Your Next eReader Display

Your Next Gen eReader

Notebookcheck.com reports that Qualcom is in talks to produce it’s Mirasol displays for Tablets and eReaders as early as this year.

Tempting

Enso zenPad $180 Shipped

Tablet musings

What’s worse, a “closed” Apple tablet that lets you download native apps and games, or an “open” Google tablet that does nothing but run a web browser?

When Microsoft Windows is the most attractive option, you know something is wrong.

Exposé Like Multitasking Coming to iPhone/Tablet OS.

There has been much speculation about how an interface might change should Apple release a ten inch tablet that sits somewhere between an iPod/phone and a Macbook (or replaces the Macbook all together).

The operating system for the new device will take advantage of Apple’s Exposé task switching application to allow for side-by side multitasking applications.    The tablet will leverage true resolution independence features to allow for up to 4 applications to be open on the same screen simultaneously.  Hitting a home button on the device will zoom out to show all currently running applications.  When zoomed out you’ll be able to drop as many as four applications into a focus tray that will after being tapped display those applications simultaneously on the screen.  The applications will fill the space sharing equal proportions.  Each at independent resolutions relative to the native resolutions of the system.

This is an exciting step forward, one of the heaviest complaints leveraged against the iPhone/iPod system is the lack of true multitasking functionality.  Essential applications like text to speech systems, have to work in their own separate environment not allowing interaction between applications.  It’s not clear whether or not this will actually be implemented for iPhone/iPod systems.

Update: 1/28 In what was probably one of the biggest disappointments of the iPad announcement, multitasking did not show itself.  That being said, it appears the software isn’t complete, or if it is it is awful and ill conceived.  There were some amazing applications, but the system itself was unbelievably ugly and clunky.

Apple Tablet Getting Screen Sharing, Collaboration Features

Apple couldn’t just release a tablet, it’s got to offer something more, that’s just how the company works.  As a part of the tablet launch the company is has built a new collaboration tool.

Two tablet holders will be able to share a project screen.  This isn’t screen sharing, this is two separate machines manipulating the same application together. The new creative tool will be the first app to support this with iWork applications being updated as well.

This will work across the internet as well as in the same room.

Update: 1/28  With an uncharacteristic lack of vision it appears Apple was content with pasting pretty much the existing iPhone/iPod OS into a larger form factor.  While this was an opportunity to really wow people, they chose a less adventurous route.  It looks like it’s going to take another stakeholder with bigger visions to bring this one about.

Apple Releasing Creative Software to Coincide With Tablet

Apple is releasing new creative software to coincide with their product update announcement on January 27.  As a part of showing off the new interface capabilities of their new device Apple is releasing new software in a similar vein to Corel Paint/Adobe Photoshop.

It is not clear whether or not this will be a part of the iLife or iWork Suites, or if it will be a stand alone application.  What is known is that the software was developed to show off a revolutionary way to work with design tools on a computer.  Apparently it will take advantage of ‘unique’ attributes of the tablet that ‘extend the touch interface beyond the screen.’ The software will not be as robust as the professional applications in it’s genre, but will rather be a high end consumer product offering capabilities a lot of professionals will find helpful.

It will be included with all Apple Touch devices, but weather iPhone, iPod will have the same version or if it will be more akin to Apple’s movie editor for the iPhone is not known.

Update: Holy crap, the thing (tablet) is going to be finger-pressure sensitive! The new paint software will take advantage of it.

Apple Tablet News: It’s the New MacBook(s)

I’ve got news regarding the perennial Sasquatch or Loch Ness of tech.  Apple IS releasing a tablet.  But they are releasing more than one.

Apple’s slate/tablet will not be an additional device category for Apple.  It (they) will be replacing MacBook/Pro line.

But what’s even more interesting is that they are moving over for a wider implementation of their application store.

Apparently the company is enamored with how they’ve been able to transition their iTunes system to accommodate applications.  They’ve seen revenue in the form of even the most ridiculous applications.   Now apparently Steve sees an enormous potential behind having a application store for more of their machines.  As a result of their (internally perceived) success they are beginning a program of transitioning all Mac applications to an app store-like system.  They’ll be able to take advantage of more revenues, and perhaps most worryingly, they’ll be able to lock down the consumer experience more.

That’s why the company has recently sped up it’s approval process.  They’re gearing up to transition a lot of existing mac applications over to the App Store.

This also seems to explain why the company has not added BluRay on their systems as of yet.  They are seeking for more ways than one to control what goes on their devices.

It appears apple may be making the same mistakes it made some time ago, closing in their system while the competition is about opening up.  They don’t seem to mind that route though.  The company seems more concerned about controlling everything over market-share.  That could be fine if it was for the sake of a better experience.  But the App Store has got to be, from a consumer/developer perspective, one of the worst creations the company has ever been behind.

1/18/2009 Update:  Reports are circling the web today that the 22 inch iMac will also be getting a touch screen, if not this January, then in May with the next update.  It appears more and more that Apple is heading this route of changing over their entire line.

Samsung Debuts Folding OLED Screen

Considering that a purchasing an 11 inch OLED TV today would run you $2,500 I don’t see this 5 inch display being practical anytime soon.  But the concept brings hope for a large number of applications.

Watch the video from the FPD International show in Japan.  Maybe I’m the only one but I find the concept amazing, a screen that can fold over?  And as Electronista points out “there is no physical keypad, suggesting the smaller display is touch-sensitive.”

While the first thing I think of is a new iPhone, the most exciting application to me would be in the form of an ultra portable tablet computer, say 5X7 and 1280X800?

Sometimes the future looks pretty good. 

[Via Electronista]