Rampant Speculation about the Apple Tablet

[Sinecure Industries]

So the co-owner of Sinecure Industries actually got off his duff (okay, he does all the programming, he's kind of busy) and wrote down all his thoughts on what to expect from the Apple Tablet, or iSlate or whatever the heck they're calling it.

What do you guys think? Sound like he's going down the right path? Regardless, are you guys planning to make things for the Tablet as well or is it going to mainly be a novelty?

I honestly have no idea (I was never really into Apple before I started Sinecure Industries with him, but it's growing on me, he's a lifelong devotee), but here's a link to the blog post anyway: http://bit.ly/8ksPcE

[Syndicated Puzzles]

Thanks for the tip! I just bought ilifetouch.com I hope your name prediction is correct.$$

[Sinecure Industries]

Cyber-squatting will always be the least amount of work for the most profit, props to you :D

[bravetarget]

With Illusion Labs taking their apps to a higher level, I think they may have an inside man. One thing to consider though, is whatever this product is, it will not be a mobile device. It will be portable, sure, but I currently own a Tablet PC and would never bother to fill it with $0.99 apps like I would my cell phone.

This doesn't mean I'm going to disregard development on the platform, considering all the supposed similarities between iPhone OS, but I don't imagine Apple being able to duplicate the success for indie devs.

[Flickitty]

With Illusion Labs taking their apps to a higher level, I think they may have an inside man. One thing to consider though, is whatever this product is, it will not be a mobile device. It will be portable, sure, but I currently own a Tablet PC and would never bother to fill it with $0.99 apps like I would my cell phone.

This doesn't mean I'm going to disregard development on the platform, considering all the supposed similarities between iPhone OS, but I don't imagine Apple being able to duplicate the success for indie devs.

I own a Tablet PC as well, or did, until it fell and the screen shattered. The tablet portion of my PC was a workhorse, mainly used for design, sketching and illustration. This is a stark contrast to my iPhone, which uses the touch screen mainly for entertainment (games).

The Apple Tablet needs to be fully functional as a replacement to the MacBook Pro (as a Graphics/Design tool). This includes full functionality with Adobe products and other design tools, multitasking and capable of accepting peripherals (mouse, keyboard).

Overall, it needs to be functional and useful. I hope it isn't a 'bigger version' of the iPhone.

If it is capable of meeting these basic needs- I no longer have a need for a Tablet PC.

[EssentialParadox]

I know I'm quite alone with my own thoughts on such a device right now, but I believe it could be huge, even bigger than the iPhone, and it could change the computer industry as we currently know it.

When I imagine a large touchscreen iPhone/Mac hybrid, it immediately makes me think of sitting on my couch browsing the web on a nicely sized screen, scrolling, switching tabs, and opening links with my fingers and how delightfully comfortable that would be. But further from that I also think about a whole plethora of apps: video editing, photo editing, graphics animation, 3D design, music software, etc... and how much more versatile they would become if you could use your fingers to control them. Anything from Apple's iLife suite, or any of their professional software could all translate incredibly to touchscreen tablet format. In fact, when I think about the majority of software, I realize how rarely we actually use the keyboard. I've spent about 30 hours in Final Cut Studio over the weekend and I never needed to type a thing. But even when we do need to do some serious word processing or coding — applications that do require keyboards — how about simply taking the tablet over to your table, sitting it in a little dock stand and then using one of the slim apple keyboards over bluetooth?

People talk about if it's going to be a kindle, or a large iphone, or a tablet Mac…… I think i'll be none of those things… yet it'll be all of them, and more. I really believe it could be huge, and potentially replace the idea of desktops and laptop computers, if done right… and that's the key phrase: if done right. But I think if anyone could do it, Apple could.

[MidianGTX]

Graphic design is the main functionality I want out of the tablet, being able to take your ideas around with you and sketch things out quickly without the extra fussiness of having a laptop. Games would definitely be neat, and I hope we do see stuff from guys like the Illusion Labs team, but I don't think anyone is expecting it to reach the level the iPhone has as far as apps go. Apple are probably dead against it, people might start using their iPhones as a phone again and reserving their fun for the tablet.

