It seems like no matter where you go online of offline these days there’s no escaping the hooplah surrounding the upcoming Apple product announcement. Surf the web and you’ll come across countless websites theorizing and predicting what might Apple come out with on Wednesday. Walk away from the computer and you might very well run into co-workers who are also gossiping about the upcoming device. To be honest with you, I’ve been trying to shy away from the rumors and speculations this time around. There are far larger websites with many more “insiders” who will probably give you much more accurate information than whatever we can provide here.

However, all this talk does have me wondering one thing. Assuming the device is some sort of slate-device (we’ll stick with the iSlate name here), what will it take for Apple to get me, the consumer, to go ahead and plop down well-earned cash for the device. After all, we’ve seen many incarnations of slate devices over the years. We’ve seen slate-oriented Tablet PCs from Microsoft, Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) from companies like Archos and Nokia, Ultra-Mobile PCs, and countless other devices from vendors too numerous to even name here. The point is – the slate computer has been tried many times and yet it’s never taken off. Why? Horrific user interfaces, expensive price points, short battery lives, poor performance, and a general feeling of “why do I need one?” have all helped to make the slate device a dream that’s yet to be fulfilled.

Therefore, here’s a list of things that Apple must or should come close to accomplishing before I’m willing to shell out cash for the supposed slate (although yes, I still might get one strictly for review purposes here at Krunker.com – but let’s assume you forget that I’m a gadget reviewer ok?).

1. Reasonable form factor. The slate has to be lightweight, easy to hold in one hand, and deliver a large enough screen for the majority of the population. It needs to be cool-running, sub-two pounds, and rigid enough for every-day usage.
2. It really needs to have a purpose. The iPod’s focus was initially on digital music. The iPhone was a reimagining of what a smartphone can do. Apple TV was an extension into the realm of video and TV. The iSlate? It needs to be something. Yet, it can’t simply be a larger iPod touch can it? Seriously now – how much would you be willing to pay for a larger iPod touch? Therefore, it needs to revolutionary on several fronts. It needs to capitalize on previous Apple works while also laying down new foundations for products and services ahead. It essentially needs to be a multimedia device that change that changes the way you and I access content – whether the content is local or from the Internet. I need to be able to stream TV shows, music, movies. I need to be able to read books and newspapers the way they were meant to be. I need to be able to access my email, Twitter accounts you name it. 
3. Intuitive user interfaces. Does it honestly make sense for Microsoft to use the same Windows desktop user interface for the Tablet PC? Who want to use their finger or stylus to click on the start menu and then execute some application? Not to mention who wants to work with an application that isn’t designed well for touch to begin with? Apple would never make such a mistake and their previous products have clearly shown imagination when it comes to user interfaces. Sure the underlying OS is the same (OS X) but the presentation layer for Apple’s many products have been tailored to fit the needs of the product. I expect Apple to deliver a customized unique intuitive user interface for the iSlate – something that Mom and Dad can pick up and figure out how to use. It should just work. Move your fingers across the display and get at content you want. Should it simply be an extension of the iPod touch and iPhone user interface? I’m not sure that will cut it to be honest with you. If the display is 7-10 inches large, then it needs to be fancier than a background littered with icons. But wait.. Apple shouldn’t simply look inside for innovation. It could learn a thing or two from devices like the Microsoft Surface. Anyone who’s ever used a Surface knows it’s actually a pretty intuitive system. Heck, if you didn’t know any better you wouldn’t realize it came from Microsoft! A person looking at the iSlate shouldn’t think of it as a portable computer. They should look at it as a cool entertainment platform – a portal to content (but I’m getting ahead of myself here) because..
4. it’s all about the content stupid. So this goes back to Point 2. If the iSlate is to be a multimedia device, then clearly it’s all about the content and no company is better positioned than Apple with the iTunes store. Everything from music to music videos to TV shows to movies – the company has us covered. Yet, it needs to make things even easier for the general consumer. I don’t want to buy a single episode or even an entire season worth of TV. I want a single subscription that gets me access to everything at anytime of the day. Oh wait .. that almost sounds like Cable. Sure. But better because it is cheaper than cable, provides me with on-demand access to anything I want, and allows me to watch the content on almost any Apple product – whether it’s the iSlate, iPhone, iPod, or Apple TV. Apple has the ability to be truly disruptive in this space and I really hope it embarks on this venture. I would give almost anything to drop my cable bill if it means I can access content on demand on my iSlate, Apple TV, or iPod touch. Yes this might very well be the hardest to accomplish but I can dream right?
5. Apps. This really is an extension of point 4. The App Store is arguably THE killer app of the iPhone and iPod touch and I expect this to be the same for the iSlate. I want apps DESIGNED for touch-use; designed for a larger display; and easy to use at the same time. Apps that allow me to do practically anything I want without the need for a real keyboard or mouse. Thousands and thousands of applications at my fingertips along with a large display. How sweet would that be?
6. Long battery life. If the iSlate is to be successful, it needs to have a long battery life. We’re sorry but 5 hours won’t cut it here. It needs to have at least 9-12 hours of battery life. That’s certainly a challenge of course given the power suckage from large-screen color displays and of course from all the innards of a digital device. However, it’s not impossible so .. I want it.
7. Inexpensive. Is it me or is 1000 dollars just too much for the iSlate. Only Apple fanatics would find that acceptable (considering most Apple fanboys seem willing to shell out upwards of $2K for Apple desktop or laptop systems). Sorry, $1000 dollars is too pricey for the majority of the population that lacks Google options or a wealthy parent. It needs to be reasonably priced relative to the iPod touch and the Apple TV. If the company plans on selling millions then you have to assume that $1000 dollars is NOT a reasonable price point.
8. Connectivity. It should be well connected which means Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi at the very least. Mobile broadband support would certainly be a pleasant surprise and definitely something mobile carriers would welcome. SIM card slots need to be built-in of course.
9. Good sound. If we’re talking about a content oriented device, it needs to have good sounding speakers. Sorry but the iPod touch sucks in this department and the iSlate needs to radically improve upon that.

Yes, there’s really nothing new in what I’m asking for. I just want to see it actually accomplished by Apple. If there’s one company that could possibly execute on this, it would be Apple. Anything less, then I’ll simply save my cash.

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