Why isn't the iSlate destined to be a failure?
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From: D.M. Procida on 26 Jan 2010 05:55 Tim Streater <timstreater(a)waitrose.com> wrote: > Let's hope so. So far, there are two types of portable device. There's > the laptop, with its keyboard, that you carry in a bag, for the most > part. Then there's the disorganiser, that you carry in your pocket. So > far, I'm puzzled about why something in between should catch on. The > Newton failed, IMO, because it *was* in between. Sure, you could have it > in a pouch on your belt, if you didn't mind looking like a twerp. You're right that the Newton was in-between, and that it's no longer with us. But it's very far from clear that it failed because of that; in fact, until it started to seem that all of Apple was about to fail, and shortly before Steve Jobs's coup de grace, the Newton looked like it had a promising future. Secondly, just about everything that Apple has done that has been really successful has been something that didn't conform to expectations and that skeptics thought people wouldn't use because they'd look like twerps. Daniele
From: Jim on 26 Jan 2010 06:06 On 2010-01-26, D.M. Procida <real-not-anti-spam-address(a)apple-juice.co.uk> wrote: > > You're right that the Newton was in-between, and that it's no longer > with us. > > But it's very far from clear that it failed because of that; in fact, > until it started to seem that all of Apple was about to fail, and > shortly before Steve Jobs's coup de grace, the Newton looked like it had > a promising future. The single, unfixable thing about the Newton was that it was a John Sculley product and therefore had to die. > Secondly, just about everything that Apple has done that has been really > successful has been something that didn't conform to expectations and > that skeptics thought people wouldn't use because they'd look like > twerps. I'm now allowing myself to become quitely expectant about tomorrow's event. I may not actually buy what they show, but it should be interesting nonetheless. If it's 90minutes of iDVD themes then...well. Jim -- http://www.ursaMinorBeta.co.uk http://twitter.com/GreyAreaUK "Get over here. Now. Might be advisable to wear brown trousers and a shirt the colour of blood." Malcolm Tucker, "The Thick of It"
From: Tim Streater on 26 Jan 2010 06:57 On 26/01/2010 10:55, D.M. Procida wrote: > Tim Streater<timstreater(a)waitrose.com> wrote: > >> Let's hope so. So far, there are two types of portable device. There's >> the laptop, with its keyboard, that you carry in a bag, for the most >> part. Then there's the disorganiser, that you carry in your pocket. So >> far, I'm puzzled about why something in between should catch on. The >> Newton failed, IMO, because it *was* in between. Sure, you could have it >> in a pouch on your belt, if you didn't mind looking like a twerp. > > You're right that the Newton was in-between, and that it's no longer > with us. > > But it's very far from clear that it failed because of that; in fact, > until it started to seem that all of Apple was about to fail, and > shortly before Steve Jobs's coup de grace, the Newton looked like it had > a promising future. As I understand it they sold 80k units on Day 1, and another 80k during its remaining life. Something was missing. > Secondly, just about everything that Apple has done that has been really > successful has been something that didn't conform to expectations and > that skeptics thought people wouldn't use because they'd look like > twerps. :-) Like it, like it. Yes, I'd agree with you. But it'll be a while before that becomes clear for the new device. Personally I have no iPod or iPhone, and only a cheap Tesco PAYG mobile and a flaky Tungsten E2. Anything I buy to replace these must go in my pocket (else I won't take it everywhere, in which case it fails), must have the functions of the four devices listed above as well as sat-nav, and must be cheap to buy *and run* else it doesn't get past my in-house purchasing dept (SWMBO). -- Tim "That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted" Bill of Rights 1689
From: Ben Shimmin on 26 Jan 2010 07:28 Jim <jim(a)magrathea.plus.com>: [...] > Doesn't the Kindle have a 3G connection that's part of its purchase price, > no monthly subscription required? That would be nice. Unlikely, but nice. That *would* be nice. I just can't see it happening, though. Perhaps they'll go the same way as the iPhone, and offer a non-contract one at a higher price. > Assuming it exists, I still see the Tablet as running the iPhone OS and able > to run multiple iPhone apps at the same time in iPhone-sized windows. I'm > sure the OS and GUI will be essentially an extension of the iPhone/iPod > touch's. It will also run Tablet apps (iPhone apps in bigger windows). > > And you know what? I might just buy that if it isn't priced too high. > > Ha. I pretty much 100% decided to buy one after we spent Christmas with an extra old white MacBook knocking around the house; I found it so handy just having a device with decent battery life (better than my MBP's, and also not hooked up to monitors and external hard disks and whatnot) for casual email, web browsing, and watching TV and films. I assume the iSplablet will be able to do all of that pretty well, in addition to all kinds of other cool stuff. What I'd really like: you know how the MacBook Air can access the optical drive of a remote Mac? If the iSplablet could do that too, I could watch DVDs without having to get them into iTunes first. (I think the chances of this happening are slim to none.) b. -- <bas(a)bas.me.uk> <URL:http://bas.me.uk/> `It is like Swinburne sat down on his soul's darkest night and designed an organized sport.' -- David Foster Wallace, _Infinite Jest_, on American football
From: Chris Ridd on 26 Jan 2010 06:41
On 2010-01-26 11:06:56 +0000, Jim said: > I'm now allowing myself to become quitely expectant about tomorrow's event. > I may not actually buy what they show, but it should be interesting > nonetheless. If it's 90minutes of iDVD themes then...well. Is John Mayer still flavour of the month at Apple? He might be prepared to do an hour or so of audio noodling. -- Chris |