Top three Apple iSlate predictions
Here are my my top three (speculative) game-changing features that Apple's rumored iSlate/iTablet will include when CEO Steve Jobs presumably launches on Jan. 27.
1) It will offer some type of unique three-dimensional or at least multitouch interface and experience that goes beyond what's currently available on the iPhone. (See my earlier blog post on one of Apple's latest patent filings on 3D tech.)
Why do I think this? Because Apple's not the kind of company to be content with simply "scaling up" their Tablet to simply be a larger iPhone, or a clunky finger-swiping iteration of its OSX/Leopard environment. When they enter a category, they play to change it completely.
2) It will offer cloud-based computing in a way that will be a big step for Apple. It will be able to stream more and more content and you'll be able to sync it with various Apple applications and perhaps even non-Apple apps.
3) I predict it will come embedded with some type of sophisticated image-recognition software system, where you can use the camera for various tasks, such as searching for objects you photograph and looking for information connected to the object online. (Not sure what I mean? Take a look at LookThatUp.com, by LTU Technologies -- a French company that one of Apple's product engineers used to work at.) Perhaps you might even be able to use the camera as a virtual joystick for controlling actions and apps on the Tablet.
What do you think? Follow my tweets at @gussent.
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Comments
I am so looking forward to I-whatevertheycallit. It has been a long time coming. I am a major fan of apple products. I am a Verizon Wireless customer therefore I cannot use the IPhone but was soooo close to purchasing a "netbook" this holiday season, but could not put myself up to allowing a "bill box" in my home. Where can I sign up for my ISlate?
Posted by: daria | January 6, 2010 1:34 PM
Sounds very expensive. I hope all your predictions come true because if they don't it would be just an expensive netbook without a hardware keyboard. I see issues with the portability of such a gadget. Where would you carry it?
I believe the real innovations will be in the iSlate's UI and software, not necessarily its hardware. -gs
Posted by: Hugo Ochoa | January 6, 2010 1:37 PM
has anyone explored the moral implication of this new technology? stephen billings has a great piece up on christwire about this thing.
Posted by: thicke | January 6, 2010 8:24 PM
Gus - I think you're spot on. The best part will be when all of those predictions come true and there will be something else that just blows us out of the water.
Posted by: bryanintowson | January 7, 2010 9:30 AM
It appears that HP has a device coming out called the Slate. Do you think that's a deliberate attempt to steal some of Apple's thunder?
Posted by: Phillip Davis | January 11, 2010 10:39 PM
I think all of those tablet PC designs released at CES are missing the point. They're focused mostly on content consumption (reading e-books, watching video, etc.) The killer tablet design is to be able to consume AND create content, and that's what Apple is probably going to reveal to make it a real show stopper rather than release just another me-too tablet. Check out my article "The End of an Era" in the Jan. 15 issue of ComputorEdge (www.computoredge.com) or http://webserver.computoredge.com/online.mvc.
Posted by: bothecat | January 19, 2010 7:55 PM
I think you are right on, and I do believe the best name for Apples newest creation should be the iSlate
Posted by: C.G. Smith | January 20, 2010 5:08 PM
I don't believe your predictions will come true. It sounds like you are describing Google Goggles on number 3. Apple has had problems with cloud based services and wouldn't dare hurt their iTunes franchise with a cloud based version. And of course it will be multitouch. I think everything Apple makes from here on out if multitouch. And I hope they don't name it iSlate. It is too easy to mock (Apple is late).
Posted by: GtoG | January 21, 2010 4:16 PM