iPad Panel take away

[J Brandt]

First,  I would like to thank everyone that was involved with putting on the presentation last evening.

I am one of the nerds that just didn't get the iPad.  But, after giving it some thought after the meeting I think I get it.

This was my take away: 

   A dumb down device for non geeks or non computer users , the one button approach, My dad would love it, he can never find his files.
        If it only had a TV remote it would be the perfect coffee table tablet. 

I get it!!  Thanks,

Jeff

--
Jeffrey L. Brandt
Communication Software, Inc.
www.comsi.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyleebrandt
http://twitter.com/jeffbrandt
503.664.0274
www.motionPHR.com

[Calvin]

> If it only had a TV remote it would be the perfect coffee table tablet.

I've actually been thinking that the absolute killer app for the iPad would be a hardware/software combination of a bluetooth IR blaster that you put in your entertainment center, and a TV guide + universal remote app on the iPad.

You pair the IR blaster with the iPad and customize the software for the devices in your entertainment center (kinda like the Logitech Harmony interface).

People could move buttons around on the iPad to create their ultimate home entertainment interface. You could have the child's interface which is just play, pause, and restart, or the dad's interface which just has "SPORTS", "HISTORY CHANNEL" and volume buttons on it.

Calvin

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[Jer Warren]

On Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 8:31 AM, J Brandt <jbr...@comsi.com> wrote:

 If it only had a TV remote it would be the perfect coffee table tablet. 

I think the idea is that broadcast TV is dead and that people will use it as a remote for their AppleTV. iPad shows a list of the programs iTunes has recently downloaded for $1.99 and you click it to watch it on your AppleTV.

[Jeremy Logan]

I tend to agree with Jer... I can't remember the last time I watched "broadcast" tv.  However, I'd still buy a Bluetooth-to-IR converter if I could easily use it with something other than the iPad... phone, laptop, etc. I'd mostly just like to build macros. Where you could do something like have a "Movie" button that: wakes up HTPC, turns on TV, switch TV to HDMI input, and navigates menus to the movie section.

Anyhow, I haven't thought about this much, but it seems like an interesting idea.

Jeremy Logan

--

[Elia Freedman]

http://theappleblog.com/2010/01/04/iphone-becomes-a-universal-remote-this-february/

The connector on the bottom is the same so should work.
Elia

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elia Freedman
Infinity Softworks
(503) 939-4379
Email: el...@infinitysw.com
Site: www.infinitysw.com
Blog: http://www.eliainsider.com
Twitter: eliajf

[Calvin]

Okay, who knows someone in China who could manufacture a bluetooth->IR blaster?

Calvin

[Jeremy Logan]

I can't believe they're charging $50 for that... it's about $1 worth of hardware if you're mass-manufacturing it. Also, wouldn't you have to use your iPhone/Pod/Touch upside down with that?

[Calvin]

But with this method the iPhone/iPad needs to have line of sight with the target device. If the blaster is sitting on the coffee table, or in the entertainment center this need goes away.

I have the bluetooth remote control for the PS3 and it is a subtle but wonderful change when you don't have to aim the remote anymore. Yes, people are that lazy.

Calvin

[John Roberts]

There are also guys in Portland doing this.  I know them from a previous life.  Check out:

http://www.newkinetix.com/


John R.

On Tue, Feb 23, 2010 at 11:53 AM, Elia Freedman <el...@infinitysw.com> wrote:

[Elia Freedman]

Compared to a $200 remote control that needs to be programmed via a desktop computer, it's really cheap.

Elia

[David Stannard]

I believe that one will find that the cost to manufacture and just to
break even is >> $1 even in high volume production in low cost
geographies.

I'm also ignoring Apple's hardware royalties per connector, the
purchase of the connector - which must be purchased from an Apple
approved source - and ignoring the mandatory authentication
coprocessor chip which may only be purchased from an Apple authorized
supplier and the mandatory testing for EMI, ad naseum that must be
done through Apple approved labs and packaging and shipping.Buying in
bulk will reduce costs, but then one has inventory and carrying costs.
And probably some marketing costs to drive volume purchases.

And profit of course.

The days of building an Apple hardware product in a garage seem to be
but distant memories.

David

On Feb 23, 1:23 pm, Elia Freedman <e...@infinitysw.com> wrote:
> Compared to a $200 remote control that needs to be programmed via a desktop
> computer, it's really cheap.
>
> Elia
>

[Mobile Portland]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FPHpMonoC8 (iphone + Wiimote)

I've talked with this guy about his BT stack >>> http://code.google.com/p/btstack/
<<< It's quite brilliant IMO. A Wiimote has everything you need (blue-
tooth and infrared), just make some cheap version of it and use the
accelerometer for gesture based controls to minimize the buttons. Who
needs all those buttons when you have gestures. -@gizmopunk