Appletell | Apple, Mac, iPhone, iPod | News, Rumors, Reviews, How-Tos

03:36 PMKirk Hiner said:

Thank you for joining us, everyone. And be sure to check back for further details, official releases, and plenty of images.

03:35 PMBill Stiteler said:

And that’s the shootin’ match

03:35 PMJake Gaecke said:

Looks like that’s it, I’m out

03:35 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

IPS is what is used in the MacBook Pros and LED Cinema, iMacs too probably.

03:34 PMBill Stiteler said:

Down the quad from Fraternity Row.

03:34 PMJake Gaecke said:

IPS - In Plane Switching, apparently it has better off angle viewing.

03:34 PMBill Stiteler said:

Apple wants to be “at the intersection of technology and liberal arts.”

03:34 PMKirk Hiner said:

If I could take one to Macworld with me, I would.

03:33 PMBill Stiteler said:

Steve’s pimping the number of customers they have and their familiarity with the iPhone OS

03:30 PMBill Stiteler said:

I think this is going to be a great tool for travellers.

03:29 PMBill Stiteler said:

Wonder what this will do to the Macbook Air.

03:26 PMJake Gaecke said:

I’m a bit surprised it doesn’t have an iSight, I can understand not having a camera

03:26 PMBill Stiteler said:

Commercial/video for the iPad.

03:24 PMBill Stiteler said:

No camera.

03:23 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Can the dock only hold 4 apps despite being like 3 times as big?

03:23 PMBill Stiteler said:

Unfortunately, the keyboard dock looks like the new Apple keyboard. Which means it’s really tiny.

03:22 PMKirk Hiner said:

Okay, I’m preordering.

03:22 PMJake Gaecke said:

Keyboard dock, does that mean no bluetooth support, seriously?  Come on

03:21 PMBill Stiteler said:

Keyboard/dock

03:21 PMKirk Hiner said:

A stand and a keyboard for desktop use, Steve? Give it to me.

03:21 PMBill Stiteler said:

Steve: Accessories: let me show you.

03:21 PMJake Gaecke said:

90 days for 3G, that’s mean

03:20 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

This is also where the iPhone started… Will we see $99 iPads in 3 years?

03:20 PMBill Stiteler said:

Shipping in 60 days.

03:20 PMKirk Hiner said:

All models are cheaper than what I thought would be lowest. Nicely done.

03:20 PMJake Gaecke said:

3G = $130 extra, bummer

03:20 PMBill Stiteler said:

$130 more for 3G

03:19 PMJake Gaecke said:

$499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB and $699 for 64GB not bad

03:19 PMKirk Hiner said:

To start, anyway.

03:19 PMKirk Hiner said:

$500!

03:19 PMBill Stiteler said:

Sorry, $499

03:19 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Very nice.

03:19 PMBill Stiteler said:

Price: $449~!

03:19 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Less than $1000… apparently “agressively” less.

03:19 PMJake Gaecke said:

$499+

03:19 PMKirk Hiner said:

It won’t cost $1,000 apparently.

03:18 PMKirk Hiner said:

Well, they can’t say ALL. Too many to test.

03:18 PMBill Stiteler said:

Do we get a “one more thing?”

03:17 PMJake Gaecke said:

Runs almost all apps on the app store, almost

03:17 PMKirk Hiner said:

International deals by June/July, meaning U.S. are available…when?

03:16 PMJake Gaecke said:

So much for that Verizon business… GSM with microSIMs

03:16 PMBill Stiteler said:

$29.99 for unlimited data. Though AT&T and Unlimited data are mutually exclusive terms.

03:15 PMBill Stiteler said:

What the heck? Is this thing running through a Nexus-1?

03:15 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Oh, but it’s AT&T. So your 3G service may not work everywhere. Or anywhere.

03:15 PMJake Gaecke said:

NO CONTRACT, yes!

03:15 PMJake Gaecke said:

Through who?

03:14 PMBill Stiteler said:

Oh, ####… AT&T.

03:14 PMKirk Hiner said:

This will be a great device for taking to sporting events now. Watch live, get stats on the iPad…for a price.

