darrens
Aug 4, 08:11 AM
I think I remember reading on one of the MacRumors forums that Merom is really a full 64-bit processor, bu rather a 32-bit w/ 64-bit extensions or something. Any truth in this?
Yes - both AMD 64 and Intel EM64T are 64 bit extensions to the 32 bit x86 processor.
From what I understand the registers are still 32 bit, but the chips have a 64 bit address space and more registers.
No-one has the need for a truly 64 bit machine at this point - just machines that can address more RAM. The 4GB RAM limit on 32 bit processors is beginning to be an issue for pro users.
I think the vector extensions (AltiVec and SSE) have very large registers - 128 bit? This is what's used when there is a need for a specific optimisation.
Just my layman's understanding. Ready to be corrected!
Yes - both AMD 64 and Intel EM64T are 64 bit extensions to the 32 bit x86 processor.
From what I understand the registers are still 32 bit, but the chips have a 64 bit address space and more registers.
No-one has the need for a truly 64 bit machine at this point - just machines that can address more RAM. The 4GB RAM limit on 32 bit processors is beginning to be an issue for pro users.
I think the vector extensions (AltiVec and SSE) have very large registers - 128 bit? This is what's used when there is a need for a specific optimisation.
Just my layman's understanding. Ready to be corrected!
Moyank24
May 3, 11:13 PM
I don't know what you guys mean by leaders. We make our decisions individually in the thread, right?
Interactions with the Game Masters:
All heroes interact in the thread. If they split up, they all have telepathic powers, given to them by the Wizard, so they know what is happening with the other team. A leader will be designated by the team at the beginning of the game (and at the time of a split) who will report to the Game Masters the desired actions. The rules state that actions will be taken with a vote, but the Game Masters will not keep track, they will trust the designated leader. If drama ensues, this is a desired possible result. Honesty is obviously highly desired.
From the OP
So we really need to vote on a leader so we can get this thing moving forward. If you don't want to split up, I suggest voting for someone other than DP
Interactions with the Game Masters:
All heroes interact in the thread. If they split up, they all have telepathic powers, given to them by the Wizard, so they know what is happening with the other team. A leader will be designated by the team at the beginning of the game (and at the time of a split) who will report to the Game Masters the desired actions. The rules state that actions will be taken with a vote, but the Game Masters will not keep track, they will trust the designated leader. If drama ensues, this is a desired possible result. Honesty is obviously highly desired.
From the OP
So we really need to vote on a leader so we can get this thing moving forward. If you don't want to split up, I suggest voting for someone other than DP
timswim78
Sep 16, 09:30 PM
Well, I thought that a 24' iMac was a crazy idea. I guess that maybe there could be a 19" MacBook Pro! (3Ghz G5 of course)
Number 41
Mar 28, 12:03 PM
My 3GS is working just fine -- I'm more than content to wait for a real refresh to the iPhone (not some garbage update that keeps the same flawed form factor re: antenna and use of a shattering glass back).
Most people claiming they'll switch won't -- rebuying your Apps for the Android marketplace represents a non-insubstantial hidden cost to switching for many people.
Most people claiming they'll switch won't -- rebuying your Apps for the Android marketplace represents a non-insubstantial hidden cost to switching for many people.
LagunaSol
Apr 20, 01:47 AM
Love the look and feel of the current model - makes everything else on the market look like cheap junk. I hope the rumor is true and Apple leaves the external design as-is. Like the Mac Pro and MacBook Pro, this is a design that will look great for many years.
Flying Llama
Jul 22, 03:30 PM
awesome...
I'm just sad we'll never truly be able to say the long awaited:
"Ah, the G5 Powerbooks are here!".
All those G5 PB on tuesday jokes, in vain... :(
It would have been awesome if Apple introduced some, just out of principle. :D
/rant
Can't wait for WWDC!!
--flyingllama
I'm just sad we'll never truly be able to say the long awaited:
"Ah, the G5 Powerbooks are here!".
All those G5 PB on tuesday jokes, in vain... :(
It would have been awesome if Apple introduced some, just out of principle. :D
/rant
Can't wait for WWDC!!
--flyingllama
esaleris
Aug 11, 09:49 AM
I think to the end user, the difference between Yonah and Merom is minimal.
