I’m a few days late mentioning this, but the following is a good piece with some thoughts on the potential for what Apple’s Tablet might be. Worth reading.
The Tablet
(John Gruber, Daring Fireball, 31 Dec 2009)
…
Do I think The Tablet is an e-reader? A video player? A web browser? A document viewer? It’s not a matter of or but rather and. I say it is all of these things. It’s a computer.
And so in answer to my central question, regarding why buy The Tablet if you already have an iPhone and a MacBook, my best guess is that ultimately, The Tablet is something you’ll buy instead of a MacBook.
I say they’re swinging big — redefining the experience of personal computing.
It will not be pitched as such by Apple. It will be defined by three or four of its built-in primary apps. But long-term, big-picture? It will be to the MacBook what the Macintosh was to the Apple II.
…
From BT via Facebook:
or, it will be to the MacBook what the Lisa was to the Apple II. who knows.
(Yesterday at 5:01am)
From BF via Facebook:
Ah, the Lisa! Had forgotten about her. About $10,000 as I recall.
(3 hours ago)
From SM via Facebook:
As I’ve mentioned on my podcast a few times, I’m still not quite sure where the tablet form factor really fits, and what the real benefit would be that would make me want it rather than either something smaller, or something with a keyboard and such… I can certainly envisage some really cool stuff, but the question would be if in the end it would be more practical (and/or more enjoyable) than other options while being at a reasonable price point. I’m just not sure. And I have doubts… but… if anybody can pull it off it would be Apple.
But for all the iPod and iPhone successes, they also have AppleTVs and MacBook Airs… and Lisas… that just never took off. (At least not so far, that Lisa could make a comeback any time now!)
We’ll see in a few weeks I guess.
(2 seconds ago)
From BT via Facebook:
check out the Courier concept from MS. maybe Ballmer is announcing at CES?
(4 hours ago)
From SM via Facebook:
Yeah, and that thing Lenovo just announced. There is definitely a lot of action going on in this space right now. We’ll see if any of it pans out.
(2 seconds ago)