Wednesday, March 1, 2017

iBook

If Apple decides to make a notebook form iOS device, the iBook name is waiting (the last iBook was in 2006).  Aside from the iMac, the name fits perfectly with the MacBook, iPhone, and iPad naming conventions.

iPads already support trackpad like cursor control (and I guess some iPhones do too?).  And iPad Pros seem focused on keyboard support.  So offering a better keyboard and a trackpad experience is not a big jump.

I wonder what will be the catalyst (nominal or real) for something like this.  Office is already available.  Screen size is already there.  Maybe an issue with the ergonomics of touch on a vertical screen?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

my comment in appleinsider on iBook:

Speculative prediction tying together: (i) education focus, (ii) iPad & Pencil rumors, and (iii) dropping of the iBook name:

Chrome's presence in the classroom is burgeoning. Obviously, given the general thrust of Apple (iPads are the right computer for many) and Mac pricing, iPads are the right direction to go. To balance Chromebook and handle security at the same time, a custom enclosure that adds a keyboard, kensington security slot, and pencil holder (likely with some kind of tether). By rolling this form factor out explicitly as a classroom accomodation, it limits efforts to compare what is now an iPad with keyboard to a macbook/laptop. And is a test drive for an iOS form factor that is distinct from macOS notebooks.

And, of course, I can finally say I was right if they call it an iBook.