(via MacVideo)
Q. Will it run Mac OS X?
A. We don't think so. It's more likely to run a variation on the iPhone and iPod touch software. Of course, this is all based on OS X but in terms of visually identifiable features and core functionality we expect it to be more like an iPhone than a MacBook.
Although the lack of full Mac OS X may be disappointing to some, we imagine the iPhone interface to be a much better fit for a touch screen device. And if the CPU is relatively lightweight running iPhone software quickly would be more appropriate than running Mac OS X slowly.
Q. Will you be able to install Mac software?
A. Again, we think it's more likely to be akin to an iPod touch or iPhone than a MacBook, so we'd expect it to be able to run iPod touch and iPhone software, but not Mac OS X software (although rumour has pointed to Apple testing a device that runs all Mac software).
We expect software to be downloaded from the iTunes Store in the form of apps. Apple has too much invested in the iTunes ecosystem to move back to allowing third-party installation of software.
Having said that, if Apple does produce a device more powerful than an iPhone or iPod touch, and with a pen-input screen it would be a shame not to be able to run really high-end software such as Photoshop. Although we imagine if the Tablet is successful, companies such as Adobe will code specific versions for the device.
Q. What about Apple’s own software?
A. Again, we don't know. The presence of iMovie, iPhoto, and GarageBand would make for a much more interesting device. Even more so if it ran Final Cut Express and Logic Express alongside pen-based input. Much of this depends on how powerful the device is, which in turn would affect the price (more on that later). We’re sure these are questions Apple’s thought long and hard about.
Q. What about other media?
Recent Apple patents show that Apple is considering an all-encompassing digital publishing arm to iTunes that pushes digital versions of books, magazines, newspapers, alongside the current offering of television shows, podcasts, and films. Current ebooks aren't powerful enough to handle this kind of versatility, and laptops aren't handheld. A tablet would be necessary to bring about this kind of digital revolution.
The Apple Tablet could take on both the ebooks and netbooks at the same time, while simultaneously enabling Apple to push forward the iTunes store into new areas.
Of course, we fully expect the device to run all media sold in the iTunes Store such as movies, TV shows, and music.
Q. Will you be able to multi-task between apps?
A. We certainly hope so. Mind you, we're hoping for this functionality soon on the iPhone as well.
Q. What other controls will there be?
A. Much depends on the design. It could feature the home button, volume controls, and sleep/wake up button from the iPhone. We're not sure how much sense these make on a tablet device, especially the Home button which really is to enable you to traverse between apps without the presence of multi-tasking or a dock. In some ways changes to the physical design depend on how much is changed to the interface design.
Q. What will the interface look like?
A. Macworld has mocked up iPhones to a 9 and 10in screen and you'd be surprised how big and ungainly the regular iPhone interface looks when oversized. Especially the keyboard (which we'll come to next). So we wouldn't be surprised to find a redesigned and slightly different interface.
Something between an iPhone and Mac interface would be likeable, although we don't think the multiple windows and Menu bar style-design of Mac OS X would sit comfortably on such a small screen. We're imagining an iPhone style interface with a vastly improved virtual keyboard.
Q. Will it have a physical keyboard?
A. Almost certainly not. That would make it a laptop or netbook and Apple has referred to netbooks as "junky" because they have cramped keyboards.
Q. What will the virtual keyboard be like?
A. The iPhone / iPod touch keyboard is designed to work effectively in a small space. If you size it up in Photoshop it suddenly looks a tad ridiculous with too many gaps and not enough keys. If it has a virtual keyboard we expect it to be a bit more similar to the regular Mac keyboard.
Having said that, we doubt if you'll find it an effective enough replacement for the physical keys on the MacBook. Whatever else the Tablet may be amazing at, we doubt if it'll be good for intensive text-based work (such as writing up papers, or articles such as this one). For that sort of work you’d be better off investing in a MacBook.
