Kalach
Apr 21, 02:56 PM
wow! a redesign to the mac pro would be great :D
cdembek
Mar 27, 07:10 AM
The problem with the cloud based approach is the current limits on data usage. If your not on wifi I can see a good amount of folks going through 2GB of data quick.
apolloa
Apr 21, 06:53 PM
You know, you would have to say 'About friggin time APPLE!!'
Interesting idea for design though, tower case and rack mountable, can see that being very popular :)
Interesting idea for design though, tower case and rack mountable, can see that being very popular :)
pika2000
May 4, 03:43 PM
What if you have or want to re-format your Mac? I hope Apple would also give you a utility that will package the OS into a bootable installer that you can copy to a USB flash drive. Or maybe that is what you would be downloading, just an image to be copied to a DVD/USB drive as I doubt you could install the OS like an app would (download, pop up in the dock, done).
I guess we will see how things go when Apple release it.
I guess we will see how things go when Apple release it.
psychofreak
Nov 26, 12:48 PM
Not. Gonna. Happen. The tablet market is very small, and for good reason. Why use a tablet when a laptop fits the bill? Or a PDA? It's a glorified scribble toy. Apple's not going to try and grab such a miniscule market. There's no reason to even try.
As people mentioned, one could have said the same thing about mp3 players before the iPod.
"Not. Gonna. Happen. The mp3 player market is very small, and for good reason. Why use an mp3 player when a minidisk or CD fits the bill? Or a cassette? It's a glorified walkman. Apple's not going to try and grab such a miniscule market. There's no reason to even try"
As people mentioned, one could have said the same thing about mp3 players before the iPod.
"Not. Gonna. Happen. The mp3 player market is very small, and for good reason. Why use an mp3 player when a minidisk or CD fits the bill? Or a cassette? It's a glorified walkman. Apple's not going to try and grab such a miniscule market. There's no reason to even try"
gatearray
Apr 5, 02:34 PM
I'm fine leaving my phone un-jal broken. But I think Toyota and other companies should cater to the jail broken community too. Its understandable that Apple would ask. But hopefully it doesn't go beyond asking.
Hmmm, a car company catering to a group largely comprised of teenagers and young adults whom (presumably) have little disposable income? Doesn't sound like the best idea to me personally, but what do I know...
Hmmm, a car company catering to a group largely comprised of teenagers and young adults whom (presumably) have little disposable income? Doesn't sound like the best idea to me personally, but what do I know...
lilo777
Apr 25, 11:33 AM
Even if we take SJ at his word (stupid idea, I know). The fact remains that Apple does store the database of all your moves on the phone and PC for eternity thus preserving the capability to access it any time they want. This is clearly a very bad idea any way you look at it.
Putting on SJ hat:
"You are all idiots anyways"
Sent from my iPhone
Putting on SJ hat:
"You are all idiots anyways"
Sent from my iPhone
Tapiwa
Apr 20, 06:56 AM
This model promises to be one that many will pass on.
I certainly will.
Even though it's already well known that it will have a better antenna to fix the antennagate issue that most everyone denied.
The lack of a fresh new look will keep me away, especially retaining the tiny screen. Seems like Apples coasting this time around.
A faster processor? Big deal, who needs it, a waste of money just to pump up Apples coffers.
A true disappointment, this one is. I was so eager to dump my antennagate special.
The nice thing this time around is that everyone seems to have such low expectations that Apple can only meet or exceed them :D
I certainly will.
Even though it's already well known that it will have a better antenna to fix the antennagate issue that most everyone denied.
The lack of a fresh new look will keep me away, especially retaining the tiny screen. Seems like Apples coasting this time around.
A faster processor? Big deal, who needs it, a waste of money just to pump up Apples coffers.
A true disappointment, this one is. I was so eager to dump my antennagate special.
The nice thing this time around is that everyone seems to have such low expectations that Apple can only meet or exceed them :D
GregA
Jul 31, 12:22 AM
If this ever happens, I would bet the farm that Apple will do it with their own MVNO. I would make a reasonable guess that this MVNO would be based on Sprint.If Disney is truly thinking of shutting down their MVNO, perhaps Apple would go halves in it? It is a little outside of Apple's normal interests, but it'd be good for them to have a share. (this doesn't help us outside the US!)