From a supply chain perspective, it is far easier to manage one SKU than multiple ones. You immediately half the number of CPUs that you need to stock by moving all mobile to Merom. And give the fact that some speculate the price between the two CPUs are minimal, and that Apple is a premium brand, it wouldn't be a far reach to see that it is quite advantageous for them to move onto better hardware and keep the price as is.
It's a speed bump, if anything. Not something Apple typically makes a big fuss about, despite the fact we know it's two different cores. Yonah -> Merom is a far smaller ordeal than Merom -> Santa Rosa.
From a supply chain perspective, it is far easier to manage one SKU than multiple ones. You immediately half the number of CPUs that you need to stock by moving all mobile to Merom. And give the fact that some speculate the price between the two CPUs are minimal, and that Apple is a premium brand, it wouldn't be a far reach to see that it is quite advantageous for them to move onto better hardware and keep the price as is.
It's a speed bump, if anything. Not something Apple typically makes a big fuss about, despite the fact we know it's two different cores. Yonah -> Merom is a far smaller ordeal than Merom -> Santa Rosa.
Popeye206
Apr 7, 10:45 AM
Apple is one greedy corporation that just loves to attack.. typical of the coming corporate takeover of humanity.
Of course! Any company that makes money has to be greedy! Even worse, they keep making the products so darn good, people keep buying them! How frick'n evil and corrupted can you get! If they really cared, they'd produce junk so we'd all stop buying! :rolleyes:
Of course! Any company that makes money has to be greedy! Even worse, they keep making the products so darn good, people keep buying them! How frick'n evil and corrupted can you get! If they really cared, they'd produce junk so we'd all stop buying! :rolleyes:
spo
Jul 30, 09:24 AM
what are the odds that apple, in order to reinvent the mobile experience, has teamed with a voip chip maker etc. to provide mobile voice and video (ichat mobile) over IP?
this somehow makes more sense than co-branding a unit or "piggy backing" onto current carriers... then again, failure on this scale would be the biggest "jump the shark" moment in their history.
this somehow makes more sense than co-branding a unit or "piggy backing" onto current carriers... then again, failure on this scale would be the biggest "jump the shark" moment in their history.
rman726
Apr 20, 08:16 AM
I wonder how many of these they'll sale? If it's not due out until September, but everything still points to a summer release of the iPhone 6, which is supposed to be a redesign, then why not wait six more months? I'm due for a new phone this June and if the iPhone is delayed til September I will certainly wait six more months and get the redesigned one. I'm not crazy about this form factor anyway.
The iPhone 4 is still selling well ten months after launch. The same will happen with the iPhone 5. Don't hold your breath expecting the iPhone 6 to come back to the normal spring release slot. If the iPhone 5 comes out in septembe the iPhone 6 isn't coming out until September 2012.... MAYBE august 2012 at earliest. They simply arent going to release the iPhone 6 six months after the iPhone 5, as that's just not their business model that they have shown for the past decade.
The iPhone 4 is still selling well ten months after launch. The same will happen with the iPhone 5. Don't hold your breath expecting the iPhone 6 to come back to the normal spring release slot. If the iPhone 5 comes out in septembe the iPhone 6 isn't coming out until September 2012.... MAYBE august 2012 at earliest. They simply arent going to release the iPhone 6 six months after the iPhone 5, as that's just not their business model that they have shown for the past decade.
rickdollar
Mar 26, 11:22 PM
With the increased competition of Android I doubt Apple will be dragging their feet when it comes to moving forward with iOS. The new Web OS will be out this summer, too.
Guess we'll see soon enough.
Guess we'll see soon enough.
Thunderhawks
Apr 6, 08:25 AM
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)
The jailbreak haters make me laugh. My phone works just fine and while I do use a bit more memory, it's perfectly stable and I get a phone with far more utility. Any resultant perfomance issues are so negligible stock is not even competition.
I understand some people bite off more than they can chew when they JB. I also know that scenario doesn't apply to everyone.
While I am not a jailbreak hater (do as you please:-), I am wondering why people buy a product that is not perfect for them and then change it.
My point is that if it works fine, but if it doesn't work don't go and blame Apple or use their services for FREE to restore your messed up device.
I have been able to help people restore several JB ipods (kids in school).
