[phoenix]

$200 for what, exactly? If it runs on a proprietary platform it's dead in the water, no matter what the price is. You need developers, applications and high usability. I'd certainly prefer a lower price point but there are too many questions about that product.

On the other hand, Apple introduces products running on a proprietary platform all the time, but they're doing just fine.

It would most likely run on Ubuntu or Android, so the applications are already there and available. They certainly won't beat Apple (or HP or Dell) to market, but I think at $200 with an open source community already building applications that will run on it that it will do just fine.

[El Scorcho]

On the other hand, Apple introduces products running on a proprietary platform all the time, but they're doing just fine.

Please don't compare a proprietary OS from Freescale Semiconductor to Mac OS X and expect me to take you seriously. Please. If you can't see the ridiculousness of that comparison...geez.

It would most likely run on Ubuntu or Android, so the applications are already there and available.

Okay, that's fine. I just said IF it runs on a proprietary platform. Which it may or may not. Like I said, still a lot of questions and I'd say Android isn't a panacea.

Also fyi, my point in my "on the other hand" comment was actually a cut on Apple. Apparently that wasn't clear. I don't think "a big iPod touch" is enough for a tablet device to be a hit. Please don't mistake me for a fanboy. I call it like I see it. Always.

[phoenix]

On the other hand, Apple introduces products running on a proprietary platform all the time, but they're doing just fine.

Please don't compare a proprietary OS from Freescale Semiconductor to Mac OS X and expect me to take you seriously. Please. If you can't see the ridiculousness of that comparison...geez.

Actually, my intention was to compare Freescale's proprietary OS (if any) to Apple's first OS. You can't compare a company just starting out in software to a company that's been doing it for over 20 years -- I agree that would be ridiculous. But when you think of how far Apple has gone with it's proprietary systems, it's not fair to dismiss someone out of hand just because they're doing the same thing. If they do it right, and hit the right markets, they can make it just like Apple has. I DO hope that they end up going with Ubuntu Netbook Remix or Android, though - no need to reinvent the wheel if you don't have to.

I think the place that low-cost tablets are really going to break through is going to be in education. An inexpensive, durable tablet with e-textbooks, an office suite, and web access through WiFi will attract a LOT of attention from school systems. You'll have people who want one for personal use (people who want an ebook reader that does a little bit more), but I think the mass adopters are going to be schools. The only problem is going to be getting some teachers to make full use of them -- there's a LOT of potential there if we teach the teachers how to use them.

[El Scorcho]

So after watching all of the tablet stuff at CES and thinking a lot about the Apple tablet, I'm warming up a bit. I'm seeing the usefulness and potential for these new "Tablet 2.0" devices.

BUT

I'm still not sure who's going to buy them. It's going to have to be people without a laptop, people without a smartphone, people without either or people with way too much money.

The first three make sense to me because it gives those groups of people a highly portable device that's always connected. That's cool. It hits the same stuff netbooks do. I get it. Fine.

The fourth group however...I'm just not sure about. I just keep thinking that between my 17" laptop and my smartphone there's not much room for anything else. It might be really cool, but I just don't see the need for it. It's like I'm cooking and I already own a big pot and a little pot. Everyone is now coming out with a medium pot. Meh. I've been getting by just fine with the two I had.

Does that make sense? I guess I'm just struggling with the idea that as much of a gadget person and a geek as I am, I might not be in the demographic for this whole subset of devices. Kinda weird.

[phoenix]

I can think of two people who are going to buy it -- gadget geeks who have to have the latest thing no matter what, and schools (IF the price point is right). You may get some other people who end up getting one (I've always wanted a tablet, but I'm not sure about any of these yet), but I really think that educational users are going to drive the market for tablets if the price is right.

That's one of the reasons I'm not sure Apple's tablet is going to do much of anything. You know they won't price it low enough for schools to buy them in quantity (especially to do the 1:1 stuff that so many tech ed people want to do). I have a feeling that Apple's tablet will end up going the way of the Macbook Air.

The tablet that wins is going to have an 8-10 inch touch display. It will run Ubuntu Netbook Remix, and will come packaged with Open Office, Firefox, and some video and audio editing software. It will connect to the Internet via WiFi, and will cost less than $500. School systems will buy them to replace traditional textbooks and computer labs.

The other option (which I actually just considered) is that magazine and newspaper publishers will start offering subsidized tablets for subscribers, though I think if they're going to do anything like this it's going to be an ebook reader rather than a full-featured tablet.

[PAmedic]

Dear SCORCHO: thank you for my new sig

PS: I have no idea what any of that means- so if its code for some sort of kinky porn, someone please let me know ASAP

[Sly Fox]

Apple to hold product event on January 27

Posted on Jan 18, 2010 11:46 am by Philip Michaels, Macworld.com

The days of Apple tablet rumor-mongering may soon be coming to an end—Apple confirmed that it will hold an invitation-only event in San Francisco on Wednesday, January 27 to introduce its “latest creation.”



