Image credit: GottaBeMobile.com
The words in the headline are not my sentiments. They probably are close, however, to the sentiments of Matthew Dillon writing in GottaBeMobile.com.
In his column entitled, “Why I’ll Pass on the Apple Tablet” Dillon states, “What will (the Apple tablet) do that a netbook and my iPod cannot?”
Ah, let's see, Matt. Does your netbook have a touch-sensitive screen? Can you carry it turned on tucked under your arm? Does it have a soft keyboard? What about instant-on, does't it have that also? The answer to these questions is probably “no.”
If the Apple Tablet is even part of what it has been rumored to be, it will be an entirely different device from your netbook or iPod. True, there will probably be similarities to a netbook, but the Apple Tablet is likely to be very different both in form factor, build quality and functionality. As for your iPod, the Apple Tablet may have some of the characteristics of an iPod like a touchscreen, but beyond that the comparison of the two is likely apples and oranges, bicycles and motorcycles, gliders and jet aircraft. In short, there really is no comparison.
Dillon continues, “I predict that the software experience of the upcoming tablet will be similar to what we see with most new products: limited.”
Well, that remains to be seen. What Dillon suggests has certainly been the case with many of the PC-based tablets on the market so far. However, Apple has an uncanny ability to create products that are not necessarily new in concept but totally unique in how they work. They are mold breakers.
The iPod is a perfect example. It wasn't the first portable music player, but it broke the mold for portable music players. The iPhone is another example. Again, it was not the first cell phone (by far) but, once again, it broke the mold and set the trend for many of the wannabe smartphones that followed. Why even the venerable Macintosh 128K (the very first Mac) did exactly the same thing with its Graphic User Interface (GUI.) It wasn't the first GUI (that honor goes to Xerox), but it set the trend for the other Operating Systems (you know who they are) that followed. Therefore, it is entirely conceivable, perhaps even likely, that if Apple offers a tablet it will be very different from any tablet that you've seen to date.
Finally, Dillon asks, “So are you jumping on the iPad bandwagon?” The answer is more than likely “yes.” If the Apple Tablet has the right combination of features and the price, I'll own one.
To paraphrase that well known line from the movie “Field of Dreams”, “If Apple builds it, we will come.”
Comments
Jeff's right, Dillion is wrong.
People are waiting for the next bigger and better tech toy. The Apple iPad will fill the void.
If Apple does not build one someone else will.
What the proposed tablet is several things. It would be small, thin, have a touch screen with touch web surfing, play music, play HD videos, stream HD tv, allow for the reading of kindle books, ebooks, and live sink with apples library.
Dillion may not buy one, my guess is Dillion has limited amount of tech toys.
I agree..this guy is a retard...and I dont even own a mac...but im waiting on the tablet...keep up the good work publishing the info you guys find on this thing.
Thanks for picking up my article. I don't argue that the Apple Tablet will not sell; my argument is that I will not purchase one because it doesn't bring anything new to my computing experience. I can touch my iPod, and many netbooks do have touchscreens (or the ability to add one exists). Good thoughts.
Thanks for your comments and for your article, Matt.
While I tend to believe that an Apple Tablet will offer something different in a computing experience from today's netbooks and iPods, its existence is rumor today. That makes it hard to say anything with certainty one way or another.
However, there is no question that your article created some interesting discussion among those of us who are not so patiently waiting for the Apple Tablet.
Jeff
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