Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

darkmatter · 07:00 AM

Hi

Wouldn't be great? Reading comfortable any kind of literature on the go. Vertical, horizontal view, Preview as application, iTunes Newspaper Store, Journals, etc and finally forget about the bulky Laptop

Any future iPod touch thoughts want to share?

Best Regards

butterfly0fdoom · Sep 8, 2007, 12:12 PM

Yes, instead you get a bulky iPod.

Dork. · Sep 8, 2007, 12:39 PM

What would be neat is if you could use it with a bluetooth keyboard when you need to type into it, but could use it as a tablet computer (with a usable interface!) the rest of the time. It wouldn't be a bulky iPod, it would be a tablet computer that works. Anyone who thinks the iPod Touch is just an iPod, and not the world's first usable tablet computer, needs to look more closely.

Let's face it, other than playing Civilization, I could do everything I currently do on my 12" PB with one of these setups. If it's beefy enough to run Office, it's beefy enough to do 99% of what people use computers for.

darkmatter · Sep 8, 2007, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Dork.

What would be neat is if you could use it with a bluetooth keyboard when you need to type into it, but could use it as a tablet computer (with a usable interface!) the rest of the time. It wouldn't be a bulky iPod, it would be a tablet computer that works. Anyone who thinks the iPod Touch is just an iPod, and not the world's first usable tablet computer, needs to look more closely.

Let's face it, other than playing Civilization, I could do everything I currently do on my 12" PB with one of these setups. If it's beefy enough to run Office, it's beefy enough to do 99% of what people use computers for.

Similar thoughts here

I didn't pay the right attention to the Bluetooth port, a external keyboard would be a great use
Writing on the theoretical 13" glass wouldn't be that ergonomically, on the other side the new Apple keyboards have become very flat.
Old iPods had a serial interface via the headphone port, maybe this port could be an alternative to connect a keyboard, could save money and tend to simplicity.

kill bill · Sep 9, 2007, 12:04 AM

Apple has probably got a bunch of engineers in a room working on a variable distance holographic projector screen that will be iPhone sized, but will let you view your movies in selectable sizes in the open air. That would be some really cool stuff. Like a personal projector that doesn't need a hard surface. You would no longer be limited to screen size, but rather to the range of the projector. Apple keeps seriously impressing me with their technology that I can't help but think they're looking through old episodes of the Jetsons and Johnny Quest for ideas, lol. Something like the projector technology is just far enough out there that I wouldn't be surprised to see it in the next 10 years (if not sooner).

On a more serious note, it would be cool if you could use the iPhone with an IM client to do real time video messaging with anyone who has a webcam (can you already do that?). Or maybe use the iPhone as a remote control for your Mac. Also, a wave of third party iPhone softwares would be great.

darkmatter · Sep 10, 2007, 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by butterfly0fdoom

Yes, instead you get a bulky iPod.

Or a slim Macbook touch

darkmatter · Sep 10, 2007, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by kill bill

On a more serious note, it would be cool if you could use the iPhone with an IM client to do real time video messaging with anyone who has a webcam (can you already do that?). Or maybe use the iPhone as a remote control for your Mac. Also, a wave of third party iPhone softwares would be great.

Try youTubing "iPhone video conferencing" (sorry I can't send you the link) you will find a video of someone that implemented it. I think the iPhone should have the camera in the front, this would allow video conferencing ergonomically and even using the display as a flash, like iMacs and Macbooks do with iSight. Maybe it's Apple philosophy to avoid users video conferencing with the iPhone/iPods or maybe EDGE bandwidth doesn't meet Apple's quality standards or maybe Apple finds video conferencing while being mobile not attractive or insecure.

I need a lot video conferencing and find a big problem that I always need to find an WiFi spot or attach an extra card to the Powerbook or Macbook while being mobile. For the moment I keep video conferencing for the desk.

Somehow I was missing integrated graphics output port (DVI, VGA) on iPods, don't know if it is possible at the moment, one the other side the new "Apple Component AV Cable" is great. Interesting is that this is not supported by the iPhone.

Best Regards

butterfly0fdoom · Sep 10, 2007, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by darkmatter

Or a slim Macbook touch

Doesn't matter. The point is it'd be cumbersome to carry on a daily basis since, well, it doesn't fit in a pocket.

darkmatter · Sep 12, 2007, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by butterfly0fdoom

Doesn't matter. The point is it'd be cumbersome to carry on a daily basis since, well, it doesn't fit in a pocket.

Yeah, you right, iPod is conceived just for the pocket

Best Regards

Dork. · Sep 12, 2007, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by butterfly0fdoom

Doesn't matter. The point is it'd be cumbersome to carry on a daily basis since, well, it doesn't fit in a pocket.

A 13" device would serve a different purpose, though. I'm an engineer, and I have tons of notebooks and scratch pads to draw block diagrams and quick schematics on, as well as tons of component datasheets on my desk, printed out since I usually have a schematic entry program up on my screen lately. A well-designed tablet with a pen interface running a thin version of Visio and a full-page PDF viewer would make my day! I've wanted something like that ever since I got my first laptop for college in the mid-90's.

mitchell_pgh · Sep 12, 2007, 10:28 AM

I think a better idea would be a 13" add on that you plug the iPod touch or iPhone into. It would need to be very thin, but could include a keyboard. You could go in many different directions with this idea. Perhaps include a video camera for a portable conference call, etc. Hmmm...

The only problem would be power. A 13" would need a laptop battery, not an iPod touch/iPhone battery.

butterfly0fdoom · Sep 12, 2007, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by darkmatter

Yeah, you right, iPod is conceived just for the pocket

Best Regards

Originally Posted by Dork.

A 13" device would serve a different purpose, though.

I'm mainly responding to this statement here: "finally forget about the bulky Laptop". A 13" multi-touch device will still be moderately bulky (no where near as thick or as heavy as a MacBook, yes, but it will still be as wide and as deep), not something that would be convenient to carry on a daily basis like an iPhone (or an iPod touch). Not quite "on the go".