Digital Media Device?

I will be spending all of today praying for an Apple Tablet that will just blow away everyone (including Bill Gates).

I'm too excited!

W00t! I love Macworld time. I am literaly chomping at the bit for this one. I feel like something huge is gonna happen.

Arn, will you run the macworld updates as per usual? I am going to be stuck at work again. :(

GAH! This is getting rediculous!!! I'm getting antsy, too much speculation about what could potentially be the coolest thing since the iPod. My bank account is currently on oxygen with a morphine drip, though...so whatever they come out with had better be cheap.

-- smashedapart

Wow, such specific detail...

You are really reaching not posting stuff like this. Its along the lines of, "New product with user interface and advanced features. Stores and manipluates data." Wow, I gotta have one?!

An interesting sidebar...

Intel's PVP (personal video player)

I really, really hope that it isn't merely an iTablet.

I think the idea of a video iPod also seems very silly.

But...

The ideas buried within those are interesting.

I had been hoping for an Apple component that could hook up to both an A/V receiver as well as an Ethernet cable (Bluetooth and Wireless don't hurt but if you're going to be transferring large media, you want to stay away from Bluetooth).

It's form factor could be sleek and it could serve as a media hub but not overwhelm your living space like the monoliths MS is pushing.

Anyway, reading about all the tablet rumors got me thinking... what about something that does serve as a media "server" but that uses this Tablet as the interface for it - allowing you to control the audio, images, etc... on your network (a true DLD for a Digital Lifestyle), load up photos/movies and pass it around to people for viewing (an iFrame kind of approach), as well as simple functionality using inkwell (iTablet), easily also use it as a great A/V remote interface to control the rest of your equipment with a GUI (like those fancy Harmon Kardon remotes).

MS's Tablet approach is not ready to be received yet, but Apple could focus on the interaction as a way of more gently introducing the metaphor of pen-based interaction for users. Eventually, if someone wanted to, they could get a Bluetooth keyboard from the device. I think the key is - people don't necessarily want to check their email, use excel, etc.. on a Tablet just yet, but they might like to surf the web, etc...

A Tablet doesn;t have to be "a complete computer you use with a pen" but it can be an easy way for you to maintain, display and control you Digital Lifestyle artifacts...


So, I really think that a pure Tablet, Camera, Phone, PDA would really be pointless and can't possibly be the big intro in the "most important year" for Apple.

At least I hope not...

my 2 cents...

from that article...
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Analysts are agog over the forthcoming personal video player, or PVP, that chipmaker Intel and ReplayTV maker SONICblue are working on. Intel will show off several prototypes of the Walkman-sized PVP, with a 4-inch screen and storage for more than 10 hours of movies.

The Intel PVP won't be the first such device. France's Archos released its $399 Jukebox Multimedia, with a 1-inch screen, last year.

Analysts also admit pent-up reverence for the finally emerging wireless "smart displays" such as the ViewSonic airpanel and Philips iPronto. Both are the first of a slew of such products using touch-screen technology Microsoft announced at last year's CES, under the name Mira.

Instead of tethering computer users to a desk, smart displays allow folks to wander the house or office with a screen that links wirelessly with the computer.
____

So, according to news.com, Apple's new device incorporate both types of devices into *one* device:

- Personal Video Player / Video iPod

- Wireless connectivity (Bluetooth and 802g) for sync and wireless surfing.

Excellent...

Any of the devices mentioned so far will be a total flop. They are all devices in search of a need that simply doesn't exist.

Logic tells me that it will be this device....
A box with firewire, airport. You will be able to hook it up to TV and Stereo to play music and video from your computer off the airport. and be able to hook up your camera through firewire.

I think this is it

Originally posted by thebladerunner
Intel will show off several prototypes of the Walkman-sized PVP, with a 4-inch screen and storage for more than 10 hours of movies.

Gee, that sure beats watching a DVD on my TV in stereo...

iPod works because the sound quality doesn't decrease with the small form factor.

PVP's won't because a tiny picture translates into a much worse viewing experience.

I wish I got paid a lot to come up with bad ideas..