Oh yes, and as EssentialParadox says... excellent web support, obviously.

[MindJuice]

...I don't think anyone is expecting it to reach the level the iPhone has as far as apps go.

EssentialParadox thinks so! :)

I believe it could be huge, even bigger than the iPhone, and it could change the computer industry as we currently know it.

[Sinecure Industries]

I really believe it could be huge, and potentially replace the idea of desktops and laptop computers, if done right… and that's the key phrase: if done right. But I think if anyone could do it, Apple could.

Good call on that

[MindJuice]

I'm definitely interested in developing for it whatever the heck it turns out to be!

I will be on the website purchasing one the minute it is available.

Just call me "fanboi"!

Now I just have to think of the killer app or game for a piece of hardware with unknown specifications, capabilities and APIs!

How about Charmed with a grid of like 30x30 Charms! Ya, that's the ticket!
(just kidding! :))

[FancyFactory]

I know this sounds like a fanboy, but this device is a must-buy for me. Relaxed playing and surfing while laying in bed or as full size navigation in car...sounds great to me. Beside of that I will upgrade my game(s) to the specifications of this device if Apple will connect the ApStore to it. I wished there were some confirmed specifications so I could start upgrading...

[greendestiny]

I love a bit of speculation. Interesting post, but I disagree. I think concerns of battery life, portability and just all round physical usability will dictate a very thin device with a low power chip. Plus Apple owns an ARM manufacturer now. So I think that basically means its going to be very similar to the ipod/iphone in operating system and probably not a massive step up in capability.

I'm sure they won't be pushing it like a big iphone, and apps won't be compatible with it by default, but at a hardware/OS level thats what it will be. I think the rumours about Apple pushing this for media reading will be true, and more than that all the noise mainstream news has been making about paid content will be about this device. Many newspapers and magazines will launch with the device and its reader will be very slick indeed. I won't be focused on book reading like the kindle at all. People have been downplaying how big this market is, I think they are wrong. Mostly people on the internet just read stuff, but noone knows how to make money off content. This device will try, and quite possibly succeed.

Video editing and all sorts of other apps are possible, but for the serious users I don't know it'll have enough grunt. It'll definitely be a good games machine.

[EssentialParadox]

Yeah, I have to agree on people not having appropriate expectations for the importance of it as a magazine / book reader.

If Toucharcade could release a weekly/monthly digital magazine, looking like a professional magazine in a store, but without the large printing costs, not only could it increase revenue for the publisher, but full-page magazine style ads would be incredibly attractive to advertisers too. It's well known that people hate web ads, yet people tolerate magazine ads, you could even go as far as to say they enjoy looking at them; I often find myself stopping to gaze at certain full-page ads in magazines when they're interesting/beautiful enough.

…But it's not just magazines and advertisers who have the potential to benefit from it. Most people don't realize that most popular magazines don't make money from readers purchasing copies. The $5 you spend on a magazine is split between the store selling the magazine, the distributor shipping out all the magazines, and the factory printing the magazines. The actual publisher makes the money off of the ads inside the magazine. So when you remove the store, the distributor, and the printing factory, you leave the potential for all these magazines and newspapers that are destined to hit iTunes to be…… completely free of charge. It's essentially podcasts in print form. Let's wait and see shall we! :)

[greendestiny]

Actually you're probably right about free content EssentialParadox. I guess it will somewhat mirror the App Store with free and paid content, some making lots of money from adds, some from sales. It'll definitely build on the podcasts model of distribution.

The real question is what kind of net access it has. I think it might be solely wifi, maybe with iphone tethering. It may not even have a camera. People will freak at the low specs, but they'll sell it with the image of sitting at the coffee reading the morning paper with this cool futuristic device.

