Steve Jobs Calls 7-Inch Tablets 'Dead on Arrival', Says 10-Inches Minimum

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

So do I. I hate track pads.

Those things are evil!

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by emellaich

I kind of agree, but you should see me travel or even go to work. I have my Android phone in my pocket, I carry my Windows 7 laptop, I bring along my iPad, and, of course, I have my Kindle (How is that for giving a little love to every major player). Sometimes I think I would be willing to compromise a little for fewer things to carry around -- and fewer chargers to bring on trips.

I'm just about as bad. I have a barebones cellphone, a charger for the phone, a flashlight, a lighted magnifier, a calulator, a JetBook Lite, a camera, and 16AAs and 8 AAAs (all NiMH Eneloops) in my purse. I also wear a watch whenever I leave the house. Sure a single smart phone could replace all those items but, other than making phone calls, it wouldn't do as well as the dedicated devices do. Battery life for the dedicated devices is also much better. A cell phone would require at least once a day recharging; like my ADD "blessed" mind is going to remember that.

When I travel, I have my big camera and external flash, two smart chargers for the plethora of batteries I carry, another flashlight, a travel alarm, and my netbook. All my electronics except for the travel alarm and netbook use either AAs or AAAs which cuts down on the number of chargers I need to have with me at any one time and allow quick, easy battery changes. I have two 12v to 120v inverters in my truck (one is a spare) so I can charge anything in the truck without extra chargers for each item. I also carry a three outlet adapter and a 6' extension cord in my luggage to make sure I have plenty of outlets no matter where I stay.

[leebase]

I didn't say I agree with jobs, ergo my pointing out that net books sell quite well despite Jobs characterizations of them. Still, I do think he has a point that a 7" slate is a quite different device from a 10" one. It's like when we had to design our web pages for people with VGA screens, it limits what you can do. iPad apps are able to be more functional than iPhone apps because there I'd so much more room to work with.

Of course for apps like book apps, it's no big deal.

I guess we are about to find out with the launch of the Galaxy.

Lee

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Curious. I can't see a netbook being any less portable than a tablet of the same size unless you are referring to the weight. The only other difference would be the thickness, the disadvantage of which would be more than offset by the convenience of having a real keyboard, a screen that has a built in kickstand, more storage, etc. I doubt my luggage would really notice the difference in thickness.

Netbooks need a surface to rest on while in use. A tablet can be cradled in your arm.

[Tomsk]

Originally Posted by Dylrob

Netbooks need a surface to rest on while in use. A tablet can be cradled in your arm.

Netbooks can also be cradled in your arm whilst their being used. I used to do it all the time.

[300com]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Your point actually tracks with Steve Jobs comment about people not reading. That's why he created the iBooks app and store for all those non-readers.

He also said no one would want to watch video on a small screen then released the video ipod.

It's a clever business strategy that keeps people still speculating and never knowing the truth.

Why I think Steve Jobs is lying
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-18438_7-20020075-82.html

Steve Jobs’ 6 Sneakiest Statements
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/02/steve-jobs/

[Stevena]

don't think that 7 tablets are pocketable on daily bases

[mldavis2]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

When I travel, I have my big camera and external flash, two smart chargers...

Forgot the big camera in my listing of travel toys. That's all in a big backpack with lenses, chargers, etc. My cell phone is an ancient Nokia that came over on the Mayflower that still grabs bars better than the best iPhones or Blackberrys. Do one thing and do it well....

[TGS]

I've always thought that 7" is plenty big enough...

[AdamV]

I have a feeling that we miss (and mix) things here.

There is really no point to argue on whether Steve Jobs is right about the tab screen size or not. What he stated is just pure marketing aimed against tablets like Samung's Galaxy Tab and others coming to the market. He just said "do not go and buy those since iPad is better".

The discussion whethet 10" is better than 7" or the other way around is like discussion on opinions thus it is completely useless. Some of us prefer bigger devices, some would rather go with smaller ones... It is a free market and today everyone can find something that suitrs ones needs and expectations.

Unless they will develop glasses with a HUD like display that will be affordable, every solutions the current market comes up with will be either too big or too small since we always have to give up something for something in every case.

Just my 2 cents.

[WillAdams]

logseman wrote:
>What I'd like to see are tablets with attachable keyboards.
>If you need a netbook, you have it, and if you don't, you just resort to the touchscreen.

There've been some brilliant designs for this sort of thing, the most notable being the Compaq TC-1x00 series:

http://pr.products.productreview.com...paq_tc1100.jpg

William

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by AdamV

There is really no point to argue on whether Steve Jobs is right about the tab screen size or not. What he stated is just pure marketing aimed against tablets like Samung's Galaxy Tab and others coming to the market. He just said "do not go and buy those since iPad is better".

Even though I prefer Android over Apple, the iPad is better. The reason is, an unsubsidized WiFi only version sells for $499. I've yet to see a major Android tablet target that price point.

Somehow, Android tablet makers have it in their heads that these tablets should be treated like smartphones. They'll either sell them subsidized through a carrier with a 2-year contract and a forced data plan or unsubsidized at prices much higher than the iPad base model. What's with that?

Apple has nothing to fear with this mindset. They've already won.

[charleski]

Just remember that in SteveWorld the Kindle's actually a massive failure: "The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don’t read anymore."

I don't live in SteveWorld, and I wouldn't want to.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Dylrob

Netbooks need a surface to rest on while in use. A tablet can be cradled in your arm.

Ah, but a net book can set on a surface without being propped up for easy reading. I have no desire to cradle a device in my arm while using it.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by TGS

I've always thought that 7" is plenty big enough...

Is there something you are wanting to tell us?