iSlate
There is much talk of Apple's forthcoming iSlate. Many are predicting flop, but for me it seems like a device that needs to exist - the only reason for a flop is if it's not great to use. For example, Smart Phone web-access was guff before Apple figured out a way to navigate and zoom non-wap web-sites with ease - the rest is history. What would make an iSlate succeed? This, I believe:
1. tactile keyboard
- The screen needs to offer feedback, like a traditional keyboard, when the keyboard appears. This seems far fetched, but could be achieved with designated areas. Whether the technology can be advanced enough for ANY shape to become a "key" is not so clear. This would paves the way for something I would ADORE - which is the ability to produce piano keys and knobs. Imagine downloading apps that have their own interface! Bring on the Arturia powered AppStore mini-moog... I'd shell out the £800(?) for the device for this portable wonder alone.
2. Multi-tasking. And that's it! Combining the sizable screen and decent speed with all the benefits on an always on mobile they are on to a winner. Why? Well, taking my mother as a typical case in point, her laptop is an additional computer, which lives in the kitchen / lounge for convenience, but it's not THAT convenient. You can't operate it in your hands - you need to find somewhere to balance and open it. And it's obtrusive on your lap in the living room. Open / shut. Open / shut. You can have a tablet on your kitchen table pick it up in the morning and there are the headlines and your mail. Click to stream Radio 4 or just quickly check something like weather or a wiki before you leave. Get your TV listings (if you are old-fashioned enough to have one) - whatever.
Winner. Buy Apple + Google shares now.
1. tactile keyboard
- The screen needs to offer feedback, like a traditional keyboard, when the keyboard appears. This seems far fetched, but could be achieved with designated areas. Whether the technology can be advanced enough for ANY shape to become a "key" is not so clear. This would paves the way for something I would ADORE - which is the ability to produce piano keys and knobs. Imagine downloading apps that have their own interface! Bring on the Arturia powered AppStore mini-moog... I'd shell out the £800(?) for the device for this portable wonder alone.
2. Multi-tasking. And that's it! Combining the sizable screen and decent speed with all the benefits on an always on mobile they are on to a winner. Why? Well, taking my mother as a typical case in point, her laptop is an additional computer, which lives in the kitchen / lounge for convenience, but it's not THAT convenient. You can't operate it in your hands - you need to find somewhere to balance and open it. And it's obtrusive on your lap in the living room. Open / shut. Open / shut. You can have a tablet on your kitchen table pick it up in the morning and there are the headlines and your mail. Click to stream Radio 4 or just quickly check something like weather or a wiki before you leave. Get your TV listings (if you are old-fashioned enough to have one) - whatever.
Winner. Buy Apple + Google shares now.
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