30 things about Apple iPad tablet PC

The big event is only hours away. It is believed that Apple will unveil its much talked about Apple iPad tablet PC. Apple so far did not give out any details of the device but many news reports came out talking about the various features of the tablet. Many websites and research firms event conducted survey on people what features they would like to see on the device. Here are some of the major features widely mentioned to be found on the Apple iPad tablet PC. Here are some of the major features of Apple iPad tablet PC:

• Wireless connectivity
• Sync across multiple device
• Operates like a computer
• Built in camera
• iPhone apps compatibility
• Ability to watch TV
• Wireless connectivity
• Virtual keyboard
• Multiplayer functionality
• Multitouch capability
• e-book reader

1. Regarding wireless connection of the device, news reports say that Apple is in talks with Verizon and AT&T. This means that the tablet will have both GSM and CDMA network support.

2. If Apple iSlate tablet comes on AT&T, it will be under lots of pressure. Already, the iPhone users take up larger portion of its 3G services. It is now planning to expand its 3G coverage but Apple’s iSlate tablet PC would put further pressure on the carriers’ existing network.

3. On the contrary, if Verizon becomes successful, then it would be another big blow to AT&T’s image.

4. If the Apple tablet comes with Wi-Fi, then it would have to be subsidized by some carriers. Otherwise, the price of the device plus the Wi-Fi subscription will make the device more expensive.

5. On the eve of the launch event, Gizmodo reported that the Apple tablet will feature a proximity sensing multitouch screen. Here is a picture:

6. iLounge reported that Apple iSlate tablet PC will have two dock connectors allowing the tablet to be docked in either landscape or portrait orientation.

7. Apple tablet’s size is another big issue. It can not be carried in pocket meaning, one will have to hold it in his/her hand all the time. If accidentally, the device slips off your hand then you will have a dual-screen tablet PC.

8. It is said that Apple tablet PC will come with a virtual keyboard as an input device. This makes the device a tough sale because many people would find it problematic to use.

9. Another big feature of Apple tablet PC is its e-book reading capability. Apple is said to have contacted with some of the top book publishers to make their titles available on its tablet PC.

10. The device is said to come with a color screen. If all this proves to be true then Amazon’s Kindle is up for a major challenge.

11. Apple’s iSlate tablet PC will also serve as a major entertainment device where people can watch movies and their favorite TV shows.

12. Already, Apple’s iTunes sell television shows and movies. It is said that Apple talked with some major TV networks to make their popular shows available on demand for a monthly subscription fee.

13. Battery is another big issue. If one device is going to do so many things that means it requires lots of battery power. It is not sure whether, the Apple iSlate tablet PC will come with a fixed battery or removable battery.

14. Gaming is one market where Apple failed to succeed. Currently, gaming applications make up a significant portion of application at the Apple App Store. Apple is now looking forward to make its tablet PC popular among gamers. The company also invited many game journalists and game developers at the event.

15. Price of the device is another big issue. It is widely speculated that the device would cost aroudn $1000. It will cost more than iPods. Toni Sacconaghi, an analyst from, Bernstein Research, predicts that the device would sell for at least $750. He believes that carriers would not subsidize the device for it would put more pressure on their current networks. Even if it comes with unlimited data offerings, it will be very much expensive. According to the latest report of Engadget, the device would cost $800 on contract with Verizon and $1000 when it would arrive in the market in March.

16. Steve Jobs is known for making great presentations. Well, this upcoming presentation is very important because Mr. Jobs have to convince the customers and investors that Apple tablet would fulfill their needs and more. Michael Obuchowski, Chief Investment Officer, First Empire Asset Management Inc., said that tablet PC devices are not very popular in the mass market. They are special purpose devices. Steve Jobs has a big task ahead of him for he has to make a convincing pitch to consumers, developers and publishers who earlier failed to embrace the device. He believes that Apple needs to deliver “Shock and Awe.”

17. Last Holiday quarter was the most profitable quarter in Apple’s history. Thanks to its strong iPhone and Macintosh computer sales. The company’s share prices also rocketed. On January 26, 2010, share prices of Apple went up $9.24 to $212.32.

