Larger Apple multi-touch devices move beyond prototype stage

[AppleInsider]

There's a 50-50 chance that Apple will introduce new form factor multi-touch devices at its developers conference next week, ushering the company into the ultra-mobile computing space, one Wall Street analyst says.

"We believe there is a 50% chance that a new form factor will be introduced, marking Apple's entrance into the emerging "MID" or mobile internet device market," American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu wrote in a report to clients Thursday. "Our sources indicate 4-inch and 7-inch touchscreen devices beyond prototype stage that are a cross between a Mac and iPod touch."

It's believed the analyst is referring to a long-running skunkworks project at Cupertino-based electronics maker, first reported by AppleInsider last September, aimed at producing a more capable, modern day reincarnation of its Newton MessagePad that will also dual as an Internet tablet and more.

Still, Wu hedges his bets somewhat on an introduction at next week's Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, explaining that "exact timing of production isn't clear." He added, however, that he believes "it is inevitable that Apple will bring more touchscreen devices to market" that will further leverage its trademark multi-touch technology first introduced on the iPhone.

More certain is the analyst on Apple's iPhone-related announcements for the conference. He said supply chain sources indicate at least two new models of the touch-screen handset will make an appearance, including a much anticipated version that will run on so-called 3G networks for $399 to $499, in addition to a revised 2.5G version that will sell for $50 to $100 less than today's $399 introductory price.

"Our sense is that Apple is more focused on driving volume compared to a year ago, raising the possibility of carrier subsidies as likely," the analyst told clients. "In terms of features, we are picking up on an improved virtual keyboard with haptics giving it a more tactile feel, GPS and improved location services, and thinner and lighter casing that is more durable and inexpensive to produce."

Wu defended his belief that Apple will continue to market a 2.5G iPhone by noting that 3G coverage is still relatively small and concentrated globally compared to 2.5G technology. In many parts of the world such as Latin and South America where the iPhone has potential with a high number of subscribers, "having just a 3G version to offer doesn't make much technical and economic sense," he said. "The components in a 3G phone are more expensive, not to mention consume more battery power and generate more heat."

The AmTech analyst also told clients that while WWDC has traditionally been a forum for Apple to introduce new Mac systems, that's unlikely to be the case this year due to a conflict in deployment schedules.

"While we believe it makes logical sense for Apple to introduce new Macs at WWDC, our sources indicate radically refreshed portable Macs most likely won't be ready for volume production until the September quarter," he explained. "We believe we could end up with a 'special event' in calendar quarter three to announce these new Macs."

Wu advised Apple investors that shares of the company are often volatile around keynotes by chief executive Steve Jobs, like the one set for Monday, but nevertheless reiterated his Buy rating and $220 price target.

"With new products widely anticipated, we do not have a good feel for how the stock will trade on new product announcements, which are sometimes 'sell the news' events," he wrote. "We would take advantage of weakness to add to positions."

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[cosmic68]

1st?

50% chance?

80.8% of all statistics are made up.

[merdhead]

Makes sense to me, a 3G version for people who must have it and a cheaper 2G version for people who mostly want to talk. The mid sized tablet is also sensible, but I don't know how much of a cross between an iPhone and a Mac it will be. I think it will be a larger Touch if it exists.

[gordy]

There has been no real movement in the MID sector. I doubt Apple releases such a product, until the platform gains some momentum. Old Apple, sure, but not the new Apple.

[solipsism]

Quick, hide this thread from Ireland!

Originally Posted by cosmic68

50% chance?

They either will or won't release a new device. Hence, 50/50.

[Tailpipe]

This is very exciting news. It's a question of 'when' not 'if'.

We will probably see prototype devices long before the real thing is launched. So it is quite possible that the technology will be unveiled at WWDC. I wouldn't bet on a commercial model appearing before January 2009 at the earliest.

However long it takes to get it right, i think it'll be worth the wait. I see such a device as ushering in a new era of computing. We spent the first 30 years of the IT Age getting the coding of instructions right and the programs which have emerged have created a robust framework for a series of devices that go way beyond any traditional definition of a computer.

What I love about Apple is that it creates products which allow us to focus on the purpose for which they were created rather than on the reliability of the systems themselves. Sure, there are still glitches with OSX, but overall the interface is just so slick and user- friendly that any Apple is a delight to use. Sorry, to sound like an ad for Apple, but it's true.

The traditional keyboard is a barrier to ease-of-use. Touch screens that enable a raft of application-specific commands to be inputted quickly and easily will make life much better. But they are only the beginning of many radical new interface types. Apples MacTouch, or whatever they call it, is the first of the next generation but not the last by any means. I believe that we are still at the dawn of computing.

I am sure a computer we can interact with just by speaking to it, is just around the corner. How long will it be before a computer (artificial intelligence or robot if you prefer the title) becomes a genuine substitute for a human being? Not long if you ask me.