03:14 PMBill Stiteler said:

$14.99 for 250MB/month

03:13 PMBill Stiteler said:

Data plans!

03:13 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Aha. 3G it is. On certain models.

03:13 PMKirk Hiner said:

And 3G. There was much rejoicing.

03:13 PMJake Gaecke said:

Oh sweet, the iPad does support video out.

03:13 PMKirk Hiner said:

Ah, there it is. Syncs via USB.

03:12 PMKirk Hiner said:

Poor Phil. Always gets stuck talking about iWork.

03:12 PMJake Gaecke said:

I think they should have a bundle option with the desktop version.

03:12 PMKirk Hiner said:

Good that you don’t have to buy them as a bundle, as on the Mac.

03:12 PMBill Stiteler said:

Next up, Final Cut Studio. Oh, wait…

03:11 PMKirk Hiner said:

$10 each for the iWork apps.

03:11 PMBill Stiteler said:

$9.99 each.

03:10 PMKirk Hiner said:

yes, that’s the benefit of a virtual keyboard. My account wife will love that.

03:10 PMJake Gaecke said:

New keyboard layouts for specific data entry, I like.

03:10 PMBill Stiteler said:

Typing on this thing is going to be a pain in the ass. Either your head is hunched over your wrists are crunched up.

03:09 PMBill Stiteler said:

Okay, I admit, Pages looks pretty slick. Next up, Numbers.

03:06 PMKirk Hiner said:

I wonder if syncing docs between iWork for iPad and iWork for Mac will be WiFi or if you have to use the doc connector.

03:06 PMBill Stiteler said:

Exclusive: IE 5 will not, repeat NOT be coming to iPad!

03:05 PMBill Stiteler said:

Next up, Pages.

03:05 PMBill Stiteler said:

We’re over an hour…

03:04 PMJake Gaecke said:

I’m loving the contextual menus.  Very nice!

03:04 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Filesystem access looks like a no, given the “My Presentations” button.

03:04 PMKirk Hiner said:

Oh, it will. It will.

03:04 PMBill Stiteler said:

Phil’s showing how you can alter slides, make new presentations, etc by tapping the screen.

03:03 PMJake Gaecke said:

Hold your horses Kirk, they didn’t say that it works with a real keyboard yet

03:03 PMKirk Hiner said:

This is why Bluetooth is improtant. Pages may actually be functional with a Bluetooth keyboard supported. Goodbye, MacBook!

03:01 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

I’m curious as to why Apple is going with this orangey-wood look for a lot of the iPad apps. I don’t know if I like it or not, but it just seems like an odd decision as a default color scheme.

03:01 PMBill Stiteler said:

New version of Keynote, Pages, and Numbers

03:00 PMKirk Hiner said:

You think iWork sucks, Bill?

03:00 PMBill Stiteler said:

Phil “Thriller” Schiller is in the house, ladies and gents!

03:00 PMBill Stiteler said:

Phil!

02:59 PMJake Gaecke said:

iWork, does that imply that we can finally access a file system, meaning file storage?  Please, say yes!

02:59 PMBill Stiteler said:

Does this mean iWork doesn’t suck any more?

02:59 PMKirk Hiner said:

yeah, iBooks is ePub, so I’m guessing any ePub book will work like any MP3 works in iTunes.

02:59 PMBill Stiteler said:

iBook uses the ePub format.

02:58 PMJake Gaecke said:

You can change the font, they better have options for this for Authors, I don’t want any of my stuff read in comic sans.  Let’s just keep it to Helvetica, thanks.

02:58 PMBill Stiteler said:

Oh hey, iWork

02:58 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

You can change the font of your iBooks. Who wants to read a book in Verdana?

02:57 PMBill Stiteler said:

Lots of publishers signed on. Tap or drag to turn a page.

02:57 PMJake Gaecke said:

Doesn’t bother me, I don’t really want to pay monthly for more Apple gear, the iPhone costs enough

02:57 PMKirk Hiner said:

EXCLUSIVE: Kids everyone will use the iBooks rating system to complain about the price.

