Re: [NTLK] More MacPad Rumors

~~~ On 2009/07/13 21:28, Goodwin, Greg P. at GoodwinG@aafes.com wrote ~~~

> There we go, good solid numbers. Geez, only 4% interest in tablet
> computers out there? I had no idea the interest in the tablet form was
> so small. Then again, I guess the high end gadget and geek crowd are
> still just a drop in the bucket to the common user. :/
>

~~~ On 2009/07/13 21:31, Jon Glass at jonglass@usa.net wrote ~~~

>
> I don't. Actually, if it were about the same screen size as my Newton
> (but not resolution), I would probably like one, but 9.7"??? What are
> they thinking! I think people wishing for something this huge haven't
> really used a tablet that big. It is more than a bit on the large
> size. Tablets don't sell--anywhere. Sure, there are certain, niche
> uses for one that size, but sheesh, people complained that the
> _Newton_ was too big!!! No, I don't see a tablet this size.... not at
> all. I'll believe it when I see it...

I think these two comments together are illuminating, and the data they
indicate can be interpreted in more than one way. Here's mine.

As Jon points out, people frequently comment how big a Newton is. A Newton!
We're talking about something half the size (or less, really) of a common
tablet computer. If we're supposed to believe that *one of* the reasons
people moved away from the Newton was because it was too big, why would they
flock to something even larger?

One of the appeals of a pen-computer is that it is more flexible to use,
allowing for more "casual" and even intimate use, as has been indicated in
other threads by people (including myself) who described the ability to use
it discreetly in meetings, in one-to-one consultations with clients, even
standing in a bus queue.

It's not hard to see that a nearly full-sized tablet is exactly the form
factor that *doesn't* best serve the kind of people who want to do this kind
of casual computing. But it is the right size for what I suspect is a
fairly specialist market -- like that 4% figure we were given?

If the Newton could be re-released in completely updated technology, about
half as thick as the 2100 (or even a bit less), perhaps with a similarly
sized screen but with a smaller surround to that screen (like the iPhone),
what would be the reception to that device?

 
Shalom.
Christian

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

³Any sufficiently advanced magic is indistinguishable from a Newton.²
            -- what Arthur C. Clarke meant

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1ZzpdPJ7Zr4
(With thanks to Chod Lang)
http://tinyurl.com/29y2dl
http://www.diyplanner.com/node/3942

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Received on Tue Jul 14 10:40:27 2009