If you had to put your money on any one company to develop truly artificial intelligence, then it has to be Apple. Eat your heart out US Robots.

[vinney57]

Its 53/47% surely?

[vinney57]

Have to agree with Gordy. There WILL be an Apple 'TouchBook' and it will kick arse, but not just yet. The Apple style theses days is to let a market penetrate the public psyche, then blow away the competition.

[Clive At Five]

Kasper, anyone, can I personalize my AppleInsider homepage to automatically block any article containing the words, "Shaw Wu" (or "analyst" for that matter)...? They contain no new information, are a rebroadcasting of past AI headlines, and, quite honestly, a waste of my time.

Thank you.

-Clive

[xflare]

LOL These analysts make me laugh!!!!!

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by Tailpipe

This is very exciting news. It's a question of 'when' not 'if'.

We will probably see prototype devices long before the real thing is launched. So it is quite possible that the technology will be unveiled at WWDC. I wouldn't bet on a commercial model appearing before January 2009 at the earliest.

However long it takes to get it right, i think it'll be worth the wait. I see such a device as ushering in a new era of computing. We spent the first 30 years of the IT Age getting the coding of instructions right and the programs which have emerged have created a robust framework for a series of devices that go way beyond any traditional definition of a computer.

What I love about Apple is that it creates products which allow us to focus on the purpose for which they were created rather than on the reliability of the systems themselves. Sure, there are still glitches with OSX, but overall the interface is just so slick and user- friendly that any Apple is a delight to use. Sorry, to sound like an ad for Apple, but it's true.

The traditional keyboard is a barrier to ease-of-use. Touch screens that enable a raft of application-specific commands to be inputted quickly and easily will make life much better. But they are only the beginning of many radical new interface types. Apples MacTouch, or whatever they call it, is the first of the next generation but not the last by any means. I believe that we are still at the dawn of computing.

I am sure a computer we can interact with just by speaking to it, is just around the corner. How long will it be before a computer (artificial intelligence or robot if you prefer the title) becomes a genuine substitute for a human being? Not long if you ask me.

If you had to put your money on any one company to develop truly artificial intelligence, then it has to be Apple. Eat your heart out US Robots.

You're off with the fairies. Touch screen computers have more problems than solutions, though they have benefits for smaller sized computers. Things like voice control sap battery life and have various usability problems. Maybe in 20 years, but not just now.

As far as artificial intelligence, having predicted it is 20 years away for the last 60, I'd say there is Buckley's, maybe not in our life time. There isn't even a good definition for what intelligence is, so there is very little chance of them building it any time soon. Wining chess tournaments is not AI, btw.

Apple makes nice machines and software, but on the scale of things it's pretty standard. It's not bleeding edge. Most of the hard science and technology is done by their suppliers. Apple is on top of the heap of what are standard computer makers which form the industry. It's like Mercedes Benz. They make nice cars and invented the automobile, but they make a product that has 95% in common with every other car model made.

[Cedric]

All I want is a 32GB 3G iPhone...
That's it.

[sausage&Onion]

There is also a 50-50 chance that Christ will descend on his throne likened to a meteor and reveal himself as Steve Jobs. Lo, the Lord shall hand to us a 7" multi-touch tablet that will deliver sexual favors for the righteous and shall run a pure snowy white version of OSX.

[Virgil-TB2]

Here's a prediction for you...

If Apple is producing two new devices with 4 and 7 inch screens respectively, I predict the little one will be a wireless trackpad. I am probably biased here because it's something I have been wanting for a while, but it makes sense to me.

Everyone I know that bought the MacBook Air, bought some kind of little bluetooth mouse to go with it, but everyone I know that bought an Air *also* found that they didn't actually need (or want) to use a mouse anymore.

IMO the multi-touch trackpad on the Air makes mice irrelevant for pretty much the first time ever. If Apple produced a reasonably cheap bluetooth trackpad that did the same thing I would buy one in a second and I think a lot of others would also.

How many times can you clean that silly little ball on the mighty mouse before thinking that there has to be a better way? I wouldn't put it past Jobs to actually discontinue the mighty mouse and announce "the death of the mouse" in some dramatic fashion, since Apple basically started us using mice in the first place.

[SCOLLAND]

If anything, I would suggest that a new form factor will coincide with 'Snow Leopard'.

This rumour gives substance to the rumour that 10.6 will be nerely an 'efficinecy' upgrade as I as sure Steve would love to tell everyone how it runs a full version of OS X incredibly fast with a low power processor, and hours of batterey life.

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by sausage&Onion

There is also a 50-50 chance that Christ will descend on his throne likened to a meteor and reveal himself as Steve Jobs. Lo, the Lord shall hand to us a 7" multi-touch tablet that will deliver sexual favors for the righteous and shall run a pure snowy white version of OSX.

You forgot the bit where he smites the unbeliever Vista users and delivers seven years of pestilence and seven years of famine.

