Don't post links just after joining. You have been reported as spam.
Ya know....perhaps it was a good thing for this thread to be revived. I've reviewed all our posts to it over the last 2 years and I think it's time we continue it to it's eventual conclusion......the reveal of the mactouch!
Ya know....perhaps it was a good thing for this thread to be revived. I've reviewed all our posts to it over the last 2 years and I think it's time we continue it to it's eventual conclusion......the reveal of the mactouch!
I actually consider Newton 2 to be a completely different beast than Macintouch. Newton 2 would be nothing more than a slightly larger Touch/iPhone. With the idea of delivering the largest screen possible in a pocketable device. It would be very much a device in the iPod family.
When we start to talk about larger Touch based tablets I see them as different beasts. Clearly such devices need more OS features than we currently have in the Touch OS. This in fact makes for a more interesting discussion as those features reflect many personal biases as to what is an acceptable OS.
I actually consider Newton 2 to be a completely different beast than Macintouch. Newton 2 would be nothing more than a slightly larger Touch/iPhone. With the idea of delivering the largest screen possible in a pocketable device. It would be very much a device in the iPod family.
When we start to talk about larger Touch based tablets I see them as different beasts. Clearly such devices need more OS features than we currently have in the Touch OS. This in fact makes for a more interesting discussion as those features reflect many personal biases as to what is an acceptable OS.
Dave
macintouch....heh heh.
Ok, well here we go then.....
There are two issues that are vitally important to the success of this device. One, as you pointed out, is the actual OS of this device. There has been much debate as to whether it should have a full Mac OS or an iPhone like OS.
I say, I seriously say that it needs to be a special hybrid OS that has features of the Mac OS and iPhone OS. This would imply that the device will be more than simply a large ipod touch which is geared for media consumption. And that you will be able to more useful computing on it such as content creation.
And second, and I'm not so sure it's a seperate item at this point, is what feature of the device has Steve Jobs finally settled on that will make the mystery device finally marketable in his eyes. There must be something outstanding about the device that Jobs sees will make the public want to buy it (hardware, software, content).
That is what has been holding Apple back from releasing it in the first place. Obviously such a device is useful. But perhaps not useful enough to be released.....until now.
What has changed do you think?
I sure as hell know that interactive albums is not what is going to make people run out to buy it.
A new and advanced form of multi-touch from the fingerworks guys included in the new product is an almost certainty at this point.
Apple Inc, which helped spawn the PDA market with its Newton MessagePad line in the early '90s, plans to give the concept another go with a modern day reincarnation of the old fan favorite based on the company's new mutli-touch technology, AppleInsider has learned.
For Apple, the ongoing project represents its second stab at reinventing the PDA since the Newton met its fate in the late 90's -- the first of which never saw the light of day and is only known to have existed based on a one-off comment from chief executive Steve Jobs over three years ago.
Speaking at the 2004 edition of the Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital conference, Jobs stated that he was proud not only of the products Apple had released in recent years, but also the products the company had decided not to ship.
When asked by an audience member to elaborate, Jobs said simply, "an Apple PDA."
It appears that Jobs and Co. never gave up hope, and instead returned to the drawing board. For the past 18 months, well-respected sources tell AppleInsider, a small team of Apple engineers have been at it again, this time tapping the company's revolutionary multi-touch technology as a foundation.
During that time, sources have observed the project slip in and out of limbo, as Apple struggled to meet its self-imposed June, 2007 launch date for the iPhone. In at least two instances, the company pulled software engineers off the project to assist in the completion of the iPhone software, only to return those same engineers to the their original task months later.
With the initial iPhone now out the door and two successive models well underway in Apple's labs, it's believed to be full steam ahead for the modern day Newton project. Like iPhone and the iPod touch, the new device runs an embedded version of Apple's Mac OS X Leopard operating system.
Externally, the mutil-touch PDA has been described by sources as an ultra-thin "slate" akin to the iPhone, about 1.5 times the size and sporting an approximate 720x480 high-resolution display that comprises almost the entire surface of the unit. The device is further believed to leverage multi-touch concepts which have yet to gain widespread adoption in Apple's existing multi-touch products -- the iPhone and iPod touch -- like drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste.
Artist rendition showing approximate size ratio to existing Apple handhelds | Artwork by audiopollution.
