I'm surprised nobody's waded in yet with any opinions on the rampant speculation concerning Steve Jobs' new miracle vapour(hard)ware the iSlate.

My thoughts? For what they're worth: (obvious speculation warning)

Will be like a scaled up iTouch (no prizes there), as in won't be running a fully functioning version of Snow Leopard but will run some sort of iPhoneOS variant. It can't just BE the iPhoneOS, because frankly everything would be at a silly size.

I'm inclined to believe Apple will have got new content ready, perhaps from magazines, texbooks, e-ebooks generally, comics maybe considering Disney bought out DC comics not too long ago - something that won't fit on a small screen. (alongside the usual fare of movies/music/whatever)

There's a lot of buzz about a shiny new interface method, but frankly I'm too behind the curve in such matters, so I'm plumping for "that's just wild speculation" for now, as its the lazy, easy option for me.

The screen size will be based on the output resolution of iTunes LP (i forget the numbers), on a screen that will have a pixel density similar but slightly improved from the iTouchy breed.



Things I'd like (but aren't particularly convinced about)

Colour e-ink screen with a refresh rate able to handle video.

Decent enough battery life but not too bulky or heavy. (I suspect it'll struggle to get 5 or 6 hours of constant bright use)

Any more for any more?

It's essentially confirmed that it will be running a scaled up version of the iPhone OS.

Reading anything on the device won't make it successful. After all, the major draw for the Kindle and such is portability and the eink screen. You don't have to recharge it for days, and it isn't back lit, thus being easy on the eyes.

I think it will be extremely successful initially because, OMG, it's an Apple product. Then it'll fade into obscurity, like the Apple TV, where only a few techy folks will genuinely enjoy the product. It's too big to be really portable like an iPhone, and it's too low powered to be a replacement for a proper laptop.

>_>

http://forums.massassi.net/vb3/showthread.php?t=56190

I personally don't want it to be a tablet computer but would rather it be some sort of eReader, as I think the market for eReaders is greater than tablets. People have a laptop, MP3 player, and/or a smartphone. What purpose would a tablet serve?

I don't understand all of the commotion around eReaders. Sure it's got some new bells and whistles, but it just seems like another unnecessary gadget. Couldn't you just use a phone or laptop to read a book?

I've been using a WM device and iSilo to read books since 2003. TREMENDOUS SAVINGS!

What Martyn I made this thread and you posted on it

GODDAMN WINE

It's all for the e-ink. Being able to read for hours without feeling like your eyes are being burned out of their skull is excellent.

Yeah, I saw a link on Ars Technica about a company, "pixel3D" or something, who have colour e-ink. Looks promising.

Ditto. That and only having to charge my Kindle like once a month is kinda nice.

Well if the iFish turns out to be LCD I'm spending some pennies on a Kindle.

Nooooo If it really is just a larger version of the iPhone OS its a no sale, unless we get mulitple apps open at the same time, tablet versions of the software and a few other miracles. If it really does limit this down to iPhone OS with little extras im buying a tablet PC laptop.

Speaking of tablet PCs HP showed off a pretty dope looking one at CES yesterday

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/hp-touchsmart-tm2-convertible-tablet-slims-down-and-spruces-up/

HP and Lenovo have both been going ****in balls out this CES ... Lenovo's Snapdragon hybrid netbook/slate tablet is pretty awesome too

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/lenovo-ideapad-u1-hybrid-hands-on-and-impressions/

I will be waiting for this
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/06/live-from-steve-ballmers-ces-2010-keynote/

The Courier looked like a great product and looks nice and its not just a tablet PC, i dont it just looks like something I would be happy carrying around, I know i keep going on about it but I really really want to use SketchBook Pro (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=6848332)

Its the only reason I want a tablet and some one this year will get some money out of me for that reason. At the moment I have my 17" Macbook Pro and a 12" Wacom Cintiq and its a little too much to carry around if I want to do and cartoons.

Don't forget the ISlam:p

The Courier is not a Microsoft product, Steve Ballmer has explicitly said they didn't make it. And as you can see, nothing of the sort there.

I meant this
http://gizmodo.com/5365299/courier-first-details-of-microsofts-secret-tablet

That what I really wanted, but never mind.

The one Ballmer showed at CES was a bit pap. The whole thing was pretty meh. All the background stuff reminded me of that photoshop of MS' attempt at iPod packaging.

So did I. It's not a Microsoft product.

Umm, actually the Courier concept has been rumored to be a Microsoft product, much like the Xbox and Zune... It's all just rumors and speculation of course, so no one's really sure what's true, but I wouldn't just up and say "It's not a Microsoft product" until it's revealed concretely that an OEM's producing it and not Microsoft.

*edit*

And yeah, Ballmer said they weren't going into that market, but CEOs say lots of **** and then turn around on it a year later. Of course, there's also a high chance that this thing will never get made anyway. It's all just a bunch of rumor and speculation that people got over excited about.

How many times do I have to say that Ballmer specifically said that they didn't make that? As in the Courier itself, as in named specifically when asked, point blank. It was in the Engadget show a while back.

Which is pretty much what I said in the second part of my post...

For those that are interested in a "realistic" prediction for Apple's tablet I'd suggest reading this.

Also, I wouldn't get a Kindle. Right now, the nook looks far better, and the speed issues are apparently being patched. The nook not only is just a better all around device, the store is also much, much larger (and has many free books).

There's companies in Japan that have been making color e-ink displays for a few years now. Problem is they're exceedingly expensive and incredibly difficult to manufacture. Color e-ink readers in japan are around $1,000