Otaku Gadgets

This post was just waiting happen really. With so many rumors hitting us one after another, the tablet just seems more and more real. And it’s not like the rumors are coming from one place only. They are coming from multiple different blogs, sources and from various different angles that all point towards the existence of a mysterious device. So let’s look at all the latest rumors, speculations and musings on the tablet. Is it going to be great? Is it going to take the industry by a storm like the iPhone did? Get to the other side and decide for yourself.

Apple Redefining Print Media Through Tablet

Mockup created by the talented folks at Gizmodo

This one was recently reported by Gizmodo. Apparently, Apple has been giving private tours to the owners and chiefs of big publishing houses, magazines and newspapers. Meetings and presentations are also being held with them. All for one thing – a new device that will carry their content. What this new device is, no one really knows. What is known is that Apple wants to redefine the print media as we know it with this device and they also want to put it on the iTunes store so generate revenue like never before. Eventually they will make the content dynamic and draw from video, audio, animation and of course hyperlinking.

The idea clearly is to make us consume our magazines, newspapers and books through this digital medium. Everyone is pointing to the Kindle but it has it’s shortcomings. It uses eInk, which will never be as good as a color screen. Plus the Kindle would not be able to match up to a sleek tablet that has advanced multi-touch to support natural two hand typing and other gestures intelligently. Plus there are the other innovations to take in to account. Read on for know more about them.

The Apple Tablet Will Support Highly Advance Multi-Touch Recognition

The good folks at AppleInsider wrote about the multi-touch patent that was recently filed by Apple. This patent essentially waxes eloquent about all the possibilities of a fullscreen multitouch device that can handle two handed typing and gestures intelligently.

The details speak of the system being able to individually recognize the hands of the user and also the different parts like individual fingers, palms, etc. The patent application talks about the attempts made to avoid the typical situation where at least one hand has to leave typing position in order to use the pointing device.

Since this new system will be able to recognize all the different parts of the human hand, it will allow the user’s hands to interact with the system in multiple ways without ever leaving the surface. Like it talks about a tap from one finger being regarded as a click but two or more being interpreted differently.

Since the system would be displayed on a touchscreen, it would also adapt to the user’s hand position, size, etc. Et voila, extreme personalization in an instant.

Apple Tablet To Run On iPhone OS

Credit: Original Designer

Amongst the many things reported by iLounge recently, this is a potent one. The new tablet is apparently going to run the iPhone OS and is going to be about 10inches in size.

The iPhone OS would make a lot of sense when tied in with the print media speculation. Because the iPhone is already a great platform that focuses on delivering content and app experience and does not bring the OS into focus at all. Besides, Apple has already shown in Snow Leopard that objects on screen can remain the same size irrespective of resolution.

Questions like what resolution it will be are quite valid but some people really need to stop asking whether it will display apps at the iPhone’s resolution or larger. And also whether it will be like an overgrown iPhone, in which case it will break as soon as you take it with you.

Apple is first of all a hardware company. If that is not clear enough by now, please look at their history. They have been innovating constantly on their hardware, bringing out industry firsts consistently. Their software has kept up with the innovation but other than Mac OS, most of the others they have bought. Like Final Cut Pro and Logic. They are so very focused on ease of use, durability, utility and design that the MacBook Air was reset almost countless number of times before it got released. Because it had to be perfect. So such a company won’t make silly mistakes like getting the resolution wrong or making the construction flimsy. Sure the iPhone is all glass on the face. But you also need to wake up and see that that is exactly what everyone else is trying to mimic. All touchphones are all-glass on the face. Deal with it. You hear of iPhones breaking because no one cares about a Samsung touch phone breaking. Not great news.

Options to Include 3G and Non-3G

Credt:Code Signal

Another point from iLounger and this would be very interesting if it does come through. It would essentially be like the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Of course, it is not going to have phone like some people are asking. That is what will cannibalize the iPhone and iPod Touch’s Market.

But will it cannibalize the iPhone and iPod Touch. I don’t thinks so and this is why – Apple will most likely tie the print content to the tablet. Simply because the content will be optimized for the tablet form factor and UI. The OS will of course be optimized for the tablet and not just the iPhone OS copy/pasted.

In the mean time the iPod  Touch will be made in to an even better gaming device and the iPhone will be an even better smartphone. Apple is clearly diverging the two. If there is one casuality in the lineup, it will probably be the iPod because it is already present on every handheld device that Apple makes.

Rehired Newton Developer Another Sign Of Tablet

This could be a sign that Apple is looking back to its revolutionary Newton Message Pad and looking to bring some of that magic back to the iPhone.

Let’s Not Forget The Camera

Earlier in January this year, there were reports of Apple applying for a new patent involving a camera behind LCD screen. Meaning exactly one thing – when you have a video chat, you will finally be able to look the beautiful person in the eye and tell her that you love her. If this is added to the tablet along with everything else that has been talked about, I cannot think of a better device to buy.

Here’s looking at you Steve.