Ok, the count down is on. Time to make your predictions. Let's see who can get the closest to the actual thing. This time around I'm trying to restrict my predictions to what I think it will have rather than what I want it to have.
Here is my overly detailed prediction:
[Updated to compare with actual]
Today Google announced that cloud file storage was coming to Google Docs. After quickly reading the details, my first response (and pretty much everyone else's) was MEH. Only 1G for free with no local syncing? I'll stick with Dropbox, thank you very much. Seriously after all these many years of G-Drive rumors that was all they could come up with? But after some further though I think we may be missing the real potential here. I say 'potential' because this is only speculation, and may not be Google's intent, but hear me out.
When I switched away from Windows Mobile I left behind a lot of functionality, some built in and some via 3rd party apps. Over time Apple has managed to add some of these things to the platform, like cut and paste (duh!) and Bluetooth Stereo support. Gradually 3rd party apps have also appeared to fill in many of the cracks left by my switch. I found another one last night - Air Video.
I used to use TCPMP or BetaPlayer to stream Xvid files from my media server to my PocketPC over WIFI. I gave this up when I switched to the Apple platform. The iPhone won't play anything but mp4 and I'm not about to convert all my vids. Also the iPhone doesn't have any native support for accessing a network share. Now that problem is solved with Air Video. Air Video allows you to stream video in almost any format to the iPhone. Since the iPhone only displays mp4 the video must be converted (transcoded). Luckily Air Video will do that for you - either by queuing up the conversion or by transcoding on the fly.
To use it you need to install a server program on your Mac or PC and point it to the folders you would like to share. The server software uses Bonjour so you don't need to configure any network settings. After it is up and running the iPhone Air Video app will find the local machine automagically. They also claim some support for streaming across the internet, but I haven't tried that. You can also share iTunes playlists.
There are two versions of the app, one pay (2.99) and one free. The free version limits the number of items you can see in a folder, but otherwise behaves the same.
I downloaded the server and app and after a quick setup I was streaming anime in .mkv format to my iPhone. Initially I was not able to see the subtitles, but I found there was a beta version of the server. I installed it and the subtitles appeared.
Ok for more fun with predictions check out The Unweary Prediction Score Card. Print it out and pass it around the office. Or for even more fun buy the prediction iPhone app.
(Note: shameless plug for my friend's app.)
I don't know if these pics are real or not, but this pretty much what I think it will look like.
I agree with you on pretty much all of this, although I have no idea about the actual measurements. Definitely pa semi and modified iphone os. Hmm, I have a hard time with it not running iPhone apps. I agree that they won't run stock (a small windowed mode would be dumb). But I think the API will be so similar that a UI expansion and re-compile will be an easy port. Also, given Apple's history with "fat binaries", I imagine the SDK will let a single .ipa file to contain both the iPhone and the iPad UI with a common shared back end logic.
BTW, I don't like the name iPad - sounds like something you get at a drugstore for your girlfriend.
I also reaaaallllly hope they surprise and have a camera on front and back. Front for video conferencing and back for augmented reality.
I think they won't announce all the potential of all the apps, like full online application suite integration. They will focus on the media subscriptions and kindle++ aspects of this.
I'm guessing it won't have Don't Panic written in large friendly letters on the cover, which is a shame.
I'm guessing someone will make a cover for it with the words 'Don't panic' on it.
I guess the name iPad is ok. iSlate was too Laura Engles for me, did not convey any sense of modernity.
Updated the post to compare the predictions to actual.
So how do I feel about it? Well I tried to set my bar pretty low, or rather tried to filter out the un-realistic hype that has been on the web. In the end I was still way overly optimistic on things like cool new UI, multi-tasking and handwriting recognition.
There were some positive surprises however, like works with external keyboards including bluetooth, and battery life. Also I was expecting something 200 - 300 more expensive for wifi only. So all in all I think it is pretty cool.
The mood on the web seem pretty negative at the moment. But that is to be expected. No product could live up to the Apple fan boy speculation machine. I think we'll see long lines at the Apple store, yet again, in 2 months.
If I can vpn, remote desktop and use a keyboard and mouse, then I'm in. This would adequately replace my uses for a netbook. The missing camera is a bummer. And would at least one usb port really kill them? I guess an adapter is possible to connect thru the bottom, but if we're talking mobile here then why force users to have more dongles and adapters? I'm still uncomfortable with the size. Seems a tad too big, unless I go everywhere with a messenger bag, no doubt sold by Apple as well.
And if you could put 25 cents in the side and eject a tampon out the bottom, that would be cool too.