Back in August of 2009 under the title, ‘Presenting Apple’s new iBook!’ I proposed that Apple’s rumoured tablet computer wasn’t just going to be an oversized iPhone but rather a replacement for paper and ink. Six months on and I’m even more convinced.
The invitation tagline, ‘Come See Our Latest Creation’, the rumour that Steve Jobs believes this to be the most important moment of his life, Tim Cook’s recent admission that their new creation will bring ‘joy and surprise’, all point towards a product that has the potential to change industries.
What can we expect on the 27th?
A tablet computer with a multi-core processor, a multi-touch screen, an impressive battery life and a surprisingly affordable price tag. That’s my guess. I believe we can also expect Apple to announce a Print Store that will function in almost exactly the same way as the App Store. I expect Apple to provide the tools necessary to be able to create a publication for submission to the Print Store. There are two reasons why this might lead to a new era in personal publishing. First, the tools that Apple provide for the creation of Print Store Items will allow for an impressive array of fonts, styles and design elements presently not available to those designing with HTML. Secondly, the Print Store will allow publishers (that’s you and I) to charge for our publications. The combination of these two features will transform publishing and change the print industry.
Consider a couple of examples of how this might work in practice. Both these proposals are based on real publications and real customers that I’ve encountered working for a small print company.
Example 1
A retired army General has written his memoirs, a series of short stories based on his experiences during the last world war. Being a keen illustrator he has hand drawn four or five sketches to go with each story. The General desperately wants to get his memoirs into book format so he can distribute it to his old friends and family. In 2009 he had a couple of options. Create a website, or produce a minimum quantity of fully printed books. In 2010 he may have a third option. Create a Print Item for inclusion in the Print Store, price it at £1.99 but give his friends and family codes so that they can download it for free. He gets instant worldwide distribution, retains the look and much of the feel of a printed book, and the opportunity to make a few pennies should the book prove a success. Everybody wins.
Example 2
A UK manufacturing firm with global customer base want to make manuals and brochures available to new and existing customers. In 2009 they had two options. Add download links to PDF files on their website or get the literature printed and distributed via international post. In 2010 they may have a third option. Convert the PDF files to Print Store Items make them freely available and email their customers the link. The power of the Print Store Item in this scenario is that the company continue to update the Print Store Item as and when new manuals and literature is made available. The customer always has access to the most recent literature, they are even notified when it is updated with new material.
I can think of hundreds of example similar to the above. Even All About iPhone might consider a Print Store Item. An archive of all previous posts made available in one nicely designed magazine format for less than a decent cup of coffee.
Of course, until computing tablets are ubiquitous Apple would need to cater for those without tablets. They could tackle this in a couple of ways.
They might open up these Print Store Items for purchase and viewing on regular desktop computers and their iPhone/iPod platform. Or perhaps even offer a bespoke printing service much like they already provide from iPhoto for photos and photo albums.
It seems almost inevitable that Apple will go down this route, if not at launch then certainly soon after. I can’t think of a single pressing reason why they would not.
Let’s talk about hardware.
It’s easy to forget that Apple is capable some pretty strange designs. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the tablet was not symmetrical. Think about it, by putting most of the weight and bulk of the device over on one side, the tablet would be much easier to hold for extended time periods. Here’s another thought. If there was more bulk on one edge of the tablet would that not allow for some kind of styling for easier single handed grip and perhaps even an elegant kick-stand of sorts?
Apple’s Magic Mouse shows that Apple are not adverse to adding multi-touch to the external casing of a device. I can envision the tablet having a multi-touch area on the case that might be used for very simple thumb gestures like scrolling or page turning. How it will handle text entry is of little concern to me, they must have nailed this otherwise Mr. Jobs wouldn’t be so excited about it.
Is it possible that the screen might dock with the frame via a locking mechanism and Mini DisplayPort. The frame could have a dock on both the long edge and short edge.
As a avid Apple follower of some 18 years, I can honestly say that I’ve never seen such interest in a new product launch. Here’s hoping that Steve doesn’t disappoint!
Follow me on Twitter (@jamesburland) for plenty of Apple related chit-chat over the next 24 hours.
All that is very nice, but this is still an iPhone site am i right?