[Sinecure Industries]

…But it's not just magazines and advertisers who have the potential to benefit from it. Most people don't realize that most popular magazines don't make money from readers purchasing copies. The $5 you spend on a magazine is split between the store selling the magazine, the distributor shipping out all the magazines, and the factory printing the magazines. The actual publisher makes the money off of the ads inside the magazine. So when you remove the store, the distributor, and the printing factory, you leave the potential for all these magazines and newspapers that are destined to hit iTunes to be…… completely free of charge. It's essentially podcasts in print form. Let's wait and see shall we! :)

I would definitely pay to be in some of those magazines, especially if we could make an awesome full page ad that was just... cool. Bonus points if the ad was clickable!

[EssentialParadox]

I would definitely pay to be in some of those magazines, especially if we could make an awesome full page ad that was just... cool. Bonus points if the ad was clickable!
Could you imagine having a beautiful full page ad, but then a 'preview' button on the ad that the user can click causing the ad to fade into a video trailer? Or even a demo!


greendestiny, I assume Apple to release a WiFi version and a 3G+WiFi version. It's basically what they do with the iPhone & iPod touch.

[Sinecure Industries]

Could you imagine having a beautiful full page ad, but then a 'preview' button on the ad that the user can click causing the ad to fade into a video trailer? Or even a demo!


That would be epic. Now if that's not possible I'm going to be so disappointed :(

[Kyle Poole]

I enjoyed reading the blog post, and I agree that the currently rumored names like iSlate, iPad, etc are all terrible.

I'll go on the record here with my prediction that it will be the Mac Touch, adding to the Mac mini and MacBook line. It is basically the top half of a MacBook, without the bottom keyboard, but with a touch screen. Full OSX with multitouch support, and a new iLife with touch features.

It will have a separate App Store, to download apps taking advantage of the touch screen. Building existing iPhone apps for the Touch is easy with an updated Xcode, just set the target to the Mac Touch, recompile and submit (assuming your code adjusts to the current screen resolution). But it will also natively support full OSX apps (like using a touch pad as a mouse on your desktop).

MY REASONING: it has to compete with the current line of cheap netbooks, as well as the slew of Android tablets announced. Windows 7 also has tablet support. If Apple comes out with an "oversized iPod Touch" that costs $600-$800, nobody will be impressed. But with all the current rumors, when they announce a full OSX tablet, everyone will start drooling.

[HappyFuntime]

I agree that the currently rumored names like iSlate, iPad, etc are all terrible.

Agreed. Mac Touch seems like a pretty good name to me. I also agree that it seems smart for Apple to include a more fully-featured version of OSX, able to run existing desktop software as well as apps designed specifically for iPhones or tablets. That would definitely add to the wow-factor, at least for me, but whether that's feasible or even prudent remains to be seen I think.

The whole idea of publishing magazines in a digital/tablet/podcast format is really the most interesting part for me though. I just bought a National Geographic in the mini mart down the street for six bucks plus tax, if i could have just downloaded it onto my tablet for a couple bucks the switch would be a no-brainer, plus having a search or favorites feature added to the mix, it could take publishing to a whole new level.

Besides, having a Star Trek computer IRL has a certain geek appeal anyways :D

[greendestiny]

I'd place money on you guys being wrong with respect to the tablet running a full version of OSX. The iPod/iPhone OS has just been too good for them. I think they want to take this nondesktop metaphor as far as they can. I'm hoping there will be improvements with multitasking and some sort of extension to the itunes library for generic documents/data - so that multiple applications can work on the same data.

[tukun]

if it turns out to be:
-light, portable
-11"-13" touchscreen
-run MacOS
-possible to run Xcode + IphoneSDK
-3G support

then its a confirmed buy for me :D

[MindJuice]

I'd place money on you guys being wrong with respect to the tablet running a full version of OSX. The iPod/iPhone OS has just been too good for them. I think they want to take this nondesktop metaphor as far as they can. I'm hoping there will be improvements with multitasking and some sort of extension to the itunes library for generic documents/data - so that multiple applications can work on the same data.
I agree. I think that chances of it running full OS X are basically zero. It's not going to be a "computer".

