By Sam OliverPublished: 08:35 AM ESTAdding fuel to rumors of a so-called "netbook" under development inside Apple, Reuters is now citing its own sources in saying the touchscreens ordered by the company measure 10 inches diagonally.In a report published early Wednesday morning, the media outlet pointed to an unnamed source who said the Cupertino-based electronics maker "will take third-quarter delivery of newly developed 10-inch touchscreens from Taiwan."The source, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to talk to the media, added the screens would come from long-time iPhone touchscreen supplier Wintek, which resides in Taiwan.As was the case with the sources of a similar article run Tuesday by Dow Jones, the insider speaking to Reuters maintained no knowledge of "what the final product would be."Speculation that the product at hand would be a scaled-down, budget notebook popularly known as a "netbook" was sparked earlier in the week when the Chinese-language Commercial Times broke the story on Apple's plans to acquire touchscreens much larger than those employed by its iPhone and iPod touch handheld products.Although the source speaking to the Far Eastern publication similarly denied knowledge of the product for which the screens are destined, the report was syndicated by Taiwanese-based DigiTimes under the title "Wintek to supply touch panels for Apple netbook."For its part, AppleInsider believes the new screens are more likely to turn up in a final version of the company's much-anticipated Newton/Web tablet, which has been under development for around three years now after facing a number of bumps and hurdles.Members of Apple's leadership have been clear in their remarks about conventional netbooks which they feel are "principally based on hardware that's much less powerful than [...] customers want, software technology that is not good, cramped keyboards, [and] small displays."Last fall, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs referred to the segment as a "nascent category" while adding that to the best of his knowledge, "there's not a lot of them being sold."That said, he noted that Apple keeps a close eye on netbooks, and even went on to tease that the company has "some pretty interesting ideas" should the segment evolve into something bigger.Those same sentiments were echoed earlier this year by Jobs' right-hand man, chief operating officer Tim Cook, who has assumed day-to-day control of the company while Jobs takes medical leave through June to address a complicated nutritional problem contributing to his rapid weight loss."We don't think people will be pleased with those [netbook] products," he told analysts during a conference call. "It's a category we watch, we've got some ideas here, but right now we think the products are inferior and will not provide an experience to customers they're happy with."For more on the subject, see AppleInsider's Newton topics page, which dates back to September 2007, when we first reported word of a next-generation Newton-like tablet under development at Apple.
I never fully believed the Apple tablet was real beyond dreams, until I heard these words over my phone: "Hey, it's [redacted]. I may or may not have sat in some Apple meetings for the tablet." I was driving, and swerved a little bit, even though both hands were on the wheel. Someone honked at me."What was that?" They repeated themselves.I switched on Bluetooth and pulled over to the side of the road to hear the story. You see, earlier in the day I'd given my phone number out to someone who sent me a cryptic email wanting to talk Apple. This must have been them. (Later on I verified to a high level of certainty that they were in the position to have access to the information and after talking to them for over an hour, I believe them to the same level of certainty.)"The device, which I've held mock ups of, is going to have a 10 inch screen, and when I saw it looked just like a giant iPhone, with a black back— although that design could change at any time" they said, "with the same black resin back, and the familiar home button." That's obvious."But it will come in two editions, one with a webcam and one for educational use." Educational use?They continued to explain the device as something that would sit between an iPod/iPhone and a MacBook, and would cost $700 to $900—"More than twice as much as a netbook," they said.To make up for that cost and make the device more than just a big iPod there was, this person claimed, there was talk of making the device act as a secondary screen/touchpad for iMacs and MacBooks, much like a few of the USB screens that have come out in recent months from Chinese companies. Very interesting.They went on to say that although the project has been going on under various names between four and six years, the first prototype was built around the end of 2008. Adding, "The time to market from first prototype is generally 6-9 months." That would place the device's release date in this holiday season. They then said, "There was a question of what OS the device would run, too." (Other people I've talked to have implied this remains a huge secret.)My call dropped on some windy road off Skyline Drive. Fucking AT&T.Later, I asked, was there a code name for the project?"Yes...[redacted]." I thought about it for a second, googled the term, and it all made sense. "Don't publish that name, please," they requested.Don't worry, I won't.
