Previews of the Apple tablet
We're just hours away from the introduction of the Apple tablet, a product that will revolutionize e-readers, save newspapers, rebuild Haiti and return the Baltimore Orioles to the World Series. Or something like that.
I understand the hype surrounding the iSlate/iPad/iWhatever launch on Wednesday. Steve Jobs' uber-cool products have fantastic design and great features. Consumers pay more for Apple products, but devotees are happy to do that. (I faced some Apple snobbery in my family recently, as we discussed buying new phones. The problem with the Droid, offered through our Verizon service, seemed to be simply that it was not an iPhone, and that using it would create a lingering sense of un-Appleness that could prove fatal.) Here's what folks are saying about the Apple tablet:
New York Times -- It will run all the applications of the iPhone and iPod Touch, have a persistent wireless connection over 3G cellphone networks and Wi-Fi, and will be built with a 10-inch color display, allowing newspapers, magazines and book publishers to deliver their products with an eye to the design that had grabbed readers in print.
CNET -- Apple could launch a streaming-music service at the tablet event, but as I reported last week, Apple has yet to sign any licensing deals for a streaming offering with the four largest recording companies, and my music industry sources say that hasn't changed as of Tuesday afternoon.
Reuters -- Wall Street will pay particular attention to the tablet's price tag. If it is closer to $1,000 than $600, analysts say it will be tougher to convince consumers to buy. Apple could offer it under carrier-subsidized plans -- Verizon Wireless is frequently mentioned -- which might help take the bite out of the purchase price.
PC -- History aside, if much of what we've heard about this tablet is true, I find it hard to imagine how Apple will be able to sell the device for less than $799. A 10-inch OLED screen should be a great power-saver, but is easily the most expensive display technology around.
Forbes -- It means that when consumers watch TV shows and movies, they could potentially be able to do more than just play, pause and stop. When viewing an episode of TV's Mad Men, for example, consumers could tap on objects, such as Don Draper's hat, to get more information about the items and where to buy them.
Comments
For me the iPhone is about the ecosystem. I like that I can purchase content 1 time and move it anywhere(pc/mac/portable/living room) The others don't do that yet. The table would need to be around $600 for me to even consider it. It also needs to either include 3G or don't force it. I don't want another $30 a month charge. I would like to see an Apple subscription service to the TV content. I would pay $30 if I could dump cable TV.
Posted by: Ed | January 26, 2010 8:35 PM
My husband and I have had iPhones since July 2008 and the reason we got them then (and the reason we still love them now) is that the iPhone really is a little computer in your hand. We're looking at other options for when our contract with ATT expires this summer, but we really love the functionality of the iPhone, not just the apps and the "iPhone-ness".
I will be curious to see the price point on the tablet. I would love one, but I expect that I would use it primarily in my home since I will still want something smaller for mobile email and internet. It's not worth it to me if it's a close to $1,000 device. At that point, I would just rather buy a netbook.
Although my husband does say, that if it guarantees to return the Orioles to the World Series, we'll buy 10!
Posted by: Beth | January 27, 2010 9:47 AM
Well, it really seems weird, firstly many dint like the name, ipad, and then the design with a large bezel and to blow it up, no camera or flash or multitask support, seems like a major setback for steve jobs, or did we expect too much?
Posted by: Rash | January 28, 2010 9:17 PM