MacDailyNews - Where Mac news comes first

Oct 27, 09 - 08:13 am Comment from: breeze

Nothing like non disclosure is there?

This would be welcome in the print media as newspapers and the like have been losing readership of late to online sources.

Oct 27, 09 - 08:26 am Comment from: CitizenX

"The tablet is tipped to be a larger version of the iPhone. It is small enough to carry in a handbag but too big to fit in a pocket. It will have a touch screen and be targeted at users who mainly want to surf the web, read books and newspapers or watch movies," Moses reports."

Make it affordable enough for a family to be able to afford 2 or 3 and you will have a hit.

Oct 27, 09 - 08:34 am Comment from: silverhawk

What would happen to news aggregations sites like Google, MDN, etc.?

They should decline in readership. They, media, have lost touch with facts and the ability to report them as it is or was. They report by crafting an image they wish to portray. Sad, but reality is so absent in the media today.
Look how they get the most simple and easy to search fact on Apple products. Yet, the information is sometime so off that one has to consider if they pulled a draft they had from 10 years ago. Then paste current product names where the old product name was. That is just Apple.
I think they have been watching too much Hollywood. They should be left to die! No love lost for those guys.

biggest issue:

do people want to read books on this thing. If the screen is VERY DIFFERENT from the iPod Touch, then you have a compelling product.

Also, Apple would be effectively launching the first color eInk screen?!?

My kids fingers are perfect for the iPod touch, but it is a little small for me to feel entirely comfortable in finger size and visibility.
Why not just scale the iPod touch and its UI up 20% for adult size...not too big and cumbersome, but not too small for mobile usability.
Sure, it won't quite fit in your pocket, but it won't be a flimsy prehistoric netbook to lug around, either. This is 2009, folks. A mobile unit with a mobile interface is greatly needed out there, and the netbooks just ain't it.
The iPod Touch is Apple's tablet, it just needs a version of it to be scaled up slightly without changing much of anything.

Oct 27, 09 - 09:03 am Comment from: derekcurrie

MDN quotes: "It is understood that Apple has been in direct talks with Australian media companies".

Please tell me this does not translate into News Corp., aka Rupert Murdoch Media Demolition Inc. (Murdoch is an Aussie). Much as I like Australia, Murdoch is one export I wish they'd burned at the stake rather than let loose on an innocent unsuspecting world.
:-Q********

Apple + Murdoch is even less appetizing than Palm + Sprint. What is lately with 'Beauty and the Beast' themes?

Murdoch is an Aussie

By birth yes. By commitment, not so much.

I agree that the midwife through the wrong bit away with Murdoch, but he's an American citizen now since he gave up his birthright so he could own an American TV network.

If it wasnt for Fox news, wed be drowning in liberal propaganda sewage that the rest of the 'news' media puke out 24/7.

Oct 27, 09 - 10:06 am Comment from: Islandgirl

"Apple has sent specifications of the device to Australian media companies in an effort to sound out whether they would be interested in delivering their content to the tablet,"

Could this be part of the reason behind building the server farm in North Carolina?

Oct 27, 09 - 10:44 am Comment from: maccam

@MacGuy

Off Topic I know, but Fox is unlike any other major news organization in the US. FOX organizes, sponsors and promotes political events (Tea Party / 912); no other major player does this. These activities are what partisan rather than news reporting organizations do. Roger Ailes, head of FOX’s US operation, was a media consultant for Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. Any surprise really that he actively pushes a conservative political agenda? FOX is certainly free publisize its opinions, but they should not be couched as “news”.

@ Macguy

The only bigger myth than "security via obscurity" is the "liberal media." It doesn't exist. It's NEVER existed. You've been fed the big lie and you believe it.

The "media" as it exists today is actually owned by five or six giant corporations who are anything but "liberal." Sure, there are a few liberal commentators out there, but they're vastly outnumbered by right and extreme right-wing voices.

I can understand why the right wants to feel like a victim, but it's just not based in reality.

Oct 27, 09 - 10:47 am Comment from: maccam

@ MacGuy

Off Topic, but FOX is unlike any other major news organization in the US. FOX organizes, sponsors and promotes political events (Tea Party / 912); no other major player does this. These activities are what partisan rather than news reporting organizations do. Roger Ailes, head of FOX’s US operation, was a media consultant for Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. Any surprise really that he actively pushes a conservative political agenda? FOX is certainly free publisize its opinions, but they should not be couched as “news”.

Fox news is an oxymoron -- like jumbo shrimp, rap music, and military intelligence !

Seems only the 19% of the populace ( are those who will admit to being a Republican ) -- are the only people who believe Fox {news} is really news !

Like your leaders, your numbers are dwindling

do you people still believe that apple would release this thing?

don't take your dreams seriously

Oct 27, 09 - 11:14 am Comment from: alansky

@macguy:

Please go spew your stinking swill somewhere else.

