This Old Mac

By Ryan Vetter
November, 2008
Typed on an Apple Emate 300

I guess I am one of those “people” who is waiting anxiously for Apple to release a Tablet computer. As noted above, this article is being typed on an Apple Newton Emate 300: a sort of hybrid netbook/tablet PC/PDA that Apple released in 1997. On the table across from me is an Apple Newton MessagePad 2100. Again, for those unaware, this latter was Apple’s last revision of their famous, yet ‘failed’, PDA.

I mention the Newton because everytime I use one… in fact, at first site… I immediately think of a Tablet computer. Both the Newton MessagePad’s size and functionality create the effect of it being something more than a simple, pocket PDA… something more like a Tablet computer. I, as I am sure others, love the form and function of the MessagePads: large screens, excellent handwriting recognition, two PC card slots on the 2000 and 2100 models, loads of useful software, communications capability including wireless internet, and so forth.

While I appreciated the concept of a Tablet computer prior to being smitten by the Newton bug, it was not until I deployed my first Newton MessagePad (2000) last year that I really began to understand how useful these devices could be. While I won’t call the Newton a complete Tablet computer, it comes very, very close. Naturally, my imagination took hold and I began to add things to the Newton: morphing it in my mind… constructing what I believe is a true Tablet computer.

So the Newton was the precursor to my desire to include a Tablet computer into my life. I do use the Newton in this faculty: as a Tablet computer, but of course, with older technology there are shortcomings. Unfortunately, there is not really any alternative that I can see that would fill the “Tablet void” that I currently have in my life.

Sure, I could get one of those “flip notebooks”, but since I run Mac, and since the flip notebook computers look awful, feel awful, and don’t really capture what a true Tablet is supposed to look and function like, I wait. Waiting for the day when and if Apple releases their own Tablet computer. Some devices entice, however, like Sony’s eBook reader (thin, focussed, smart design), but they are still too limited functionally.

Perhaps if Jobs would not have disbanded the Newton in 1998, some 1 year after he returned to Apple, we – the world – would all be enjoying Apple Tablets. But, in this universe, the Newton was killed, and rumors have been rampid ever since: but nothing has materialized, as MacWorld Expos continue to come and go with no Tablet; the iPhone and the MacBook Air are as close as we have come thus far.

Let’s take a look at a brief history of Apple Tablet computers: yes, there is a history, about 30 years of research and development to be exact.

History of Apple Tablet Computers

The below information is derived from The Apple Museum

W.A.L.T. (Wizzy Active Lifestyle Telephone)

Developed from ~ 1990 – 1993 as a pen-based communication tablet (prototype), codenamed W.A.L.T.

“Designed in cooperation with BellSouth, WALT was a portable screen-based telephone. Aside from telephony, WALT featured an electronic address book, message pad and was able to send faxes. When connected to BellSouth’s ANYWHERE Fax service, WALT could also receive faxes and even reply to them. WALT featured a stylus for easy dialing and writing and also had buttons for the most important fuctions on front of the device.” Like the Tablets that followed, a product never went to market. Below are pictures of the W.A.L.T.:

PenLite

Developed ~ 1993 as a prototype, this was a PowerBook Duo Tablet Computer codenamed PenLite.

“The Macintosh PowerBook Duo Tablet computer was a combination of a PowerBook Duo computer and a Tablet PC. It had a stylus pen, backlit display, vertically built-in floppy drive and ran standard MacOS software. The PowerBook Duo Tablet could also be connected to the Duo Docks and accessories. The project was canceled in 1994 before the introduction of Newton Message Pad 100. Apple felt that it would be too confusing to have different pen-driven tablet computers.” The following is a picture of the device:

The following picture is another variant of an early Apple Tablet: it looks like a hybrid between a 100 series PowerBook and a PowerBook DUO. The battery shows a PowerBook DUO sticker, so this is likely a unit from the PenLite project. The owner of this particular device is from Macrumors who may have worked with Apple in the past.