Most of these were about eye candy or screen looks, wallpapers.
Something I don't need, but to each her/his own.
I liken JB to somebody buying a car and then going under the hood and change things in the way the motor works, so they can add boosters, compression changers, modify valves and ignition features or similar stuff.
When it then croaks out they blame the car manufacturer.
Always blaming somebody else seems to be the norm a lot these days.
Luckily JB people can restore their devices. If that was not possible JB would not be happening.
Maybe Apple should be looking into blocking restoring? I am sure they can come up with a way that JB would be recognized.
The jailbreak haters make me laugh. My phone works just fine and while I do use a bit more memory, it's perfectly stable and I get a phone with far more utility. Any resultant perfomance issues are so negligible stock is not even competition.
I understand some people bite off more than they can chew when they JB. I also know that scenario doesn't apply to everyone.
While I am not a jailbreak hater (do as you please:-), I am wondering why people buy a product that is not perfect for them and then change it.
My point is that if it works fine, but if it doesn't work don't go and blame Apple or use their services for FREE to restore your messed up device.
I have been able to help people restore several JB ipods (kids in school).
Most of these were about eye candy or screen looks, wallpapers.
Something I don't need, but to each her/his own.
I liken JB to somebody buying a car and then going under the hood and change things in the way the motor works, so they can add boosters, compression changers, modify valves and ignition features or similar stuff.
When it then croaks out they blame the car manufacturer.
Always blaming somebody else seems to be the norm a lot these days.
Luckily JB people can restore their devices. If that was not possible JB would not be happening.
Maybe Apple should be looking into blocking restoring? I am sure they can come up with a way that JB would be recognized.
Pegamush
Mar 29, 09:57 AM
i don't like cloud based storage, am i the ony one thinking it is extremely energy wasting?
why would i, in Italy, need to stream data from a server based in sweden, just to play an mp3 song i already own (since then)?
wouldn't it lead to a massive data overload?
or maybe i'm just missing the point..
why would i, in Italy, need to stream data from a server based in sweden, just to play an mp3 song i already own (since then)?
wouldn't it lead to a massive data overload?
or maybe i'm just missing the point..
DeathChill
Apr 8, 08:14 PM
I disagree. The OS on the most number of devices always ends up "winning" (for a lack of a better word.) It has happened time and time again. Windows beat MacOS after a few years due to it being on a wider range of hardware. The same happened with Android on phones. It will most defiantly happen again; if not with Android, defiantly with an OS which works on the same business model and is not tied to specific hardware.
The 'average user' customer likes choice. The iPad provides none. An iPad is an iPad and that is that. Whereas Android provides a wide range of models and sizes and colours and specs.
You're ignoring a huge factor: price. Mac products were more expensive than their PC counterparts. That's not at all true for the iPad. As well, Apple has huge brand cachet and their products are gorgeous to look at and touch.
I'm not sure that choice is going to be a huge advantage in the tablet market as there's not much differentiation that is going to matter to the normal consumer. Sure, there can be different sizes but most people are happy with the iPad's size (no, not tech nerds who demand to have a tablet they can carry everywhere ;)).
The 'average user' customer likes choice. The iPad provides none. An iPad is an iPad and that is that. Whereas Android provides a wide range of models and sizes and colours and specs.
You're ignoring a huge factor: price. Mac products were more expensive than their PC counterparts. That's not at all true for the iPad. As well, Apple has huge brand cachet and their products are gorgeous to look at and touch.
I'm not sure that choice is going to be a huge advantage in the tablet market as there's not much differentiation that is going to matter to the normal consumer. Sure, there can be different sizes but most people are happy with the iPad's size (no, not tech nerds who demand to have a tablet they can carry everywhere ;)).
aarond12
Nov 22, 03:35 PM
im pretty sure thats what steevie boy has in mind ;)
I never buy "locked" phones anymore. Yeah, unlocked ones cost more because they're not subsidized by the cell phone companies, but if service sucks or I go overseas (which I frequently do), I can get another company's SIM and put it in my phone. Voila! It works!
I have a Sony/Ericsson W810i with 2GB memory card. Its tiny screen only allows 176x144 video (MPEG-4 or 3GP at 30 frames per second), but that also becomes an advantage. Full-length movies at that screen resolution only take up 150-200MB. I use FFMpegX to compress movies for my phone.
