[shantyman]

The rumor? Yes, it's stupid and not going to happen. But is the tech stupid? No way.

It's like a rumble controller from what I saw. Nothing earth shattering.

[brotkasten]

The crazy thing it isn't even a rumor. It hasn't been rumored anywhere! It is just discussion at gaf that came from some random youtube video of the tech that got out of control.

The YT video was just an example how it would look/work. The real reason people are believing it, is because Disney Research worked/is working on this and their patent looks a bit like this



http://www.disneyresearch.com/resear...atouch_drp.htm

[DoctorWho]

The YT video was just an example how it would look/work. The real reason people are believing it, is because Disney Research worked/is working on this and their patent looks a bit like this http://www.disneyresearch.com/resear...atouch_drp.htm

Lol.

Apple. That's cute.

[Utako]

Make a list of 5 functions a pocket PC can do that a modern smartphone can't, that statistically significant percentage of the population would actually use. You know, like real people who don't live on linux message-boards or something.

This only applies to iPhone, not Android devices, but:

- Install any app you want

- Interact with the file system

- Customize the home screen with new functionality

- Physical, universally-available buttons for things like launching apps and taking voice notes

- Until very recently, aggregate notifications (nearly a decade before iOS)


Android was originally made to compete with Windows Mobile, the most capable platform at the time, and so matches most (all?) of its advantages.

As an aside, I remember running Android on my HTC WinMob device before the iPhone was announced. It felt very much like Blackberry would be if RIM was a good company.

[pubba]

I feel a little dead inside...

Sold my iPad2 tonight and I'm already regretting it. Going back to using my netbook for surfing the web and emails etc is awful.

And to make it worse, we will probably have to wait longer to get one here in Australia. Can anyone remember how long the delay was form US to Australia for the iPad2 launch?

On the up side, I got $600 US for the 64GB wifi only model and kept the smart cover in case it will fit the iPad 3.

I'm going to be one of the sad sacks lining up overnight to get an iPad3 on launch day!

[LCfiner]

This only applies to iPhone, not Android devices, but: - Install any app you want - Interact with the file system - Customize the home screen with new functionality - Physical, universally-available buttons for things like launching apps and taking voice notes - Until very recently, aggregate notifications (nearly a decade before iOS) Android was originally made to compete with Windows Mobile, the most capable platform at the time, and so matches most (all?) of its advantages. As an aside, I remember running Android on my HTC WinMob device before the iPhone was announced. It felt very much like Blackberry would be if RIM was a good company.

If real people - the mass market - actually cared about all those things then why were windows mobile sales crap and why are iphone sales so strong?

you overestimate the number of people that want to interact with a file system.

[Wrestlemania]

This only applies to iPhone, not Android devices, but: - Install any app you want - Interact with the file system - Customize the home screen with new functionality - Physical, universally-available buttons for things like launching apps and taking voice notes - Until very recently, aggregate notifications (nearly a decade before iOS) Android was originally made to compete with Windows Mobile, the most capable platform at the time, and so matches most (all?) of its advantages. As an aside, I remember running Android on my HTC WinMob device before the iPhone was announced. It felt very much like Blackberry would be if RIM was a good company.

.

that statistically significant percentage of the population would actually use. You know, like real people who don't live on linux message-boards or something.

[Tobor]

This only applies to iPhone, not Android devices, but: - Install any app you want - Interact with the file system - Customize the home screen with new functionality - Physical, universally-available buttons for things like launching apps and taking voice notes - Until very recently, aggregate notifications (nearly a decade before iOS) Android was originally made to compete with Windows Mobile, the most capable platform at the time, and so matches most (all?) of its advantages. As an aside, I remember running Android on my HTC WinMob device before the iPhone was announced. It felt very much like Blackberry would be if RIM was a good company.

So nothing important was lost. Good to know.

[Utako]

You guys are right - nobody uses nerdy things like a file system on their desktop, why would they want that on a phone?

[Treefingers]

You guys are right - nobody uses nerdy things like a file system on their desktop, why would they want that on a phone?

Just because file system access exists on the desktop doesn't mean (most) people want or need file system access on their phone.

Or hell, it doesn't mean that they even want or need it on their desktop either.

[MercuryLS]

You guys are right - nobody uses nerdy things like a file system on their desktop, why would they want that on a phone?

