentaly clicking on something I did not intend to. I do NOT want to feel like Gulliver trying to use a Lilliputian slate tablet!
I know all about random touches screwing things up but you know I have that issue on my MBP too.
As to text size the iPhone only needs to get slightly larger to deal with that. I do wonder how you expect to be generating all of these letters on a device with no keyboard. It won't be easy.
Dave
I have to agree that 10" unit is way to big.
The thing is a bigger screen offers up a much better user experience.
...portabilty is important, that is where the 10 inched dies a nasty death. I've even contemplated a device slightly smaller than a Steno Pad but the question becomes how do you stuff it into a pocket?
I disagree, 10" is indeed the 'sweet spot'. At 10", this device is similar in size to a steno pad or a standard DVD case. I have no problem fitting these items into the back pocket of my jeans, the indise pocket of a jeans jacket or the lower patch pocket of a blazer or lab coat. YMMV...
This device is not meant to be bigger iPhone or iPod touch, but a smaller touchable MacBook (tablet) - if you catch my drift. Desktop, Finder, Spotlight; i.e. a Mac. You'll own both this "and an iPhone", not either or. And like I have been saying for a long time now, this device is meant for (well targeted at) desktop owners. You have a large screened Mac at home (24"), a 10" Mac touch on the move, and a 3.5" iPhone with you at all times.
I actually can see folks moving away from destop machines (professionals & hard-core gamers aside...) and more towards a mobile experience. Those who need the 'power' that a desktop used to provide over a laptop will graviate towards the MacBook Pro models. Many will do with the 'lesser' power of a new MacBook. And a great deal of folks really need nothing more than a netbook version of the new MacBook (which could just as well be a 10" MacTouch).
I would see it more like this (with a bit of reworking on the original concept as presented by Ireland:
You have a Mac mini home server/media center controlling & syncing mobile accounts at home (and the 60" HDTV in the living room is the display for this, with an Apple BlueTooth keyboard & mouse on the coffee table), a 10" Mac touch on the move (you could throw another Apple BlueTooth keyboard/mouse combo into your bag if desired), and an iPhone nano with you at all times.
Unless you have pockets the size of bread bins, anything bigger than the iPhone won't fit in your pocket. Regular people, consumers, have regular pockets. If it's not going to fit in your pocket you'll need a bag to carry it, and if you can't carry a 9" x 7" x 15 mm device (10" screen) in this bag then it's not a normal bag.
Then you might as well get a traditionally shaped laptop. At least then the screen is protected while in you bag.
As to pockets my little Cambodian friend has pockets that could handle a large iPhone. So my pockets are no problem. I have to wonder what size pockets you have that end up crowded by an iPhone.
In a normal world, with normal people, with normal bags, this device will pop in a sleeve or bag and go with you wherever you want it to go. And at roughly 2.3 - 2.6 pounds it be light too, with the added bonus of a 10" screen so you can be productive in school, on the couch, at a bar, on the train or almost anywhere.
I do the above everyday with my IPhone. Further it is light enough for my pocket. Like wise it is NOT NORMAL for guys to carry around bags!!! It would serve you well not to suggest such again!
The exception to the above is the train ride. The only one I've gotten on was in a Museum. I'm not sure how trains even fit into this discussion.
This device is not meant to be bigger iPhone or iPod touch, but a smaller touchable MacBook (tablet) - if you catch my drift. Desktop, Finder, Spotlight; i.e. a Mac. You'll own both this "and an iPhone", not either or. And like I have been saying for a long time now, this device is meant for (well targeted at) desktop owners. You have a large screened Mac at home (24"), a 10" Mac touch on the move, and a 3.5" iPhone with you at all times. This size of a screen is important, to clearly distinguish it from the iPhone or iPod touch, as to sell it to those product owners/users as not "I don't need it because I have an iPhone" but "I want it because I like my iPhone". It's about keeping the screen big enough to be used for "work", while still being portable and light enough to throw in a pouch, sleeve or bag - to take anywhere.
I don't see how this type of device would sell to an iPhone or Touch user. Especially if such a user where to have at his disposal a slightly larger touch device. Frankly iPhone is one excellent companion to my MBP. A grossly larger device would make no sense at all.
You are right that screen size is important but you are way off as to what is acceptable. Even reverting back to your bag argument, if look at what woman carry around you will see there is no space for you device. Even if there was the oppotunity for breaking the screen is high. There are things in those bags that would hurt a guy much less a tablet.
I can't help but think 10" is the sweet stop for this Mac touch.
I've imagined all sorts of devices in the Touch mold but none of them get that big. I've yet to have seen an argument for such a large device that isn't won by a clamshell laptop with a real keyboard and screen protection.
Why, what diagonal screen size had you in mind?
Frankly I have thought much in terms of diagonal but rather how much bigger can Touch/IPhone become before they are no longer portable. My guess is about a half inch os so in width and an inch or so in length. That inch or so in length could actually result in a much longer screen if some of the useless bezel is done away with. In any event I think it is much more useful to have a longer screen than it is to have higher. It is far better for reading and composing documents.