As for WiFi:
You'd have to have an open WiFi network anywhere you wanted to make a phone call. WiFi is not NEAR the coverage level of cell service. In my opinion, VOIP cell phones are way overhyped. When WiBro is widespred and ubiquitous, then maybe.
If Apple make a VoIP phone (via Wifi with an Airport base station), naturally you'd have coverage in your home and at work, and Apple might make some strategic deals with WiFi Networks in many cities. At home & work you'd simply have a phone with no mobile charges. As you move about the city, it could update voicemail & email (etc) where possible. That solution would not require FCC approval.
I think the killer feature would be iChat Mobile... To be able to video chat with your friends on the go -- people would eat it up. I don't know why no one has done it yet, as it seems the technology is already there.You can already video chat with friends on the go. Are you suggesting this should be free?
Apple will innovate a whole new concept to music and how we use cell phones. Let's not limit our thinking to just iPods and cell phones. I read an article awhile back about Apple's interest in the high-speed Internet market (for cell phones). Imagine if calling someone was more like an audio/video chat instead. Now that would be sweet.
I think developing something for high speed internet is the answer. At the moment, wireless-Internet is an after thought in mobile phones. Always-on (via wifi or 3G) will enable new types of applications.
Who knows, considering that WWDC is developer centric, what if Apple releases an API to allow either software to be ported to the device's OS and to allow third-party developers to write applications for the phone. I'm really looking forward to this year's WWDC more than I have past event. It's getting exciting.
It would be interesting if Apple released a new development framework for mobile devices. Announce groupware technologies and the devices they'll work on, let developers come up with novel ideas.
Personally, I'm hoping Apple starts really simple.
As for WiFi:
You'd have to have an open WiFi network anywhere you wanted to make a phone call. WiFi is not NEAR the coverage level of cell service. In my opinion, VOIP cell phones are way overhyped. When WiBro is widespred and ubiquitous, then maybe.
If Apple make a VoIP phone (via Wifi with an Airport base station), naturally you'd have coverage in your home and at work, and Apple might make some strategic deals with WiFi Networks in many cities. At home & work you'd simply have a phone with no mobile charges. As you move about the city, it could update voicemail & email (etc) where possible. That solution would not require FCC approval.
I think the killer feature would be iChat Mobile... To be able to video chat with your friends on the go -- people would eat it up. I don't know why no one has done it yet, as it seems the technology is already there.You can already video chat with friends on the go. Are you suggesting this should be free?
Apple will innovate a whole new concept to music and how we use cell phones. Let's not limit our thinking to just iPods and cell phones. I read an article awhile back about Apple's interest in the high-speed Internet market (for cell phones). Imagine if calling someone was more like an audio/video chat instead. Now that would be sweet.
I think developing something for high speed internet is the answer. At the moment, wireless-Internet is an after thought in mobile phones. Always-on (via wifi or 3G) will enable new types of applications.
Who knows, considering that WWDC is developer centric, what if Apple releases an API to allow either software to be ported to the device's OS and to allow third-party developers to write applications for the phone. I'm really looking forward to this year's WWDC more than I have past event. It's getting exciting.
It would be interesting if Apple released a new development framework for mobile devices. Announce groupware technologies and the devices they'll work on, let developers come up with novel ideas.
Personally, I'm hoping Apple starts really simple.
cecildk9999
Nov 26, 11:48 AM
This looks to be a half-baked computer designed to run specific apps that control/present instead of being able to manipulate data.
Apple should give it full capabilities, about a 12" enclosure, and a durable case and we have ourselves a new toy and I've got my 12" PB replacement!
hear hear; I second that motion. :)
Apple should give it full capabilities, about a 12" enclosure, and a durable case and we have ourselves a new toy and I've got my 12" PB replacement!
hear hear; I second that motion. :)
applefan27073
Apr 24, 05:01 PM
WOW!
This would be AWESOME!
