Tech Blog

[#1]

Given the excitement/buzz/hype around the 'potential' Apple Tablet announcement this Wednesday, I thought I'd add to the Apple Tablet wordcount by listing a few things I'd like to see in this currently-mythical device.

1) Awesome Battery Life - This thing is likely going to be a primary casual-use platform for most households. As such, it would be a pain to have to keep docking it every few hours because the battery was running low.

I've seen reports suggesting 2 power ports, one along the long edge, one along the short, to enable mounted docking in either perspective to support desktop reading or media viewing.

It would be a shame to have to keep it docked to watch a movie longer than 2 hours. Given the larger form factor, I'm thinking Apple should be able to squeeze a few more hours of life into the unit.

2) Backward compatibility and ability to integrate my existing iTunes purchases - This one seems like a no-brainer but depending on the OS that ships with the Tablet, it may not be as easy as I'd like to think.

Backwards compatibility and the ability to use Apple Home Sharing means my investment in Apps and music will not be wasted.

3) NOT Tied to any specific service provider - In fact, well I can see wanting to have a Tablet with built in mobile service, I'm not sure I'd invest in that model. I'd like to see Apple develop a 'Touch' version of the Tablet, and an 'iPhone' version -- same as the Touch but with cellular data and phone service.

4) User serviceable/swappable replacement battery - One of my beefs around Apple products is the closed service model they use. Custom tools needed to open Apple products, only available to certified Apple technicians. But come on, all I want to do is change the battery!

If the device is a power hog, and it has the potential to be one, then it only makes sense to have swappable charged batteries available to the user operating in powerless conditions.

5) >5 point multi-touch screen - Given the larger interface size, multi-point touch screen is a must. We've all seen the iPhone's piano app. But now, with a larger screen, we can actually have something closer to an actual digital musical instrument. Or a platform for multiplayer games - think air hockey on one device, with both players interacting simultaneously.

6) Stylus capability - Again, since there's a large interface area, it only makes sense that more will try and use the device as a sketch pad / drawing device. But, the finger is not a precision instrument. Having the ability to use a stylus would allow a more natural drawing experience, at least for me - it's hard to draw precisely with my fat fingers

Well, that's my list, though as I was writing this, a few more popped to mind as nice-to-haves:
- Dual (front/back) or reversible camera
- Integrated Microphone

What do you think. Is there some feature you'd consider essential on the upcoming Mytical Apple Tablet? Obviously it's too late to influence the design but let's see if any of us are precient and can predict one or two features, or at least list your 'want list' too. Just for fun.

[#2]

I think I can agree with most of those points.

If I were to ever consider a tablet like this, there are a few other things that would need to be necessary (some of which I mentioned in another post):

1. The ability to write a paper or create a presentation on it (and then present that presentation). 

2. The ability to write notes, and since it's a tablet, ideally with a stylus that would not damage the screen.

3. Offer an external battery pack, and at a reasonable price point.  In the event that Apple does what I expect it to do and make this a closed service model, there should be an ability to add external battery life.  Something similar to what HP has done with the HP Envy would be a great idea.

4. Offer wireless charging.  With the advent of things like the Power Mat, it would make perfect sense to have the iPad or iTablet (or whatever it's called) to also be able to use wireless charging.

5. Want to make this tablet really cool?  Well, how about including a Pico projector?  Like that, everyone could watch a movie from your iPad on the wall.  Other laptop manufacturers are starting to consider putting these in their laptops, so this isn't as big of a stretch as you might imagine.

6. Don't just be an oversized iPhone.  Unfortunately, I think I'm out of luck on this one as it seems to be running the iPhone OS 3.2 at the moment (at least that seems to be what testers are running). 

7. Make sure the tablet is durable and protected.  Can you imagine throwing your iPad into your bag and pulling it out full of scratches?  Eeek!  At the very least, there should be some sort of protector for the screen.

8. Include USB ports and other regular ports that people can actually use - Apple has a great ability to use proprietary products and it would be really unfortunate to make people have to carry along a bunch of adapters just to be able to plug in a USB flash drive or something similar... assuming we can even use a USB flash drive.

I doubt Apple will include many of the above features, but anyone who can create a tablet with all of the above features would really have a winning device.  And that actually would be a device I'd be willing to consider.

@bgrier, great blog!  I can't wait to hear what you all have to say once Wednesday comes!

[#3]

@Krypto: Nice list and some great original suggestions too, esp the Wireless charging and the Pico projector!

One thing Apple does do well is to create opportunity for 3rd party manufacturers to 'fill the gaps'. Perhaps Apple won't release an external battery pack, but if they don't you can bet a company like Griffin or Belkin would. But it'd be nice if the features were available on the unit as is, and not as an accessory 3 months later.

And yeah, Wednesday is going to be a busy day. I'm planning to go to bed early on Tuesday so I have the energy to keep up