hey thx for the visit. i'm JimEJr, actually short for James E. Washok Jr. i've been on the web for a long time... since '94 actually... & thought in the early days of blogging, "what's the point?" once i finally figured that out, i tried a few times to be a professional blogger. it's tough to force it. now, i just write about those few things that interest me most from an innovation perspective as that's the type of stuff that many friends, family, coworkers and others have sought my thoughts on for many years. so u will find my comments to be primarily about mobile communications, great user interface design, customer loyalty, & simplicity in life & work. i love helping others & breathing life into good ideas. if u find my words having some impact on ur thoughts, i'd be honored to get ur feedback.much speculation has been conveyed in the blogosphere lately about the OS that will be on the long awaited and almost certain to see light of day iPad or iTablet from Apple…
Mac OS X –or– the iPhone/iPod Touch OS?
not to purposely pitch the Hannah Montana mantra, but my belief is and I say “why not the best of both worlds?”
consider the iPhone and iPod Touch actually houses a variant of the Mac OS. the Apple TV does the same. so Apple has a proven history of tailoring the OS to the specific goals of the device.
why is Apple likely developing a tablet anyway? i don’t think it’s primary to release a lower cost computing product than the MacBook lineup as Apple has proven they scoff at price wars which they have no need to fight. it’s probably not a primary response to netbooks as evidence suggests Apple was doing R&D on the tablet long before the current netbook craze, and, Apple doesn’t launch products in response to anything… they lead, not follow. the same argument goes for why Apple is not likely just releasing a tablet to compete with the Kindle or other thin e-content readers/browsers.
if the iPad is meant to lead while disrupting multiple industries… what is it exactly that Apple will try to lead at? whatever it is, it’s unlikely to cannibalize any of their existing products but is likely to benefit greatly from Apple’s current strengths… the world’s largest digital media distribution outlet, the world’s largest software store, the thinnest and lightest devices in their respective classes, battery life in all devices that trounces the competition, best-in-class laptops, best-in-class handhelds, and reason to get you to buy their stunning accessories.
if the iPad just has the iPod Touch OS and is basically a 10.2″ Touch, what benefit does that really serve Apple? is the iPod Touch’s screen not big enough for consumers? if it’s just the Mac OS, then i wonder if there’s something wrong with the Air or the 13″ MacBook sizes?
this is why i’ve come to the conclusion that Apple will make the iPad unique. it will have Mac OS X and act like an iPod Touch. consumers will benefit from the portability of an extremely sleek netbook that has no hinge making it easy to use standing up, yet can be used like a laptop by typing on the on-screen keyboard or using a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse like Apple’s own razor thin wireless keyboard. yet at the same time, consumers will also benefit from being able to install and run almost all, if not all of the 85k+ iPod Touch apps currently available as the device will contain the same sensors… accelerometer, gps, etc.
so… netbook, Kindle, iPod Touch, MacBook Air… all in one. hmmm, forget best of both worlds… how about best of ALL worlds! i’m looking forward to the surprise!
agree… disagree… wanting/expecting something else?
Filed under: innovations, mobile Tagged: | Apple, iPad, iTablet, Mac, new products, tablet
