Back in Dec 2008 I laid out the specifications for an iPod Plus. It was where I thought Apple would go next. I got the device size completely wrong; 5 inch is nothing like 9.7 inch but at least I predicted correctly that they wouldn’t be silly enough to bring out a netbook.

Apart from the from the sizing error though, I got most of the rest of it spot-on including the entry-level pricing, the ebook capability, the data-only 3G, the storage and most of the software elements. I also predicted that Apple could divert 5-10% of netbook sales and sell 1 million devices per year. We’ll see about that next year!

Unfortunately, Apple left out a few of the things I was expecting.

Hardware (can not be fixed until next model is released)

• Web cam
• Digital video out
• FM transmitter and receiver

Personally I can live without all of those but I’m still surprised they weren’t included.

Software

• Turn-by-turn navigation included.
• Multitasking
• Live widgets on home page
• Video/Voice over IP s/w.

Multitasking is the big personal disappointment.

I think Apple could still push out a 5-7 inch version of the iPad (iPad Mini) and include the missing elements (just like the 2nd-gen iPhone did) and of course, most of those missing software elements can be enabled through software updates.

That’s enough of me though, how about you? What were you expecting and what are you wishing for on the iPad?

We shouldn’t be surprised that the Ipad is going to set new standards for user interfaces on a tablet-style device and that it allows you to access media in such a intuitive and fun way but somehow, it’s exciting and new to see it all happen. This video gives you a good overview from the marketing department’s perspective!

It’s impossible to talk about everything the iPad (specifications) represents in just 25 minutes but JKK (JKKMobile.com) and I had a good go. We’ve followed the event, had time to digest all the specifications and had a great chat with some readers in the UMPCPortal live chat channel. The iPad is going to be great for a subset of users. Maybe they arent the same hi-tech-oriented users we usually see reading our blogs but it’s a huge number of people all the same. Books, Video, Music, Games. Perfect for the coffee-table! Not so perfect for other scenarios though. Have a listen…..

You can download the podcast here or listen on the live player at Mevio.

More podcasts from JKK, Sascha and myself at MeetMobility

We’ve followed the event, had time to digest all the specifications and had a great chat with some readers in the live chat channel so now it’s time to summarize what the iPad is and where it fits. JKK and I spend 25 minutes going over the main points.

I’ve posted details about  (and will be following) the iPad at Carrypad. It’s also in the database.

You can download the podcast here or listen on the live player at Mevio.

It looks pretty much like everyone expected. 10 inch, thin, iPhone OS (based.)

Update: Specs now in database.

Image from gdgt.com

Spec-guessing based on the sizing. Update: Some confirmed. Update 2: All specs now in the database along with image and article links.

• 9.7″ ‘IPS’ technology screen, multitouch. (confirmed)
• 1024×600 1024×768
  
• 12mm thick (confirmed 0.5 inch, 13mm)
• 10wh battery 25wh battery.
• 3hrs online battery life (‘up to 10 hours’ confirmed)
• 400gm (corrected: 1.5lb 670gm)

Full specs, gallery and links in the database.

Check out the 8 minute presentation video.

Mentioned in the event:

• 1Ghz Apple A4 CPU (Could be PA-Semi or ARM-based or both)
• 16, 32, 64GB storage.
• Bluetooth
• 802.11n
• Accelerometer
• Docking port
• HD YouTube (720p we guess)
• New OS designed around similar feature set to iPod Touch. (Photo’s, YouTube, iTunes
• App store.
• Apps run pixel for pixel center screen or pixel-doubled (from iPhone app store.)
• iBooks store.

Info from others.

• No multitasking
• No flash.

Pricing.

• 16GB, Wifi : $499
• 32GB Wifi:  $599
• 64GB wifi:  $699
• Add 3G (unlocked) for $130

Availability: 2 Months.

Docking station:

Via Engadget

Not mentioned: Dimensions, cam details. Update: Dimensions now in the database. No cam!

Interesting tablet thoughts from John Gruber of Daring Fireball.  Having researched the ultra mobile PC market for over three years I’m of the opinion that this space is for multiple niche products and not a multi-million selling success story but if there’s one company that can prove me wrong,  it’s Apple.

I have a thousand questions about The Tablet’s design. What size is it? There’s a big difference between, say, 7- and 10-inch displays. How do you type on it? With all your fingers, like a laptop keyboard? Or like an iPhone, with only your thumbs? If you’re supposed to watch video on it, how do you prop it up? Holding it in your hands? Flat on a table seems like the wrong angle entirely; but a fold-out “arm inch to prop it up, à la a picture frame, seems clumsy and inelegant. If it’s just a touchscreen tablet, how do you protect the screen while carrying it around?

via Daring Fireball: The Tablet.

My daughter picked up a(nother) teenie mag yesterday. Apparently this particular one is a must-read for the latest Miley Cyrus info although it appears that they’re getting some good tech scoops too. Check this out. It’s the new Apple tablet with a 10.2 inch screen and it ‘should’ be called the ‘iPad’.’ It’s coming in January.

Photoshoptastic?

I seem to be going through a sort of ‘gadget depression’. I used to see lots of cool MIDs and UMPCs get announced and was really excited for them. Lately though, I usually look at a device and see it as a poorly thought-out, half-baked, swing in the dark.

Before I begin this little rant, let me say that I’m not an Apple fan-boy. I’ve never owned an Apple computer. The only Apple products I’ve owned are the iPod Touch, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS.

From the perspective of mobile devices, I’m becoming increasingly upset at the inability of other companies to release solid, usable products. Apple has never made a phone prior to the iPhone and yet they come out of a left field with an incredibly polished package, and now everyone wants to copy them, but can’t even manage that. We all know that the iPhone does have limitations, it isn’t the end-all be-all device, but is the most complete and intuitive mobile device that I’ve ever used, and for that matter, the most enjoyable and probably even most useful. But this post isn’t here to praise the iPhone. To me it feels like there is something more to Apple than what we see with other companies. Some sort of vision that they stick to that allows them to made products that people really want.

What is it about Apple that allows them to make extremely usable products? Is it simply the fact that they have a ton of money to spend on projects? I find it hard to believe that if another company really dedicated their time to making a great product, they couldn’t achieve it. And yet I continue to see these miserable attempts copy Apple or launch a product that has a clear approach to its design and an actual vision about what it should be able to provide its user. Maybe it’s more profitable for a company to make a bunch of half-baked products and sell a few of each than to have one product that is great and sells well. I can’t quite say.

I realize now that this post is really about that fact that, lately, I have not been impressed by most mobile device offerings being released. Maybe it’s because Apple has set the bar really high and others are still working on catching up? Whatever the case, I can’t wait until I find a new device that I’m actually excited about, and I’m hoping that it won’t be from Apple.