02:57 PMBill Stiteler said:

Still no word on anything other than WiFi connectivity.

02:56 PMBill Stiteler said:

Steve: “And we’re *not* going to sell it to you, because certain people blabbed last night.”

02:55 PMJake Gaecke said:

Notice that McGraw Hill isn’t on the slide, that’ll teach em for squaking

02:55 PMKirk Hiner said:

I think that IS Delicious Library 2.

02:55 PMJake Gaecke said:

Looks like iTunes for books

02:54 PMBill Stiteler said:

Bookshelf reminds me of Delicious LIbrary 2

02:54 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

“iBooks” looks a bit like “Classics.” Just a bit.

02:54 PMJake Gaecke said:

iBooks, way to reuse an old name

02:54 PMBill Stiteler said:

Steve gives a shout-out to Kindle, then says he’s going further with “iBooks.”

02:53 PMBill Stiteler said:

So this allows you to watch actual games, with enhanced reality overlays. Will they black out games taht aren’t sold out?

02:53 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

The MLB app seems to me to really embody what this device is. Sitting down, watching the game on TV, with your iPad for all this cool modeling and statistics fun. It’s a “life peripheral” to coin a phrase.

02:52 PMKirk Hiner said:

Baseball. Can I make a steroid joke here now?

02:52 PMBill Stiteler said:

“And watch in horror as it slips from your grasp.”

02:51 PMKirk Hiner said:

Some games require a lot of buttons, though, Adam. Not much room to reach of you have reach past a big border.

02:51 PMBill Stiteler said:

“To swing the bat, simply swing the iPad as hard as you can.”

02:50 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

On the contrary, I find it kind of cramped on my iPod, I’d like a bit of a border so my thumbs have room.

02:50 PMKirk Hiner said:

Won’t be long before someone create a Mario Kart style wheel to put the iPod in, I suspect.

02:50 PMJake Gaecke said:

Honestly, the EA game, Need for Speed Shift, doesn’t even look that good.

02:50 PMBill Stiteler said:

I think I am the only person who doesn’t care about a) driving games b)sports games.

02:49 PMJake Gaecke said:

Every time I see any new game, I keep thinking how badly iDevices need controllers

02:49 PMKirk Hiner said:

Gaming will be awkward if you have to reach your thumbs around that wide border…

02:48 PMJake Gaecke said:

Adam, no BSOD though

02:48 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

I don’t understand why they didn’t just run Windows 7 on the iPad… it’s got multi-touch AND a Paint app.

02:48 PMBill Stiteler said:

Oh good, ANOTHER driving game.

02:47 PMKirk Hiner said:

EA. I hope they brought Tiger Woods. He needs the work.

02:47 PMBill Stiteler said:

EA is up to demonstrate their shoddy, license-based software. Give it up for EA, everyone.

02:47 PMBill Stiteler said:

MacPaint, ladies and gentelmen, for the 21st century.

02:46 PMJake Gaecke said:

I have heard nothing to say that the iPad supports pressure, too bad, it would make for a heck of a graphics tablet.  Wacom, you guys are safe.

02:46 PMBill Stiteler said:

It’s a paint app, which would explain the Invite’s motif.

02:45 PMBill Stiteler said:

Next app is “Brushes.”

02:44 PMJake Gaecke said:

Seems like the best way to get in on Apple secrets is to become an amazing developer.  Add that to the list…

02:44 PMBill Stiteler said:

NYT app features inline video. So they’ve switched to h.264?

02:44 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

So the NYT app looks like an example of how Apple plans to do the print media thing. Perhaps Apple simply distributes apps, allowing the publisher to customize the book/magazine/paper experience?

02:43 PMBill Stiteler said:

Showing off more apps created in two weeks, which is when Apple showed off a sneak preview to developers.

02:42 PMJake Gaecke said:

This just in, Apple plans to save the NYT

02:41 PMBill Stiteler said:

Here comes a guy from the NYT to talk about their incredibly complicated subscription plan.

