MacDailyNews - Where Mac news comes first

Mar 19, 09 - 11:22 am Comment from: Wandering joe

Newton on Steroids..iTouch..iPhone Pro..?

Mar 19, 09 - 11:25 am Comment from: Cascadians

Ole Oled. English not too good in that article. More than a little confusing.

Mar 19, 09 - 11:26 am Comment from: Davecc

iWrite??

iPad.

"We wish people would stop using the word "netbook" in these reports. It's needlessly confusing and, we believe, an very incorrect description"

It's probably a tablet, fair enough. But it does sort of serve the 'netbook market', and in fact it will be something of a new category of product. So it's really not unfair for these guys to call it a netbook. They simply don't know how to define it. That's going to be Apple's challenge.

As usual, Apple's going to have to define the next new thing. Who else does this? Sony? MS? Dell? In recent years, only Nintendo and Apple have been innovative enough to come up with something requiring new ways of using and interacting with electronic devices.

Mar 19, 09 - 11:37 am Comment from: jtc

wouldn't it be obvious by now that a new iphone is coming out in june?? or atleast towards that time frame....

Mac Touch, Mac Touch, Mac Touch...

Mar 19, 09 - 11:44 am Comment from: Predrag

The question continues to remain if this device (should it ever turn out to be real) will run Mac Snow Leopard or iPhone Snow Leopard. In other words, if the applications will be delivered via App store, or if we get them from elsewhere; or, if there will be a MS Office for it or there won't be one.

The 'chatter' seems to be intensifying. The probability number seems to be increasing as time goes by. Soon enough, the stock will begin to sink, with everyone expecting the device and Apple still not delivering. Until Apple actually delivers, at which point, the stock would presumably return to its rightful values (currently in triple digits).

Mar 19, 09 - 11:45 am Comment from: ron

Use 'Nutbook" instead.

I like the Mac Touch..........

Mar 19, 09 - 11:47 am Comment from: ron

"TouchMe" Often and gently.

Mar 19, 09 - 11:48 am Comment from: ericdano

iCantAfford?

MacInTouch™

wafer thin...

Ok......finally now you've got me interested. Lets hope indeed that apple has solved the problem of needing a larger screen still be pocketable and that their "netbook" is not a conventional netbook. The new device to be successful MUST redefine the entire "netbook" category to the point where it re-creates it totally unto itself.
To not beat around the bush anymore the OLED technology being used had better be the foldable kind. At least that is what I hope.

"a wafer thin OLED screen made by LG that will link with a wireless content device similar to the current Apple TV box"

a new touchscreen remote for ATV ?

Mar 19, 09 - 11:58 am Comment from: TowerTone

Tounch control media pad.

Mar 19, 09 - 11:59 am Comment from: Sir Gill Bates

"... by adding a layer in the manufacturing process that they can eliminate 'finger marking.' "

Hmmm, I wonder if this could be used on firearms.

Take that all you hotshot forensic experts!

An OLED iPhone sounds expensive, not to mention the other hardware upgrades sure to follow (memory, camera, etc.). If the current model is $500-$600 retail, how much will this one be?

Mar 19, 09 - 12:02 pm Comment from: Davecc

@ericdano

LOL!

Mar 19, 09 - 12:10 pm Comment from: anaknipedro

iPhone Pro

There's no way that apple would release what we consider a "conventional" netbook like the Acer One or whatever. "Conventional" netbooks suck. Their keyboards are awful to use and their trackpads are about the size of a postage stamp.

Who cares what the per-unit cost is, everybody will still get it subsidized with a two-year AT&T;contract. Nobody cares what AT&T;actually has to pay for those units.

anyone know if the new touchbook/netbook will actually include something like a wacom graphics tablet? this link here says it will but is this confirmed by any other company?

http://www.derekunderwood.com/general-computer/details-regarding-new-apple-touch-netbook/

hoping this is true because i'd had my eye on a wacom cintiq but this would be a lot easier to carry around and use as a portable

My ongoing itchiness is making me into somewhat of a downer.

Sorry.

Mar 19, 09 - 12:36 pm Comment from: Andy

Well, now the cat might be out the bag, (LG clearly waited for Steve to be laying low) I wonder if Apple will unveil anything like they predict.

