Looks like the Apple eBook tablet might be real...

Maxinquaye · Dec 24, 2009

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...to-host-product-event-in-january-1849627.html

Apple has reserved space in late January at a venue in San Francisco in advance of a planned product announcement, it was reported yesterday.

The company has rented a stage at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and is expected to make a "major product announcement" on Tuesday, 26 January, the report said, citing people familiar with the plans.

Amazon is about to get into hot water, methinks, which is good since monopolies are never good.

If the speculations about the deals that the book publishers will get with the new system are true (70% instead of Amazon's 50%) then content might move fast to Apple.

Otoh, I really dislike Apple's own monopolizing tendencies, and their disdain for open systems.

2010 looks to be really interesting for publishing.

ChainsawLicker · Dec 24, 2009

Are we talking something like Wacom Cintiq?

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 24, 2009

What exactly is Amazon monopolizing? eBook readers? Sony has one. Barnes and Noble has one. I'm sure there are others.

Missus Akasha · Dec 24, 2009

Though I have many Apple products like my computer, my iPod, etc. I really do not understand why Apple would want to release an eBook tablet.

Coming from an Apple user who is on the verge of switching back to PC, the one thing that I can not STAND about Apple is that anything that purchase regardless of the cost will be obsolete in the matter of moments.

They are always on the go and it's hard to keep up with them sometimes especially on software updates. Oh god, imagine the updates. D:

Caitlin Black · Dec 24, 2009

Just a question - I know there are a variety of ebook readers. But what does that mean for publishing ebooks? This might be a stupid question, but does this mean that Apple will be publishing? Or is it that there will be independent ebook publishers who sell things in formats suitable for the various readers?

willietheshakes · Dec 24, 2009

Cliff Face said:
Or is it that there will be independent ebook publishers who sell things in formats suitable for the various readers?

ARE -- not "will be", are.

Caitlin Black · Dec 24, 2009

Okay, cool. Colour me clueless.

kuwisdelu · Dec 24, 2009

Missus Akasha said:
Coming from an Apple user who is on the verge of switching back to PC, the one thing that I can not STAND about Apple is that anything that purchase regardless of the cost will be obsolete in the matter of moments.

They are always on the go and it's hard to keep up with them sometimes especially on software updates. Oh god, imagine the updates. D:

?

This confuses me. My MacBook feels almost as new as when I got it several years ago. Not true for my friend's PCs. But that's off-topic.

Anyway, as I understand it, it won't be a dedicated eBook reader, but their take on a tablet computer.

Deleted member 42 · Dec 24, 2009

Missus Akasha said:
Though I have many Apple products like my computer, my iPod, etc. I really do not understand why Apple would want to release an eBook tablet.

Assuming that this is what's being released in January, I doubt that it's primarily for ebooks.

Apple has done several things that suggest they are producing a tablet computer that's optimized for tv/films/games; Steve is not an ebook fan.

Yes, you'll be able to read ebooks in a bunch of different file formats but mostly, Apple is seeing this a tablet optimized for media.

Sheryl Nantus · Dec 24, 2009

if it's not under $100, don't worry about it.

right now ALL the ebook readers are too expensive to appeal to the general public - the first major retailer to put out a CHEAP and EASY ereader will make millions.

and I doubt Apple's going to have anything cheaper than $500. I'm thinking closer to a grand.

naw.

caitysdad · Dec 29, 2009

the more eBook readers the better for consumers. Competition will drive the price of hardware and software down. I got my Kindle for Christmas and look forward to Apple entering the market because Amazon will lower the prices of their books to compete.

Maxinquaye · Dec 29, 2009

Shadow_Ferret said:
What exactly is Amazon monopolizing? eBook readers? Sony has one. Barnes and Noble has one. I'm sure there are others.

Amazon is like the Microsoft of the online book-trade. Other people do produce operating systems - Linux, MacOs, BSD, - but they're so small that Microsoft has a defacto monopoly on the operating systems market, and are the standards setters.

Same thing, but not so extreme I admit, with Amazon for the online book sales.

Toothpaste · Dec 29, 2009

I have a question about the Apple tablet e-reader, everything I've seen makes it look like a portable computer screen. The advantage to the Sony E-Reader, the Kindle etc, is the E-ink technology. Does anyone know if Apple is using that, because if not, I think they are making a huge mistake.

Maxinquaye · Dec 29, 2009

I don't really know. There are so many rumours flying. We know next to nothing about the device, or even if it actually exist.

But publishers are getting their knickers in a twitch about it, according to some rumours, because of a rumoured deal which gives publishers 70% of the money - as opposed to Amazon's 50%.

We'll all have to see if this is vapourware or not. But if it is a backlit lcd-screen on it, I think it might not sell well as an ebook reader.

Deleted member 42 · Dec 29, 2009

Toothpaste said:
I have a question about the Apple tablet e-reader, everything I've seen makes it look like a portable computer screen. The advantage to the Sony E-Reader, the Kindle etc, is the E-ink technology. Does anyone know if Apple is using that, because if not, I think they are making a huge mistake.

No they are not. And there are those of us who don't like eink, at all.

I'm one of them.

The tablet will look quite a bit like a 7 or 10 inch iPhone.

Keep in mind that the iPhone runs on Mac OS X; that is, the OS of the phone and the iPod Touch is a version of the OS on regular Macs.

Keep in mind as well that Apple is *NOT* primarily interested in ebooks. They really aren't; they are primarily interested in what the industry jargon refers to as rich media. They are interested in games, music, and movies.