It's because of people like you that Windows Mobile was invented and subsequently crashed and burned.

[SeanR1221]

I can't think of a single iPhone user in my personal life that wants those things.

Hell, I know a few who refuse to use the new notification system! Most don't know how to create folders for apps, or what fast app switching is and if they do, they tend to constantly close out the apps thinking its draining their battery.

People around here always seem to have a hard time thinking like the average consumer, it boggles my mind.

EDIT - and before the snarky "what are they idiots?" remarks, realize not everyone follows/cares about tech news, is happy with their device, and you take the same approach to other things in your life (clueless about fashion, culinary, art, etc.) and no one shoves it in your face.

[Zzoram]

I hate the new notification screen. It uses the built-in weather app instead of the weather app of our choosing, and that annoys me because I hate the built-in weather app and am still mad they won't let us remove it.

[SeanR1221]

I hate the new notification screen. It uses the built-in weather app instead of the weather app of our choosing, and that annoys me because I hate the built-in weather app and am still mad they won't let us remove it.

My prediction for iOS 6 is to open up the notification center for some customization. Nothing crazy, but maybe like a Facebook ticker, different weather apps, new tweets, etc.

Best of both WP7 and Android if you ask me.

[Refrigerator]

We can't even get a true Retina Display, but some are hoping for haptic feedback? That's wishful thinking.

@Treefingers - as mobile applications get more complex, there will eventually need to be some mechanism for file management and sorting.

[JAVK]

The iPhone 4S order in Australia was the same day as the US one, so I guess the iPad 3 orders should work the same way. Hopefully.

[Utako]

It's because of people like you that Windows Mobile was invented and subsequently crashed and burned.

It was actually top dog in the smartphone world pre-iPhone.

I think the constant crashing, stylus interaction, and being slow-as-balls when the iPhone lacked these things were responsible for its demise.

Don't miss the forest for the trees here, fanboys. I'm an iOS user like you; we can be rational together.

[Zzoram]

My prediction for iOS 6 is to open up the notification center for some customization. Nothing crazy, but maybe like a Facebook ticker, different weather apps, new tweets, etc. Best of both WP7 and Android if you ask me.

I would like that. I want the notification screen to only use stuff I actually want there.

[Crazymoogle]

I hate the new notification screen. It uses the built-in weather app instead of the weather app of our choosing, and that annoys me because I hate the built-in weather app and am still mad they won't let us remove it.

Haven't looked into other weather apps, but

Settings -> Notifications -> Weather Widget -> Off

[Tobor]

Hiding the file system was one of the smartest choices Apple made with iOS. The desktop user accessible file system causes far more problems than it solves for mainstream users.

[LCfiner]

My prediction for iOS 6 is to open up the notification center for some customization. Nothing crazy, but maybe like a Facebook ticker, different weather apps, new tweets, etc. Best of both WP7 and Android if you ask me.

I agree. that screen seems like a decent spot for those things.

I also bet they'll add a little icon in the menu bar for unread notifications. like on the mountain lion preview. there's a filled dot in the upper right corner if there are unread notifications.

[Gamecocks625]

Random but captain obvious thought... the iPad being in landscape view on the invite is a subtle way of highlighting they will talk about 1080p video playback. because...you know...videos are viewed in landscape view...you know.

We can't even get a true Retina Display, but some are hoping for haptic feedback? That's wishful thinking.

[Utako]

Hiding the file system was one of the smartest choices Apple made with iOS. The desktop user accessible file system causes far more problems than it solves for mainstream users.

I'm going to say it was multitouch, about 75 other things, and then that.

Actually it isn't a good thing. If this happened to OS X, the rage would be deafening.

[Tobor]

I'm going to say it was multitouch, about 75 other things, and then that. Actually it isn't a good thing. If this happened to OS X, the rage would be deafening.

It's happening in OSX, slowly but surely. They're adding in iOS style app silos for iCloud saving in Mountain Lion.

I don't think they'll lock you out from the file system completely, but it will be hidden from all but power users in a future version. I'd bet on that, and have no problem with it. Stable secure computers for mainstream users is a worthwhile trade.

[numble]

I'm going to say it was multitouch, about 75 other things, and then that. Actually it isn't a good thing. If this happened to OS X, the rage would be deafening.