It’s looking more and more likely that Apple will release a 10-inch tablet computer in early 2010.Even if you’re sick of Apple tablet rumors, we promise you’ll like this one. The latest update comes from a tipster with a solid track record, which reinforces previous reports that Apple will deliver a tablet in early 2010. The tipster also shares details on the rumored product’s specifications.ILounge, an iPod and iPhone blog, cites a source who claims Apple plans to announce a tablet by Jan. 19, 2010. The tipster claims the tablet will measure 10.7 inches (diagonally) and will run the iPhone operating system.The tablet will sport a higher resolution than the iPhone or iPod Touch screen: “Expect something like 5-6 times the resolution of an iPod Touch or iPhone screen (720p or thereabouts) and 7 times the touchable surface area,” writes iLounge.Also, there will be one version equipped with 3G networking and one without. This would make the 3G model a bigger version of the iPhone, and the non-3G tablet a larger iPod Touch.This particular report raises the likelihood of an Apple tablet landing in stores soon. ILounge says this is the same source who was spot on when leaking details on the fifth-generation iPod Nano prior to its Sept. 9 launch. That same source was also accurate with its description of the fourth-generation iPod Nano before its release.ILounge’s source also said the tablet would specialize “as a slate-like replacement for books and magazines.” Wired.com in previous months has argued that an Apple tablet would pose a serious threat to the Amazon Kindle as well as the Amazon.com e-book store. We speculated that Apple could integrate an e-book section into the iTunes Store, giving it the potential to shake up the publishing industry.Are you getting overwhelmed by the flurry of tablet news? We don’t blame you. Here are the rumors that have been echoed by several publications: * Steve Jobs has had a heavy hand in the tablet’s development. Sources: Wall Street Journal, AppleInsider, Barron’s, iLounge * The Apple tablet will launch in early 2010. Sources: AppleInsider, TheLoop, iLounge, Barron’s * The tablet will look like a larger iPod Touch or iPhone, measuring approximately 10 inches. Sources: Gizmodo, AppleInsider, Barron’s, iLounge, InfoTimes * The tablet will cost between $700 and $900, positioning it between the iPhone/iPod Touch and Apple’s notebooks. Sources: Gizmodo, InfoTimes, Barron’s * The tablet will come in two versions. Gizmodo’s source claims one model will feature a webcam (perhaps for videoconferencing) while the other will focus on education. A camera-equipped tablet would make more sense on the 3G-equipped tablet described by iLounge’s source; likewise, a camera-less version of the tablet could be the non-3G tablet mentioned by iLounge’s source. Sources: Gizmodo, iLoungeHave any doubt left in an Apple tablet? We don’t. But there’s so much here that if the tablet turns out to be a media-fabricated illusion, even David Copperfield would be impressed.