[HappyFuntime]

I think that chances of it running full OS X are basically zero. It's not going to be a "computer".

Given some of the stuff I've been reading in the media lately, it looks like this will be the case (not a computer). This seems like a product for the consumer market anyway. I've been trying to think about how things like XCode or Photoshop would run on a tablet, I'm not sure if I can envision that, really, but it would still be cool in theory. Even if the software I use on a daily basis were able to run on it, I'm not sure I could get any serious work done without a keyboard and a mouse attached though!

In any case, it looks like we'll be finding out this Wednesday!

[Sinecure Industries]

Tomorrow is the big day, very exciting :D

[MidianGTX]

If it's "not a computer" they've already lost a few sales from people on this forum :p

Why buy some jumped-up iPhone to replace... an iPhone? I'm sure a 10" phone could sound appealing to someone who's just emerged from a cryogenic chamber having been locked away for 30 years...

[Sinecure Industries]

If it's "not a computer" they've already lost a few sales from people on this forum :p

Why buy some jumped-up iPhone to replace... an iPhone? I'm sure a 10" phone could sound appealing to someone who's just emerged from a cryogenic chamber having been locked away for 30 years...

To be completely honest, I'm still waiting for that computer from Minority Report

[c0re]

If it's "not a computer" they've already lost a few sales from people on this forum :p

Why buy some jumped-up iPhone to replace... an iPhone? I'm sure a 10" phone could sound appealing to someone who's just emerged from a cryogenic chamber having been locked away for 30 years...

I'm kind of joining you here.

Even if I'm excitingly waiting for tomorrow, I just can't find a reason to own such a device, except for dev.

It's too big to be used everywhere as easily as the iPhone, and it's too small to compete with a real laptop indoors.

On the other hand, I'm sure that Apple already know that.
And to be honest, what's exciting me the most about tomorrow is how they managed to bypass those cons and create a new need.

Because I'm sure they will.

[Flickitty]

I've been trying to think about how things like XCode or Photoshop would run on a tablet, I'm not sure if I can envision that, really, but it would still be cool in theory. Even if the software I use on a daily basis were able to run on it, I'm not sure I could get any serious work done without a keyboard and a mouse attached though!

How can you not see PhotoShop running on a Tablet?

I've had a tablet for a couple years- the screen rotates around to make the whole thing flat. Like a tablet. PhotoShop is really easy to work with in that format, in fact almost anything that requires minimal use of a keyboard is beneficial. Music and Video editing software included.

Virtual keyboards are available onscreen (just like the iPhone) if you need to input a small amount of text.

As for XCode, it would definitely require a keyboard for that. Which would make this even cooler- the tablet could be used as a monitor.

However, I'm banking on Apple to screw this up by making it non-compatible with OSX applications. It will very likely run a version of the iPhone OS.

[Gravity Jim]

It's not about whether it's "a computer" or "a big iTouch," because it will be neither.

My money is on this guy's predictions. He's a digital advertising maven in San Francisco, brother of MikaMobile founder Noah Bordner, smart as hell and deep in the info-stream for this kind of thing.

http://www.anarchyintheui.com/

[c0re]

However, what good is a "pad" if you can't write on it? Handwriting and print go hand-in-hand, so how is this going to work out? When these patent filings popped up it was clear what the answer was.

The iPad will tell you're trying to write when you ball up your fist as if you had a pen in it and lay it on the screen. True story. And why the hell not? Handwriting recognition has never been high enough resolution on a touch screen to really simulate a pen and paper, so why bother trying to recreate the precision of a pen? This solution, like multi-touch interactions, will not come naturally the first time you pick up the device, but users are going to grow to love it. Mark my words, virtual pen input is going to be as common as pinch-and-pull multi-touch in the coming years, and Apple is going to be the pioneer in about a week.

Now this is so obvious ...

I didn't see it coming, but now it's perfectly clear to my mind :
Instead of using that painful virtual keyboard, we will be able to write what we want to type. Which is, technically, 10 times faster than typing on any virtual keyboard.