When Steve is back in June, I'm sure the first order of business will be to throttle LG(!)

anyone want to explain OLED vs. LED?

Mar 19, 09 - 12:48 pm Comment from: eMax

ull need an ultra low power OLED screen for all the millions of hours ull be using the new 3.0 software for.

With so many things to do on the device, regardless of battery it will be dead before you have done everything you want.

No handheld device has ever been able to do so much so easily.

Mar 19, 09 - 12:52 pm Comment from: Bitjockey

I'm guessing we'll see at least two devices in this 'larger touch screen' category. I don't believe either will have cell phone capability, but one will connect to one or more of the 3g networks for data service (and eventual VOIP functionality). The price point will be $100 - $200 higher than the current iPhone/Touch and the current iPhone/Touch prices will be reduced proportionately as the family of products expands.

Mar 19, 09 - 12:56 pm Comment from: SirROM

“I'm guessing we'll see at least two devices in this 'larger touch screen' category. I don't believe either will have cell phone capability, but one will connect to one or more of the 3g networks for data service (and eventual VOIP functionality).”

Am I the only one that see the new tethering function of the 3.0 OS as another link in the chain? Apple sells you an iPhone with tethering capability, then they offer a tablet (no cell connection) that will tether with your iPhone. The Apple Way is the give you a reason to buy TWO products, both useful independently, but even better when combined.

Mar 19, 09 - 12:59 pm Comment from: DreamTheEndless

@CDN Guy
"wafer thin..."

-

I couldn't possibly eat another bite...

Apple is always testing new materials. It doesn't mean they are ready to put it into a product.

Mar 19, 09 - 01:19 pm Comment from: bubbarikk

I am surprised that the MDN staff fails to recognize the projected Apple Tablet as a Netbook device. I wonder what criteria that MDN uses to define a Netbook? Here is Wiki's definition of a Netbook: A netbook (a combination of the words Internet and notebook) is a class of laptop computer designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet. Primarily designed for web browsing and e-mailing, netbooks rely heavily on the Internet for remote access to web-based applications" and are targeted increasingly at cloud computing users who require a less powerful client computer. The devices range in size from below 5 inches to over 13, typically weigh 2 to 3 pounds. An Apple tablet would perform all the above functions and have similar characteristics, but would not be a clamshell format like traditional Netbooks. Apple already has a fully functional "Pocket" Netbook, which is called the iPhone and iPod Touch. The Apple Tablet will be a newer, larger, non-pocket sized Netbook.

Mar 19, 09 - 01:23 pm Comment from: Cascadians

I want it to have the option of cell phone capability because I want the iTablet instead of the iPhone. The iPhone is wonderful but the screen is simply too small and confined for my middle-aged eyes. Been waiting for years for this iTablet.

"anyone know if the new touchbook/netbook will actually include something like a wacom graphics tablet?"

I definitely would want this thing to work as a sketchpad, like my old Newton. I want to be able to write and draw on this. Writing and drawing are the original Multitouch, and are overdue for a comeback.

Mar 19, 09 - 02:14 pm Comment from: Roger Knights

DynaMac or DynaPhone

(Alludes to Alan Kay's DynaBook; and DynaMac has overtones of Dynamite and Dynamo)

Mar 19, 09 - 02:23 pm Comment from: Cubert

Mac touch.

Touche.

Mar 19, 09 - 02:25 pm Comment from: alansky

No finger marking would be good. I love my iPhone, but the screen needs a good cleaning after virtually every use.

Mar 19, 09 - 02:53 pm Comment from: thethirdshoe

Here's your bucket, Mr. Creosote...

"As you've probably guessed, OLED displays offer significant advantages over LCDs. Being self-luminous, they require no backlighting. By contrast, LCDs require either an external light source (reflective type) or a fluorescent or LED backlight (transflective type). No backlighting means OLED displays are smaller in size, use less power, weigh less and cost less.

Their self-luminous nature is also responsible for two other important advantages. First, they have a virtually unlimited viewing angle (165°). LCDs, on the other hand, are limited by the "aperture" effect. In addition, they have very high brightness and contrast (>100:1). This is something that LCDs can't hope to match. A backlit LCD typically looks "washed out" under bright light.

Equally importantly, OLED displays have almost instantaneous update speed. The response time of LCDs has always been a problem, particularly when displaying real-time video. The microsecond switching speeds of the OLED has entirely eliminated this issue!"

