gdgt

If you don't mind reading on an LCD screen why did you buy a Kindle in the first place? There are plenty of tablets with LCD screens already on the market, and I can't imagine any Apple tablet being capable of more than any existing tablet PC. The main (only?) benefit of an e-ink reader is the e-ink display (no eye strain, weeks of battery life).

Tablets already exist that can do that. Why is this so far non-existent tablet being hyped so much? Even before it's announced it seems that Apple are being credited with inventing something that's been out for years.

distribution is as important as the use case. you can already get a lot of the content we're talking about in existing win tablets, but you know, itunes-ifying it is going to be important.

Following on from that, one of my friends said that using it for graphic novels/comic books would be very compelling for those fans. I can imagine they'd look awesome on a lovely, bright, high colour screen.

@blam seconded. the iphone was groundbreaking in many areas, but slick integration with iTunes is what really made the advanced functionality consumer-friendly. i'd expect more of the same from apple with this product.

I agree as well. One of the main things keeping iPods on top is their integration with iTunes. When the Palm Pre was able to sync with iTunes, it probably was a bit scary for the people in Cupertino. I wish that Apple would put a touch screen on the MacBooks. I still have no clue how typing will be on the "iSlate." I'm sure Apple will be able to pull it off. If it took over 3 rejections from his Steveness, is "surprisingly affordable," and Jobs is happy with it, it's probably pretty good.

Well being an Apple product there will be a certain number of people who will realise they need this device regardless of how useful it actually is.

Unless this device (if it even exists) is something seriously groundbreaking I can't see any use for it that couldn't be done better with a Windows tablet with decent specs.

And like you suggest, who wants a tablet? If anybody wanted them they would be already selling in big numbers.

For reading - fail - bright screen shooting light at your eyes, battery failing after a few hours.
For PC use - fail - no keyboard.
Browsing Internet - yes, but why not just use a laptop or even a netbook? Given that laptops are very common now, why buy another device that doesn't have any tangible benefits?
Remote control of other devices (TV, hi-fi, etc.) - yes, but any PDA/smartphone can already do this, and I'd argue that most people who would want this tablet would own an iPhone.
Portable use - the screen would almost certainly be useless in sunlight, and the lack of a keyboard makes it a crippled netbook. I Assume the battery life would be sub par too.
Video - again, why not just use a netbook or PMP if on the road and stick to your laptop or netbook at home?

I'm no Apple fan, but I can't imagine them coming up with such a useless product. I would never own an iPhone or iPod or Mac, but they are all quality products that are reasonably competitive with the best products in their categories, but a tablet...there is a reason nobody uses the tablet form factor, and I doubt Apple can polish it enough to overcome the inherent problems with it.

That would be bad. One of the biggest failures of the iPhone is the app censorship. It is a disgrace that people give money to Apple and accept that Apple knows better than they do what content they should be able to use on their phone.

If this tablet PC had the same restrictions it would remove any benefit the device could possibly have (that of being a larger iPod Touch device with a large display and the usefulness of a full computer).

One thing to keep in mind is that Apple is in a position right now to DECIDE what has mainstream appeal. If they can create a tablet that hooks into their existing app store infrastructure people WILL buy it.