UPDATE (December 8, 2008)
Below is an Apple Tablet prototype from around 1983, which looks similar to the Apple IIc. It never made it market, and was co-designed by Frog Design, who also did some other design work for Apple.

Here is another prototype co-designed by Frog Design (a touch screen Internet phone, circa 1983):

It never made it to market either. From my reading, this supposedly had a stylus, and some electronic check signing/processing software (built-in modem I presume). Too soon I guess… but a monochrome touchscreen with stylus… the beginnings of the idea for the Newton? Did the Newton team take anything from these projects? Hmmmm…

Going even farther back, just came across this circa 1979:

Here is a snippet from the source page:

“1983: Apple IIe (Graphics Tablet)

Description: This A2M0029 graphics tablet just happened to come with the IIe but it is a lot older – The interface card is dated 1979 and is rather typical of that age, having last minute wire patches and chips with wires soldered directly to the legs dangling off it.

I can’t actually find any information on this one so if anyone knows more, leave a comment.
S/N : 2318
Date : 1979
Tag : 150″
SOURCE

Moving Forward…

Clearly Apple saw some sort of utility in a Tablet computer: in the end, however, they chose to market smaller, handheld devices as in the Newton, instead of these full blown Tablets. My guess as to why this was the case is for three reasons. First, they did not have an operating system that was touch friendly. At the time, the Classic OS was still developing, and the Newton project had its own problems. In order for the Tablet to be marketable, they probably thought that they would have to make their own custom OS for it, like they did with the Newton: not an easy task, and something that would take years to develop. But human resources at Apple were limited, since the Classic OS was in desperate need of a refresh, since Microsoft won the Windows copyright/patent battle with Apple and launched their own full-blown Windows OS in 1993: their efforts were focused on just keeping their home computer market alive.

Second, a bad economy… Apple was already into the Newton project for many millions, and taking another substantive risk with a new breed of computers was likely not something the Board would have entertained. Third, the public was likely not ready to accept Tablet computers. Of course, all was not lost, as the research and development from these Tablet projects surely contributed to the Newton’s evolution, and set a foundation at Apple for future projects of similar kind.

I guess a question that, at this piont, should be asked is, Why is a Tablet such a revolutionary device, and why does Apple have to be a part of it from the beginning?

Tablet Computing: The Next Generation of Mobile Computing

Few would argue that the Tablet is the next generation of mobile computing. It is the logical extension, and natural progression of the laptop. It takes mobile computing one giant step farther. Let me give some examples of how Tablet computers allow us to be much more mobile than a notebook computer. Let’s say you are in a library doing research, and you want to browse the isles for books: clearly, the Tablet is the winner, as it will allow you to stand and easily interact with it. A notebook simply cannot function properly in this scenerio, and, either it will be hanging off your arm as you travere the isles, or a colleague will be guarding it at the table you are sitting at until you return.

Another scenerio: research settings. Making observations are just that much better since you can walk around and get close to the action with Tablet in hand, whereas a notebook would demand a desk of some sort, and would not allow you to interact with it as you walk around, etc.

Another scenerio: a car trip. Ever try and use your laptop to escape getting lost in a foreign country/city? After my last trip to Hedeilberg, Germany, I never want to have to use a laptop with google maps in a car again. True, the iPhone is a great navigator (if you feel like paying for data use in a foreign place), but a Tablet could and will be so much more. Larger screen, ability to prop it up on the dashboard, etc. I can see a custom, hard drive based Google maps in the works…

Another scenario: you just got a new eBook. Ever read an eBook on a laptop? It does not really work well. I have been using my Newton to read books and loving it. A slate is much better to read from than a laptop computer. There really is little to no need for a keyboard in situations where reading is the action, so the laptop becomes superfluous to the process, and the Tablet a perfect companion. Whether it is an eBook, just surfing the web and doing some reading, or reading RSS feeds, the Tablet can do a much better job at this than a notebook.

