Apple tablet interface? It’s the iPhone and then some…
When it comes to Apple’s still sight unseen tablet, iTablet, iPad, iSlate, iPod touch on steroids or whatever it’s being called today, everybody’s got an opinion (or three). However, regarding this mythical device’s user interface, there shouldn’t be any question where Apple will start.
Gizmodo argues persuasively that the Apple tablet, which will arrive next Wednesday, will be more iPhone than Mac (not that there was much doubt previous). Moreover, although the tablet could be successful with nearly a straight port of the iPhone OS, a few tweaks could make it the next defining paradigm in computing: 1.) How will we type, 2.) Where to locate the home button, 3.) How to multitask, 4.) How to handle multiple resolutions, media types.
On typing, I’m thinking that Apple’s already excellent virtual keyboard will be simply scaled up to match the tablet’s 10 inch display. However, it would not surprise me if the company also included next generation speech to text functionality — it’ll just work.
The beauty of the iPhone UI is that it’s both simple and powerful
The question of the home button shouldn’t just be where it’s located and what it does, the fundamental question of whether the tablet needs any buttons at all should be on the table. With the multi-touch Magic Mouse already in play and a widget as interface iPhone due this time around, buttons might be a thing of the past.
Regarding multitasking, I believe that Gizmodo’s nailed it — Apple’s got two really good multitasking interface technologies at the ready, Expose and the Dock. Further, with so much screen real estate and processing power at the ready, I’m betting that variations of both toolsets will be in there.
The issue of how multiple resolutions are handled is another matter entirely, one that could create all sorts of problems for apps playing nicely with each other. That said, I believe that Apple will stick with fullscreen apps, like the iPhone, simply as a matter of consistency.
Another possibility is that the tablet will include a riff on Mac OS X’s Spaces, which could nicely pigeon hole how different people multitask and use their computers. But, offering users choices, especially in the first version, doesn’t sound particularly Apple or Steve Jobs like.
What does the tablet’s interface need to do for you? The possibilities are nearly endless…
What’s your take?
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