Apple Files Trademark For Tablet Computer

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/13/apple_tablet_mac/' target='_blank'>http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/13/apple_tablet_mac/</a><br /><br /></div>This rumor has been floating around ever since Apple first developed "Inkwell", a sophisticated handwriting recognition system for touch screen devices. Now it appears that rumor may well prove to be fact. According to well known technology tabloid <i>The Register</i>, Apple filed a design Trademark in Europe earlier this year on a "handheld computer". The filing even includes some crude sketchings that eerily resemble a Mac laptop sans keyboard. It's interesting to note the timing of this publication, as the upcoming Apple Expo in France draws near (August 31). One long standing speculation is that the next generation iMac might in fact have a detachable wireless display that acts as an independent computing device, or Tablet PC. <br /><br />Could this be Apple's answer to Microsoft's Tablet PC, or a whole new category of computing device? Draw your own conclusions. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/mac_tablet.jpg" />

[Felix Torres]

Sounds like a Mirra retread, but a bit less ambitious.
The PC folk didn't find the remote display function worth the price but, given the difference in the economics of the Apple customer base vs the PC customer base, it might work for Apple.
It would be a fair match for the airport express remote speaker system by providing a remote UI for Itunes on the host Mac.
Sort-of a super home stereo remote control.

[Jason Dunn]

I can see this being fairly successful actually...

[Steve]

I love apple, but I'm a firm believer that they take good ideas and make them better... Not necessarily invent and innovate as much as they suggest. I'm expecting this to be like a regular pc/mac laptop up with a detachable display. I don't think it will be a revolutionary thing. But it would definitely be a step in a great direction... Which I think apple has accomplished in the past.

So who knows what's up, but that's what I'll expect!

edit: Yeah, I agree that it could be succesful and the previous post suggesting what it could be used for. I think something that is great about apple is that their products of course merge together really seamlessly. Well... If you have a wireless display that functions as a remote controlling device for other things (i-pod outting to your home stereo, web cam) then it's this really exciting step towards the digital-home experience. I can see apple doing a really great job of this dream, particularly because of the fact all of their products are so compatable and able to become compatable with the other products very readily. If they try this, I think they might be the best people for the job. Sorry if I'm all over and not making as much sense as I could, but I am a little tired and I'm not entirely sure what I'm typing. But I'm rpetty sure I'm getting the idea across.

[Gary Sheynkman]

I wonder what feline they will use to name the tablet edition of their OS

[Suhit Gupta]

I actually wonder if Microsoft is going to run to their friendly neighbourhood patent office and try and patent the whole Tablet PC idea?! (if they haven't done so already)

Suhit

[Felix Torres]

I actually wonder if Microsoft is going to run to their friendly neighbourhood patent office and try and patent the whole Tablet PC idea?! (if they haven't done so already)

Suhit

Well, any patent on the concept of a Tablet-style PC has already expired since they have been around since the DOS days.
(i'm guessing Alan Kay probably had the first.)

But yes, MS already has a number of patents on the technologies underlying the Trademarked Tablet PC name.

Not that Apple has to worry; they have extensive cross-licensing with MS since the bail-out and are entitled to freely copy most MS ideas.

The LINUX crowd, however, are up the proverbial creek...

[Felix Torres]

I wonder what feline they will use to name the tablet edition of their OS


The most appropriate might be cc (look it up), but I'm guessing Lynx.
Unles Atari still has rights to that name in regards handheld computers.

[Mojo Jojo]

I wonder what feline they will use to name the tablet edition of their OS

There is no need for a separate application. OS X is a very scalable and hardware friendly and would more then likely run standard on this device.

The 'inkwell' technology has been part of OS X since 10.2, but has only been useful if you use a tablet input system like a Wacom tablet.

[dean_shan]

I'd love buy an Apple Tablet. Although it's gonna cost a whole lot. If I can't get a Win Tablet how would I be able to get a Mac one.

[Suhit Gupta]

OT: Talking about Apple trademarking stuff, here is an article (http://news.com.com/Apple%27s+colorful+computer+plans+detailed/2100-1041_3-5311795.html?part=rss&tag=5311795&subj=news.1041.10) about them putting together a colorful computer.

Suhit

[Felix Torres]

OT: Talking about Apple trademarking stuff, here is an article (http://news.com.com/Apple%27s+colorful+computer+plans+detailed/2100-1041_3-5311795.html?part=rss&tag=5311795&subj=news.1041.10) about them putting together a colorful computer.

Suhit

Sounds like they are looking to go disco. ;-)

I can just see it; the bezel glows green as you type, yellow as it saves data, red when an app bombs, and multicolored when itunes is playing music.

Yup, the PC industry is definitely mature.
If not a tad over-ripe...

I truly hope this is a herring, red or otherwise, and Appe has some *functional* improvements to go along with the mood lighting...

[Mojo Jojo]

I think the LEDs in the case in there mind might be the evolution of the desktop. People like to change their desktop, why not the color of the computer shell? During the iMac phase they were producing many multi-color shells with purples and oranges ect... and selling them like hotcakes.

I see this as possibly the next step for them. (shrugs) Anyways.. not for me.

[Mojo Jojo]

Back to the original subject, there has been some speculation that this might not be a stand alone device, nor just a remote. Ideas have been floating around in the 'what if' category on some forums and I thought I would bring them here.

What if this was the 'head' of the next iMac? That is picture the iMac as it stands now with the white dome base and pivot arm monitor. Now what if you could pick up the monitor and walk away from the base?

So in essence it is a remote AND a full feature desktop (with no compromises in CPU power and storage) but now adds the ability to travel around your home wirelessly?

Anyways... some thoughts. :)

[mrkablooey]

OT: Talking about Apple trademarking stuff, here is an article (http://news.com.com/Apple%27s+colorful+computer+plans+detailed/2100-1041_3-5311795.html?part=rss&tag=5311795&subj=news.1041.10) about them putting together a colorful computer.

Suhit

what about this one (http://apple.weblogsinc.com/entry/1128136479381114/)?

http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/media/users/616/4214545122266423.jpg

[dave_p_1]

What if this was the 'head' of the next iMac? That is picture the iMac as it stands now with the white dome base and pivot arm monitor. Now what if you could pick up the monitor and walk away from the base?

Unless you're talking about a consumer toy, the problem would be that a remote "head" would require massive infrastructure in any large environment (a business or a school). I can't see provisioning a wireless network to accomodate hundreds or thousands of users sucking up enough bandwidth to transfer video from their base unit to their head unit.

I would hope that they are talking about the equivalent of a slate format tablet PC. My Motion Computing m1300 is fantastic, given the limits of Windows. I'd love to see an Apple alternative.

[davidwag]

I don't know the dimensions of that diagram, but a colleague of mine who's a mac nut swears it's a buttonless PDA

[mrkablooey]

I don't know the dimensions of that diagram, but a colleague of mine who's a mac nut swears it's a buttonless PDA

guess I'll hold off on my Dell X30. :?