These are just a few of the many situation where a Tablet does a much better job functionally, as a computer, when compared to a laptop. Today, I found myself staring at the various laptops at the cafe and, one thought came to mind: we still use typewriters, just with screens. While they have their purpose, they are still not mobile enough.

I am sure you can think of many more scenarios where a Tablet would excel over a laptop, and feel free to post your comments below. There are just so many ways in which a Tablet will liberate people, both at home and at the office. But it has to be done right: it has to be “reinvented”, and only Apple can do this. As I am thinking of a Tablet, there currently is nothing on the market, period, unless you opt for the slabular, twist screen laptops; but those are not really true Tablets.

What is a True Tablet?

Thin, no keyboard, and, did I mention thin? The slabs currently available are much too thick, in fact, thicker than laptops. They have several design flaws, do not have an optimized touch screen OS, and simply are not real Tablet computers but laptops with a flip screen. What I am thinking of is something true to form. Something that captures the true meaning of “Tablet”. A Tablet meaning a slate, like a rock slate with engravings from centuries prior, except its digital.

Apple’s Role in Giving the World its First True Tablet

The Tablet is clearly an important break point in technology: in personal computing. Laptops will become last century as soon as someone like Apple gives the world its first true Tablet computer. Since it is such an important piece of technology, and since many companies have basterdized the concept for the past several years, Apple needs to take yet another stand and change the world in this area. It will be as big or bigger than the digital music revolution, alongside the iPhone and its multi-touch display.

Speaking of which, since Apple has sort of been pioneering multi-touch interfaces in the consumer market, it is yet another reason for Apple to research, develop and launch a Tablet computer.

What does Apple think about all of this? First of all, from the prior research and development as noted above, they have seen some utility in Tablet computers.

Additionally, they did have the Newton, a touch interface with its own, custom OS. This was true to Apple: marry the software to the hardware. Apple is the best at doing this, no question, and it shows in their near perfect products, like the iPhone, or the latest Unibody MacBooks/Pros.

In answer to the question of what Apple thinks of the Tablet currently, they of course don’t say explicitly that they are working on one, or whether they are even keen on the concept. But Jobs did say in a recent interview, when asked about a Tablet, that he cannot talk about unreleased products, and was quick to change the subject. Further reading on this subject revealed that Apple still has challenges to overcome in order to make a Tablet worthwhile releasing.

Couple this with the fact that the technology in the iPhone is a direct result of the research and development Apple invested in a Tablet computer: the OS in the iPhone was initially meant for a Tablet computer. Additionally, further patent filings from 2004 show a Tablet computer and associated multi-touch gestures. From these latter points, there is no question that Apple has been researching a Tablet computer, actively, since at least 1995, and has been filing new Tablet related patents since 2004. Clearly they see promise in such a device. Let’s take a look at some of these Tablet related patents from this decade.

As Engadget notes, US Design Patent No. D504,899, a Tablet computer related patent Apple filed March 17, 2004, was granted May 10, 2005. Below is a picture from the patent application, a depiction of a Tablet computer. One reader over at Engadget noted that there was even a built in screen rotation function in Tiger. The particulars of the patent: The patent application noted that, “FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of the use of the electronic device thereof; [the] broken lines being shown [are] for illustrative [purposes] only, and form no part of the claimed design”. The title of the patent is, “Electronic Device.”

Somewhat Tablet related, at the Wall Street Journal-hosted D: All Things Digital conference in 2004, Jobs stated that he had been proud of an Apple PDA developed after his return but which was shelved in the end. Perhaps a Newton successor?

Over at O’Grady’s Powerpage, they noted in 2006:

“Citing sources in Taiwan Australia’s Smarthouse claims that Apple researchers have built a fully working prototype of tablet Mac and three companies in Taiwan are bidding for a potential launch in mid 2007.” http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=340

Interesting rumor, but nothing happened though.

