The LOST iPad Icon
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.
Technorati Tags: iPad, YouTube, Apple
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:27 pm
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.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:42 pm
I believe ATT nixed isight/ichat in exchange for the lowball no contract unlimited data
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:57 pm
[...] post: satine.org » The LOST iPad Icon Posted in iPad | Tags: 2007-without, app-only, apple, before-the-iphone, icon-, [...]
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
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.
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:15 pm
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.
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
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February 3rd, 2010 at 2:03 pm
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.
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:53 pm
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.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:04 pm
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.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:03 am
And also the rev 1 MacBook Pro’s that got a speed bump before release
February 4th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
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.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:52 am
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.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
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February 20th, 2010 at 1:00 am
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.