Apple iSlate is upon us?

[Sheep]

I'm still not convinced the world needed a device somewhere between an iPod Touch and a MacBook that won't work as well as either of those products in their respective niches (too big to replace a Touch and not enough to replace a full-on laptop).

All this has going for it is the show-off factor, which means it'll probably sell by the boatload.

 

[mswood]

Well the main thing I want is a video/music/reader that I can take around the house and basically watch (read) in any position (something that note/net books don't allow and that smart phones and the such aren't large enough for). I hate setting up to read or watch media, I have to do that for 9.5 hours at work I want to be able to relax and enjoy my media.

I Mean hell I almost spent 200 on just a black and white book reader.

I mean the 60 gigs of comics I own would look great on something like this, thats a huge huge plus for me.

Has it stands now (with what I have seen) I would drop 800 for it (a ggrand would be hit and miss (I probably would but I would probably wait a month or two longer.

 

[Data Holmes]

I'm still not convinced the world needed a device somewhere between an iPod Touch and a MacBook that won't work as well as either of those products in their respective niches (too big to replace a Touch and not enough to replace a full-on laptop).

All this has going for it is the show-off factor, which means it'll probably sell by the boatload.

It will be interesting if, as Brent said above, this is just the start of the "pad" era of technology. Every step has needed that first shot which started the move, this could be it.


Fox Business is covering this and the guy hosting their coverage made an interesting point, that Jobs is really pitching a lot of watching video with this and he wonders if AppleTV is going to come into play with this device. And if cable companies are watching this.

 

[TheBrew]

I would pay 400-600 for this, tops. At 1000, I might as well buy a MacBook.

 

[mswood]

Seriously out of the gate I didn't expect the first lap top to be the end all of laptop design, same with mp3 players, or smart phones, ect.

YOu expect that each company (including the original one) will improve those designs making them cheaper and more functional.

 

[Brent]

I heard HP is making a Win7 slate to compete with this... IMO that would be more functional, since it would be able to do pen writting on the tablet, and support things like Flash.

So, I firmly believe this may be the shot in the arm that starts the PAD era, but it may not be the best option. There may be others that match or best the iPad.

At any rate, Apple is known for making things pretty, and they make an appealing product here, but in typical form it lacks some features that others may build upon and support.

I do think it is physically appealing though.

 

[Data Holmes]

Ok, so if we take the business model of the iPod, the iPhone, and other apple products anyone want to predict the future of this run?

I see a shift about 6 months to a year off of sale release, with a major price drop and the addition of at least one if not two larger memory units. A software update around the time the major competitors come out, offering flash and a handwriting to text conversion app. Then about two years out e see the next model of iPad come out outfitted with larger processor, more memory, perhaps a built in camera, and built in 4g network connection to allow cell based internet connection as well as wifi, combined with the lowering of the price of the now "basic" model of the iPad we are seeing now, and the addition of perhaps a larger screened iPad as well.

 

[Brent]

Ok, so if we take the business model of the iPod, the iPhone, and other apple products anyone want to predict the future of this run?

I see a shift about 6 months to a year off of sale release, with a major price drop and the addition of at least one if not two larger memory units. A software update around the time the major competitors come out, offering flash and a handwriting to text conversion app. Then about two years out e see the next model of iPad come out outfitted with larger processor, more memory, perhaps a built in camera, and built in 4g network connection to allow cell based internet connection as well as wifi, combined with the lowering of the now "basic" model of the iPad we are seeing now, and the addition of perhaps a larger screened iPad as well.

hehe, that sounds right about right!

 

[Brent]

So there will be 3G models - 250MB of data a month for $14.99 and an unlimited plan for just $29.99 a month, all unlocked, no contracts

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

I heard HP is making a Win7 slate to compete with this... IMO that would be more functional, since it would be able to do pen writting on the tablet, and support things like Flash.

So, I firmly believe this may be the shot in the arm that starts the PAD era, but it may not be the best option. There may be others that match or best the iPad.

At any rate, Apple is known for making things pretty, and they make an appealing product here, but in typical form it lacks some features that others may build upon and support.

I do think it is physically appealing though.

Yup, it's called the HP Slate, they showed it about two weeks ago. It runs a FULL Windows 7 on it:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/the-hp-slate/

Also, Apple announced $500 bucks for 16GB, 600 for 32GB, 700 for 64GB... not quite the rumored awful price point. COnsidering how gimped it is as a 10 inch tablet, it should be a little cheaper but it's at least semi-respectable.

 

[Brent]

So iPad pricing starts at $499

 

[mswood]

A lot cheaper then many people thought Apple would offer, alot.

 

[Data Holmes]

So iPad pricing starts at $499

And now we see who they are targeting... This is the netbook killer. They are targeting that "snack" market which lies between full blown computer and pocket electronics like the cellphone and mp3 player.

 

[mswood]

So cheapest model at near the price of the first iphone (minus of course the contract and monthly fees).

 

[mswood]

It's going to sell like mad. For Apple and unbelievable starting price.

 

[Data Holmes]

It's going to sell like mad. For Apple and unbelievable starting price.

Indeed, many apple fans were hoping for a price range around $800. This thing will be the new apple "it thing" next xmas.

 

[Brent]

So cheapest model at near the price of the first iphone (minus of course the contract and monthly fees).

3G model starts at $629 though, this would be the one I'd be interested in, I like the fact the 3G connection has no contracts, unlocked, and $15 price for 250MB data plan

 

[Data Holmes]

Jobs says that the 3g will ship in 90 days, is that from release or from today?

 

[Samurai8472]

Looks like a giant iphone.

 

[Data Holmes]

a keyboard dock, that's interesting...