Price wise if its close to Atom Vilva, or WM 4.8″ varians I would be cool with it. That means the $500 ballpark.

As I’ve said before, I only want to have 2 mobile devices:
1) pocketable device: phone, Android or Maemo or _maybe_ iPhone OS X (if there was a physical keyboard), decent SSH (putty not included), gmail, google reader (prefer full gmail and reader, but I can make do with the android/iphone mobile versions … but the wep mobile version is NOT acceptable), physical qwerty keyboard, highly prefer tethering options (unf. no good solution for that, for linux/mac users, right now).

2) mid-range device: netbook or tablet (pref. convertible tablet netbook), Maemo or Ubuntu or Mac OS X. And, in addition to the apps above, I also want a VNC viewer client that will integrate wtih the SSH client … maybe I’d be ok with Apple’s remote desktop client, though.

If the pocketable can’t do tethering, then I might want the mid-range to have a 3G option. Or I might go with a Mifi or Cradlepoint. I’m a little bit open on that front. (I don’t consider the mifi or cradlepoint to be a 3rd device, because it’d be in my gadget bag all the time, so I wouldn’t really notice it nor handle it, except to turn it on or off)

So, getting back to what you’re saying: the 6″ device is probably not going to be running Snow Leopard, nor a variant of it. It’ll be running the iPhone OS, if the rumors are true.

And, unlike you, I’d never carry 3 devices my G1 pretty much does the job of being my PDA/MID, phone, and music player…

Most of my work…forms etc has drop down fields and uses data bases. So there’s not much in the way of typing. Just check the box etc. The program on my HP cost a bundle, but it’s dated not and the screen is not so hot outside.

We’ll just have to wait and see what they bring out. I’ll cross my fingers! LOL

I don’t think a MID (as in 6″ device very well suited for carrying around and thumb typing) is that device, it shares too many functions with both iPhone and laptop. However a big tablet specificly targeted at media consumption would not cannibalize the iPhone because it could be used to sell hires video , hires games, and ebook content – new content for Apple. That’s something you would not like to consume on a small iPhone screen. Nor would you like to do that on a laptop. I’d really like to see Apple make such a device.

About the OS: I think it will definately look more like the iPhone OS than Mac OS X. OS X is not suited for touch, would give the tablet too much laptop functionality and the new tablet definately needs it’s own apps, so an closed app store driven environment makes more sense.

HP 211 PDA 4″ screen…In a case with belt clip
iPod Touch 2g…Pocket
Normal cell…On a belt clip

I ordered the Viliv s5 but it was taking over 2 months to get it from Dynamism so I canceled my order.

My HP is in a Otterbox protective case, which also has a belt clip. It does fit in my pocket, but I needed the protective case for my work.

I hate keeping things in my pockets. Cell phone…wallet…devices…By the time you have all that stuff in your pockets your pants will start falling down.

For those who want to do a little bit more and have all the features of the phone and not kill there eye trying to look and a little screen and cramp there fingers trying type something…then the MID is for you.

I might give Dynamisn another try.

I own a nokia 810 and an iPhone. The nokia was never put to use much. Maybe that’s a software issue: 840×400 without apple’s fantastic zooming experience is not great for browsing. And good dedicated apps were also missing. But despite that, it also seems to be a hardware problem to me. For me the iPhone size is the optimum and maximum for a “small device” and I believe that convergence makes only sense on small devices. The nokia was too big to put in the pocket. Not on it’s own, but next to a small other nokia phone – yes, too big. ( the other pockets are in use for wallets and tissues so a second gadget pocket is no option).
So why would I buy a 6″ iPhone? I cannot pocket it.
It must be a non convergent device then, and I do not think tablets are meant to replace laptops. So I think it will be meant as a media consumption device. Video, somewhat larger apps, ebooks. Typing is not very important on such a device. If you want to type, bring your MacBook air. And for short messages the iPhone is just fine. But reading a book on a large 7 or 8 inch screen: that makes sense to me.

Tal

There are those out there that say “Smaller is better…” then there are those out there that say” laptops are the way to go…”

In my opinion a rock solid MID is the best a both worlds. In fact I believe that laptops will (and soon) become dinosaurs if a company would make a MID or UMPC that everyone can use and not the issues that come with portable devices. Lets face it, a laptop is not that portable. Yeah it’s a hell of a lot easier than a desktop, but you still need to keep your bag with you with all of your gear…

1. Your power supply is needed because the battery life of most laptops is horrible.
2. Your mouse, because for me, I can’t stand using the touch pads that are on laptops.

The device Chippy wrote about would be great, except I would up the processor.

I have the 2nd gen touch and I use Quick Office on it. I have everything my laptops has, minus the CD drive. I can use my MS office programs, Listen to my music, watch a video, use GPS via my wifi. I get great battery life, and speed.

Now if your going to tell me that Apple might make a 6″ version. GREAT GOOGLIE MOOGLIE!!! I’ll be first in line to buy one. If they could add just a few tweeks…it would be a GREAT MID device! There I said it…the Touch is a MID. Except for size…it can do everything a regular MID or UMPC can do. If you want a program that mimics what you have on your MID or UMPC…well there’s a app for that. lol

For anyone that want to disagree, remember this. If you want to be able to run power hungry programs…play FPS or MMO games like the one you have on your laptop…Keep your laptop.

If you want a device that can play movies in HD, watch TV, browse the internet, make calls, use GPS, do some productivity..office apps etc, play great games. Then a MID or a Touch is for you!

I hope Apple makes this device and I hope they’ll listen to what the people really want. Now about the cost….Maybe there will be a stimulus for that one! LOL

The only device that would rival it in terms of size, power, components, is the Viliv line of devices. In fact if I’m not mistaken…they both use Samsung parts. The Viliv looks like it needs some refinements, but there’re on the right track.

You can get MP3 players that do a better job than an iPod for much less, yet they sell them by the bucket load. They make Mac books and iMacs that cost way more than the equivalent PC and they still sell plenty.

Apple have created a brand that people expect to pay for and more importantly are willing to pay for.

One of two things will happen from this. Plenty of Mac lovers and a few iPhone lovers will buy it. It will be a high end niche product that the Apple world will love and they will do fine.

Or they do an ‘iPhone’ and give the MID market the kick it needs (like they did with the phone market) and the whole thing really kicks off. We’re about there with the MID hardware now but the operating systems are rubbish. We all know Apple knows operating systems…

I own and love my iPhone (whilst being a Mac hater) and I would buy a 6″ tablet in a second if we got the full internet experience on it. That would be an ideal device to be in the living room for the quick browse that I’ll currently pull my phone out for and wish it had a larger screen.

Plus as already mentioned it would be a good size for a media player and eBook reader.

That right there will make it substantially better as a video and e-book platform. For people (like me) who are only willing to carry one pocketable device, have a non-iPhone for good reasons … but only avoid the iPod Touch due to the 2 pocketables rule … this might be a device they’d want.

(not for me — it’s still too small; I want an 8″-10″ screen … definitely not smaller, definitely not larger, thus my interest in the 10″ device).