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Apple\u2019s mythical tablet may or\u00a0may not\u00a0be here, but let’s indulge in last-minute conjecture on what Apple may have in store. So let\u2019s try a thought experiment: a rundown of the ten things that would guarantee that Apple\u2019s tablet is an enduring success.<\/p>\n
To begin with, I assume we all know what a tablet device is and what it does. Imagine an iPod Touch with a 10-inch screen. I assume, too, that the tablet will run something similar to the touch-flavored OS at the heart of the iPhone; probably iPhone OS 4.0 (which has already been spotted in the<\/a> wild<\/a>).<\/p>\n Other lessons will be learned from the iPhone. Sleek industrial design, precious few hardware buttons and oleophobic coatings will feature in the spec sheet. So, too, will accelerometers, magnetometers and flux capacitors.<\/p>\n A cautionary note; despite assertions from unnamed Apple execs that we\u2019re going to be \u201cvery surprised\u201d by how we interact with the tablet, take it from an old cynic: it will be nothing like Apple\u2019s 1987 Knowledge Navigator<\/a> concept device (seen below). It might be similar in form factor, but I guarantee the Tablet has more in common with Apple\u2019s venerable Newton than it does the crazily-ambitious<\/a> platonic paradigm that was the Navigator.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Mag+<\/a> from Bonnier<\/a> on Vimeo<\/a>.<\/p>\n So with that out of the way, let\u2019s get started with the 10 prescriptions for guaranteed tablet success for Apple, in reverse order:<\/p>\n 10. OLED Display<\/strong> 09. High-Definition Prowess<\/strong> 08. eMagazine Reader<\/strong> Mag+<\/a> from Bonnier<\/a> on Vimeo<\/a>.<\/p>\n 07. Ubiquitous Connectivity<\/strong> 06. Cameras<\/strong> 05. Touch Media<\/strong> 04. Multitasking<\/strong> 03. Awesome Battery<\/strong> 02. Apps<\/strong> So, from an HD screen, Internet connectivity, incredible battery life and support for software to more factors, there are many things needed to make the iTablet a success. What\u2019s the one killer feature that will guarantee Apple\u2019s tablet huge and sustainable success?<\/p>\n 01. Price<\/strong> Of course, Apple may have already considered these things, and there are many other aspects of the iTablet that people are hoping for<\/a>. While I\u2019m sure we won\u2019t get even half of these wish list (though perfectly reasonable) features, when Steve Jobs eventually makes the much-anticipated tablet announcement, he may convince many people that they need a tablet. If that happens, just check this list again for a brief reality check before reaching for your credit card.<\/p>\n Photo courtesy of Gizmodo<\/a>. Photo rendering by Jesus Diaz.<\/p>\n
\nI\u2019m sure we won\u2019t get this, and that\u2019s a shame. Sure, we\u2019ll still get HD resolution with an LCD, but the battery will suffer.<\/p>\n
\nHD is crucial; 720p natively, 1080p via external screen. It has to manage at least three hours of continuous HD playback on a single battery charge.<\/p>\n
\neBook readers are greyscale and dull. An eMagazine<\/a> Reader offers colors, animations and adventure. (Plus you can get automatic content delivery via iTunes subscriptions.) The concept below is by Bonnier R&D.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/446db_on1.jpg?w=470&h=274\")
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\nSounds fancy, but it\u2019s just a 3G radio for connecting to the Net. For an added awesome factor, let\u2019s do it WhisperNet style, with no monthly 3G fees. (Never gonna happen, but what a wonderful dream!)<\/p>\n
\nThat\u2019s right, cameras is deliberately plural. One on the back and one embedded up-front for video iChat. Anything less than 5 megapixels, by the way, is criminal.<\/p>\n
\nYou know what we want here \u2013 multimedia creation, editing and consumption, all touch-friendly. The retrofitted iPhone\u2019s iPod app just won\u2019t cut it — what we need is a touch-based iTunes. And a touch-friendly iMovie would be very welcome.<\/p>\n
\nWe need real background processes, Apple. No excuses this time.<\/p>\n
\nMy dream in terms of battery life would be five days between full charges. But, realistically, this being a first generation \u00a0device, the battery will probably be weak.<\/p>\n
\nActually, apps are doomed. HTML5 will see to that, eventually. Until then, Apple\u2019s tablet needs to run all the apps already in the iTunes store. Even the fart apps.<\/p>\n
\nIt comes down to this. Most sane people will not buy a tablet if they can get a notebook (or an iPod Touch!) that does all the same stuff at a lower price.<\/p>\n
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