02:40 PMJake Gaecke said:

I really wish someone would come out with the iPhone/iPad virtual external monitor app for more screen real estate.  It would be even more useful with the iPad.

02:39 PMBill Stiteler said:

Looks like the only port is the dock connector.

02:39 PMKirk Hiner said:

Oh, great. Developers. Of course, Gameloft is a good place to start.

02:38 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Seems weird to waste all that screen space on the little iPhone apps… I’m still stuck on that.

02:38 PMJake Gaecke said:

So you can get a simulated iPad today, if you are a developer, or at least think you are.

02:38 PMBill Stiteler said:

Haven’t talke about importing PDFs and the like… haven’t really talked about reading at all…

02:37 PMJake Gaecke said:

Those icons look way too far apart.  More icons on one page please.

02:37 PMBill Stiteler said:

Includes an “iPad simulator”

02:36 PMBill Stiteler said:

New SDK out today with iPad tools.

02:36 PMKirk Hiner said:

New iPhone SDK for optimizing apps for the iPad available today.

02:36 PMBill Stiteler said:

If you run an app 1x, you see a black box, not the desktop or any apps running in the background.

02:36 PMJake Gaecke said:

I wonder if it can run more than one iPhone app side by side

02:35 PMBill Stiteler said:

More games. Apparently everything runs on the iPad. Nothing too surprising.

02:35 PMJake Gaecke said:

Oooo, virtual bezel on the iPhone apps with virtual reflection too.  I wonder if it’s accelerometer based :P

02:34 PMKirk Hiner said:

I wonder how that will affect future iPhone app development. Which screen to aim for…or both?

02:34 PMBill Stiteler said:

I dunno. the Ipod touch doesn’t have speaker holes.

02:33 PMBill Stiteler said:

You can run iPhone apps in a box or double the pixels

02:33 PMJake Gaecke said:

Looks like mic and speaker holes to me

02:32 PMBill Stiteler said:

Demoing a game… I suppose you could use the App for in-game chatting.

02:32 PMJake Gaecke said:

10 hours of video, wow.  1 month of standby

02:32 PMBill Stiteler said:

You’re right, there are three somethings on the bottom of the projected image…

02:32 PMKirk Hiner said:

Can run all iPhone apps.

02:31 PMBill Stiteler said:

10 hours of battery life.

02:31 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Are those 3 mini-USB ports on the bottom?

02:31 PMBill Stiteler said:

n Wifi and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

02:31 PMJake Gaecke said:

It has a mic, this must be iPhone 4!

02:31 PMKirk Hiner said:

Accelerometer and compass, so you can finally accurately watch “North by Northwest.”

02:31 PMBill Stiteler said:

16 to 64 GB of flash storage

02:30 PMJake Gaecke said:

I lied, it’s not flat :(

02:30 PMBill Stiteler said:

And a mic! Okay, now there’s only one reason you’d need a mic.

02:30 PMKirk Hiner said:

Didn’t they buy a chip maker a while back?

02:30 PMBill Stiteler said:

Whoa! Apple’s got a custom chip in there!

02:29 PMJake Gaecke said:

9.7 inch IPS display, wow, curveball, what’s IPS?

02:29 PMKirk Hiner said:

And with their own chip, no less.

02:29 PMBill Stiteler said:

Thinner than any netbook, with 9.7 inch display

02:29 PMJake Gaecke said:

Half an inch thick

02:29 PMBill Stiteler said:

1/2” thin, weighs 1.5 lbs.

02:28 PMJake Gaecke said:

It does, however, seem to have a 4X3 aspect ration, which would be perfect for images

02:27 PMBill Stiteler said:

It’s worth noting that the iPad does not have widescreen dimensions.

02:26 PMBill Stiteler said:

But will it actually buffer the video or just stream it like the iPhone?

02:26 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

We can now see what iTunes 9’s weird window chrome gradient was all about, looks to be the same on the iPad.

02:26 PMJake Gaecke said:

It has GPS

02:25 PMBill Stiteler said:

Showing of HD YouTube video… Somethign tells me Flash is still non grata.