The invitation to the January 27 event, sent out to the media Monday, doesn’t specify what will be announced. But for those who like to read the company’s tea leaves, the e-mailed invitation could be telling.

Click Here for Full Story

[El Scorcho]

I'm more excited about the potential than I was... but I still don't need one. And that makes it kind of boring for me. It's a sad day.

I'll be a happy camper if the laptops get bumped to the Core i5 processors.

[flamesbball84]

short sell apple stock, at this point with all these rumors and inflated hopes, the product will like;y end up disappointing folks.

[LUconn]

It could be Coke 2 disappointing and I have a hard time envisioning them not making money off of it. Or at least parlaying the R&D into something for the near future.

[El Scorcho]

short sell apple stock, at this point with all these rumors and inflated hopes, the product will like;y end up disappointing folks.

Apple stock dips after every product announcement and every earnings call. Almost every single time. Whether it goes back up or not after that is anyone's guess, but it will dip after the announcement whether the product is disappointing or not.

Also, it should be noted that with the level of secrecy/hype surrounding Apple for the last several years it's near impossible not for their announcements to be somewhat disappointing. The rumors surrounding their stuff runs the gamut of crazy.

[mrmacphisto]

I hope they announce an iPod Touch photo/video camera. Actually, I hope they don't. I don't need the temptation.

[flamesbball84]

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB1 ... DAyWj.html

With the new tablet device that is debuting next week, Apple Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs is betting he can reshape businesses like textbooks, newspapers and television much the way his iPod revamped the music industry—and expand Apple's influence and revenue as a content middleman.

In developing the device, Apple focused on the role the gadget could play in homes and in classrooms, say people familiar with the situation. The company envisions that the tablet can be shared by multiple family members to read news and check email in homes, these people say.

For classrooms, Apple has been exploring electronic-textbook technology, these people add. The people familiar with the matter say Apple has also been looking at how content from newspapers and magazines can be presented differently on the tablet. Other people briefed on the device say the tablet will come with a virtual keyboard.

They better be bringing one heck of an interface for the textbooks then. Every other company that has tried the textbook thing hasn't been met with many positive reviews.

[rueful]

again, if it looks like one of the mockups on one of the links on here ( the one where it was like a giant ipod touch but folded in half sort of deal), then I think its going to be sweet and could be very nice for textbooks

[LUconn]

short sell apple stock, at this point with all these rumors and inflated hopes, the product will like;y end up disappointing folks.

Hey, thanks for the financial advice there Mr. Buffet. Should we call you the Oracle of Lynchburg?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2c9a239a-0a04 ... abdc0.html

Apple enjoys 50% jump in profits


Apple on Monday fuelled anticipation about its expected launch of a tablet computer with a 50 per cent leap in quarterly profit and fresh evidence that the consumer technology juggernaut behind the iPhone is riding the popularity of that device into the corporate market.

“The new products we are planning to release this year are very strong, starting this week with a major new product that we’re really excited about,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive officer, in his strongest hint about the tablet-sized device he is expected to reveal on Wednesday.

The company reported another blowout quarter, as net income soared to $3.38bn or $3.67 a share, from $2.26bn or $2.50 a year earlier, well above Wall Street estimates.

IPhone sales doubled to 8.7m units shipped and company executives said they were being welcomed inside many more offices.

Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer said 70 per cent of the 100 biggest US companies were at least experimenting with supporting iPhone use by employees, double the proportion from before the summer’s introduction of a speedier operating system. Half of the largest companies worldwide now accept iPhones, he said.

“We feel great about what’s happening there,” he said. “This is a key focus.”

Now I can retire early

[flamesbball84]

short sell apple stock, at this point with all these rumors and inflated hopes, the product will like;y end up disappointing folks.

Hey, thanks for the financial advice there Mr. Buffet. Should we call you the Oracle of Lynchburg?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2c9a239a-0a04 ... abdc0.html

Apple enjoys 50% jump in profits


Apple on Monday fuelled anticipation about its expected launch of a tablet computer with a 50 per cent leap in quarterly profit and fresh evidence that the consumer technology juggernaut behind the iPhone is riding the popularity of that device into the corporate market.

“The new products we are planning to release this year are very strong, starting this week with a major new product that we’re really excited about,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive officer, in his strongest hint about the tablet-sized device he is expected to reveal on Wednesday.

The company reported another blowout quarter, as net income soared to $3.38bn or $3.67 a share, from $2.26bn or $2.50 a year earlier, well above Wall Street estimates.