Then, in July of this year, the USPTO published three Apple API patent applications “related to scrolling, gesturing and synchronization”. The figures in these applications are notable: a hybrid Tablet/notebook design. See image below:

“Apple’s patent FIG. 33A illustrates a laptop device (3300) with a keyboard, display frame (3306) and a display. According to Apple’s patent, the laptop device could be converted into a tablet device as illustrated in FIG. 33B and FIG. 33C. FIG. 33B illustrates the conversion of the laptop device into a tablet device. An edge of a display frame (3356) containing a display (3358) slides within the body (3354) across the top of a keyboard (3352) until forming a tablet device as illustrated in FIG. 33C. The tablet device with a display (3362) and a display frame (3366) rests on top of a body (3360).” SOURCE: MACNN

In May 2008, headline reads: Intel exec claims Atom-based Apple Tablet
“Intel Germany chief Hannes Schwaderer today claimed at a Munich company event that Apple is developing a touchscreen device based on his firm’s new Atom processor for ultra-mobile devices. As interpreted by AppleInsider, the executive provides few details but indicates that it will be slightly larger than the iPhone due to a larger display.”

Oh Hannes, how far detached you are from Apple… To be sure, Intel one day later made a statement that it meant the Atom will be positioned for a new platform such as the iPhone. Woops!

Yet another patent application published 28 August, 2008 (USP Application number: 20080204426) illustrates that Apple is developing a Tablet incorporating full multi-touch gestures. As noted in the application, gestures on the touch screen include zooming, panning, scrolling, rotating, enlarging, floating controls, zooming targets, paging, inertia, keyboarding, and wheeling. Here is an image as found in the patent application itself:

Like this author, and the agreeable reader, with all of this Tablet related activity, Apple surely sees the same utility, the same specialness, in the Tablet as we do. Once they overcome whatever challenges are plaguing it, and once they take the risk in marketing and selling it, here is what I think an Apple Tablet will/should be, and why it will make everyone want to buy one.

Apple’s Tablet

Thin, thinner, thinnest. This is really where every Tablet or wannabe Tablet fails. They are egregiously thick. A true Tablet is something quite thin, without unnecessary parts… without unnecessary thickness. I see a very thin aluminum unibody shell, about .4″ thick. How thick is that? Picture a MBP from the side – the lower body, without the thickness of the lid. With the lid the MBP is about .95″ thick, so .4″ is not unrealistic, but still very thin: true to Tablet form.

But I should qualify why it is not unrealistic. Let’s take a look at the Air. It is only .76″ at its thickest point, and .16″ at its thinnest point. .4″ is a good middle point between these two extremes, and achievable because, the tablet: will be without a keyboard; without an optical drive; without a hinged screen; and, without a trackpad. The absence of these latter will enable Apple to substantially reduce the amount of internal parts, and therefore will enable them, as they did with the Air, to thin things out all around. So, take the Air, and take even more parts away: we now have the makings of an Apple Tablet, true to form.

Ok, so we have a sort of shell, a thickness of sorts, as well as the idea that it will be made of aluminum. Lets keep going. The screen will be something like the 15″ MBP’s: perfect for widescreen movies, etc., and excellent when held vertically for reading, etc. The bezel around the screen will be just big enough that a set of hands will not rub on the screen when held. An iSight camera will, of course, be built in. Same with iPhone style accelerometers, so when the Tablet is turned, the screen rotates with it.

Again, the entire Tablet will be one, slick aluninum unibody shell, with an Apple logo glowing on the back. The corners will be somewhat rounded, but not quite as much as the UniMB/MBPs. Further, it will sport Dual Core Intel processors, and have excellent battery life, like the Air. It will have 2 USB ports, and 1 Firewire port, with built in wifi. There will be no ethernet RJ-45 input, but there will be a monitor out port.

A stylus. Apple should also include cursive, stylus driven, handwriting recognition, like the Newton had. In my opinion, this is a must: it will help make it a true paper replacement, and allow artists to create things without having to use an ink pad. They already have inkwell built into OS X, so this would be pretty easy to implement in whatever OS X variant they decide to put on it.