That would make perfect sense with Apple latest saying of "amazing new ways to interact".
Instant messengers, Web requests, articles, notepads, Contact calls, SMS, etc ... There are so many applications that would be so much faster to execute, and so much more natural.

That was so obvious ...

Thanks for the link.

[etoiles]

The tablet could redefine what a 'media center' is... not a clunky computer collecting dust bunnies next to your TV, but something you can move around the house, read magazines and books, use as a picture frame, access movies to play on your TV, music, play games. If there is a camera/mic, you can use it as a home phone.

Apple certainly won't try to compete with their other products, it is not going to be meant to be carried around all the time (iPhone) or do 'serious' work requiring a lot of typing (Mac Book).

Tomorrow will be an exciting day.

[Rocotilos]

The tablet could redefine what a 'media center' is... not a clunky computer collecting dust bunnies next to your TV, but something you can move around the house, read magazines and books, use as a picture frame, access movies to play on your TV, music, play games. If there is a camera/mic, you can use it as a home phone.

Apple certainly won't try to compete with their other products, it is not going to be meant to be carried around all the time (iPhone) or do 'serious' work requiring a lot of typing (Mac Book).

Tomorrow will be an exciting day.


I totally agree with you on the second paragraph. This new thing will be the thing you carry into meetings or school classes only. Something like a pad really.. and each "pad" would be able to share data with each other quickly.. graphs, images, cad drawings etc..

I just hope it will be based on iPhone SDK, so that we all iphone dev have longer future and broad coverage for our businesses. *crossing my fingers*:p

[MidianGTX]

It's not about whether it's "a computer" or "a big iTouch," because it will be neither.

My money is on this guy's predictions. He's a digital advertising maven in San Francisco, brother of MikaMobile founder Noah Bordner, smart as hell and deep in the info-stream for this kind of thing.

http://www.anarchyintheui.com/

I'm not sold on the name "iPad". He seems to think it's a sure bet but I don't think Apple would want a name so similar to iPod. A one-letter difference could confuse people who aren't totally up to date on gadgets and tech, a parent buying a Christmas present for example.

Oh, and this sounds horrible:

"The iPad will tell you're trying to write when you ball up your fist as if you had a pen in it and lay it on the screen. True story. And why the hell not?"

If I'm gonna be making that shape with my hand anyway, I'll just stick to using a pen. The idea of a touch screen is to simplify the gestures we have to make, no one would use one if you were forced to position your hand as though you were holding a mouse and control the cursor that way.

[HappyFuntime]

How can you not see PhotoShop running on a Tablet?

Haha, fair enough. That was a pretty bad example. I'm just saying there's a lot of desktop ui functionality that might be hard to replicate and make usable on the touch screen. Just think trying to touch through tons of little drop down menus with your big, meaty finger :)

[HappyFuntime]

I just hope it will be based on iPhone SDK, so that we all iphone dev have longer future and broad coverage for our businesses. *crossing my fingers*:p

I'm fairly certain this is gonna happen. Apple's got a good thing going with their App Store, they're not about to abandon it now.

[MindJuice]

It's not about whether it's "a computer" or "a big iTouch," because it will be neither.

My money is on this guy's predictions. He's a digital advertising maven in San Francisco, brother of MikaMobile founder Noah Bordner, smart as hell and deep in the info-stream for this kind of thing.

http://www.anarchyintheui.com/
Read the article. Nothing jumped out at me as new though. I've heard all those rumors before.

Hardware-wise though it sounds exactly like a big iPod Touch to me, which is what I expect to see tomorrow (although I hope they freshen the look a bit).

Even if the focus shifts to digital print & Kindle killing, I still expect that in general operation the UI will behave a lot like an iPod Touch, but hopefully with a better way to manage hundreds of applications (stacks? folders? something new?).

The other software features like handwriting recognition sound pretty plausible too, but it doesn't fundamentally change the device itself. It just gives it a killer app, which Apple always seems to manage to do.

