All over the Internet is talk of Apple releasing a touch screen computer. Everyone has their own theory on what the product will actually be:
- a tablet computer running OS X
- a jumbo iPod touch running iPhone OS
- or something in the middle
I believe that the device Apple ultimately releases will be closer to the second option, an oversized iPod touch with a modified version of iPhone OS. Let’s call it the iPod pro.
Bringing tablets to the mainstream
Tablet PCs in their current incarnation are a relatively niche product. They have yet to break into the mainstream in a big way. I highly doubt a tablet running OS X would change this. The iPhone and iPod touch popularized touch screen devices with the general everyday consumer, and these devices have brought touch screens to the masses like never before. Touch interfaces on full-blown computers can’t compare to the experience on the iPhone, as the original operating system has been hacked around to support touch, instead of being designed for it from the ground up.
Portability and ease of use
The iPhone has been so successful because it is dead simple to use and highly portable. Tablet computers have been unsuccessful in the mainstream because their input methods and user experience is poor. Apple could modify OS X for touch input, but why bother when they already have the best touch OS in the market, the iPhone OS For the iPod pro to be successful, it should be highly mobile and easy to use, making iPhone OS the obvious choice.
One virtual keyboard to rule them all
Many criticise the iPhone’s keyboard, but it is simply the best virtual keyboard on the market. I would argue it is the best smartphone keyboard period.This keyboard works really well on a small device like the iPhone, because you can type with your two thumbs easily. Any larger than the current iPhone’s landscape keyboard and it would become unusable, due to being unable to reach all keys with your two thumbs.
Wide as the iPhone is tall
The size limitation of the keyboard leads me to believe the device Apple will introduce will have a screen that is as wide as the iPhone is tall, and with the same aspect ratio, 1.5:1. Two thumbs can only reach so far, and this is the only way to efficiently type on a mobile device. This form factor will enable Apple to use the iPhone’s landscape keyboard as the portrait keyboard on the iPod pro. The iPod pro would have a resolution of 720×480 pixels if the screen has the same DPI as the iPhone, and could even be 1080×720 pixels with if it had a higher DPI. (720P HD video anyone?)
Building on success
The iPhone has been a tremendous success for Apple, and it makes sense to keep building on that platform. Sticking with the same aspect ratio would avoid adding complications for App Developers that want to support both the iPhone and the iPod pro. Using the same keyboard and a slightly modified iPhone OS would avoid splintering the platform and would further strengthen the iPhone, just as the iPod touch has.
Conclusion
The iPod pro will utilize the already touch-centric iPhone OS to continue establishing the platform as the premier touch operating system. The design of the iPhone’s keyboard and the maximum reach of thumb-typing lead me to believe the most likely form factor for the device will be the width of the iPhone, and the same aspect ratio to maintain consistency among the iPhone OS devices. Apple has a chance to establish the iPhone OS the the premier mobile operating system with the iPhone as the central device supported by the iPod touch and iPod pro. They have already designed a successful device in the iPod touch. The iPod pro should simply be an evolution of that design that will bring the iPhone experience to a whole new market.
Blogger John Gruber, of Daring Fireball, raised five questions that Apple will likely solve with this device. Here is a quote from him with my suggested solutions added in:
His mistake is assuming that Apple would ship a tablet without having solved these very real problems. How do you type? [iPhone landscape keyboard] How do you carry it around? [smaller than a netbook] How do you protect the screen from getting scratched? [my two iPhones and iPod touch never scratched] If you’re supposed to watch video on it, how do you prop it up? [I will let them be creative with that one] If you already have an iPhone and a MacBook, what would you need this for? [you don't, but there is a huge market that doesn't have an iPhone or MacBook]
I think my proposed iPod pro fits in nicely between the iPhone and an actual computer. I see my iPhone as a computer – and use it as such – save for a few cases (serious document preparation, Photoshop, and web development) – so a bigger version would be even mote suitable as a computer replacement.