Looks like Apple found a way to fix the crappy battery life in the iPhone 3G.

@macman

Don't forget about the flexible nature of OLEDs. It gives Jon Ives incredible options in terms of product design.

Mar 19, 09 - 04:59 pm Comment from: Sir Gill Bates

I thought OLEDs have a shorter lifespan than LCDs.

Mar 19, 09 - 05:53 pm Comment from: Crabs

@CD

LED stands for light emitting diode. OLED stands for organic light emitting diode.

So technically, it's one of those square is a rectangle, rectangle isn't necessarily a square thing. An OLED is a certain type of LED, but not all LEDs are OLEDS.

An OLED is composed of "organic" compounds (carbon based compounds). OLEDs are LEDs that are "printed" onto some form of a substrate. Because they're composed of organic compounds, they're able to be far smaller than traditional LEDs, and thus can be used to make a screen.

Wikipedia it if my explanation doesn't make sense.

Now, by chance, did you mean what's the difference between OLED and LCD?

Mar 19, 09 - 05:58 pm Comment from: Crabs

@R2

Right now, you'd be correct about it being expensive. But once they're manufacturing them on a large scale, and the economies of scale kick in, OLEDs will actually be FAR less expensive than LCDs. Theoretically, you could modify your inkjet printer to manufacture OLED screens. The only cost is that of the substrate and the extremely cheap cost of the organic compound used for the LED.

iBook

@bubbarikk
"I am surprised that the MDN staff fails to recognize the projected Apple Tablet as a Netbook device. I wonder what criteria that MDN uses to define a Netbook? ..."

I think that some of us, including MDN, do not call Apple's products "NetBooks" because Apple's products do not fit the definition of "NetBooks"accepted by Windows users.

First, if you want to be literal, Apple's devices that you've described are tablets, not " 'books".

Beyond physical, "NetBooks" to me imply limited uses and performance.
NetBook users seem to accept that there are huge limitations with their products; "I just want something small that I can email and surf with.".

What Windows users are really saying, is "In a small form factor, I expect nothing more than a device I can barely email and surf with."

I think we all know Apple will not be satisfied releasing a product that people will have to resign themselves to.

Apple will release something small, that can email, surf, edit music and video, teach you how to paint, wirelessly operate all of your electronic devices, be a wireless hard drive, a phone, media server, etc., etc., etc.. (Some might argue that the iPhone is already there)

I would not lump (my imaginary image) of Apple's future small product(s) under the heading "NetBooks", a heading that I think people associate with DELL, Acer, or Toshiba.

I guess some might say that Apple computers and Windows computers are the same, because they're both "computers".
Those people might then say that an EEE PC and whatever small product Apple releases are both "NetBooks" because they're both small.
Others would not say this.

Imagine this: take a MacBook Air, remove the half with the monitor, and replace the keyboard with a touch screen. Perhaps it's a little more square as well.

That could be the Mac Touch. Amazing.

Mar 19, 09 - 07:13 pm Comment from: BC Kelly

Ok, appears we have another sighting

Count at least 9 in just the past few weeks here at MDN







Somethingoranother™


Coming Soon

From the People who've been giving us Somethingoranothers™

For as long as Somethingoranothers™ have been around

And We're just getting started







BC

5 x 7, OLED 1/2" thin. iphone factor, accelerometer, phat battery life, dope chip, App store compatible, ichat and SCREEN share! N speed, iphone 3G Plus? Software, Apple TV remote, Keynote Remote, Itunes Controller, Visualizer, Photo/Video, email, Ilife Mobile, audio video output, VR accessories, Bluetooth, GPS, Laser Beams, Holographic Imaging around $399.00 and Free VOIP service for 2 yrs with free 5 gig wireless downloads 2 years FREE. Then maybe I would look into considering getting one for myself and every member of the family including my mom.

Mar 19, 09 - 08:50 pm Comment from: Roger Knights

Just wait til next year!

Perhaps Apple should just call it 'notanetbook' . So I guess if it has a lid it IS a netbook, cos it looks a bit like a book (for those under ten a book is a sort of thing with words inside that we used to read) but if it doesn't, and therefore doesn't look like a 'book' it is a tablet. Wouldn't want to take one of those for a cold mind.