I can't imagine my 27" iMac with the same resolution as an iPhone 4!:eek:
This said, it could potentially make macs more expensive in the future.....:(
Well Done Apple! You've done it again!
This would be AWESOME!
I can't imagine my 27" iMac with the same resolution as an iPhone 4!:eek:
This said, it could potentially make macs more expensive in the future.....:(
Well Done Apple! You've done it again!
AP_piano295
May 6, 01:43 AM
My so soon, I'm already excited to start waiting for the powerbook which will finally get an "ARM 5" processor :).
InsiderTravels
Nov 28, 09:03 AM
BRLawyer... you talk about market share and other quantitative data as if they were the last and only delimiting factor. Obviously YOU do NOT use a tablet. Allow me to enlighten you about the benefits you do not know about or care to investigate:
1. Tablets allow me to lecture while writing and projecting simultaenously, thereby allowing me to retain a written record of what I actually keep.
2. Because I am involved in about 10 educational and professional committees, I use the MS OneNote program to create virtual file folders. Sure, you can do this with Mac journal type programs, but I am able to write within each folder in my own handwriting, which not only increases my memory retention, but is far more polite when you are in the mixed company of those with more power and money than you.
3. Because I am able to keep handwritten notes, I am able to reduce the amount of paper I carry with me. It is both tiresome and counterproductive to retain endless amounts of paper files.
4. I am able to receive assignments, faculty reports, articles, journal papers, etc., and ink them digitally and then return the marked document WITHOUT printing out and hauling around what amounts to about a vertical foot of paper. I challenge anyone to mark up and edit a document faster using a keyboard than they can with a "pen" type arrangement.
5. In science and engineering fields where you often have mix of graphical, formulaic, and written data, it is far superior to write out notes of mixed symbols than to type them on a keyboard. The keyboard is faster argument ONLY applies to situations where you do not have to interpret and draw diagrams.
The argument that tablets are only useful for artists is totally without merit: explain to me then why the Deans of both engineering and science at my university use tablets.
I must stress that too many people harp on the need for the OS to interpret handwriting perfectly. What many people discover after using a tablet is that often you leave your notes handwritten: they are yours, filed away for your use, and for your reference.
Is the tablet perfect? No. Is it for everyone? No. Is it cheaper than a notebook? No. However, your market share - not enough people use or need one - argument is without substance. Since you bring up "there are cheaper notebooks" point, why don't we just use this oft-tiresome rant against Apple itself? Many have in the past. At less than, what, maybe 10% of the market - even if it is higher - why should Apple exist at all? Anything less than, say, 20% is pretty low market share - why bother with Apple? Furthermore, there are many, many models of hardware comparable to Apple's, and at far lower price. Why then should Apple products even exist?
I do not know why so many are so resistant to the tablet idea from Mac. You don't like it - don't buy one. Accept that there are others who would benefit tremendously from such a product, even if it is a small market segment.
I didn't get to your comment before I posted mine; sorry about that. You're absolutely right. I could see artists, students, professors, scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and countless other professionals who would be elated to have a Mac-based tablet. In fact, the only things I can see it not being useful for is Word and Excel. Even writers could use it to markup their edits using standard proofreading symbols. Much faster than other methods, I'd think; plus much more environmentally friendly because it would alleviate the need for printing out so many hard copies of everything.
1. Tablets allow me to lecture while writing and projecting simultaenously, thereby allowing me to retain a written record of what I actually keep.
2. Because I am involved in about 10 educational and professional committees, I use the MS OneNote program to create virtual file folders. Sure, you can do this with Mac journal type programs, but I am able to write within each folder in my own handwriting, which not only increases my memory retention, but is far more polite when you are in the mixed company of those with more power and money than you.
3. Because I am able to keep handwritten notes, I am able to reduce the amount of paper I carry with me. It is both tiresome and counterproductive to retain endless amounts of paper files.
4. I am able to receive assignments, faculty reports, articles, journal papers, etc., and ink them digitally and then return the marked document WITHOUT printing out and hauling around what amounts to about a vertical foot of paper. I challenge anyone to mark up and edit a document faster using a keyboard than they can with a "pen" type arrangement.