Oct 27, 09 - 11:32 am Comment from: macaholic

I love it when certain groups resort to ad hominem attacks on those who say things they disagree with, rather than a detailed rebuttal. Looking at you alansky!

Oct 27, 09 - 11:44 am Comment from: Original Jake

@maccam,
You don't know what you're talking about. While I'm not a big fan of the commentary shows on Fox News (Beck/Hannity/Sustren), the news shows such--as the nightly Special Report--are the most informative and balanced among the major news networks (that doesn't mean they're perfect).
As far as the Tea Party events, prove it! Provide a link with real evidence.
BTW, covering the Tea Parties--which had a substantial political impact but were generally not covered by the MSM news organizations--does not mean that Fox News "organizes" or "sponsors" the tea parties.
As for Roger Ailes, are you really not aware that there is a long history of liberal MSM reporters and news executives serving as political advisors to Democratic politicians? Among the best known are Stephanopolous on ABC and Bill Moyers on PBS.
You really need to broaden your information sources--too much Olberman and Daily Kos will make you ill-informed.
Regards.

Oct 27, 09 - 12:53 pm Comment from: John

If they do get this deal, I hope it extends to the iPhone (touch). I don't plan to get a tablet, but would like access to the content....

Oct 27, 09 - 01:10 pm Comment from: Apple Cider

I guess baulk is kinda like caulk?

Oct 27, 09 - 01:18 pm Comment from: NCIceman

Looks like Apple is really focusing this as a media delivery device. I hope they make an SDK available for it like they did for the iPhone. I don't really care for just an e-Reader, but if I can program the device....

"that would allow them to distribute their content in digital form and charge for it,"

I don't know about anybody else, but I'm not likely to pay for content, (news, etc.), that I get for free now. Apple and anyone else should be wary of gathering up content from the internet and charging users to view or access it. Isn't that America Online's business model?

http://www.Guyswithiphones.com next guyswithislate I love it apple love ya for supporting gay lol just being annoying gov go regulate things that need extream regulation like affordable mixed housing if not it's time for a new America u cant expect the majority of private companies to do anthing in the interest of the ppl ppl make your government accountable lol I thought this was a site on apple products not a site on politics!

Oct 27, 09 - 04:30 pm Comment from: Road Warrior

Well you have to admire Apple for taking bold steps. I mean the rumours that Apple was going to release some sort of tablet device around the world is one thing, but to release it around the world and Australia, well that is pretty bold.

There are so many ways Apple can make this a hit, and so many more they can screw it up. If they do plan some deal with the devil (Murdoch), that would be hell and you would throw off a big part of your fanbase because many people do disagree with his monopoly on news corporations.

I will tell you how to make this a hit in 5 easy steps:

1) Have Safari and iTunes (obviously). Don't limit the service providers to just AT&T;. Bring Verizon, US Cellular, Sprint, etc. in as well. Competition is good for everyone.

2) Blu-Ray! The majority of people still want their movies in a physical format. iTunes has enough, they will never replace Blu-Ray/DVDs at the prices they charge for a file, minus the special features. Seriously Apple..you guys supported this since the beginning, there are NO excuses.

3) HDMI connectivity, going back to # 2 and being able to connect this imput to a TV would be a breakthrough, and would most likely bring this into the market as a Blu-Ray player (ie. PS3)

4) Affordability: If you guys look more at price, especially that of a full blown computer, this will sell about as much as AppleTV. I'd recommend putting this at a pricepoint that of the original iPhone. $999 will not cut it, neither will $499 for that matter.

5) Dual camera/word processing: If you have the capabilities to make this take photos somehow, go for it. Word processing is just as important. It will have to be a comfortable fit to type on a touch screen, but if this can be done, that would bring the tablet a giant leap ahead of where it is now, and more convenient that a laptop/desktop if done properly.

Good luck!

Oct 31, 09 - 03:58 am Comment from: derekcurrie

OT. Politics. Hide your eyes.

Mike sez: "I can understand why the right wants to feel like a victim, but it's just not based in reality."

If only it were so simple. What is 'the right' these days? If Neo-Con-Job suckers believe they are actual 'Conservatives', sorry. You are delusional. You insult the real Conservatives, who are rarely represented by the Republican 'party' these days.

There has been some very good writing about what mayhem has been going on in the Republican party over the last 12 years. Here are some titles and URLs for those who actually care about Conservative values, as opposed to the Hell-On-Earth Machiavellian values of the Neo-Con-Jobs:

A) A Liberal point of view: 'The Death of Conservatism' by Sam Tanenhaus.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/01/books-the-death-of-conservatism/

B) A Libertarian point of view: 'Neo-CONNED!' by Ron Paul

http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2003/cr071003.htm

C) A Conservative point of view: 'Among the Neocons' by Scott McConnell

http://www.amconmag.com/article/2003/apr/21/00007/

-> Further reading and weeping:

Neocons vs. Conservatives
http://zfacts.com/p/803.html