They've already added it in Mountain Lion, with app-specific file storage sandboxed (the old way is also an option).

[richiek]

Supposedly, the iPad 3 will have a home button, it'll be smaller than the iPad 2.

[Utako]

Supposedly, the iPad 3 will have a home button, it'll be smaller than the iPad 2.

It's like a evolutionary vestige in nature that continues to shrink until it's gone. :P

[shantyman]

I'm going to say it was multitouch, about 75 other things, and then that. Actually it isn't a good thing. If this happened to OS X, the rage would be deafening.

Dude, get over it. A phone and a desktop computer are not the same thing.

[Pazuzu9]

Supposedly, the iPad 3 will have a home button, it'll be smaller than the iPad 2.

Looks pretty much the same size, just the underside has a smaller... thingy.

[crazygambit]

I can't think of a single iPhone user in my personal life that wants those things. Hell, I know a few who refuse to use the new notification system! Most don't know how to create folders for apps, or what fast app switching is and if they do, they tend to constantly close out the apps thinking its draining their battery. People around here always seem to have a hard time thinking like the average consumer, it boggles my mind. EDIT - and before the snarky "what are they idiots?" remarks, realize not everyone follows/cares about tech news, is happy with their device, and you take the same approach to other things in your life (clueless about fashion, culinary, art, etc.) and no one shoves it in your face.

To be fair, some of the do drain the battery quite significantly. Those "with friends" games kill my battery with their constant updating. I had a few of them opened (Words, Scramble, Hanging, Chess) and my battery didn't last till lunch (when I usually charge it only at night). From then on I close those manually as well.

[RubxQub]

When you think about what the home button does...there is pretty much no way Apple casually removes it from the device without an insanely better solution that is equally as understandable and obvious.

As it stands now, the home button on the front is the dumbest/simplest way to close out of any application. It gives you a visual anchor to know which way is up and which way is down on an otherwise ambiguous slab of a device. It lets you know where the buttons are around the perimeter relative to the home button.

Having a physical button is a much more satisfying and dependable solution than having a software gesture do the same thing. A physical button click lets you know that input was entered into the system properly. If you do a gesture and nothing happens you have to wonder if you did the gesture correctly or if the system is just lagging for some reason.

To me...the home button is a pretty damn essential thing on the iPhone/iPad and removing it would require some other super obvious and satisfying replacement. A gesture area home button or no home button at all doesn't make sense to me. Keep it simple. A single button that does a single thing system wide is as simple as it gets.

[MThanded]

Amazon like new trade in value for ipad 1(32 gb wifi) is 310. Im doing it.

If you own an ipad 1, I think its time to upgrade.

[shantyman]

Amazon like new trade in value for ipad 1(32 gb wifi) is 310. Im doing it. If you own an ipad 1, I think its time to upgrade.

Better hope amazon sells the iPad 3.

[MThanded]

Better hope amazon sells the iPad 3.

Why wouldn't they?

I can use the credit even on third party offers.

I have not sent it yet though. So if my logic is failing I can still save face lol

[Gamecocks625]

Why wouldn't they? I can use the credit even on third party offers. I have not sent it yet though. So if my logic is failing I can still save face lol

Amazon doesn't sell the iPad, but it is available on the 3rd party Amazon marketplace.

[Jason Raize '75 - '04]

Supposedly, the iPad 3 will have a home button, it'll be smaller than the iPad 2.

Fuuuuuck. My predictions are already falling apart. No worries, I still have more bets

[SeanR1221]

When you think about what the home button does...there is pretty much no way Apple casually removes it from the device without an insanely better solution that is equally as understandable and obvious. As it stands now, the home button on the front is the dumbest/simplest way to close out of any application. It gives you a visual anchor to know which way is up and which way is down on an otherwise ambiguous slab of a device. It lets you know where the buttons are around the perimeter relative to the home button. Having a physical button is a much more satisfying and dependable solution than having a software gesture do the same thing. A physical button click lets you know that input was entered into the system properly. If you do a gesture and nothing happens you have to wonder if you did the gesture correctly or if the system is just lagging for some reason. To me...the home button is a pretty damn essential thing on the iPhone/iPad and removing it would require some other super obvious and satisfying replacement. A gesture area home button or no home button at all doesn't make sense to me. Keep it simple. A single button that does a single thing system wide is as simple as it gets.

