All this talk about the Apple Tablet - or whatever it's actually called - reminds me almost exactly of the lead up to the iPhone. If you remember correctly, people were talking about the existence of an Apple-branded phone for years and reporting on it as a matter of when and not if.
Same for the Tablet. Apple may know how to keep a secret like no one else's business, but it's not fooling anyone. The Tablet is coming - you can take that to the bank. But what you can't take to the bank is the description of the Tablet from analysts.
If you've been a longtime reader, you'll remember that I've never been particularly kind to analysts. I see them very much like telemarketers. I understand they have a job to do and I wish them well, but I don't particularly like it when they call me. Analysts think they have something very important and newsworthy to share when in actuality, all they do is summarize what other people write and report it as though it's law.
Like the analyst who said the Apple Tablet will definitely be released sometime in 2010 and it will clearly fill the void between the iPhone/iPod touch and the entry-level MacBook.
That is NOT what the Tablet is intended for. Sure, there may be people out there who buy it for that reason, but that's not what Steve Jobs envisions. And anyone who claims to understand the inner workings of Apple or the mind of Steve Jobs would know that without even thinking about it. Steve Jobs NEVER does things like everyone else. Netbooks already exist. Those fill the void between mobile devices like the iPhone and iPod touch and entry-level laptops. Steve Jobs doesn't want to make a netbook nor will he ever. Netbooks are silly little computers.
What Steve Jobs wants to create is a device that changes the way we do things - much like he did with the iPhone.
Imagine a device that's connected by Wi-Fi that sits in your living room and controls the lights. Imagine that same device controlling your home entertainment system. Imagine that same device controlling the thermostat in your house. Imagine that same device - or a second one if you want to purchase one - acting as a way to deposit money in your bank account. Or start your car on a cold morning. Or let you read the daily newspaper. Or that book you've been dying to cuddle up with. Or watch videos on a plane.
Yes, the Apple Tablet - or whatever it's called - will be many different things to many different people. Operating on a hybrid of Mac software and iPhone software, apps will control the Tablet in ways we can't even dream of and in ways we come to expect.
Once the Tablet comes out, it will take 2 months tops until people say Kindle-who? The Tablet will control so many things and then some. Forget remote controls. Tablet handles it. There are devices that control music in your house - all done via a Tablet and iTunes. When you need to program your DVR from 5,000 miles away or water the plants or dim the lights - you'll be able to do it with the Tablet.
Companies will find ways to incorporate what they do in a Tablet. I picture ordering Starbucks drinks via Tablets at tables at each location and the barista bringing the drink to you. You'll use the Starbucks Mobile card reader app to pay for the drink. The days of standing in line will be a thing of the past.
Like the iPhone, we'll buy the Tablet with one thing in mind and be awestruck when we can do so much more with it.
And perhaps most importantly - and Steve Jobs knows this already because he's already using a Tablet for this and more - everyone in the world will want a Tablet. Whether it's your daily newspaper or your video game hub or your music library or every photo/video you've ever taken, you'll need a Tablet because the world will be using it.
That's something you can take to the bank. And while you are there, withdraw about $799 because that's what I think the Tablet will cost. There will be higher price points for more memory and functionality. Personally, I think Apple should charge $599 for the Tablet and go for quantity because they'll sell bajillions, but I see them missing the price point by a few hundred dollars.
As you can see, that's not a device between an iPod touch/iPhone and an entry-level laptop. This is a true gamechanger. So not only should you plan on buying one, you should make sure that you are on board early.
Remember - you heard it here first.
Let me know what you think here in the comments or on
Twitter. I understand that not everyone will agree with me and that's fine. But trust me - I've analyzed Steve Jobs before and I'm pretty sure I have this exactly right.
And you can take THAT to the bank.
Thanks for calling.
4 Comments
Ereaderuniverse said:
I agree with most of what you said and personally can't wait for this to launch.
Where I beg to differ is there are millions of people who will buy ebook readers who have no interest in all the other things a tablet could do. They just want a simple reading device not a life management device. There will be more than enough of those people to allow the Kindle and others to continue to thrive.
I also think Microsoft has a real shot to steal tremendous thunder from Apple if they can get the courier out first.
You can see the courier in action in our videos section@
http://www.ereaderuniverse.com
Wiz said:
Personally, I think a tablet will work like those things we'd se in the Star Trek series (starting with the Next Generation), they never had keyboards per se, they had a tablet like device that they could do most everything on. The most important thing it will do is bring revenue to the news paper industry. Free is over with.
crosen said:
Imagine sitting in my living room and controlling the lights, A/V system and thermostats through a wi-fi device? Not too hard - I'm doing that right now. The device is called the iPhone. I'm not disagreeing with the notion that the Apple tablet will be significant in this realm, just the idea that use as such is a particularly novel concept. Or, one that is a leap from how many have already begun using the iPhone.
nightlighthouses said:
I agree, and suggest a possible name... The Applet
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