5. In science and engineering fields where you often have mix of graphical, formulaic, and written data, it is far superior to write out notes of mixed symbols than to type them on a keyboard. The keyboard is faster argument ONLY applies to situations where you do not have to interpret and draw diagrams.
The argument that tablets are only useful for artists is totally without merit: explain to me then why the Deans of both engineering and science at my university use tablets.
I must stress that too many people harp on the need for the OS to interpret handwriting perfectly. What many people discover after using a tablet is that often you leave your notes handwritten: they are yours, filed away for your use, and for your reference.
Is the tablet perfect? No. Is it for everyone? No. Is it cheaper than a notebook? No. However, your market share - not enough people use or need one - argument is without substance. Since you bring up "there are cheaper notebooks" point, why don't we just use this oft-tiresome rant against Apple itself? Many have in the past. At less than, what, maybe 10% of the market - even if it is higher - why should Apple exist at all? Anything less than, say, 20% is pretty low market share - why bother with Apple? Furthermore, there are many, many models of hardware comparable to Apple's, and at far lower price. Why then should Apple products even exist?
I do not know why so many are so resistant to the tablet idea from Mac. You don't like it - don't buy one. Accept that there are others who would benefit tremendously from such a product, even if it is a small market segment.
I didn't get to your comment before I posted mine; sorry about that. You're absolutely right. I could see artists, students, professors, scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and countless other professionals who would be elated to have a Mac-based tablet. In fact, the only things I can see it not being useful for is Word and Excel. Even writers could use it to markup their edits using standard proofreading symbols. Much faster than other methods, I'd think; plus much more environmentally friendly because it would alleviate the need for printing out so many hard copies of everything.
ChrisTX
Apr 7, 08:54 PM
The idea here is that NO ONE else was even considering making a tablet until Apple, and the iPad. They didn't want to be left behind like they were with the iPhone, so now everyone's jumping on board. It's RIM'S fault for not coming to market sooner with a tablet. You can thank Apple for creating the current modern day tablet. Everyone says apple needs competition to keep them from getting stagnant as a company, but they didn't need it when producing the iPod, or the iPhone, and they certainly didn't need it for the iPad. No ones fault but their own that they aren't smart enough to innovate like Apple.
nebulos
May 4, 03:16 PM
please don't show an Air on the front page again.
you're giving me almost-gasms, (i.e., tiny heart attacks).
you're giving me almost-gasms, (i.e., tiny heart attacks).
GregA
Nov 27, 03:58 PM
Just to add a little fuel to the fire - I found this on MacSurfer - likely another source, sounded a little different. The plot thickens...
http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Automation/Display_Panels?Article=/Automation/Display%20Panels/H9R6N2M2The original article here is based on this smarthouse article, and has a link to it :) So unfortunately, the plot stays the same :)
Excluding the pro and business market is what puzzles me. I can see photographers, artists and others taking advantage of a light pen to draw, anotate, and edit photos. I can see all sorts of people bringing them into meetings to write notes and do presentations connected to a projector. I do not see it being that useful in the home market (other than as a standard computer), but what the heck do I know.What the hell do any of us know :). Interesting to speculate though.
I'll have to ask my partner about the graphics stuff - she's a high end graphic designer and a painter. My first thought is "the touch screen can't mimic her hand tools"... I figure that the accuracy of where she's touching the screen, the pressure she's exerting etc, will not be enough for real work
If it provids full laptop functionality (-minus keyboard) and a light pen with solid hand writting recognition, I would certainly consider purchasing. But don't skimp on power, needs those 2GH Core2 duo's) and a decent 3d video card. Great on the airplane also.There is a market for this (not for me), but if they do this then developers will write for it as if it's a laptop... they'll keep thinking inside the box. And if the software is written for a laptop but works on a tablet, many people will simply buy a laptop.
I can't forsee the other applications possible, but if Apple forces a shift in user and developers thinking then there's room for some great stuff. So far I've assumed the way to do this is to not be full power but fill a different niche (at least to start)... I may be wrong.