More broadly characterized as Apple's answer to the ultra-mobile PC, the next-gen device is believed to be tracking for a release sometime in the first half of 2008. Assuming the project remains clear of roadblocks, sources believe it could make an inaugural appearance during Jobs' Macworld keynote in January alongside some new Mac offerings. Still, manufacturing ramp and availability would seem unlikely until closer to mid-year, those same sources say.
As AppleInsider has hinted in recent months (1, 2), the next-gen PDA will signal the advent of a fifth core business segment (fourth if you discount Apple TV) for Apple, but at the same time represent just smidgen of what's to come from the company's new multi-touch platform, which has already proven to be a game-changer.
Know something we don't? Hearing something interesting? We're always listening, so drop us a line at private (at) appleinsider.com or submit a tip via one of our news submission forms.
I have always felt the main reason Newton was abandoned was Jobs simply hated it as being what Scully loved. I doubt Jobs would ever acknowledge the thanks iPhone/iPod owes to Newton as well as any forthcoming tablet will. I was really sad when they killed the Newton. It could have been very competitive with Palm.
I have always felt the main reason Newton was abandoned was Jobs simply hated it as being what Scully loved. I doubt Jobs would ever acknowledge the thanks iPhone/iPod owes to Newton as well as any forthcoming tablet will. I was really sad when they killed the Newton. It could have been very competitive with Palm.
Apple was a wreck when Steve took over. He should be creditted with putting a team together to turn that around in less than a years time. Newtons axeing had a lot to do with taking control of a mess.
Likewise it has become apparent that many tablets have been prototyped at Apple over the last few years but have not seen the light of day. What has kept them off the market is unknown but I'm sure Scully had nothing to do with it.
Also it is interesting that Apple didn't sell off Newton as a product or division. They kept all the IP in house which tells me they had a long term view. Part of that long term view may have been realizing that Newton didn't have an OS with legs for the future. Putting UNIX on the iPhone makes for a platform that will last for decades.
I'm sitting here on lunch break looking at a recent copy of Electronic Design. In there is an artical on a "single chip" TV tuner from Silicon Laboratories. While not apparently targetted at the mobile mark it is a one watt device. I'm thinking this would be a fantastic feature for a large iPod Touch / Newton 2.
Why not as you have everything else in the case already to enable TV functionality. This would mesh well with Apples stated desire to take the Touch devices in a different direction than iPhone. For a reasonably sized tablet it could be the a feature that makes the unit attractive to many individuals. It is all about finding that hot feature to drive sales.
Of course some see broadcast TV as dead but it is also a mobile resource that doesn't require hi bandwidth connections. Newton 2 could see huge opportunies at football games for example.
I'm sitting here on lunch break looking at a recent copy of Electronic Design. In there is an artical on a "single chip" TV tuner from Silicon Laboratories. While not apparently targetted at the mobile mark it is a one watt device. I'm thinking this would be a fantastic feature for a large iPod Touch / Newton 2.
Why not as you have everything else in the case already to enable TV functionality. This would mesh well with Apples stated desire to take the Touch devices in a different direction than iPhone. For a reasonably sized tablet it could be the a feature that makes the unit attractive to many individuals. It is all about finding that hot feature to drive sales.
Of course some see broadcast TV as dead but it is also a mobile resource that doesn't require hi bandwidth connections. Newton 2 could see huge opportunies at football games for example.
Dave
I'm not sure about that particular feature but more than likely the product is going to contain a custom system on chip type of component or components.
I'm not sure about that particular feature but more than likely the product is going to contain a custom system on chip type of component or components.
That is most likely the case. But a high integration SoC leaves lots of unboard space for other chips. Especially hybrid analog/digital chips like a tuner.
I'm just thinking about what killer feature a Newton 2 sized iPod Touch could offer and see digital TV as a possibility. It seems like a small addition to what is already required to be in the case. It also meshes nicely with iPods media focus.
In many cases though it wouldn't even compete with Apples other businesses due to broadcast TVs heavy focus on transient news and events. No one is going to get on iTunes to watch the news or a ball game.
Rather I can see somebody at a ball game watching replays on such a tablet while another app like the MLB one runs in back ground. Or one can pick up the local news where ever he is. It would seem to mesh well with the device and at the same time control bandwidth usage.