It wasn't mentioned in the article, but I expect the resolution of this thing to be at least 1440x960 to keep it around 160-170 pixels per inch.

[Gravity Jim]

Read the article. Nothing jumped out at me as new though. I've heard all those rumors before.

I believe the author said that he was sorting out the existing rumors. AT this point, it would be impossible to make an "original" guess, unless one wanted to say that they thought the new Apple device would be a bathtub filled with multi-colored bicycles.

[Sinecure Industries]

I believe the author said that he was sorting out the existing rumors. AT this point, it would be impossible to make an "original" guess, unless one wanted to say that they thought the new Apple device would be a bathtub filled with multi-colored bicycles.

I thought our original post was fairly unique :o

[MindJuice]

I believe the author said that he was sorting out the existing rumors. AT this point, it would be impossible to make an "original" guess, unless one wanted to say that they thought the new Apple device would be a bathtub filled with multi-colored bicycles.
This is just a rumor, but I heard that the bicycles will come in the same colors as the iPod Nano, and in fact will have a Nano built in!

You heard it here first!

[EssentialParadox]

I'm just saying there's a lot of desktop ui functionality that might be hard to replicate and make usable on the touch screen. Just think trying to touch through tons of little drop down menus with your big, meaty finger :)
Well I personally believe that's why tablet computing has failed for so many years — Manufacturers just put Windows onto it — They're trying to put a keyboard/mouse operating system onto a touchscreen-controlled device.

…This is where Apple is different and does things right. They'll create a brand new system designed *specifically* for multi-touch controls. It's easy to think how difficult it would be navigating all the menus in Photoshop via touchscreen, but when you imagine the whole operating system, and all apps, including Photoshop, being completely redesigned from scratch, I think it could work. How about a tool palette docked on the left edge of the screen, with large icons, that is scrollable with a finger 'swish' like an iPhone menu? Or making a jar unscrewing motion to rotate? I think there is a ton of potential gestures and redesigns possible. I'm really excited to see what Apple and 3rd party developers do with it.

[etoiles]

bicycles? Don't be ridiculous... who needs two wheels and brakes, unicycles are much sleeker.

[davebaxter]

Here's a round-up of what mobile comic developers had to say about the heralded iTablet:

http://www.robotcomics.net/2010/01/bleeding-cool-asks-apple-itablet/

[MidianGTX]

I just posted in the Lounge topic but since you're all conversing here too...

http://modmyi.com/forums/iphone-news/698668-apple-tablet-confirmed-iphone-os-based-will-announced-tomorrow.html

Sounds like they're mainly pushing it as an e-book reader. All interest and excitement has now been thoroughly extinguished, I guess I'll go out and buy a tablet PC.

[greendestiny]

Put me down for three iBathBikes!

I hadn't read the speculation on the handwriting recognition before, sounds plausible. If it is launched with the device I think it'll blow peoples minds, but in reality it'll be slower and more annoying than just typing on a virtual keyboard.

I've developed for windows tablets in the past. If this iPad (nice name but it's too similar to iPod) is anything like a full windows tablet it'll completely fail. That whole formfactor has been tried and just about proven to be a waste of time about as comprehensively as it can be. It's kind of handy for artists, but why not just have an external wacom input?

I think the questions of price and mobile contracts are the most interesting thing to me. Will people embrace a more expensive device with yet another contract? We'll see I guess.

[HappyFuntime]

Yeah they could have a Photoshop tablet edition with a touch interface and gesture-based editing for like $19.99... :D that would be great.

[EssentialParadox]

I'm banking on Apple to screw this up by making it non-compatible with OSX applications. It will very likely run a version of the iPhone OS.
iPhone OS IS OS X. Whatever it runs, it's certain to run a version of OS X, so porting OS X applications should be quite easy.

I very much doubt Apple would outright let it run OS X software though, that would be horrible, like trying to browse desktop-centric websites on Safari on the iPhone. Bring on the Tablet App Store!

