Will the Apple tablet defy the rumors like the iPod did?

For months, I’ve been reading about all of the hype and rumors surrounding the expected announcement of a tablet computer from Apple.  Like the rumors and hype leading up to the announcement of the fist iPod, the hype and rumors of Apple’s tablet computer will likely give way to something almost completely unexpected, and maybe, disappointing.  In October 2001, it was rumored that Steve Jobs would announce the successor to the Newton.  Apple was going to reinvent the PDA.  Instead, Apple released a hard drive based digital music player for $399.  A lot of Apple fans everywhere were crushed.  They wanted an Apple branded PDA, and they couldn’t understand why Apple would want to produce consumer electronics.  More than 9 years later, the iPod has been a runaway success, and the most popular music player in the world.  It revolutionized the way we all listen to music.  If Apple does indeed release a tablet computer next week, it too will be misunderstood, and it will disappoint a lot of people.

Apple fans always create their own versions of what they want to see from Apple.  Over time, they add to their creations, read about other people’s ideas, and gradually form an image of what is to be announced.  When Steve Jobs later announces the actual product, our hopes are either totally dashed, or we are surprised and delighted.  There will be a lot of tech pundits, and Apple fans who will criticize Apple’s latest creation.  They will complain that it costs too much, that it leaves out features, or that it has no chance at success.  The original iPod contained a 5GB internal hard drive, and held about 1000 songs.  Its original sales price is the same as the sales price of an iPod touch with over 12 times of the original’s storage capacity, and far more features.  The original iPod became the best selling digital music player before it even began supporting Windows.  Apple’s tablet computer will likely garner a similar market share against its competitors despite its price, and its leaving out some key features that everyone had hoped for and wanted.

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I love playing Chess.  Unfortunately, none of my friends play Chess, so I don’t get to play very often.  Mac OS X comes with a really good Chess app, but it’s not much fun playing against a computer that beats me every time.  Several months ago, I found Chess With Friends from Newtoy Inc. (iTunes Link) on Apple’s App Store.  Chess With Friends is offered in a free version with ads, and a paid version without ads.  It allows you to play Chess with your friends who also have the app, but also total strangers that you locate at random using the game’s random opponent feature.  Right now, I’m playing against 3 random people.  I have no idea where they are, or who they are.

Originally, Chess With Friends would notify me of new moves via email, or text messages.  Now, the game offers push notifications.  Using this feature, I am immediately alerted when my opponents make a new move.  This helps avoid exceeding my paltry, limited 200 text messages that AT&T charges me $5 a month for, and it avoids filling up my inbox with notification emails.  Chess With Friends also has a pass and play option which allows you to play against a friend in the flesh.  You make a move, and then pass your iPhone to your opponent.  Hopefully, he won’t run off with your iPhone.

Chess With Friends can be played in real time against remote opponents.  You know that your opponent has Chess With Friends open when you see the small eyeballs at the upper right corner of the Chess board.  Also, the eyeballs will display next to the game in your list of current games.  I have played several games this way, but if my opponent gets tired of watching the game, they can easily leave without bothering to say anything.  The game does have a chat feature, but I rarely use it.

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