John Suder

Apple Computer will be holding one of their famous ’special media events’ today at 10am Pacific (1pm Eastern) at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. It is expected that Steve Jobs will unveil the magical “Apple Tablet” (or iSlate or iPad or whatever it might actually be called). Unless you live under a rock, or have no interest whatsoever in technology, the hype surrounding this mystery product is as big (or bigger, depending on who you ask) as the announcement for the unveiling of the original iPhone.

In the last year, several sites have shown prototypes (based on on ‘wish lists’ and not actual input from Apple itself), leaked ’spy photos’ (most turned out to be fakes) and specs (again, mostly from ‘wish lists’ based on available technology). Apple is famously secretive with any new product in development. Developers are sworn to secrecy and products are developed under tight security. (Hey, if you were lucky enough to be working for a company like Apple developing world-changing products, you’d probably keep your big mouth shut too.)

The hype surrounding this product is so huge because, if the rumors are true, it will be a game-changing eBook reader and entertainment device. If some of the leaked specs are true from those who have actually seen this mythical creature, it could well accelerate how we consume ‘print’ media. This is important (especially to me, a traditional print designer) because there has already been a fundamental shift in how people acquire this type of information. Newspapers and magazines all over the world are closing. Traditional book manufacturers are shifting away from large volume sales and putting their resources toward the eBook publishing model. Magazines are relying more on their web outlets for revenue, driving readers from the print versions to the website, not the other way around.

The tablet will not replace your iPod or your Kindle, but could be the device that combines the best of both. I see it as a casual device for reading and entertainment, and as a bridge between netbooks, but done only the way Apple can do it. This will usher in a new era for computing, but also present new opportunities for designers and developers in this expanded space. The competition will need to follow the Apple lead. A simple eBook reader like the Kindle or a $300 netbook will no longer suffice.

I guess we’ll find out soon enough.