iPad Predictions - The Night Before The Big Announcement!

{Reprinted with permission from http://www.addcast.blogspot.com}

A lot has been speculated about what Apple's next product announcement will reveal. Will it be a tablet, a new phone, both? Since Apple is very tight-lipped about it's announcements, no one really knows what will be shown at tomorrow's press event.

Here's my thoughts on what Apple will announce:

iLife 10 - It's time for an iLife update. At this stage in the game with the rumored tablet, iLife will need to be updated to work properly with the OS running on the tablet (which is reported to be a version of the iPhone OS). I also believe that we will see a version of iLife released to the App store (either for free or a small fee) for the iphone. Since we already have video editing and a decent camera on the iphone, I think Apple will take things to the next level and implement a version of iPhoto (replacing the camera roll) as well as a basic version of iMovie. This would line up with one aspect of the creative element to Apple's press for the announcement.

iPhone OS 4.0 - A major iPhone OS update is needed in order to take advantage of the thousands of apps already available in the App store. To do this and to maintain continuity across their product family, Apple will need to make the tablet and the iPhone play nice together. It wouldn't make sense for them to build a new OS ONLY to exist on the tablet. This is also likely a cost cutting measure for Apple. If the tablet runs on the iPhone OS architecture, it can also utilize lower cost hardware, which in turn keeps the price low(er), which is essential for this product to be a success.

E-BOOKS, E-MAGAZINES, E-NEWSPAPERS OH MY! - The iTunes Store will be updated to become more of an online outlet to sell all forms of Newspapers, magazines and digital books with subscription models for magazines and newspapers. So, you'll pick up your tablet in the morning and read the New York Times or your Time Magazine subscription will come full color (ads included) every other week to your device and be ready to read whenever you wish. The tablet will be front and center as the preferred device to read and view these publications on with it's large multi-touch screen, but more than likely this will also apply to the iPhone as well. If these new digital books, magazines and newspapers are in the iTunes store they will almost definitely be available on your iPhone with the ability to share between devices. Just one more reason for apple to make things universal across the iphone and tablet OS's.


The Tablet - So much has been said about this, I'm almost afraid to put my own opinion out there! I disagree with a lot of what TWIT and MacBreak Weekly are saying about this.

Here are my own opinions on what will make up the tablet.

• Multiple Tablet Models - This product will be dead at the gate if it exists solely as a carrier subsidized product (meaning that you purchase it on a contract just like your cell phone.) Forums all over the internet are rife with people stating they will not purchase a product (no matter how great it is, if it requires a contract and monthly fee). So I believe there will be a high end model for 3G networks which makes for instant purchase and delivery of books/magazines/newspapers (see next bulletpoint), available on a subscription plan, likely with an OLED screen (which, is less battery intensive than traditional LCDs) as well as a more basic model with wifi and a traditional LCD screen offered as a one time purchase. NOW....Here's the clincher! I'm going to predict that the high end model of the tablet will be offered at a lower initial price than the basic model simply because the high end tablet will be subsidized by a Cellular company, so if you're paying for it over a 2 or 3 year contract, the initial price will be lower. This will make all the gadget freaks think long and hard about the extra bells and whistles that Apple may sink into this higher end tablet before they make their decision and may be the best way for Apple to persuade customers into another long term contract.
• Stereo Speakers - This is a no brainer. Need I say more?
• Single Docking Port - There have been rumours that the tablet will include two docking ports for landscape and portrait mode. I don't think Steve's minimalist personality would allow for two ports (which could potentially create repair issues down the road) I believe the tablet will feature a landscape docking port. My reason is that pictures in portrait mode will still be viewable, you can still turn the device sideways and view content in portrait mode, but I believe that 3rd party docks, and potentially any new devices that will utilize the tablet as a control interface (if this becomes a possibility) will use the tablet in native (landscape mode).
• Two Wireless Receivers - Wifi (for the basic model) and 3G for the subsidized model.
• Ports - No USB or firewire ports.
• Web Access - There will be the same basic internet functionality available in the iPhone such as Youtube, Email, Safari etc. Apple will not make this device without the same internet functionality as the iPhone.
• Style - The tablet will feature the same style as the iMacs and current line of Macbooks. Glass and metal with a glowing mac symbol on the back.

Whatever happens, It'll be a major milestone for the company and a huge game changer in a variety of ways. I'll be watching for sure. What are your thoughts?