The phone also has a 2 megapixel camera with true autofocus and macro, and plays MP3 and AAC/MP4 audio files with its built-in speaker or outstanding earphones. It has a FM radio with RDS, plays Java games, has Bluetooth and can be used as a Bluetooth controller/mouse or modem on Macs and PCs, it supports EDGE high-speed Internet, it can run the Java version of Opera but it also has a decent built-in browser, and is fully supported by iSync. And it's tiny.
Okay, Apple... that's your yardstick. Come up with somethings significantly better. I know you can do it.
-Aaron-
I never buy "locked" phones anymore. Yeah, unlocked ones cost more because they're not subsidized by the cell phone companies, but if service sucks or I go overseas (which I frequently do), I can get another company's SIM and put it in my phone. Voila! It works!
I have a Sony/Ericsson W810i with 2GB memory card. Its tiny screen only allows 176x144 video (MPEG-4 or 3GP at 30 frames per second), but that also becomes an advantage. Full-length movies at that screen resolution only take up 150-200MB. I use FFMpegX to compress movies for my phone.
The phone also has a 2 megapixel camera with true autofocus and macro, and plays MP3 and AAC/MP4 audio files with its built-in speaker or outstanding earphones. It has a FM radio with RDS, plays Java games, has Bluetooth and can be used as a Bluetooth controller/mouse or modem on Macs and PCs, it supports EDGE high-speed Internet, it can run the Java version of Opera but it also has a decent built-in browser, and is fully supported by iSync. And it's tiny.
Okay, Apple... that's your yardstick. Come up with somethings significantly better. I know you can do it.
-Aaron-
Multimedia
Aug 3, 01:18 AM
But it's perfectly acceptable to round 1.67 down too, it's half way between 1.5 and 2. Also depends on the price of a Sidcrome socket set.
I'll believe this 2x battery life bollocks when I see the results from the labs, not some chintzy marketing ploy by Intel.It's not a "chintzy marketing ploy by Intel". It's a scientific test conducted by two Intel Marketing engineers which I always believe because Intel employees are honest people with families and friends who love them. :)
I'll believe this 2x battery life bollocks when I see the results from the labs, not some chintzy marketing ploy by Intel.It's not a "chintzy marketing ploy by Intel". It's a scientific test conducted by two Intel Marketing engineers which I always believe because Intel employees are honest people with families and friends who love them. :)
dshan
May 6, 07:26 AM
I can't see them making another architecture transition. The switch to intel was enough...
Why not? They've already done it twice - don't forget the 68K to PPC transition. I went through that too, and all I can say is: no, no, please, not again! I couldn't stand another transition.
CPU architecture transitions waste years of time, cost Apple and their customers huge amounts of money. The only way it's worth it is if the architecture you're going from is dead or dying, and the new one is much better, faster and cheaper. This was true for the 68K and sadly later for the PPC too, but there's no sign of the x86 losing it's edge in the price/performance stakes for laptops and above.
While it's not totally impossible that ARM might one day challenge Intel's x86 in the low-end notebook and el cheapo desktop space I can't see them ever seriously getting near Intel (or AMD) in the real desktop, server and serious MacBook Pro space. Intel's process lead, now a full generation and soon with 3D transistors too, will likely keep them ahead of any alternative architecture (barring perhaps a breakthrough in quantum computing or somesuch) for the foreseeable future. I can't see how Apple would gain anything real from moving away from x86 for the Mac. In fact, by 2013 the Atom may be seriously challenging ARM in the low-power performance stakes for tablets (and even possibly phones), so it might make more sense for iOS to transition to x86 rather than the reverse. Maybe.
Why not? They've already done it twice - don't forget the 68K to PPC transition. I went through that too, and all I can say is: no, no, please, not again! I couldn't stand another transition.
CPU architecture transitions waste years of time, cost Apple and their customers huge amounts of money. The only way it's worth it is if the architecture you're going from is dead or dying, and the new one is much better, faster and cheaper. This was true for the 68K and sadly later for the PPC too, but there's no sign of the x86 losing it's edge in the price/performance stakes for laptops and above.