Retractable Stand

As many users of the Newton MessagePad 2000 and 2100 will attest to, a retractable stand that serves the purpose of propping up said device is a sorely missed feature: earlier MessagePads had this functionality, like the MessagePad 120 for instance. This user purchased a custom made Newton MessagePad stand. However, since the MessagePad is supposed to be portable, when I am outside the office, I always miss the built in retractable stand, as I do not tote around the MessagePad stand since it is too bulky.

Now, there are many instances where I use the Newton such that I am holding it with one hand. In dynamic environments like in a meeting, or taking notes from a phone call, this is sufficient and often times desired. Also, when reading books, a stand is not necessary. But when seated at a desk, it is optimal to prop the Newton up to see the screen, since it becomes utterly useless laying flat on a table.

Apple probably is aware of the need to have some sort of built in stand capability. In fact, outside of the thinness and custom OS, this would be the third most important feature of the device. If Apple releases a Tablet sans built in stand, they are limiting the devices’s usability. Sure, users could acquire third party stands, but that utility only extends so far: we are not always going to be in places that have an Apple Tablet stand, in fact, most times we probably will not be places that have them.

There is something to be said about flipping a switch and instantly being able to prop up a Tablet on a flat surface, to either use it as a screen with a bluetooth keyboard, to watch a movie in widescreen, or to simply have it propped up for multi-touch use.

What should the stand be like? Well, first, it should be seamlessly built in. Since the Tablet will be quite thin, the design will have to be very basic and smart. I envision something like a picture frame stand that is on a hinge at the top. In this case, when retracted, it would fit snug in the back of the unit. See picture below:

Back of proposed Apple Tablet with picture frame style arm stand (black area on bottom of arm is the hinged base with rubber). The border of the Tablet is all rubber:

As noted in this picture, the arm can pivot and spin 45 degrees downwards, so the unit can either be propped up in landscape or portrait view (the circle spins clockwise to move the arm down 45 degrees, and also spins counter-clockwise to move the arm up 45 degrees). One thing not evident from the below picture is that, the arm stand will sit flush with the back: there is a “shallow groove.. cutout” in the aluminum on the back where the arm stand will rest (horizontal position). When the circle is twisted, the whole apparatus pops “up” just enough for the arm to clear its groove and swing down:

The arm of the prop would consist of two parts: the long arm itself, and a smaller arm base (about 2″ deep) that also has a hinge. When the user activates the arm, it would fall loose from the Tablet allowing the user to pull it outwards like the arm of a picture frame. There would be three notches in the top hinge: each notch would catch the hinge and fix the arm at a set angle. Notch one would prop the unit up at say, 45 degrees; notch two at 35 degrees; and, notch three at 25 degrees. The smaller base arm at the bottom would bend and sit flush with the surface, supporting the longer arm and Tablet.

On the bottom of the smaller arm would be rubber, as would there be rubber on the bottom of the Tablet: this would keep the unit from sliding on desks, etc. See picture below:

Sideview:

A variant of this is to simply have two separate prop arms: one on the bottom, and one on the top. Each would sit flush on the back in an etched out well. The hinge would be non-obtrusive, and hidden underneath the topmost part of each prop arm.

In addition to the handwriting recognition with a stylus, the OS will essentially be like an iPhone OS but on steriods. Imagine what it would look like to see the stock or weather application from your iPhone on your Tablet in full screen? Pretty nice. I see a home screen somewhat similar to the iPhone, with big, juicy, bubbley buttons screaming to be multi-touched. See picture below:

Front of Tablet:

In addition, there will be a spotlight search field on the home screen, and full, OS X class applications like iTunes, Quicktime, Mail, etc., but all optimized and made for the Tablet. Even imagine how cool dashboard would be, with its ripple effect. There would also be a virtual keyboard with haptic feedback, and other behaviors and applications optimized for using it like a surface computer.

Whatever the final design, I am sure Apple will give us something to be admired. T-O-M