18. Apple will have to overcome consumers’ reluctuance to adopt tablets. Tablet PCs have been in the market since the 1990s but they are not very much popular. The device does not have a physical keyboard. One has to rely on pens or touchscreens for input. They account for less than one percent of the PC market according to Gartner Inc.

19. The tablet hype might not pushed Apple’s shareprices but Barnes & Noble’s share prices soared after news came out that the U.S. bookstore chain outlet signed a deal with Apple. Share prices of B&N increased 13.35% to $19.70. Under the reported deal, B&N will have a built-in bookstore giving access to millions of titles. If this is true, the Apple tablet will pose a major threat to Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader.

20. Recently, Engadget published some pictures that are supposed to be the pictures of the Apple iSlate tablet PC. From the picture, it looks like the tablet is bolted down to a tablet. The device in the picture has a big screen with Wi-Fi icon and a cell-service indicator. Engadget was also tipped that the device will have a ten inch screen. It looks like a larger iPhone with an aluminum back like the MacBook. The device is codenamed “K48.” Here is how the Apple iPad tablet PC looks like-

21. As per the e-book business, Apple told publishers to keep the price of their bestsellers at either $12.99 or $14.00. It told the publishers to keep the price of fewer books at $9.99. From each book sold on Apple tablet, Apple will take out 30% of the revenue. Though Apple model allows publishers to set the price of their books, under Apple’s business model, publishers will make less profit. For this reason, many publishers did not show much interest to sign up with Apple.

22. On the contrary, online book retail giant, Amazon.com had been intrigued with Apple’s entrance in the e-book industry and its business model. Amazon held a series of meetings in New York with publishers and it is opposed to Apple’s pricing model. Amazon though controls the pricing of the books, it offers fifty percent of the coverprice to the publishers. However, Amazon’s $9.99 pricing policy leaves them a small share of profit.

23. McGraw-Hill CEO, Terry McGraw, said that the tablet will run a version of the iPhone’s operating system. He was the first person to officially admit that the tablet exists.

24. Apple iTablet is considered to be the most obvious name of the device but Amtek’s have products by that name in the market since 2006.

25. Another name that came up and I always use in my writing is the iSlate. It came up in some trademark and domain name filings

26. The least likely name of the device is iPad. Few years earlier, Fujitsu had a Windows CE based iPad handheld device by that name. When USPTO published the application for review Apple filed an opposition. It said that the name “iPad” sounds too much like “iPod.”

27. The New York Time’s Bill Keller mentioned this name, “the impending Apple slate.”

28. Panic founder, Cabel Sesser, twitted the name “Canvas” after Apple issued its invitation.

29. Apple tablet’s form factor is another major challenge for the device. Many experts say that the tablet serves very well as a reading and web browsing device but if you want to work it for long hours, it will not be ideal because it does not have a real keyboard. If you are watching movie or television you will not feel comfortable because you will have to hold the device in your hands all the time unless Apple provides some kind of stand.

30. Yesterday, I wrote an article talking about which sites would give live coverage of the event. Today, I found some more websites that will be providing live coverage. Huffington Post will give live covergage of the event. Visit this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tanja-aitamurto/apple-announcement-live-b_b_437447.html

31. IT PRO will provide live updates of Apple event. Visit the following link:

http://www.itpro.co.uk/619780/live-blogging-apples-tablet-announcement

You can also get their Twitter feed. Visit the following link:

http://www.twitter.com/itpro

32. PC World will be providing live coverage of the event: http://www.pcworld.com/article/187396/live_update_apple_event.html

33. CNET News reported that Apple tablet might feature chips made by its subsidiary PA Semi. In 2008, Apple bought chipmaker, PA Semi.

34. Another came out that the Apple tablet might sport OLED display. However, this was not accepted by many because the production process of OLED are very complex and takes lots of time plus they would cost more. OLED displays are becoming more prevalent in smart phones. Ars Technica, contacted with with OLED Association Managing Director Barry Young. Mr. Young said that mass producing OLED screens to meet Apple’s needs is not possible at the moment.

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