Posted on 11/10/2009 1:23:55 PM PST by Swordmaker
If you've only been half paying attention, you probably think that the Apple Tablet is a done deal.
It isn't. Outside the impervious hallways of One Infinite Loop, the tablet remains a technological unicorn -- a mythical beast whose beauty, elegance and singularity we can only imagine.
Wired.com is among the vast majority of publications which fervently believes, however. We have found supporting evidence in all manner of tea leaves, including the decision by Apple to allow iPhone developers to create free apps that can be platforms to charge for something.
This is probably just a way of porting the shareware model to mobile. But a free shop window would also be a perfect way for publishers, we argued, to offer readers the same chance to sample content.
Apple admits nothing, of course. In a recent meeting with media executives, including some from Wired's parent company, Condé Nast, attendees were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, participants told Wired.com. Despite this precaution, the word "tablet" was never uttered -- indeed, hardware wasn't even discussed.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
CNN fantasy Ping!
Tablet is side show to the original CNN article which is the epitome of Apple fanboyism. It doesn’t get any better than that
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(Confession: I still have a Newton -- and even an iMate...)
The Newton family was too far ahead of the hardware of its day -- especially display technology.
Even with the limited computing power available, the fact that the Newton "learned the user" (instead of the user learning the machine -- i.e. a new "alphabet" like Palm) was a true look into the future. And, with all today's advances in hardware and software to build on, this just may BE "the future"...
Few folks ever caught on that the Newton was the Star Trek Communicator and "TriCorder" -- combined... A young fellow who worked for me (also the one who introduced me to Newton) had that Star Trek "flip of the wrist" opening motion down pat. His Newton would come out of its holster, be "flipped open" (with the cover latched to the backside) and be taking notes in he blink of an eye. That slight bulge in the width of the Newton and the cover hinge were designed to work together -- specifically for that purpose. It was not terribly significant, but (like most things Apple) it represented a lot of very carefully thought-out industrial/human interface design...
With today's computing power and hardware advances, even the Newton could be an amazing "companion/tool".
My guess is that whatever Apple comes out with this time will truly change the behavior of millions: it will simply be that well thought-out and capable...
The Newton was no "POS"; it taught Apple tons about what to do (and what not to do) when hardware capability finally caught up with its design mastery and human vision...
Intended to copy you on #23...
The Newton was an attempted Palm, IIRC. It looked like something I’d only approach with a 10-foot stick.
I was a Macaholic from 84-2000, when I let my new wife and daughter plead me into a Windows ME. Currently running xp. It's OK, but every once in awhile I hear the siren's song.
You are full of _ _ it...
Hey! That wasn't nice. I never said it was a POS, just that I didn't like it. I have no illusions of being an arbiter about things that are matters of individual taste. From what I recall at the time, it was advanced, but also too expensive for me and ahead of the enabling technology, which is why some do call it a POS.
Should have explained that, at least, the Newton and Palm were contemporaries, and that I doubt that either got much inspiration from the other...
I ask your forgiveness...
:^)
(You got it!)
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