The idea is to provide an elegant system that has a UI for enjoying media, that you can, if you wish, use the Web on as well.

And to make it portable.

One of the things that I find fascinating in the last ten years is that media is moving from a group activity (everyone watching the football game or the movie or a tv show on the same TV) to individual.

Albannach · Dec 29, 2009

Medievalist said:
Assuming that this is what's being released in January, I doubt that it's primarily for ebooks.

Apple has done several things that suggest they are producing a tablet computer that's optimized for tv/films/games; Steve is not an ebook fan.

Yes, you'll be able to read ebooks in a bunch of different file formats but mostly, Apple is seeing this a tablet optimized for media.

And THERE you have my problem with Apple products. I don't CARE what Steve is or is not a fan of and see no reason why HIS preferences should dictate mine. *hugs her multi-button mouse which he ALSO was not a fan of*

RG570 · Dec 29, 2009

I don't know why anyone buys these ripoff monopolizing things . . . iPods are a pain compared to the sony walkman, and at least with the sony reader you're not forced to buy ebooks from amazon. At least, that's my understanding of the whole kindle thing. If I'm wrong, someone tell me. Yes we need more ebook readers to drive down the price, but not these ones full of proprietary scams like Apple and Amazon do. Where's the LG or Samsung reader that's half the price of the Sony and just as good? That's what we really need. Screw Apple.

But I guess people will fall for the Apple myth and they'll continue to make more gadgets that force you to give them all of your discretionary income . . . maybe there'll be an iFridge one day, and the only food that works in it will be iFoods from iMart.

Go ahead, Apple. Steal my idea. I dare you.

veinglory · Dec 29, 2009

The Slate is being positioned like the iPhone is it's own kind of appliance. I am very interested in seeing it.

Toothpaste · Dec 29, 2009

Ah pity. I am a Mac girl, but I get terrible headaches looking at a screen for too long. I guess no Tablet for me!

Deleted member 42 · Dec 29, 2009

Albannach said:
And THERE you have my problem with Apple products. I don't CARE what Steve is or is not a fan of and see no reason why HIS preferences should dictate mine. *hugs her multi-button mouse which he ALSO was not a fan of*

Actually, no, Steve was a multi button mouse fan; Scully was not.

The reason Macs support multi-button mice and other pointing devices is because Steve Jobs made sure the NEXT OS supported them.

Deleted member 42 · Dec 29, 2009

Toothpaste said:
Ah pity. I am a Mac girl, but I get terrible headaches looking at a screen for too long. I guess no Tablet for me!

It might be an issue of focal length--I say this because of years supporting users with adaptive technology. That said, there are people who have problems with back lit screens because of retina issues.

And, by the way, all users? Looking at a computer screen or a tv or kindle for too long without changing focal length, or blinking Is Very Bad. Those screens all flicker; they flicker very rapidly, but they flicker, and our eyes respond to that even if we don't know it.

Learn to regularly blink, and Look Away. Have a picture or a window or something at a different focal distance that you glance at from time to time--even a clock on the wall. Anything.

You might be surprised with a screen that you read at the same focal length as a paperback book (and yes, people do read paperback and large hardcovers differently, really!).

Deleted member 42 · Dec 29, 2009

RG570 said:
I don't know why anyone buys these ripoff monopolizing things . . . iPods are a pain compared to the sony walkman, and at least with the sony reader you're not forced to buy ebooks from amazon. At least, that's my understanding of the whole kindle thing. If I'm wrong, someone tell me. Yes we need more ebook readers to drive down the price, but not these ones full of proprietary scams like Apple and Amazon do.

You don't actually know what you're talking about. I'm fine with you not liking iPods; lots of people don't.

But I read all of these formats of books on my iPhone and Mac:

Sony
Kindle
Mobi pocket
eReader
C-Spot
PDF
Stanza
Various readers that suck in HMTL and Text files, for reading well, anything.

None of these use software made or controlled by Apple.

The only ones with DRM are Kindle books, and some purchased eReader books that use my credit card number to authenticate--once. I can give the book away to anyone I'm willing to share my credit card with.

I read the same books on my Macs, on Windows, on my Palm PDA ,and my iPhone.

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 29, 2009

Missus Akasha said:
They are always on the go and it's hard to keep up with them sometimes especially on software updates. Oh god, imagine the updates. D:

I know, right? Every time I turn on my computer iTunes is telling me it has to update AGAIN. Then it tries to bring Quicktime and Safari along for the ride.

Giovanni_Spada · Dec 29, 2009

Medievalist said:
And, by the way, all users? Looking at a computer screen or a tv or kindle for too long without changing focal length, or blinking Is Very Bad. Those screens all flicker; they flicker very rapidly, but they flicker, and our eyes respond to that even if we don't know it.

As far as I am aware, the eInk screen in the Kindle does *not* flicker, which is one of the reasons that most people find reading on the Kindle easier than reading on a LCD screen. It is also part of the reason why the Kindle has such low power usage.

Deleted member 42 · Dec 29, 2009

Giovanni_Spada said:
As far as I am aware, the eInk screen in the Kindle does *not* flicker, which is one of the reasons that most people find reading on the Kindle easier than reading on a LCD screen. It is also part of the reason why the Kindle has such low power usage.

It does; just below our visual threshold. I only know this because we had to adjust cameras in filming them being used live for a tutorial. It's the same sort of rate adjustment you make if you shoot a television screen, or CRT or LCD, or a room with older fluorescent lights--just a different refresh rate for each device.

Looks like the Apple eBook tablet might be real...

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