King of the Apple pundits Jon Gruber takes us to school on Apple’s now all-but-announced tablet computer. In his trademark style – ultra thorough and full of sharp insight – he cuts through the chafe and gets to the facts, and then adds in some useful analysis. No Gizmodo-style rumor-of-the-moment twaddle here.
Two key assesments: 1) Think big. It won’t be just an e-book reader, or giant iPod touch, but it might be both those things and a whole lot more; Apple marketing will focus on a few key things that it does amazingly well; 2) Consider it a replacement device for a MacBook – not the creation of a new niche (a la iPod) between your iPhone and your MacBook.
Lastly, what would a Gruber essay be without a bit of snark for the legions of Zune-loving Jobs doubters:
It will offer a fraction of the functionality of a MacBook — but that fraction will be way more fun. The same Asperger-y critics who dismissed the iPhone will focus on all that The Tablet doesn’t do and declare that this time, Apple really has fucked up but good. The rest of us will get in line to buy one.
No Comments