Thread: Throw it all away | Integrated Solution Almost Here

so what. Slates have been around for a long time.

I have had tablets for quite a few years. And for pretty much anyone, a tablet is more practicle than a slate. I can program on my tablet, take typed notes. Then twist the screen and you can draw, take notes for engineering classes, sign documents, or whatever.

Judging on the price, it is just going to be a netbook with no keyboard.

keyboards on netbooks have always sucked anyways. Apple's interface has always set them apart; both in devices and operating systems. Prior to the iphone, was there anything remotely comparable, until all the clones came out?

I am open minded, I just don't see what could not be accomplished by a device such as this, in the context of being inside a vehicle. Obviously, tasks suck as programming would not be a standard criteria for the average person looking for an interface for their car... then again most people probably wouldn't bother with a computer-like device in their car at all ;-)

Much of this rests on the actual capabilities of the device, but if one were to assume it had all the functions and more of an iphone, with a larger screen (of course considering all the vast hackery out there)... what would be left?

Originally Posted by jungledesign

keyboards on netbooks have always sucked anyways. Apple's interface has always set them apart; both in devices and operating systems. Prior to the iphone, was there anything remotely comparable, until all the clones came out?

How about anything that HTC made for the decade before hand? I've had touchscreen smartphones for 8yrs+ now and I was not an early adopter. They work just as well and I would argue better.

Originally Posted by jungledesign

I am open minded, I just don't see what could not be accomplished by a device such as this, in the context of being inside a vehicle.

Then why not use one of the Fujitsu slates that already have transflective optically bonded screens that have been around for years? Or if you want a resistive screen any of the slates you can find and many for less than $300...

Originally Posted by jungledesign

Obviously, tasks suck as programming would not be a standard criteria for the average person looking for an interface for their car... then again most people probably wouldn't bother with a computer-like device in their car at all ;-)

Apple isnt marketing this to the CarPC community, it is to the general public. There is a reason why nobody really uses slates, they are an akward bridge between what people need/want, that other devices have for the most part already filled better. Well sonic uses them and he uses it for his CarPC too But that is not a vast market lol.

Originally Posted by jungledesign

Much of this rests on the actual capabilities of the device, but if one were to assume it had all the functions and more of an iphone, with a larger screen (of course considering all the vast hackery out there)... what would be left?

If it had all the features of the iphone, then it would still be extremely lacking in the feature department. Add that you dont need to hack an x86 device since it runs any OS you want, and basically you have a shiny expensive slate. There is absolutely nothing new or revolutionary about this or the iphone. Only sheep believe that crap.

haha well said

2k1's bias against Macs aside, how about we wait to see whether Apple actually delivers a tablet or slate or whatever it is first? You're linking to a post from last August.

And 2k1 is right - there are already tablets out there and it is extremely unlikely that Apple will deliver one with more features or one that is more advanced that the ones that are already available.

Although I am an unabashed Mac fan, the thought of using the iPhone interface in my car makes me shudder. Mainly because people keep posting and saying that it is some kind of grand and glorious nirvana for in car use. Rubbish. It requires the user to look at and concentrate on the interface to operate. It also requires a great deal more hand/eye coordination than it appears because while the gestures are intuitive, you don't notice how much concentration they require.

I'm interested in Apple's take on the tablet because what they usually deliver is some type of interface and user experience that improves the downsides of a certain class of device. They often reinvent existing technology in an innovative way. But I highly doubt that an Apple tablet will be the replacement for an in car pc.

heres a more current link for ya-- posted today.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/201...-update2-.html

my take on this: i used to appreciate apple for taking the different approach on things, but after the way they started locking down the iphone/touch os (i think it is a very micro$oft type move), and if this new device is just going to be another locked down, larger screen itouch, i am not too interested.

i think that their user interfaces are nicely designed, and are easy to operate, when all of your attention is focused on the device. in a car environment, the buttons on all of their stuff is just too small to easily press without thinking.

Agreed, but that's really not any different from the way Apple has done business in the past. My experience in anticipating an Apple product is that:

1. It will cost more than you think it should
2. It will have fewer features/capabilities than you thought it would
3. If it is successful, you will not be able to believe people are actually buying it
4. You will be better off waiting to buy an older one or hold out until the newer one comes along

Remember, they dropped the price of the iPhone by $200 to get the sales figures they wanted to get. There were a ton of people who paid way more for the iPhone than they needed to.

I remain solidly in the Apple camp based on my satisfaction with their products and software, but they are far from perfect - particularly for the car.

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

so what. Slates have been around for a long time.
I have had tablets for quite a few years. And for pretty much anyone, a tablet is more practicle than a slate. I can program on my tablet, take typed notes. Then twist the screen and you can draw, take notes for engineering classes, sign documents, or whatever.

Not to go off topic but a slate(what I have) is a tablet and so is a "Convertible" slate (what you have). And personally tablet were never meant for the general populace, it was a niche market and always will be. Tablet sales and acceptance suffered miserably from Microsoft mandating hardware requirements for Tablet XP OS, i.e., many manufacturers dropped out rather than cower to Microsoft. And those that stuck around quit R&D for future and existing innovation after the Tablet XP debacle. I was working with two manufacturers on dual input systems (touch and pen) and after the Tablet XP spec was released they both dropped the project cause the spec wouldn't allow for the touch input mode.

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Then why not use one of the Fujitsu slates that already have transflective optically bonded screens that have been around for years? Or if you want a resistive screen any of the slates you can find and many for less than $300... There is a reason why nobody really uses slates, they are an akward bridge between what people need/want, that other devices have for the most part already filled better. Well sonic uses them and he uses it for his CarPC too But that is not a vast market lol.

I think you might have meant me here.

Back on topic, I agree Apple is an innovator and their marketing team is top-notch. So I can't wait to see what twists to the "tablet" genre they have planned. I'm not a MAC fan, but if it will push the Intel-based tablet makers to begin innovating again, I'm all for it! I just hope the marketin side of the company gets the right spin on the tablet niche to broaden more of the general public to accept slates/convertibles as viable alternatives to Netbooks and notebooks. I love mine! - Never leave home without it.

The general public's perception is what needs changing. There is nothing I can't do with my slate and when docked, it rivals any desktop and a whole lot more comfortable than typing on a cramp netbook or notebook (my wireless keyboard lets me kick back away from the screen). If the marketing for slates had been more focused on how they are as desktops that you can also take with you, I think the public would have responded more favorably.

Unfortunately, the longer Apple makes us wait, the higher the expectations. And expectations are already higher, in my opinion, than they can meet.

Originally Posted by GizmoQ

Unfortunately, the longer Apple makes us wait, the higher the expectations. And expectations are already higher, in my opinion, than they can meet.

that seems to hold true with any new electronic device these days.

kind of related-- on the news, they just showed that google unveiled its own android based phone-- maybe this one will give the iphone a run for its money? the way i understand it, some of these newer android based phones are at the very least, hot on apples heels (it depends on who you talk to)...