02:25 PMKirk Hiner said:

Of course, Steve’s legally obligated to work John Mayer into all press events somehow.

02:23 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

iTunes looks really nice, but we’re seeing really mundane stuff. I can’t wait for what this is leading up to.

02:23 PMJake Gaecke said:

Looks like the back is completely flat, which makes me very happy, no more wobble on the table action!

02:23 PMBill Stiteler said:

iTunes LP artwork looks great, natch.

02:23 PMKirk Hiner said:

I think it doesn’t actually have a back. It’s 100% front.

02:22 PMBill Stiteler said:

I think it’s made of Unicorns and Moonbeams.

02:21 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Any mention of what the back of the iPad is made of? If it’s that “scratch-me-silver” like the iPod touch I’ll have a fit.

02:20 PMBill Stiteler said:

Steve’s demoing the iPhoto capabilities… has a scrubber function along the bottom.

02:19 PMBill Stiteler said:

EXCLUSIVE: iPad displays time at the top! :)

02:19 PMBill Stiteler said:

Ooh, the Dvorak people are going to be mad abou this keyboard.

02:19 PMKirk Hiner said:

“Gorgeous keyboard.” Are we really at the point where we’re rating the attractiveness of keyboards?

02:18 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

I’d be far from surprised if 3G is intentionally delayed to iPad 2 just as they do with things like volume buttons and speakers (iPod touch.)

02:18 PMBill Stiteler said:

Wonder if you can pinch the screen to zoom?

02:18 PMBill Stiteler said:

Two panel view in horizontal Email app.

02:17 PMKirk Hiner said:

You know, from the demo they’re giving, I really can see my dad using this to check the news at the end of the work day.

02:17 PMBill Stiteler said:

iPad shows a wifi signal like the iPod touch. No mention of 3G so far.

02:16 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

No Flash on the iPad.

02:16 PMBill Stiteler said:

Missing error plugin on the NYTimes page? No flash?

02:15 PMJake Gaecke said:

Nevermind, my eyes (and blurry pixels) deceived me

02:15 PMKirk Hiner said:

Scrolling is awesomely smooth. I wonder why it’s not widescreen, though.

02:14 PMJake Gaecke said:

Oh wow, looks like they’ve combined all the media apps into one.  Am I seeing this right?  iPhoto plus iTunes?

02:14 PMBill Stiteler said:

Is a hybrid of the iPhone/iTunes (OS X) interface

02:14 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

I was hoping they could find a way to make the onscreen keyboard not look as kludgy as in mockups, but you can’t win ‘em all.

02:14 PMKirk Hiner said:

So far, this is all what we where expecting. Still waiting for a killer feature or two.

02:13 PMBill Stiteler said:

iTunes built in to the surprise of no one.

02:13 PMJake Gaecke said:

I like the menuing system

02:13 PMBill Stiteler said:

Has a home screen button.

02:12 PMBill Stiteler said:

On screen keyboard is “a dream to type with”. I’m skeptical about THAT

02:12 PMKirk Hiner said:

That’s a lot of border space…kind of like a digital picture frame.

02:12 PMJake Gaecke said:

Mobile Safari looks much improved

02:11 PMBill Stiteler said:

“The best browsing experience you’ve ever had.”

02:11 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

it’s a big iPhone, running a what looks like an OS X, Phone mashup.

02:11 PMBill Stiteler said:

Shaped like the top of a Macbook pro.

02:11 PMJake Gaecke said:

iPad it is

02:10 PMJake Gaecke said:

Yeah, I HAD a netbook, need I say more?

02:10 PMBill Stiteler said:

iPad

02:10 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Ew… iPad? Ok.

02:10 PMBill Stiteler said:

Slam at Netbooks for not being better at anything, just cheap.

02:10 PMKirk Hiner said:

Trashing the netbooks. And justifiably so.

02:09 PMBill Stiteler said:

Things this device needs to do: email, browsing, pictures, video, and… reading

02:09 PMKirk Hiner said:

Or, perhaps not.

02:09 PMJake Gaecke said:

Bridging the gap between the iPhone and the MacBook Pro, didn’t see that one coming [rolls eyes]

02:09 PMKirk Hiner said:

eMate!