Most home authomation if I remeber correctly is based on X10 or something like that. If it is different than X10, then they would need to also sell little devices that connects to lights and other electical devices so they can be remotely controlled.Yeah, hopefully Apple would pick one of the standards and work with that - even if they also sell little devices to plug into lights etc. It's useful to be able to put a different brand in occassionally.
http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Automation/Display_Panels?Article=/Automation/Display%20Panels/H9R6N2M2The original article here is based on this smarthouse article, and has a link to it :) So unfortunately, the plot stays the same :)
Excluding the pro and business market is what puzzles me. I can see photographers, artists and others taking advantage of a light pen to draw, anotate, and edit photos. I can see all sorts of people bringing them into meetings to write notes and do presentations connected to a projector. I do not see it being that useful in the home market (other than as a standard computer), but what the heck do I know.What the hell do any of us know :). Interesting to speculate though.
I'll have to ask my partner about the graphics stuff - she's a high end graphic designer and a painter. My first thought is "the touch screen can't mimic her hand tools"... I figure that the accuracy of where she's touching the screen, the pressure she's exerting etc, will not be enough for real work
If it provids full laptop functionality (-minus keyboard) and a light pen with solid hand writting recognition, I would certainly consider purchasing. But don't skimp on power, needs those 2GH Core2 duo's) and a decent 3d video card. Great on the airplane also.There is a market for this (not for me), but if they do this then developers will write for it as if it's a laptop... they'll keep thinking inside the box. And if the software is written for a laptop but works on a tablet, many people will simply buy a laptop.
I can't forsee the other applications possible, but if Apple forces a shift in user and developers thinking then there's room for some great stuff. So far I've assumed the way to do this is to not be full power but fill a different niche (at least to start)... I may be wrong.
Most home authomation if I remeber correctly is based on X10 or something like that. If it is different than X10, then they would need to also sell little devices that connects to lights and other electical devices so they can be remotely controlled.Yeah, hopefully Apple would pick one of the standards and work with that - even if they also sell little devices to plug into lights etc. It's useful to be able to put a different brand in occassionally.
Josias
Aug 5, 01:42 PM
I'd kill for this!!! I hate osx msn messenger :(!
True, and if you wanna use your iSight for other than PhotoBooth, and have videochat over MSN, you will need something even worse called aMSN, found it in a MR guide...:p
Can Adium do videchat to MSN? (with audio! There's no audio on the videochat's in aMSN:mad: :p )
True, and if you wanna use your iSight for other than PhotoBooth, and have videochat over MSN, you will need something even worse called aMSN, found it in a MR guide...:p
Can Adium do videchat to MSN? (with audio! There's no audio on the videochat's in aMSN:mad: :p )
dernhelm
Nov 22, 05:38 AM
Not PC guys, but good industrial and interface designers will. Starting with a clean sheet with little or no knowledge on the subject is an advantage; you tend to have different perceptions on how things work/could work. This gives a far greater idea base with simpler implementations as a result.
Advantage Apple.
So Apple has an advantage here because they have no experience in a market where it traditionally takes to get a device right? No, Apple doesn't have an advantage, any more than they did with the iPod - but they didn't need that advantage then either.
Apple could change the way phones are made as well, but only if they rethink the device from the ground up. Most phones have too many features that it takes too long to figure out how to use, don't have enough battery life, and are too painful to get hooked up to your computer so you can transfer photos and songs back and forth. Apple has the synchronization stuff down. If you can sync it like an iPod - and charge it in the process, its already leaps above most phones out there. But they cannot miss the interface.
If they want a camera on it (optional in my opinion) they have to make it dirt simple to use (scroll wheel to zoom, middle button to snap) and to get the photos taken on it into iPhoto. Otherwise, skip it altogether. And please don't make me fumble around to find the right button to hit to answer a call. Open it to answer the call, close it to hang up. And if you aren't going to put the number buttons in a tranditional layout - don't put them on there at all. I don't have the time or energy to learn some idiotic circular arrangement. I'd rather you put the numbers up on a touch screen and let me smudge up my phone than deal with a non-standard button arrangement. It also has to be hearty - I don't have time for a phone that stops working if I drop it 3 feet onto a carpeted floor.