[c0re]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/is-this-the-apple-tablet/

[Flickitty]

iPhone OS IS OS X. Whatever it runs, it's certain to run a version of OS X, so porting OS X applications should be quite easy.

um no. porting isnt the right answer, neither is emulation. the iphone os only maintains compatibility and similarities at a low level- i cant swap applications between the two oses.

[ziotoo4]

Scott forstall just announced that it can run all iphone apps at double the size right out of the box.

That's great!

[TheSporkWithin]

Yeah they could have a Photoshop tablet edition with a touch interface and gesture-based editing for like $499.99... :D that would be great.

Fixed that for ya. :P

[ziotoo4]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/01/apple-creation-0253-rm-eng.jpg

whoawhoa...NOVA running on it ;)
seems cool!

[WellSpentYouth]

Scott forstall just announced that it can run all iphone apps at double the size right out of the box.

That's great!
So it can run iPhone apps at double the size, but there is still going to be a seperate SDK? Why can't we just make apps that can run on the iPad and then scale them down to the iPhone/iTouch? Is that what Apple is doing?

[MindJuice]

So it can run iPhone apps at double the size, but there is still going to be a seperate SDK? Why can't we just make apps that can run on the iPad and then scale them down to the iPhone/iTouch? Is that what Apple is doing?
They haven't said how that aspect will work yet, but the event is still ongoing. I expect to see a segment on the new SDK in a few minutes....or not.

I expect that you will be able to combine an iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad app into a single executable if you want, or you can tailor unique apps to each.

But that is just how I would do it if I designed the SDK.

[WellSpentYouth]

They haven't said how that aspect will work yet, but the event is still ongoing. I expect to see a segment on the new SDK in a few minutes.

I expect that you will be able to combine an iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad app into a single executable if you want, or you can tailor unique apps to each.

But that is just how I would do it if I designed the SDK.
Ok, kind of like making a game just for the iPhone or just for the 3G models of the iPhone. That sounds about right :)

The pricing doesn't make sense. They are charging $500 for a device with no service and $600 something for a device that you have to pay service with (although there is no contract)? Doesn't that go against the laws of cellular networks? It is always cheaper for a phone/data device with service... Although the iPad doesn't have a contract..

[MindJuice]

Ok, kind of like you can make a game just for the iPhone or just for the 3G models of the iPhone. That sounds about right :)

The pricing doesn't make sense. They are charging $500 for a device with no service and $600 something for a device that you have to pay service with (although there is no contract)? Doesn't that go against the laws of cellular networks? It is always cheaper for a phone/data device with service... Although the iPad doesn't have a contract..

You figured it out already. It's because there is no contract. Devices without contracts are always much more expensive.

For me, I just can't get that excited about the 3G part. I guess I am just not out and about enough that I'd be in the car and just HAVE TO download that new Miley Cyrus video, or download the New York Times RIGHT NOW. I'd normally download it at home, at work, or at a free WiFi hot spot. And I certainly wouldn't pay another $15-30/month for the data transfer when I already pay for it on my iPhone. I guess there must be a market for it though.

[MindJuice]

From the Apple website:

http://www.apple.com/ipad/sdk/

iPhone Developer Program Members have access to:

http://images.apple.com/ipad/sdk/images/sdk-iphone-sdk-beta-20100127.jpg iPhone SDK 3.2 beta

iPhone SDK 3.2 beta contains all the tools you need to start developing and optimizing iPhone OS applications for iPad.

http://images.apple.com/ipad/sdk/images/sdk-ipad-simulator-20100127.jpg iPad Simulator

The iPad Simulator lets you build and run your iPad application on your Mac, allowing you to lay out your user interface for the larger screen size, test your app’s memory usage, and shorten the debug cycle in the design process.


http://images.apple.com/ipad/sdk/images/sdk-ipad-programming-guide-20100127.jpg iPad Programming Guide

iPad provides new opportunities to create Multi-Touch iPhone OS applications on a larger display than ever. The iPad Programming Guide introduces new features available for iPad and how to implement those features in your applications.