I've mentioned numerous times how great iOS devices are for my clients with autism. No home button is so much less intuitive, especially to this population.

[Freedom = $1.05]

Amazon like new trade in value for ipad 1(32 gb wifi) is 310. Im doing it. If you own an ipad 1, I think its time to upgrade.

damn, i just sold mine on ebay for 290. Bah.

[StopMakingSense]

Supposedly, the iPad 3 will have a home button, it'll be smaller than the iPad 2.

MG Seigler posted last night that it definitely has a home button.

[RubxQub]

damn, i just sold mine on ebay for 290. Bah.

Ouch :(

That's low in general, never mind that you could have used an easier service to get your money.

[Tobor]

Fuuuuuck. My predictions are already falling apart. No worries, I still have more bets

I saw your predictions, you should be worried. Lol.

[LCfiner]

Fuuuuuck. My predictions are already falling apart. No worries, I still have more bets

you couldn't have been serious with more than half of those. c'mon

[ridley182]

The pricing trend for high-end phone was created by Microsoft and co. about 5(?) years before iPhone when they figured out pocket-PC was a deadend as a standalone product and stuck a modem inside one. The rest is just a process of dumbing-down and removing functionality - ie. turning it from a function oriented device into a fashion accessory, which is where we are today.

Joke character? Sounds like one, at least.

Also, hope Apple doesn't remove the home button any time soon.

[Technosteve]

That's like saying why have graphical User interfaces why simplify the user interaction model, unix dos and bsd is good enough

[Wrestlemania]

Amazon like new trade in value for ipad 1(32 gb wifi) is 310. Im doing it. If you own an ipad 1, I think its time to upgrade.

You know, it really is crazy that people skip generations with the iPad and iPhone.
Given how easy it is to predict the release of new hardware and how it's going to hold it's value, the overall cost of selling just before the new hardware announcement and buying each gen isn't much different to skipping gens and doing the same, expect you're stuck with older hardware for an extra year.

[RubxQub]

You know, it really is crazy that people skip generations with the iPad and iPhone. Given how easy it is to predict the release of new hardware and how it's going to hold it's value, the overall cost of selling just before the new hardware announcement and buying each gen isn't much different to skipping gens and doing the same, expect you're stuck with older hardware for an extra year.

Yep. It costs me anywhere from $100 - $300 total to get that latest iPhone/iPad every year...year after year.

I get all the latest hotness and lose very little money in the process.

[Cheebo]

We can't even get a true Retina Display.

Please stop with your Apple trolling, or at least don't troll using blatant lies. It's a retina display. Retina is determined by distance held from the screen not pure PPI. Get over yourself please. Rewatch the iPhone 4 press event. Steve Jobs makes sure to explicitly state that the PPI for 4 is retina AT the distance iPhones are traditionally held from. Not that the iPhone 4 PPI is retina no matter the distance for every device out there. Retina is determined by PPI *AT THE DISTANCE* it is traditionally used from where pixels are no longer visible. iPads are held slightly farther away thus 260 PPI is retina at about 13 inches from the face.

And the Retina Macbooks will have a PPI closer to 180-200 due to the fact they are held even farther away than iPads.

[Copernicus]

Please stop with your Apple trolling, or at least don't troll using blatant lies. It's a retina display. Retina is determined by distance held from the screen not pure PPI. Get over yourself please.

292 or bust.

[Diprosalic]

Please stop with your Apple trolling, or at least don't troll using blatant lies. It's a retina display. Retina is determined by distance held from the screen not pure PPI. Get over yourself please.

actually retina is determined by nothing. every screen can be a retina screen if apple wants to call it that way.

[Cheebo]

actually retina is determined by nothing. every screen can be a retina screen if apple wants to call it that way.

Yeah that is what is making it all the more absurd. Retina isn't even a real thing. Anything can be called Retina. I am just using Apple's own personal definition. Which was the PPI in which the average user can no longer see the pixels at the distance held from the face the screen is usually held.

Apparently Fridge refuses to accept Apple's own definition for retina display,which is a term Apple themselves made up in the first place. It is the weirdest kind of Apple trolling I have seen in a while. At least the lolololfoxconn lolololpatents trolling have some basis in reality. What fridge is trolling about is weird made up nonsense that he created in his head.