CrunchPad Almost Ready for Prime TimeIan PaulTechCrunch yesterday released conceptual drawings of the prototype for its Web tablet project, called the CrunchPad. The simplified device is a touch-screen tablet designed specifically for Web surfing, video chat, and light e-mail use.Photo courtesy of TechCrunchThere are no physical models of the product yet, but TechCrunch plans on having prototypes of the final device within the next few weeks. There isn't a lot of information on the device, but based on what we know the CrunchPad will have an Intel Atom chipset, two USB ports, a Webcam and microphone. The CrunchPad operating system is custom-built Linux software that boots directly into a Web browser based on the open source browser engine, WebKit. The last CrunchPad we saw had a plastic frame and came in three colors, but now they've decided to go with an aluminum case to reduce the device's thickness, according to TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington. Arrington did not say whether the final version of the CrunchPad would come in a variety of colors.There are no dimension specs on the previous prototypes, but if the launch model of the CrunchPad works out as planned, the device's thickness will be less than an inch, and the screen will be flush with the CrunchPad's aluminum casing.The company also released a previously unseen YouTube video showing the plastic CrunchPad prototype in action. When you turn on the device, you are presented with more than 30 round launch badges to popular Web destinations including Gmail, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, The New York Times, Yahoo, MSN, and others. A swipe to the right opens a Web page, and further swipes to the right navigate to any other Web pages you have open. You can scroll up and down a Web page from the far right side of the CrunchPad screen. A swipe up from the middle of the screen calls up a keyboard with device controls and integrated search buttons for Wikipedia, YouTube and others. A center screen down swipe displays a crossbar with all your open Web pages for faster navigation than constant right swipes. There were also four tabs at the top of the CrunchPad's homepage, but their functions were not specified.While the CrunchPad looks impressive, the device wasn't able to deliver a smooth video stream from YouTube during the demo video. The developer showing off the device blamed the problems on a poor Internet connection. There were also problems with some of the gesture controls, since some movements for navigating a Web page and getting around the device are similar.This is the final information TechCrunch is planning to release on their device until a special press event next month. Arrington did not specify what would happen at the event, but presumably TechCrunch will announce a launch date and provide an official demo of the final CrunchPad. There's still no word on pricing, but Arrington previously said he wanted to develop a sub-$300 device. The CrunchPad is being developed by TechCrunch in partnership with Fusion Garage, and Arrington says TechCrunch is in negotiations with "key partners" to bring the device to market.The CrunchPad has been in development since July 2008, as a sort of protest against the fact that mainstream computer makers have yet to bring a cheap, Web tablet device to market. However, Apple is widely rumored to be developing its own tablet device; however, there's no word on whether the Apple tablet would be a simplified Web surfing device or Apple's answer to the netbook phenomenon. Most tech watchers believe Cupertino will not unveil their tablet, assuming it's real, during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference next week. But it will be interesting to see if Arrington's CrunchPad announcement, and a presumably imminent product launch, prompts any changes in Apple's plans at WWDC.
Asus confirms Apple slate tablet on the way?By Kevin C. Tofel | Tuesday, November 6, 2007 | 8:48 AM CT | 6 comments | Tweet This (5)Apple_touch_screen_tablet_smallWhile debate rages on in regards to the death of the slate UMPC, the rumors of an Apple slate Tablet continue on as well. Only this time, there’s actually a source that’s credible: Asus. That’s what Crave is suggesting based on conversations with Asus, who is a large manufacturer for Apple. “We checked back with our source at Asus on a different day and they confirmed that the Apple Tablet will not be based on existing Asus designs such as the R1. It will come from a completely new blueprint, possibly based on the patent Apple filed back in May 2005. We’re guessing it’ll be based on Intel Core architecture, a tweaked version of Leopard, and have all the multi-touch, CoverFlow goodness we’ve seen in the iPhone and iPod touch.”It certainly wouldn’t surprise me when a large portion of the hardware and software components are out there; not to mention the various patents waiting to see light of day. The unanswered questions then are: will it have a virtual, on-screen keyboard like the iPhone? Maybe, but what works on a handheld device doesn’t always equate perfectly on a larger device. Will Inkwell rise again or is there some new handwriting recognition project going on in Cupertino. For that matter, will there even be handwriting recognition on such a device?