Comments
I join. It was and with me. Let's discuss this question. Here or in PM.
Sorry for offtop:
Don't post links just after joining. You have been reported as spam.
Don't post links just after joining. You have been reported as spam.
Ya know....perhaps it was a good thing for this thread to be revived. I've reviewed all our posts to it over the last 2 years and I think it's time we continue it to it's eventual conclusion......the reveal of the mactouch!
Ya know....perhaps it was a good thing for this thread to be revived. I've reviewed all our posts to it over the last 2 years and I think it's time we continue it to it's eventual conclusion......the reveal of the mactouch!
I actually consider Newton 2 to be a completely different beast than Macintouch. Newton 2 would be nothing more than a slightly larger Touch/iPhone. With the idea of delivering the largest screen possible in a pocketable device. It would be very much a device in the iPod family.
When we start to talk about larger Touch based tablets I see them as different beasts. Clearly such devices need more OS features than we currently have in the Touch OS. This in fact makes for a more interesting discussion as those features reflect many personal biases as to what is an acceptable OS.
Dave
I actually consider Newton 2 to be a completely different beast than Macintouch. Newton 2 would be nothing more than a slightly larger Touch/iPhone. With the idea of delivering the largest screen possible in a pocketable device. It would be very much a device in the iPod family.
When we start to talk about larger Touch based tablets I see them as different beasts. Clearly such devices need more OS features than we currently have in the Touch OS. This in fact makes for a more interesting discussion as those features reflect many personal biases as to what is an acceptable OS.
Dave
macintouch....heh heh.
Ok, well here we go then.....
There are two issues that are vitally important to the success of this device. One, as you pointed out, is the actual OS of this device. There has been much debate as to whether it should have a full Mac OS or an iPhone like OS.
I say, I seriously say that it needs to be a special hybrid OS that has features of the Mac OS and iPhone OS. This would imply that the device will be more than simply a large ipod touch which is geared for media consumption. And that you will be able to more useful computing on it such as content creation.
And second, and I'm not so sure it's a seperate item at this point, is what feature of the device has Steve Jobs finally settled on that will make the mystery device finally marketable in his eyes. There must be something outstanding about the device that Jobs sees will make the public want to buy it (hardware, software, content).
That is what has been holding Apple back from releasing it in the first place. Obviously such a device is useful. But perhaps not useful enough to be released.....until now.
What has changed do you think?
I sure as hell know that interactive albums is not what is going to make people run out to buy it.
A new and advanced form of multi-touch from the fingerworks guys included in the new product is an almost certainty at this point.
Don't post links just after joining. You have been reported as spam.
I didn't get the report, but I nuked that user for spamming Cialis or whatever it was in the signature.
Deleted by Ireland. Mistakingly predicted Apple Rocket ship 3G.
What rocket ship?
Apple Inc, which helped spawn the PDA market with its Newton MessagePad line in the early '90s, plans to give the concept another go with a modern day reincarnation of the old fan favorite based on the company's new mutli-touch technology, AppleInsider has learned.
For Apple, the ongoing project represents its second stab at reinventing the PDA since the Newton met its fate in the late 90's -- the first of which never saw the light of day and is only known to have existed based on a one-off comment from chief executive Steve Jobs over three years ago.
Speaking at the 2004 edition of the Wall Street Journal's
When asked by an audience member to elaborate, Jobs said simply, "an Apple PDA."
It appears that Jobs and Co. never gave up hope, and instead returned to the drawing board. For the past 18 months, well-respected sources tell AppleInsider, a small team of Apple engineers have been at it again, this time tapping the company's revolutionary multi-touch technology as a foundation.
During that time, sources have observed the project slip in and out of limbo, as Apple struggled to meet its self-imposed June, 2007 launch date for the iPhone. In at least two instances, the company pulled software engineers off the project to assist in the completion of the iPhone software, only to return those same engineers to the their original task months later.
With the initial iPhone now out the door and two successive models well underway in Apple's labs, it's believed to be full steam ahead for the modern day Newton project. Like iPhone and the iPod touch, the new device runs an embedded version of Apple's Mac OS X Leopard operating system.
Externally, the mutil-touch PDA has been described by sources as an ultra-thin "slate" akin to the iPhone, about 1.5 times the size and sporting an approximate 720x480 high-resolution display that comprises almost the entire surface of the unit. The device is further believed to leverage multi-touch concepts which have yet to gain widespread adoption in Apple's existing multi-touch products -- the iPhone and iPod touch -- like drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste.