I´m almost 100% convinced the thing will run a new and more powerfull version of the iPhone OS, that will also have effects on the other devices of the Apple touch platform, the iPhone and the iPod touch. And this is what makes me look forward even more to the event.
This OS 4.0 will make Apple leapfrog again to the lead in terms of mobile innovation, something that right now is not true – iPhone´s current UI looks now ancient, and lacks the power and versatility of Android and WebOS.
Antonio: Thanks for commenting. It’s highly likely that the tablet will impact on the iPhone hence the reason for posting it here.
I’ve recently been testing the Nexus One and I’m going to have to disagree a little. I’ve not come across any ‘power and versatility’ beyond OS 3.2 besides the ability to stream radio and other audio as a background task. I can’t speak of WebOS as I’ve not tried it.
Enjoy the launch event, should be fun!
My experience with Android is limited to the Magic. But it´s enough for me to see iPhone OS can no longer remain with it´s current awfull notification system.
I also tried the Palm Pre, and besides it´s also fantastic notification system, i saw how multitasking can be done right – and i have a glance of that on my jb 3gs (using proswitcher).
I also tried the n900, and again there several things there that should be on a modern mobile UI.
So, like i said, Apple does not lead anymore in terms of UI innovation, not when you have things on it that look archaic like the bloody popups in the middle of the screen, the lack o live information on the springboard, and the lack of multitasking
If they do how i think they will tomorow, they would pretty much make people forget about android/maemo/etc, without even having to launch new hardware for 6 months…
It certainly would be nice to see iPhone OS 4 tomorrow, even better if it was launched at the event. I wonder if it will run on the first generation hardware.
If it runs on the 3G, i guess there is no reason for not running on the 2G. However, it seems also logical that Apple would one day end support for that phone, and now seems the time for it. However, i´m sure someone on the jb community will figure a way to do it
But hey, let´s wait for tomorrow. Can´t wait.
Antonio – this is still an iPhone site, but the iPhone is more than just the iPhone. I’ve always considered the iPhone to be a platform – iPhones, iPod Touches running iPhone OS, and interacting with the iTunes ecosystem. Anything that touches on those criteria may well get a mention here. And I think the Tablet is going to fit right in
You’re right that there are improvements that could be made to iPhone OS – notifications and multi-tasking being prime examples. But the key to its success has been the App Store, powered by a simple programming environment and revenue split for developers. Other platforms are playing catch up.
And James – I hadn’t considered a move into “print”. Who knows – you may see All About iPhone on the Print Store sometime!
“And I think the Tablet is going to fit right in”
Me too. That´s also why i think it will run iPhone OS, and that this OS will be presented tomorrow.
The Appstore is a key advantage for Apple, but is not enough. The OS can´t remain essencially the same for 3 years in a row.
James Print Store Concept is awesome!
The mind boggles at the prospect of the Apple approval process for a Print Store.
Andy – True. That would be a problem. Apple’s picky approach to app approvals, when applied en masse to the written word, could tip over from corporate image association to seeming like outright censorship. Let’s hope they play this one well, or at least allow a separate distribution channel.
So it turns out that Apple’s hardware solution was a big bezel and a case that also serves as a desk wedge and a stand. All-in-all, I think the iPad is going to be just about perfect for a great many people. I plan to get a couple for work as they’ll be invaluable in our iCal/Google Docs workflow.
No Print Store as yet, though obviously the iBook application has the potential to become exactly that.
In an iPhone related note, how long before we see the A4 chipset in an iPhone?
I was somewhat a letdown for me, for obvious reasons (see my failed predictions lol)
However, this means OS 4.0 deserves it´s own even – let´s hope Apple delivers, because i´m becoming extremely bored with iPhone´s (and iPad) current UI
About the iPad, it´s not what geeks wanted…but it will be an huge success. Here´s my opinion
http://mobilegeekdom.blogspot.com/2010/01/why-ipad-will-be-huge-success.html
Like you I thought the iPad UI looked a tad old, but then I saw the video demos and I became much more impressed. It looks fresh and uncluttered.
You’re right, it wasn’t what geeks wanted… Thank goodness! ^_^
Well…i know what you mean…but still, the OS needs a refresh
Also, this thing has a big capacity battery, a 1ghz processor, at least 512mb of RAM…multitasking has to come out…i´m sure OS 4.0 will adress it