02:09 PMBill Stiteler said:

Graphic showing the iphone on one side and the Macbook on the other, with a ? in between.

02:08 PMJake Gaecke said:

Steve just mentioned the TFT screen, implying OLED?

02:07 PMBill Stiteler said:

Okay, skipping on to the main event.

02:07 PMJake Gaecke said:

Yay, they’re cutting to the chase… tablet time

02:07 PMKirk Hiner said:

And somewhat disturbing.

02:07 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Steve’s emphasis that Apple is a “mobile device company” is probably meaningful.

02:07 PMJake Gaecke said:

“Apple is the largest mobile devices company in the world.”

02:07 PMKirk Hiner said:

And they’re playing D&D!

02:06 PMBill Stiteler said:

I hope he announces the’re buying Dell and selling it off.

02:06 PMBill Stiteler said:

$15B in profit last quarter. Hey! There’s a pic of Steve and Woz in the 70s!

02:05 PMJake Gaecke said:

Numbers, like anyone’s concerned if Apple is doing well.

02:05 PMBill Stiteler said:

140k Apps, 3 Billion downloads.

02:04 PMBill Stiteler said:

Sorry, 250M visitors

02:04 PMBill Stiteler said:

50M visitors

02:03 PMBill Stiteler said:

284 retail stores.

02:03 PMBill Stiteler said:

250M ipods sold.

02:02 PMKirk Hiner said:

Good for him.

02:02 PMBill Stiteler said:

They’re going to announce something “magical and revolutionary.” Oh my.

02:02 PMBill Stiteler said:

And STeve looks… about the same.

02:01 PMJake Gaecke said:

Steve’s usage of “Boom” prediction - 37

02:01 PMBill Stiteler said:

Steve!

02:01 PMKirk Hiner said:

There go the lights. I’m starting to panic.

02:01 PMBill Stiteler said:

And we’re off.

02:01 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Seems like they’re starting exactly on time.

02:00 PMKirk Hiner said:

Jake…keep your baggage at home.

02:00 PMBill Stiteler said:

I hope they open with one of Steve’s patented “Year in Movies” medlies

02:00 PMJake Gaecke said:

That’s a nice couch they have on stage.  Kind of reminds me of the couch I ordered from IKEA but still don’t have, darn IKEA.

01:59 PMBill Stiteler said:

Yours is the only one that rings with “Whirlygirl,” Hiner.

01:58 PMKirk Hiner said:

And when your iPhone rings, they’ll totally know it’s one of us.

01:57 PMJake Gaecke said:

Hey everyone, better silence you phones, they’re about to begin.

01:57 PMKirk Hiner said:

I’m holding my breath, but it has nothing to do with this event.

01:56 PMJake Gaecke said:

My credit card is ready, but I’m not holding my breathe

01:55 PMJake Gaecke said:

Bill, yeah, that’s definitely possible, but they’ve requested to have private FCC approval before, so it might have already gone through…

01:54 PMBill Stiteler said:

Good point, Jake. If it has 3G built in, does that mean they have to go through FCC approval? They did this with the original iPhone, as I recall.

01:54 PMJake Gaecke said:

That’s why I’m bothered :)

01:54 PMKirk Hiner said:

He’s so eccentric!

01:54 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

If the tablet is in fact available in March, there may be nothing to change on the store.

01:53 PMBill Stiteler said:

What’s this? Apple’s sending everyone home? Steve’s “changed his mind?”

01:53 PMJake Gaecke said:

I’m very bothered that the Apple store is still up

01:52 PMBill Stiteler said:

Still, they’re going to have a hard time measuring up to Ballmer’s tablet from CES, eh?

01:51 PMKirk Hiner said:

Rumor has it Apple also kicked IDG’s dog.

01:51 PMBill Stiteler said:

Boy, you can really see why it would have killed Apple to wait a few weeks and announce this at Macworld Expo.

01:49 PMKirk Hiner said:

Good. Because I’ve been needing to explore Atlantis a bit more as of late.