It goes on and on. And that is why the interviewee is saying it's so hard. Apple does a pretty good job of industrial design, but even they may need an iteration or two to get it right. And in the mean time the current players could play some catch up.
Advantage Apple.
So Apple has an advantage here because they have no experience in a market where it traditionally takes to get a device right? No, Apple doesn't have an advantage, any more than they did with the iPod - but they didn't need that advantage then either.
Apple could change the way phones are made as well, but only if they rethink the device from the ground up. Most phones have too many features that it takes too long to figure out how to use, don't have enough battery life, and are too painful to get hooked up to your computer so you can transfer photos and songs back and forth. Apple has the synchronization stuff down. If you can sync it like an iPod - and charge it in the process, its already leaps above most phones out there. But they cannot miss the interface.
If they want a camera on it (optional in my opinion) they have to make it dirt simple to use (scroll wheel to zoom, middle button to snap) and to get the photos taken on it into iPhoto. Otherwise, skip it altogether. And please don't make me fumble around to find the right button to hit to answer a call. Open it to answer the call, close it to hang up. And if you aren't going to put the number buttons in a tranditional layout - don't put them on there at all. I don't have the time or energy to learn some idiotic circular arrangement. I'd rather you put the numbers up on a touch screen and let me smudge up my phone than deal with a non-standard button arrangement. It also has to be hearty - I don't have time for a phone that stops working if I drop it 3 feet onto a carpeted floor.
It goes on and on. And that is why the interviewee is saying it's so hard. Apple does a pretty good job of industrial design, but even they may need an iteration or two to get it right. And in the mean time the current players could play some catch up.
NebulaClash
Apr 26, 03:35 PM
Oh, let's not get carried away. This will NEVER be PC vs Macs again. That was a unique historical situation that is not being repeated.
1. Apple has never led the phone market in market share. This is not a case of Apple "losing" to Android, since Apple has not lost anything. Both Apple and Android are growing gangbusters. Both are doing well, both will do well.
2. When the iPhone started, Steve Jobs wanted a small percentage of the market in the first year. He got more than that, and now has a percentage none of us would have believed possible back then. Apple is doing great.
3. The phone market is so vast, no one company will ever control it all. If that's your goal, forget it, Napolean, it won't happen. Not for Android, not for Apple, not for anyone.
4. If you are a developer, iOS is where it's at for getting compensation in a non-adware environment.
5. And yes, it is the iOS marketshare that matters to developers, because all those iPod touch owners buy apps too.
1. Apple has never led the phone market in market share. This is not a case of Apple "losing" to Android, since Apple has not lost anything. Both Apple and Android are growing gangbusters. Both are doing well, both will do well.
2. When the iPhone started, Steve Jobs wanted a small percentage of the market in the first year. He got more than that, and now has a percentage none of us would have believed possible back then. Apple is doing great.
3. The phone market is so vast, no one company will ever control it all. If that's your goal, forget it, Napolean, it won't happen. Not for Android, not for Apple, not for anyone.
4. If you are a developer, iOS is where it's at for getting compensation in a non-adware environment.
5. And yes, it is the iOS marketshare that matters to developers, because all those iPod touch owners buy apps too.
longofest
Aug 11, 08:57 AM
In other words, G5 PowerBooks next tuesday ;)
Plutonius
May 3, 10:42 PM
Please Vote
1) Does everyone agree that "Don't Panic" is the leader at the start of this game (his job is to send in our orders) ?
2) Do we leave the room in two groups as per "Don't Panic's" suggestion ?
I'll vote 1) Yes 2) Yes
1) Does everyone agree that "Don't Panic" is the leader at the start of this game (his job is to send in our orders) ?
2) Do we leave the room in two groups as per "Don't Panic's" suggestion ?