While it's not totally impossible that ARM might one day challenge Intel's x86 in the low-end notebook and el cheapo desktop space I can't see them ever seriously getting near Intel (or AMD) in the real desktop, server and serious MacBook Pro space. Intel's process lead, now a full generation and soon with 3D transistors too, will likely keep them ahead of any alternative architecture (barring perhaps a breakthrough in quantum computing or somesuch) for the foreseeable future. I can't see how Apple would gain anything real from moving away from x86 for the Mac. In fact, by 2013 the Atom may be seriously challenging ARM in the low-power performance stakes for tablets (and even possibly phones), so it might make more sense for iOS to transition to x86 rather than the reverse. Maybe.
DakotaGuy
Aug 4, 10:20 AM
Hmmm...is Apple going to be changing to new chips every six months now? Nice to see technology moving along at a rapid pace, but for those people who always need the latest and greatest...This is gonna get REAL expensive!:p
How many people plan to dump their Core Duo Macs for Core 2 Duo Macs? I like my iMac and it really is fast, heck my iMac G5 was plenty fast, but I hate being behind everyone when new things come out and it gets too expensive to keep up with Apple...well not in the PowerPC days...but now it does!
How many people plan to dump their Core Duo Macs for Core 2 Duo Macs? I like my iMac and it really is fast, heck my iMac G5 was plenty fast, but I hate being behind everyone when new things come out and it gets too expensive to keep up with Apple...well not in the PowerPC days...but now it does!
DomC
Apr 5, 09:32 PM
I think Apple was just nervous that Toyota would follow up the theme with a notification system that was more than just a centered blue box.
callmemike20
Apr 19, 02:22 AM
Where is this "extreme left" of which you speak? The furthest left we have in government is probably Dennis Kucinich, who is really barely left of center, AFAICT. The problem is that we have people who think compromise means " Just do what we want any nobody gets hurt." rollercoasters belong in the funpark, not the capitol.
Please forgive me for being crass, but your math, you have to buy me a new calculator, it made my old one explode. ;)
That 5 billion was supposed to be the total government debt, not just the debt for the current year. I just never got around to using it in my example.
EDIT: You can also say that we don't have an extreme right since no right congressman is proposing total anarchy or privatization of the police departments. It's all relative to the country we are in. I am aware that there are further left people in other countries. There are also countries that allow the cutting off of hands for small crimes. Would we allow an idea like that in this country? I don't think so.
Please forgive me for being crass, but your math, you have to buy me a new calculator, it made my old one explode. ;)
That 5 billion was supposed to be the total government debt, not just the debt for the current year. I just never got around to using it in my example.
EDIT: You can also say that we don't have an extreme right since no right congressman is proposing total anarchy or privatization of the police departments. It's all relative to the country we are in. I am aware that there are further left people in other countries. There are also countries that allow the cutting off of hands for small crimes. Would we allow an idea like that in this country? I don't think so.
spencecb
Aug 11, 03:17 PM
I find it incredibly hard to believe that Apple intends to maintain the closeness in specs that are currently present between the MacBook Pro and MacBook. It makes more sense for Apple to move the MBP to the Core2 Duo and leave the MacBook to the Yonah. This leaves two more speed bumps for the MacBook. First 10 2.16, then to 2.33, all the while leaving the MBP time to advance with the Merom so it can gain momentum against the MacBook.
Tilpots
Apr 9, 09:28 PM
I explained why it might be written the way it is, you choose to ignore that like you ignored all the other facts here. The group is divided because some people just don't learn, we have posted exactly why pemdas gives the correct answer when used properly but stubborn people here still say things like well... It's half full/half empty. No, it's not. It's black and white and if you can't see that by now, you never will. Some people just can never admit to mistakes and will never learn anything. Don't blame the teachers...
Oh, I can admit when I'm wrong. I used to believe in protecting tenure for teachers. See?
Oh, I can admit when I'm wrong. I used to believe in protecting tenure for teachers. See?
tny
Nov 26, 11:54 AM
i don't think it would appeal to that many people, to have an Apple tablet. I mean, the PC/Win versions aren't great sellers...
I don't think it would appeal to that many people, to have an Apple MP3 player. I mean, the existing ones aren't great sellers.
See the problem here? The reason the iPod took off was because it wasn't like the existing MP3 players.
