Apple tablet to replace many other gadgets?
CNNMoney has an article gathering rumors about the Apple tablet that is the subject of so many ongoing rumors. A lot of prognosticators seem to think that the tablet could replace many other consumer gadgets:
If the rumors are true, the tablet will be able to do basically everything a gadget could possibly do. It’s an e-reader, a gaming device, and a music player. You can watch TV and movies on it and surf the Internet (or so we’ve heard). And it will have thousands of third-party apps available for it … or maybe it will run Mac OS X. That’s all still unknown.
Of course, nobody yet knows how much it is going to cost, or exactly how big it will be, or exactly what features it will include, or even when (if) it will come out. There sure is a lot of guessing, though!
Although I have found e-ink to be gratifyingly clear and easy to read in good light, I have to admit that a clipboard-sized version of my iPod Touch with appropriate resolution is something I would find very appealing for a variety of uses—especially e-reading uses.
November 17th, 2009 at 4:02 am
OK, let’s look into the gadget bag… It is quite full, so maybe Apple will help me?
There is a decent compact cam, and a real camera. An iPhone, of course (with a crappy camera, btw), which handles email and plays music. Then there is an ultraportable for on-the-go typing (I need a good keyboard to take notes). It can also play video. A PSP, to play all these Sony games. And my 15in MacBook Pro, for coding, photoshopping, DVD watching. Also, there is an eBook reader, which has an eInk display (there is no alternative for outdoors reading and traveling).
Quite a list. And frankly, I do not see why I should add the Apple tablet to it. Also, I cannot see how the Apple tablet is going to replace a single item on that list.
Well… If I added my tea-tray, my Wacom tablet and my Chumby (and perhaps a digital photo frame, which I do not possess), perhaps I would be getting somewhere…
November 17th, 2009 at 4:06 am
Teleread should really stop promoting LCD’s as a reading device. Ok, you might still have good eyes for reading on it but the older you get, the more you’ll appreciate e-ink or natural display.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Many thanks for your thoughts, Kell, but as an older boomer, I prefer LCDs. It’s an individual decision. Go with E Ink if that’s your preference.
One big issue is the contrast one. It may or may not be age related, but I find that the text-background contrast of E Ink is badly lacking. Others may disagree.
Steve Jordan, however, one of our regulars, is most emphatic about the glories of LCDs.
But, hey, each to his/her own! Paul Biba, TeleRead’s co-editor, is a big Kindle fan.
I own not only LCD machines but a Sony Reader and Kindle, because I know there are so many fans of E Ink among our readers, and we like to serve everyone.
Besides, I love the Kindle’s speech synthesis for, say, long walks.
Enjoy your Kindle, or whatever you you prefer, Kell!
Thanks,
David