I'll vote 1) Yes 2) Yes
JGowan
Mar 29, 01:56 PM
Not much good in hyping up new products if many of your core components are unobtainable.Don't know if this is a blanket statement or if you're talking about Apple specifically. "Hyping" is an odd word and very negative. If you're talking about Apple marketing and advertising a product, that's hardly fair. Why? For one, it's their product so they need to advertise it. Secondly, they hardly advertise. I see from time to time a commercial on TV and from time to time, an ad. Hardly "hyping". They get most of their best advertisement from happy customers and those predicting Apple news. They're one company who doesn't really have to remind people that they are around. When they want free publicity, they just hold a press conference and the message gets out.
The Japanese are resilient, but it will take years for them to fully recover.For some, yes. But for those that are dynamic to the economies of other big companies/countries, they will get the support they need to get back into production of all the things that the world needs.
The Japanese are resilient, but it will take years for them to fully recover.For some, yes. But for those that are dynamic to the economies of other big companies/countries, they will get the support they need to get back into production of all the things that the world needs.
Megaman
Sep 11, 01:20 PM
With USB2, which transfers to iPod about the same speed as FW.
No its not. Fast, but not as fast.
No its not. Fast, but not as fast.
snberk103
May 4, 10:33 AM
So then you can't speak to whether or not it would actually be cost effective for the country to switch.
....
Switching to metric is short-term pain for long-term gain. Older people will need have both measures used for a few years. Some Engineers etc will need to hit the books again (but let's face it - if they can learn the formula's once, they can look up the "translation". It's not like they forget how the principles work).
The long-term advantages are:
1) Less freaking-out of kids who are weak in math. "If you have a stick that is 3' 7 13/16" and need to divide it into 3 equal sections, what is the length of the each section to the nearest 1/64 inch?" as opposed to "If you have a stick that 1233 mm long....." - and no, I didn't check to see if they are the same -
2) Same idea as above.... "If you have a tank filled with 450 cubic yards of water, and it is flowing out at a rate of 3 gallons a minute, how long does it take to empty?" as opposed to the metric system where 1000 litres of water is 1 cubic meter which is 1 tonne (approximately - since altitudes and temperatures affect the density of water).... but it's close enough for horseshoes....
3) Manufacturing. As the last industrialized country in the world still non-metric, do people really believe that there isn't a cost when a US factory has to retool to provide a product for export? Or understand that the cost of goods being imported from off-shore includes the cost of retooling for an non-metric customer? Do people not think that some small factories in the US have lost contracts to off-shore customers because they couldn't afford to switch to a metric size? And that some US factories have probably been forced to retool anyway when the sole supplier of a component wouldn't make a special run of non-metric fasteners?
Just asking. The days when the USA was top of the heap in manufacturing are past. The USA is now competing head to head with the rest of the world that has left behind bolts that are 3/16 diameter and 1 7/8 long and 12tpi.
....
Switching to metric is short-term pain for long-term gain. Older people will need have both measures used for a few years. Some Engineers etc will need to hit the books again (but let's face it - if they can learn the formula's once, they can look up the "translation". It's not like they forget how the principles work).
The long-term advantages are:
1) Less freaking-out of kids who are weak in math. "If you have a stick that is 3' 7 13/16" and need to divide it into 3 equal sections, what is the length of the each section to the nearest 1/64 inch?" as opposed to "If you have a stick that 1233 mm long....." - and no, I didn't check to see if they are the same -
2) Same idea as above.... "If you have a tank filled with 450 cubic yards of water, and it is flowing out at a rate of 3 gallons a minute, how long does it take to empty?" as opposed to the metric system where 1000 litres of water is 1 cubic meter which is 1 tonne (approximately - since altitudes and temperatures affect the density of water).... but it's close enough for horseshoes....
3) Manufacturing. As the last industrialized country in the world still non-metric, do people really believe that there isn't a cost when a US factory has to retool to provide a product for export? Or understand that the cost of goods being imported from off-shore includes the cost of retooling for an non-metric customer? Do people not think that some small factories in the US have lost contracts to off-shore customers because they couldn't afford to switch to a metric size? And that some US factories have probably been forced to retool anyway when the sole supplier of a component wouldn't make a special run of non-metric fasteners?
Just asking. The days when the USA was top of the heap in manufacturing are past. The USA is now competing head to head with the rest of the world that has left behind bolts that are 3/16 diameter and 1 7/8 long and 12tpi.