http://images.apple.com/ipad/sdk/images/sdk-ipad-human-interface-guideline-20100127.jpg iPad Human Interface Guidelines

Design an incredible user interface and user experience for your iPad application by following the iPad Human Interface Guidelines. Learn how to effectively use the new views and controls available to you to deliver unforgettable applications to your customers.


http://images.apple.com/ipad/sdk/images/sdk-ipad-sample-code-20100127.jpg iPad Sample Code

Get started developing innovative universal applications for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch by downloading iPad sample code. Each sample code project is buildable and provides an example of how to accomplish a task for a specific technology.

http://images.apple.com/ipad/sdk/images/sdk-universal-applications-20100127.jpg Preparing Universal Applications

Developers can now start planning for universal applications, allowing them to take full advantage of the technologies found on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch with a single binary.

[WellSpentYouth]

You figured it out already. It's because there is no contract. Devices without contracts are always much more expensive.

For me, I just can't get that excited about the 3G part. I guess I am just not out and about enough that I'd be in the car and just HAVE TO download that new Miley Cyrus video, or download the New York Times RIGHT NOW. I'd normally download it at home, at work, or at a free WiFi hot spot. And I certainly wouldn't pay another $15-30/month for the data transfer when I already pay for it on my iPhone. I guess there must be a market for it though.

I agree, it makes no sense if you already have an iPhone with service, but I currently don't, so it sounds pretty good to me :)

[c0re]

Well, now we all look like morons with our high expectations :rolleyes:
But seriously, how can Apple have reached such a point of meh after the iPhone revolution ?

This tablet is nothing more of interest than a wide iPhone, which can't work on public transports because it's too big, and can't beat a home PC/Mac.

What's the freaking point, Apple ?

[GamerOutfit]

They talk about the SDK being available and a simulator but I see no such thing on the dev center? Personally I'd like to play with the simulator even though the product isn't super exciting.

[bryanmitchell]

Can we make sure the price point for iPad Games is not 99c, and closer to $9.99?

[GamerOutfit]

Can we make sure the price point for iPad Games is not 99c, and closer to $9.99?
Only if they disallow people to submit 99 cent apps; otherwise, the practice is illegal at least in the US.

[Flickitty]

epic 'meh'.

looks like i'm buying another Tablet PC. i can install OS X onto that.

[Eli]

Only if they disallow people to submit 99 cent apps; otherwise, the practice is illegal at least in the US.

What.

[greendestiny]

So what do the people who were right win?

Actually I'm kind of disappointed - the specs are exactly what I thought but the device is fatter and with a large ugly black border. Also the app doubling sounds crap. No multitasking isn't a big surprise but its a big let down. The price points and lack of contract if you do want 3g is nice.

[GamerOutfit]

What.

You can't price fix in the US. If the App Store allows apps to be sold at 99 cents (or for free,) you can't collude to fix the price for apps higher than that. The only "real" way to not sell apps at 99 cents would be for them to not be available at 99 cents in the first place. I'm not a lawyer and maybe you could figure a way around it, but I'd rather not tread in that territory personally.

Take for example this excerpt from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_fixing) on the subject:
Colluding on price amongst competitors, also known as horizontal price fixing, is viewed as a per se violation of the Sherman Act regardless of the market impact or alleged efficiency of the action. In August 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that vertical price fixing by a manufacturer and its retailers, also known as retail price maintenance, is not a per se violation.

[MindJuice]

They talk about the SDK being available and a simulator but I see no such thing on the dev center? Personally I'd like to play with the simulator even though the product isn't super exciting.
Because it is a beta, you have to login and accept an agreement before you can see it and download it.

[MindJuice]

Only if they disallow people to submit 99 cent apps; otherwise, the practice is illegal at least in the US.
Apple can make any price limits they want. 99 cents is the current price limit. If there was anything illegal about imposing a limit, then a 99 cent limit would be just as illegal as a $9.99 limit.

[GamerOutfit]

Because it is a beta, you have to login and accept an agreement before you can see it and download it.

Ah, gotcha. See that now. Thanks much.