IPhone sales doubled to 8.7m units shipped and company executives said they were being welcomed inside many more offices.

Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer said 70 per cent of the 100 biggest US companies were at least experimenting with supporting iPhone use by employees, double the proportion from before the summer’s introduction of a speedier operating system. Half of the largest companies worldwide now accept iPhones, he said.

“We feel great about what’s happening there,” he said. “This is a key focus.”

Now I can retire early

short sell apple stock, at this point with all these rumors and inflated hopes, the product will like;y end up disappointing folks.

Apple stock dips after every product announcement and every earnings call. Almost every single time. Whether it goes back up or not after that is anyone's guess, but it will dip after the announcement whether the product is disappointing or not.

Also, it should be noted that with the level of secrecy/hype surrounding Apple for the last several years it's near impossible not for their announcements to be somewhat disappointing. The rumors surrounding their stuff runs the gamut of crazy.

You jumped the gun - the official announcement of the product hasn't occurred yet. Folks won't start selling apple stock until after the product announcement, which will most likely disappoint given all the rumors fueling inflated hopes.

[flamesbball84]

short sell apple stock, at this point with all these rumors and inflated hopes, the product will like;y end up disappointing folks.

Hey, thanks for the financial advice there Mr. Buffet. Should we call you the Oracle of Lynchburg?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2c9a239a-0a04 ... abdc0.html

Apple enjoys 50% jump in profits


Apple on Monday fuelled anticipation about its expected launch of a tablet computer with a 50 per cent leap in quarterly profit and fresh evidence that the consumer technology juggernaut behind the iPhone is riding the popularity of that device into the corporate market.

“The new products we are planning to release this year are very strong, starting this week with a major new product that we’re really excited about,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive officer, in his strongest hint about the tablet-sized device he is expected to reveal on Wednesday.

The company reported another blowout quarter, as net income soared to $3.38bn or $3.67 a share, from $2.26bn or $2.50 a year earlier, well above Wall Street estimates.

IPhone sales doubled to 8.7m units shipped and company executives said they were being welcomed inside many more offices.

Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer said 70 per cent of the 100 biggest US companies were at least experimenting with supporting iPhone use by employees, double the proportion from before the summer’s introduction of a speedier operating system. Half of the largest companies worldwide now accept iPhones, he said.

“We feel great about what’s happening there,” he said. “This is a key focus.”

Now I can retire early

FYI:

On. Jan. 19 the Apple's stock price was 215.04 at opening. on 1/19/10 at 9:47 am Apple's share price was 211.04. Jan. 22 at closing it was 197.75, and yesterday at closing it was 203.07. Guess who would have made money on Apple stock in that time frame? The people who put in a market order at opening on the 19th for a short sale of Apple stock then completed the transaction at closing any day since the 19th.

Better luck next time Steve Forbes.

[LUconn]

You just contradicted yourself in the last 2 posts. But congratulations on being right for the wrong reasons.

[rueful]

well its here, wheres everyone at?

10 inch version of iphone, starts at $499

[flamesbball84]

well its here, wheres everyone at?

10 inch version of iphone, starts at $499

I'd rather have a netbook. 16GB for a tablet is pitifully small, and the 3G data plans are a joke - $15 for 250MB (which is virtually nothing), $30 for unlimited. I could get an entire netbook for less than $500 and get an air card. Although I must say I am shocked Apple is making it as cheap as they are. The drastically low price points for each model is unprecedented for Apple. The price is the only saving grace for their stock today, it had been going down ever since they announced the product. as soon as the price was announced, it went back up because that was the only thing that was a pleasant surprise for anyone, the product didn't live up to the hype as the drop in stock price showed.

[SuperJon]

The more I look at it the more I think I would like it. It's not something that I have to have, but I think it'd be cool to have. I'd keep my regular computer and then just use this around the house.

[flamesbball84]

Problem I have with it is that it's a tweener: too big to be a truly mobile device, and not having enough features to be as versatile as a netbook.

I think it can be very successful, but I don't see as of now how it will appeal to two big markets: the pocket size mobile market (as shown by the huge success of smart phones) and people looking for a true mobile computing experienced (like netbooks). I don't really see people who want those two things to be opening up their wallets for the iPad right now.

[flamesbball84]

3G is going to cost an extra $130. even more reason to spring for a netbook and just get an air card.

[adam42381]

Engadget doesn't seem real high on it. The fact that you cannot multitask is a killer.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/appl ... -hands-on/

[flamesbball84]

Engadget doesn't seem real high on it. The fact that you cannot multitask is a killer.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/appl ... -hands-on/

meanwhile gizmodo is acting like how dick vitale is during a duke game haha

let's just call it what it is, it's a big iPod Touch with 3G and a few other more minor bells and whistles (keyboard connectivity, camera kit).