A patent for the Apple Tablet keyboard
Q. Any other interface tricks?
A. Patents point to a device that will recognise pen input, as well as finger input. This will transform image editing apps and ensure that more detailed work is a possibility. But whether this translates to handwriting recognition is another matter. Apple introduced handwriting recognition on the Newton (the project Steve Jobs famously canned immediately upon his return to Apple). Handwriting recognition was commonplace on PDAs, but was never really accurate enough to be a beginner-proof system (you really had to learn special squiggles to get it working effectively).
Update: One of the patents has handwriting recognition manager on it it, so maybe it will have handwriting recognition after all.
Q. Will the interface be haptic?
A. This Apple patent shows Apple is clearly looking at haptic feedback for the next iteration of iPhone, so the inclusion of haptic tech in the tablet would be a good differentiating factor.
We've seen more haptic interfaces appearing on other mobile phones, so it may be that Apple introduces this technology. Haptic feedback, incidentally, is the small buzzing sensation that some screens make when you touch them.
Well implemented haptic technology has the ability to simulate the real feel of keys. It has been suggested that the technology can be implemented at a much better level than currently displayed by market devices, and that it can simulate the real texture of physical buttons on a virtual screen.
Q. What if I like the touch of real keys?
A. Then perhaps a MacBook may be really more for you. One thing this device really isn't going to be (or at least isn't by all accounts) is a low-cost MacBook. If you want a MacBook but can’t afford one, we suggest looking for an old model on eBay, or checking Apple’s refurb store rather than place your hopes on this device.
Q. Any other special features?
A. Even though there aren't any rumours, we're expecting this device to feature an iSight and be capable of video chat.
Q. Will it have a camera?
A. We don't know. The device seems a little large to act as a regular camera, but the ability to run more powerful image-editing software on it would make a camera an appealing inclusion. Then again, the more features Apple puts in; the greater the price will be.
Q. What about GPS?
A. We're not really sure but it's unlikely. It could make use of Location Services via WiFi triangulation though, so you should still be able to tag items with location information.
Q. How much will it cost?
A. Most reports place it between $800 and $1,000. The easiest way to do a comparison to the UK is to look at a product that is $800 in the US (the 2.53GHz Mac mini), and a $1,000 product (the white MacBook); then check the corresponding prices in the UK.
So that would give it a price between £650 and £800. To our minds even a £650 price seems a tad high, although we certainly wouldn't rule out a device with an initial premium price point. Anybody who remembers how expensive the iPhone was at launch (or for that matter the original iPod ($400) can testify that Apple starts off high, and works its way down the consumer food chain.
There have also been rumours that the inclusion of an OLED screen will push the price even higher, up to the $1,500 mark (£1,199). Mind you, other reports have put the price at between $500 and $700 (approximately £400). This would put it between the iPhone and MacBook, which is where we expect it to sit.
Q. So where does this leave the rumoured MacNetBook?
A. It's worth noting that Apple's refrain from creating cheap laptops with low profit margins has been rewarded financially. On 19 Oct 2009 Apple reported record Mac sales and a $1.67b quarterly profit.
Whatever your stance on netbooks (and most people, understandably, want cheaper laptops not more expensive ones) they haven't been particularly profitable for makers. And most netbooks now are pushing the £300 mark (despite offering lower specs than equivalently priced laptops) as manufacturers try to increase margins.
Apple said it was watching the market, and we presume it continues to do so.
Q. How likely do you think it is that Apple is actually going to release a tablet?
A. The thing that struck us during researching this feature was how many people in 2002 were absolutely convinced that an Apple tablet was due at any point, such as this eWeek Article from 2002 titled Waiting for the Mac Tablet.
And somebody somewhere has stated – with absolute conviction in their hearts – that an Apple Tablet is absolutely, definitely, and without doubt, coming to market every single year ever since.
We think it’s coming out in 2010.
(Note: It's possible that developers will be the first to see the Apple Tablet in June 2010 at Apple's WWDC event).
Update: A recent Oppenheimer report states that production has started and that the Apple Tablet will launch in March or April 2010.