(http://modmyi.com/images/Messany/apple%20tablet.jpg)Yesterday on Modmyi we covered hints about a January release of an Apple tablet. Today we are gathering even more intriguing details.This could be the moment of truth for Apple as the mythical tablet device may finally be introduced to a rabid consumer base longing for such a product. This holiday weekend, people are buzzing and ramping up wild speculation about the possibility of the tablet being unveiled on January 26th.According to the latest news emanating from Cupertino, Apple will hold a media event in San Francisco on January 26th to make what is being called a "major product announcement." PC World is reporting that Apple may reveal the tablet at the Yerba Buena Arts Center, the very location where Steve Jobs took the stage for Apple's last major media event in September.There are other rumors to back up this story. Business Insider reports that Apple will demonstrate the tablet in January. Business Insider also says that Apple has told select developers to get ready, saying their apps will run fine if they've been designed for full-screen resolution. The New York Times reports, via an unnamed senior Apple employee, that Steve Jobs is "extremely happy" with the device. No one's saying the device will launch next month -- March seems more likely -- but it'll be the first time Apple actually comes clean with its plans.Indeed, that's a lot of information to chew on. But this report marks the first occasion where we now have some concrete evidence to base our speculation of a forthcoming tablet upon. As it stands, we can point to a major media event, clues from Apple about a huge product release, and an assortment of sources claiming that Steve Jobs is finally happy with the prototype tablet - something we have not heard before.So will January 26th be D-Day for the Apple tablet? I'm banking on it. But while a tablet may finally come down the pike, no one knows for sure how the device will look and function, let alone what it will cost. If anything can rival the number of rumors circulated about when an Apple tablet would launch, it's the number of theories presented about the specs of the yet-to-be released device.For some perspective on how ridiculous the rumor mill has become, think of all the Apple tablet coverage you've read over the past half year, then try to tell someone at your next holiday dinner party what the device will be. You really can't: reports about the device's capabilities and design have been all over the map.Image via PC World
Apple Bought iSlate.com — Perhaps for a Tablet?tablet_5a1Clever online sleuthing over the weekend led to the discovery of iSlate.com, a domain Apple purchased in 2007. Could the company’s rumored tablet device be called the iSlate?Wired’s friend Arnold Kim of MacRumors sniffed out the domain-name registrant history, which revealed Apple as the owner of iSlate.com as of 2007. The website is currently inactive, but Kim speculates Apple could be reserving the domain for a tablet product, which is rumored for a January 2010 announcement.The “Whois” record of iSlate.com provides solid evidence that Apple bought the domain in 2007 and subsequently transferred the address to MarkMonitor.com, a registrar that handles domain registrations for several companies, including Apple. The purpose of the move is presumably to help obscure products prior to release.That said, it’s still inconclusive that iSlate will be the name of an Apple touchscreen tablet. (It is, after all, still inconclusive that an Apple tablet even exists.) It’s possible iSlate is one of many candidates for a product name — Apple could have chosen several others and purchased domains for those, as well.But the iSlate mystery only gets more interesting. Further investigation by TechCrunch revealed iSlate was registered as a trademark in 2006 by an unknown Delaware-based company called Slate Computing. No such company appears with a quick web search. The theory is Slate Computing is a dummy corporation set up to conceal Apple as the true owner of the trademark. Apple employed a similar trick with the iPhone trademark, originally filed by Ocean Telecom Services, another anonymous Delaware-based company.Finally, the iSlate trademark application reveals the signatory of Regina Porter, who, according to her LinkedIn profile, is Apple’s senior trademark specialist. It seems safe to conclude that the owner of the iSlate trademark is Apple.Comes off as awfully protective, doesn’t it? However, it’s difficult to tell whether secretly registering trademarks and domains so far in advance is a standard procedure for Apple when deciding on product names. We’re in the process of contacting lawyers to get their perspective on Apple’s moves. We’ll keep you posted.Long story short, Apple at least considered iSlate as the name for a product and took measures to stealthily reserve it. Whether Apple delivers an iSlate next month, this is a marvelous example of internet-detective work.
Apple introducfe the new tablet. IPAD. (http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/appletablet/appletabletb99.jpg)(http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/appletablet/appletabletb106.jpg)(http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/appletablet/appletabletb124.jpg)
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Topic: iPad- yes, the name is correct. (Read 2419 times)