Take a look at a group of current products:
1. The UMPC. Seems like a good idea, but not successful so far. Why not? Here's Gartner:
But while the UMPC concept has promise, today�s hardware cannot deliver on it. In Gartner's view, success will require:
* Technology advances that are at least two years away (including an eight-hour battery and a sub-$400 price)
* Low-cost, compelling content bundles (Intel and Microsoft are working on partnerships in this area)
* A better Microsoft shell/interface running on top of Vista
* Text entry options beyond �thumb-typing�
* "Dock and go" synchronization, requiring minimal user interaction
* Sustained market momentum from Microsoft and Intel
Today, we believe it isn't possible to produce compelling UMPC products � just "proofs of concept." The low battery life, high price and non-Vista operating system will likely hurt the UMPC's market acceptance in this first go-round, and the negative backlash could damage its future chances.
An Apple tablet would beat content bundles problem, the shell/interface problem, and the synchronization problem. Inkwell and a bluetooth keyboard option would help; and built-in WiFi will certainly help. If Apple can do something about the battery problem . . . I also think the form factor needs work.
2. The PDA. Right now the PDA market is growing, not shrinking - mostly thanks to the Blackberry and the PocketPC and at the expense of Palm. The magic combination seems to be email + cell wireless: if you can get your email anywhere you can use your cellphone, a PDA becomes a more compelling device. This ties in closely with
3. The cell phone. Everyone is in agreement that the cell phone is a target area for Apple; the question is who Apple's carrier will be. A GSM-based device that does EDGE could be used with many different networks.
4. The eBook reader, like the Sony Reader. The good side of the Sony Reader is low battery consumption and a very readable screen. The bad side is that it has to have a pretty low-consumption, low-use processor, no color, and the screen update speed is abysmal. The underlying tech of eInk isn't going to help with an Apple tablet, but the form factor might be a very good choice for a UMPC/Blackberry killer.
5. The tablet computer. The reason the tablet computer has been a failure is because the writing interface isn't very good yet, and because the damned things are the same size and weight as a notebook, so there's little point in dumping the notebook for a tablet. A smaller form factor with the same power, but one that it a little more usable and compelling than the UMPC might be very successful.
6. Video device, like the iPod with video or its competitors. A lot of folks complain that it's too small a screen, and the battery power isn't so hot. If you could have a larger screen that is not much heavier, and just a little more battery power . . .
7. Web pad / web appliance (Nokia 770, Audrey, Pepper Pad, etc.) The problems with these so far have been form factor and OS quality. Most web appliances have run either PocketPC/Windows CE or customized Linux distributions. The Linux distributions that have been used haven't had a good enough UI for a general computing, general audience environment - the needs of a web appliance are too complex to be handled the same way embedded interfaces (like TiVo's) have been handled. Windows CE isn't designed for a general computing environment, either, and makes too many compromises. I also think the Nokia 770 is too small, the PepperPad is overwhelmed by its case, and the Audrey isn't flexible enough.
A successor to the Newton that was a true OS X device, in a form factor similar to the Sony Reader, with .Mac synchronization, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth, a FireWire 400 and two USB 2 connectors, a mini-HMDI socket (with HDMI and DVI converters), a dock connector, an iSight, and an optical-capable audio plug, with some of the on-screen navigation tech we've seen in Apple patents, would be fantastic.
But I'd be surprised if the tech is there yet: the processors aren't small enough and cool enough, the flash memory (you'd want flash and not a hard disk drive) doesn't have enough capacity yet, and the batteries don't have a long enough life. I'll bet there is a prototype device like this in the Apple labs, but it might have mediocre stats: say
700 MHz processor equivalent
16 GB storage
256 MB ram
3 hours of battery life (1.5 playing an iTunes movie)
estimated cost to consumer $999.
I think a successful device would need
1.2 GHz processor equivalent
80 GB storage
1 GB RAM
8 hours of battery life (5 playing an iTunes movie)
estimated cost to consumer $699.
I don't think it would appeal to that many people, to have an Apple MP3 player. I mean, the existing ones aren't great sellers.
See the problem here? The reason the iPod took off was because it wasn't like the existing MP3 players.
