satine.org

by Charles Ying

The LOST iPad Icon

February 2nd, 2010

The iPhone was introduced at Macworld 2007 without one mystery app. Apple later revealed that mystery app only 9 days before the iPhone launch to be YouTube which propelled iPhone hype into orbit.

With 52 days to go, and the iPad rumor mill kicking into gear, the question of the day is, “what is the iPad’s mystery icon?”

So, if you think it’s crazy for Apple to be hiding mystery iPad software and hardware, remember that history tends to iRepeat itself.

Personally, I’m looking forward to iChat and Dashboard widgets on iPad.

Update: Felipe makes a good point in the comments. On June 18, 2007, 11 days before the iPhone launch, Apple also upgraded the display hardware from plastic to glass. Glass display parts are $16 today, while camera parts are roughly $10.

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26 Responses to “The LOST iPad Icon”

  1. Felipe Cepriano Says:

    It wasn’t only the YouTube app that Apple was hiding. Some weeks before the iPhone launch, Apple also unveiled that its screen would be made of glass and not of plastic.

    Maybe Apple is waiting for OS 4 to unveil an iChat app for iPhone OS.

  2. Dave Says:

    I believe ATT nixed isight/ichat in exchange for the lowball no contract unlimited data

  3. satine.org » The LOST iPad Icon | Daily Hot Topic Says:

    […] post: satine.org » The LOST iPad Icon Posted in iPad | Tags: 2007-without, app-only, apple, before-the-iphone, icon-, […]

  4. Scott Says:

    I’m betting, if anything, the hardware would be released as a dongle to the 30-pin connector; on a swivel to pivot forward to backward.

    -S.

  5. Ian Eure Says:

    It’s also worth noting that the MacBook Pro was originally announced at 1.67ghz and 1.83ghz, but was upgraded to 1.83/2.0ghz before shipping.

  6. satine.org » The LOST iPad Icon | My News Info Says:

    […] satine.org » The LOST iPad Icon The LOST iPad Icon. Read more: satine.org » The LOST iPad Icon […]

  7. Hamranhansenhansen Says:

    I would be on widgets being iPad’s surprise app, including a Messages widget, possibly which can float above other apps. If it can run existing Dashboard widgets (I don’t see why it wouldn’t run most of them, except for those that hook into a Mac app) then suddenly the iPad gets a bunch of utility apps. Maybe Dashboard was created originally for the tablet (which has been in the works since at least 2003, and features the rounded icons from iPhone OS) and deployed on the Mac.

    A camera is the perfect 3rd party accessory. You can easily turn the iPad so that the dock is on top and plug in any of a range of cameras, and as Scott says they could then swivel. There could be one with cameras on both sides, which is something other people want. The camera could be built into a case with dock connector like a Mophie Juice Pack, so that simply putting the iPad into a case adds the camera. There could be a camera that turns your iPad into a camcorder and includes a full-screen editing app. There are so many possibilities with a 3rd party camera it would almost be a shame for Apple to put one in and limit the iPad to a mini webcam that can’t adjust and is likely never pointing right at the user unless they have put the iPad into a dock. If the iPad is docked, the camera should be in the dock.

    With hardware accessories having their own apps, and the size of the iPad display, accessories are wide open.

  8. ed Says:

    I think it’s safe to say there won’t be a built in camera. The ergonomics just don’t work. I think we will see Apple or 3rd party attachment cameras in the future.

  9. Jeff C Says:

    Speculation about widgets makes some sense. Thanks for reminding us about the history of the iPhone launch – darned good chance here that history will repeat itself (with some form of late feature announcement).

    I would bet on a camera for the next iteration of the iPad.

  10. Matthew Says:

    And also the rev 1 MacBook Pro’s that got a speed bump before release

  11. Daniel Black Says:

    I’m thinking more outlandish. I’m personally hoping there’s a way to dock the iPad to a Mac and use it as an auxiliary display, perhaps only for some specialized purposes, e.g., for OS X widgets, etc.

  12. Jeff Says:

    I’m sure there’ll be a few more details that’ll come out as it launches, but hoping for a “one more thing” seems a little wishful to me.

  13. MikeyX.Com Says:

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    satine.org » The LOST iPad Icon…

  14. sony ericsson handy Says:

    The Ipad looks like fun to play with, but I doubt if you can really work with it? But many people will buy it because of it look.

  15. Tom Says:

    National Geographic – there’s a discussion of it on teh most recent MacBreak Weekly.

  16. Jo Sheasby Says:

    Hey, I read all your posts, keep them coming.

  17. 减肥药排行榜 Says:

    菩提本无树,明镜亦非台.本来无一物,何处惹尘埃.

  18. iPad Forums Says:

    im loving the ipad personally. what do you think of it now? was it upto your standards?

  19. iPad Dashboard Widgets - mickerlodeon Says:

    […] Charles Ying points out that Apple didn’t reveal the YouTube app on the iPhone until 9 days before it’s release. If Apple were to announce dashboard widgets for the iPad it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest for them to wait as long as they could before announcing it. […]

  20. Marko Says:

    The iPad should be a little bit bigger. It isn’t comfortable to look films on it. But I the idea is good and the utility factor in the everyday life is good.

  21. Carson Washington Says:

    i am planning to buy an iPad since it looks lighter than a regular desknote and i don not use much of the features of a laptop.:`,

  22. Milissa Shamlin Says:

    Very informative website. I was thinking about purchasing an iPad and now i definitely will!

  23. Peyton Rivera Says:

    i gave my girlfriend an ipad and she was very very happy`””

  24. Altimeter Watch Says:

    Hey There, thanks for the great post! I found it extremely helpful!

  25. Acne Remedy ` Says:

    iPad is a bit expensive, i just hope that they could reduce the cost of that gadget`–

  26. gyot Says:

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