01:48 PMBill Stiteler said:

Say what you will, this computer is going to be the ideal format for Choose Your Own Adventure books.

01:47 PMKirk Hiner said:

Guess that depends upon who’s sitting in the chair.

01:46 PMBill Stiteler said:

Here’s the link pure speculation on their part because they saw Iger arrive.

01:46 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Apparently there’s just a table and comfy chair on the stage, really seems to indicate the ebook focus, though if they’re literally going to demonstrate that by sitting in the chair and reading an eBook this’ll be a snoozer.

01:45 PMBill Stiteler said:

CNBC says Bob Iger (Disney) is going to make an announcement. Are we underestimating the tablet as a video tool?

01:44 PMBill Stiteler said:

Maybe they’ll call it the “Vista.”

01:43 PMKirk Hiner said:

If they really wanted to take a shot at the Kindle, and if my dad were running the show, they’d call it “Cheater Wood.”

01:43 PMJake Gaecke said:

As far as names, I’m hoping for iSlate or something similar, I think everyone hates the idea of iPad, too similar to iPod.  Apple tablet makes a lot of sense, but it seems too generic.

01:43 PMKirk Hiner said:

I agree with Adam. “Apple tablet” makes the most sense, ala “Apple TV.”

01:42 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

I’d disagree with the “iPod tablet” moniker, I don’t think that the tablet would be part of the iPod line, even if it is simply a scaled up iPod touch/iPhone.

01:41 PMAdam Fisher-Cox said:

Hey everyone.

01:41 PMKirk Hiner said:

Hello, Jake. Adam. Glad you could join us.

01:39 PMBill Stiteler said:

Oh, and full color screen which they’ll use to take a dig at the Kindle.

01:38 PMJake Gaecke said:

Hey guys

01:38 PMKirk Hiner said:

Add Bluetooth support to that for external keyboards and such.

01:37 PMBill Stiteler said:

Okay, actual predictions, Tablet (called the iPod tablet), runs iPhone OS, 10” screen, runs iPhone apps as well as new book interface (which will also be ported to iPhone). 3G through AT&T only (though I hope I’m wrong). Cost: $899. No USB ports.

01:32 PMKirk Hiner said:

‘bout damn time.

01:31 PMBill Stiteler said:

My prediction: the return of Cyberdog

01:18 PMKirk Hiner said:

I liked him more when he was lurking with Hugh Laurie.

01:18 PMBill Stiteler said:

Hey, it’s Stephen Fry lurking about inside!

01:01 PMKirk Hiner said:

Regardless, I’ll be curious to see how this impacts the price of college textbooks, if at all. My guess is that if McGraw Hill is already praising the tablet, then it’s going to be closer to not at all.

12:59 PMKirk Hiner said:

That seems kind of “gutless and chickenhearted” of Apple. They certainly did more than “suggest” prices for iTunes songs, after all.

11:29 AMBill Stiteler said:

WSJ: Apple is suggesting prices to publishers but not requiring them.

11:01 AMBill Stiteler said:

If that’s an Apple tablet, it’s not the finished version…

10:59 AMBill Stiteler said:

Whoops! Sorry, didn’t see you’d already linked to that.

10:59 AMBill Stiteler said:

Apparently the CEO of Macgraw-Hill blabbed last night that the tablet is going to be iPhone OS based and they will be selling their textbooks on it. (from Macrumors)

08:14 AMKirk Hiner said:

Here we are, morning of the show, and the rumors are still coming in. Did you see the latest leaked tablet images?

11:23 PMKirk Hiner said:

Story two is in a press release from Appular, in which they mention that…well, I think I’ll write this one up real quickly at Appletell. Check the home page for the Crosswords release. We’ll see you tomorrow morning.

11:20 PMKirk Hiner said:

Okay, good, the hyperlink worked.

11:19 PMKirk Hiner said:

Yes, I know we’re still over twelve hours away from the press event, but with nothing much to do here beyond search for stories, I found two of note. The first is right here at Appletell, where McGraw Hill may have jumped the gun on the tablet announcement.