Jillian wrote in Padgadget that an iPad mini as (the current rumour mill chart topper) makes sense. You can read it here.
I think it is a stupid idea to start this rumour in the first place and I still think, despite the assertions from various sources indicating, that Apple would not be caught dead launching a product that is already known to be their first challenger. Remember all the other manufacturers who announced, retracted, re-launched and finally to see it not selling the way it was expected? Well, why would Apple with its mighty fortress market leadership want to enter a market that had been laughed off as being silly? Would not that look awfully silly on them?
To be fair, the "news" was that Apple had consigned, ordered or procured screen size that is meant for a 7" tablet. It did not mean they wanted it to be a tablet. The problem is that all the rumour mongers (including other manufacturers), unlike Apple , only think unidirectionally. Just because there exist evidence of 7" screens shipped to Apple, that does not prove that it will be a tablet like iPad. I believe it is meant for a different product.
Then again, it is just rumours. But for argument sake, let's just say it is true that Apple is indeed preparing to launch a touch screen device in the form and size similar to the standard 7" tablet in the market now; what would that device be?
Jillian's assertion that the mini iPad makes sense because of 1) iTextbook, 2) MacBook Air evolution, 3) Portability & 4) Family-style, is flawed.
1) the current iPad size is perfect for reading any materials. Be it textbook, magazines or newspaper (not the broadsheets, though). Make it any smaller would make reading difficult. Getting students to read existing textbooks is already a difficult task for the educators, let alone to read one that his hard on the eyes. Cost savings are not significant. What we see in the market now is that the price for 7" tablets are not much cheaper than the 10" varieties.
For Apple, if it is the cost, they can work something out especially if it is negotiated by the government. Price is not an issue, I believe. Among the many technological aid for teaching, the iPad is one of the cheapest. Try installing PCs, Smartboards, networking and contents for every school, and you will see that the iPad is really a bargain. Just like its adoption in the enterprise, most parents can afford an iPad and the authorities do not have to fret over the budget.
2) Macbook Air evolution is an interesting point. I agree that the two shall meet but I tend to see it as the iPad gaining size (13" perhaps) with physical keyboard and more powerful version of iOS running of higher end processor. While the current form factor for MacBook Air will be taken up by MacBook Pro. That leaves the current iPad not having the need to supersize itself..
3) portability. What?!?!?! 'nuff said.
4) Family-style. Please refer to point 1) on cost. Also, the iPod touch serves the niche for kiddies toy neatly.
I would accept if the rumours insist that Apple is making a giant iPod. That would have been more palatable. But I think what everybody is missing is the way Apple usually works. And I say this to include not only the bloggers, writers, speculators, investment analysts etc but including the manufacturers who are trying to catch up or compete with Apple. Apple does not work that way. All their products has a heavy element of psychology in them. From Macintosh to iPad, everything is user-centric, intuitive and has an emotional appeal.
With a touch screen device of 7", if it is true, I bet it would be the new Apple TV. Why? Here's my take.
The current Apple TV is a set top box. It is physically attached to the TV. The interface is cumbersome (very un-Apple like) and the control is a conventional (albeit given an Apple treatment) stick with buttons. Not cool!
The new Apple TV will come in two parts. The viewing screen with major part of the hardware and OS and a handheld device or remote control and preview. The set top box can easily be morphed into a handheld device with a touch screen for control. It will connect to the viewing screen wirelessly, seamlessly. It is technologically possible and it is waaaaaayyy cooler than what we have now.
The touchscreen will let you select, preview, manage your programs and instruct which TV in the house (I suspect most household would have more than one TV) to show what at what time for how long. The small screen serves the purpose well enough and the icons would not be overcrowding the screen. There won't be too many icons and there are folders to take care of your playlists. Of course, parental control is built-in.
But then, the new Apple TV would also come preloaded with Safari for your, oh-BTW moment where you need to google something. Heck, you may want to find out more about the movie that you are watching, right?
This system goes in-line with what Apple stands for, user-centric, intuitive and emotionally appealing.
What other have shown earlier this year with clearer, bigger screens, thinner profile etc etc are nice but not revolutionary. It is just macho showing. Voice control, face recognition, preemptive selection of programs, to me, is just plain creepy. Imagine sneaking into your bedroom past curfew time and the TV suddenly blare out Hawaii 5-O theme song! It is just not psychologically pleasing.
If it is true that Apple is experimenting with 7" touchscreen, it has got to be its new Apple TV. Mark my words.
Remember, you read it here first.
Oh, there is one more thing. The iPod touch, iPhone and iPads would have extension apps to work with the TV as well, though it would not be full fledged app. The new Apple TV would eventually be morphed into an extension of the iMac. Think Avatar!
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