Artist rendition showing approximate size ratio to existing Apple handhelds | Artwork by audiopollution.
More broadly characterized as Apple's answer to the ultra-mobile PC, the next-gen device is believed to be tracking for a release sometime in the first half of 2008. Assuming the project remains clear of roadblocks, sources believe it could make an inaugural appearance during Jobs' Macworld keynote in January alongside some new Mac offerings. Still, manufacturing ramp and availability would seem unlikely until closer to mid-year, those same sources say.
As AppleInsider has hinted in recent months (1, 2), the next-gen PDA will signal the advent of a fifth core business segment (fourth if you discount Apple TV) for Apple, but at the same time represent just smidgen of what's to come from the company's new multi-touch platform, which has already proven to be a game-changer.
Know something we don't? Hearing something interesting? We're always listening, so drop us a line at private (at) appleinsider.com or submit a tip via one of our news submission forms.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
I have always felt the main reason Newton was abandoned was Jobs simply hated it as being what Scully loved. I doubt Jobs would ever acknowledge the thanks iPhone/iPod owes to Newton as well as any forthcoming tablet will. I was really sad when they killed the Newton. It could have been very competitive with Palm.
I have always felt the main reason Newton was abandoned was Jobs simply hated it as being what Scully loved. I doubt Jobs would ever acknowledge the thanks iPhone/iPod owes to Newton as well as any forthcoming tablet will. I was really sad when they killed the Newton. It could have been very competitive with Palm.
Apple was a wreck when Steve took over. He should be creditted with putting a team together to turn that around in less than a years time. Newtons axeing had a lot to do with taking control of a mess.
Likewise it has become apparent that many tablets have been prototyped at Apple over the last few years but have not seen the light of day. What has kept them off the market is unknown but I'm sure Scully had nothing to do with it.
Also it is interesting that Apple didn't sell off Newton as a product or division. They kept all the IP in house which tells me they had a long term view. Part of that long term view may have been realizing that Newton didn't have an OS with legs for the future. Putting UNIX on the iPhone makes for a platform that will last for decades.
Dave
Why not as you have everything else in the case already to enable TV functionality. This would mesh well with Apples stated desire to take the Touch devices in a different direction than iPhone. For a reasonably sized tablet it could be the a feature that makes the unit attractive to many individuals. It is all about finding that hot feature to drive sales.
Of course some see broadcast TV as dead but it is also a mobile resource that doesn't require hi bandwidth connections. Newton 2 could see huge opportunies at football games for example.
Dave
I'm sitting here on lunch break looking at a recent copy of Electronic Design. In there is an artical on a "single chip" TV tuner from Silicon Laboratories. While not apparently targetted at the mobile mark it is a one watt device. I'm thinking this would be a fantastic feature for a large iPod Touch / Newton 2.
Why not as you have everything else in the case already to enable TV functionality. This would mesh well with Apples stated desire to take the Touch devices in a different direction than iPhone. For a reasonably sized tablet it could be the a feature that makes the unit attractive to many individuals. It is all about finding that hot feature to drive sales.
Of course some see broadcast TV as dead but it is also a mobile resource that doesn't require hi bandwidth connections. Newton 2 could see huge opportunies at football games for example.
Dave
I'm not sure about that particular feature but more than likely the product is going to contain a custom system on chip type of component or components.
I'm not sure about that particular feature but more than likely the product is going to contain a custom system on chip type of component or components.
That is most likely the case. But a high integration SoC leaves lots of unboard space for other chips. Especially hybrid analog/digital chips like a tuner.
I'm just thinking about what killer feature a Newton 2 sized iPod Touch could offer and see digital TV as a possibility. It seems like a small addition to what is already required to be in the case. It also meshes nicely with iPods media focus.
In many cases though it wouldn't even compete with Apples other businesses due to broadcast TVs heavy focus on transient news and events. No one is going to get on iTunes to watch the news or a ball game.
Rather I can see somebody at a ball game watching replays on such a tablet while another app like the MLB one runs in back ground. Or one can pick up the local news where ever he is. It would seem to mesh well with the device and at the same time control bandwidth usage.
Dave