Take a look at a group of current products:
1. The UMPC. Seems like a good idea, but not successful so far. Why not? Here's Gartner:
But while the UMPC concept has promise, today�s hardware cannot deliver on it. In Gartner's view, success will require:
* Technology advances that are at least two years away (including an eight-hour battery and a sub-$400 price)
* Low-cost, compelling content bundles (Intel and Microsoft are working on partnerships in this area)
* A better Microsoft shell/interface running on top of Vista
* Text entry options beyond �thumb-typing�
* "Dock and go" synchronization, requiring minimal user interaction
* Sustained market momentum from Microsoft and Intel
Today, we believe it isn't possible to produce compelling UMPC products � just "proofs of concept." The low battery life, high price and non-Vista operating system will likely hurt the UMPC's market acceptance in this first go-round, and the negative backlash could damage its future chances.
An Apple tablet would beat content bundles problem, the shell/interface problem, and the synchronization problem. Inkwell and a bluetooth keyboard option would help; and built-in WiFi will certainly help. If Apple can do something about the battery problem . . . I also think the form factor needs work.
2. The PDA. Right now the PDA market is growing, not shrinking - mostly thanks to the Blackberry and the PocketPC and at the expense of Palm. The magic combination seems to be email + cell wireless: if you can get your email anywhere you can use your cellphone, a PDA becomes a more compelling device. This ties in closely with
3. The cell phone. Everyone is in agreement that the cell phone is a target area for Apple; the question is who Apple's carrier will be. A GSM-based device that does EDGE could be used with many different networks.
4. The eBook reader, like the Sony Reader. The good side of the Sony Reader is low battery consumption and a very readable screen. The bad side is that it has to have a pretty low-consumption, low-use processor, no color, and the screen update speed is abysmal. The underlying tech of eInk isn't going to help with an Apple tablet, but the form factor might be a very good choice for a UMPC/Blackberry killer.
5. The tablet computer. The reason the tablet computer has been a failure is because the writing interface isn't very good yet, and because the damned things are the same size and weight as a notebook, so there's little point in dumping the notebook for a tablet. A smaller form factor with the same power, but one that it a little more usable and compelling than the UMPC might be very successful.
6. Video device, like the iPod with video or its competitors. A lot of folks complain that it's too small a screen, and the battery power isn't so hot. If you could have a larger screen that is not much heavier, and just a little more battery power . . .
7. Web pad / web appliance (Nokia 770, Audrey, Pepper Pad, etc.) The problems with these so far have been form factor and OS quality. Most web appliances have run either PocketPC/Windows CE or customized Linux distributions. The Linux distributions that have been used haven't had a good enough UI for a general computing, general audience environment - the needs of a web appliance are too complex to be handled the same way embedded interfaces (like TiVo's) have been handled. Windows CE isn't designed for a general computing environment, either, and makes too many compromises. I also think the Nokia 770 is too small, the PepperPad is overwhelmed by its case, and the Audrey isn't flexible enough.
A successor to the Newton that was a true OS X device, in a form factor similar to the Sony Reader, with .Mac synchronization, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth, a FireWire 400 and two USB 2 connectors, a mini-HMDI socket (with HDMI and DVI converters), a dock connector, an iSight, and an optical-capable audio plug, with some of the on-screen navigation tech we've seen in Apple patents, would be fantastic.
But I'd be surprised if the tech is there yet: the processors aren't small enough and cool enough, the flash memory (you'd want flash and not a hard disk drive) doesn't have enough capacity yet, and the batteries don't have a long enough life. I'll bet there is a prototype device like this in the Apple labs, but it might have mediocre stats: say
700 MHz processor equivalent
16 GB storage
256 MB ram
3 hours of battery life (1.5 playing an iTunes movie)
estimated cost to consumer $999.
I think a successful device would need
1.2 GHz processor equivalent
80 GB storage
1 GB RAM
8 hours of battery life (5 playing an iTunes movie)
estimated cost to consumer $699.
Ger Teunis
Mar 31, 03:50 AM
Inverted scroll and no lights on appications running can be turned on in system settings.
Sure, I know. It's just plain stupid default-settings if you ask me.
I can't imagine this is a better default setting for new users.
Sure, I know. It's just plain stupid default-settings if you ask me.
I can't imagine this is a better default setting for new users.