Also I heard Christ is coming down because he needs to go to the Genius Bar regarding a warranty issue on his white MacBook.

[merdhead]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

Here's a prediction for you...

If Apple is producing two new devices with 4 and 7 inch screens respectively, I predict the little one will be a wireless trackpad. I am probably biased here because it's something I have been wanting for a while, but it makes sense to me.

Everyone I know that bought the MacBook Air, bought some kind of little bluetooth mouse to go with it, but everyone I know that bought an Air *also* found that they didn't actually need (or want) to use a mouse anymore.

IMO the multi-touch trackpad on the Air makes mice irrelevant for pretty much the first time ever. If Apple produced a reasonably cheap bluetooth trackpad that did the same thing I would buy one in a second and I think a lot of others would also.

How many times can you clean that silly little ball on the mighty mouse before thinking that there has to be a better way? I wouldn't put it past Jobs to actually discontinue the mighty mouse and announce "the death of the mouse" in some dramatic fashion, since Apple basically started us using mice in the first place.

Mice and faster and more accurate than trackpads. Multi-touch makes no difference to this.

[blufire]

I thought we saw screens from 2.0 that showed an option for turning 3G on and off. I assume if you turn 3G off, it'll revert to 2.5G (right?) So why would they need to ship two different versions? I think that would only cause customer confusion and increase production costs.

[bukweet]

I was thinking about this last night... what would happen if you mated an iMac with an iPod Touch...

Envision a device that's "all screen," and about the size of a MacBook display.

Now imagine that this "screen" had complete multi-touch capabilities, as well as bluetooth, allowing connection with an optional bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Also throw in WiFi and FireWire and USB ports.

A final component of the package would be an easily detachable mounting stand, to allow the screen to be viewed while using a keyboard & mouse.

Such a "hybrid" device would nicely function as both a mobile tablet, and also as a basic desktop computer.

I'd call it the "iPAD".

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Quick, hide this thread from Ireland!

They either will or won't release a new device. Hence, 50/50.

That chuckle is for both jokes! I say we won't see it. Wu knows nothing. He reads what we say here and comes to conclusions based on our collective consciousness.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by blufire

I thought we saw screens from 2.0 that showed an option for turning 3G on and off. I assume if you turn 3G off, it'll revert to 2.5G (right?) So why would they need to ship two different versions? I think that would only cause customer confusion and increase production costs.

The predicted or wished comments for dual versions are usually for a larger more full featured 3G iPhone (perhaps with GPS) and a smaller 2G iPhone with less capacity and a much lower pricepoint. The smaller one perhaps even being a flip phone or have a physical number pad. I don't think we'll see that, but plenty of people do.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by bukweet

I'd call it the "iPAD".

Would you? Please don't ever work for Apple then. I don't want them getting any of your ideas.

A pad is something a lady uses, and it's not sexy. It will be called Mac touch - cause that's why!

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by bukweet

I was thinking about this last night... what would happen if you mated an iMac with an iPod Touch....

I predict Ireland will reply to your post with an image.

edit: Doh! I was wrong.

[Jensonb]

Originally Posted by SCOLLAND

If anything, I would suggest that a new form factor will coincide with 'Snow Leopard'.

This rumour gives substance to the rumour that 10.6 will be nerely an 'efficinecy' upgrade as I as sure Steve would love to tell everyone how it runs a full version of OS X incredibly fast with a low power processor, and hours of batterey life.

I'm with you 100%, the Tablet will be released alongside Snow Leopard, which it will run. Snow Leopard will incorporate Leopard (With all the fixes and tweaks) and pervasive Multi-Touch derived from OS X touch (I refuse to call it iPhone OS). Amongst the tweaks will be the efficiency of which you speak.

[macwarrior]

I know better than to believe everything that "analysts" say, but the idea of a newer 2.5G iPhone is pretty cool to me.

Is there any advantage to a 3G connection other than a fast data-link? I'm interested in the iPhone because it's a telephone with a full OS and a wi-fi connection, not so much to be able to get internet everywhere. If Apple decided to make a phone with the existing data connection, but the other new features people have been talking about (GPS, videoconferencing, etc) and a smallish SSD (8-16 GB) in a package the same size or smaller -- that would be perfect. Tiny little internet tablet that also works as a phone.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by solipsism

I predict Ireland will reply to your post with an image.

edit: Doh! I was wrong.

[ncee]

There is ALWAYS a 50/50 chance something will happen.

Skip

[NasserAE]

What else they didn't expect for Monday?!

[Ex Ireland]

Originally Posted by ncee

There is ALWAYS a 50/50 chance something will happen.

Skip

Actually, there's always a 100% chance that SOMETHING will happen!

[GQB]

Originally Posted by merdhead

Makes sense to me, a 3G version for people who must have it and a cheaper 2G version for people who mostly want to talk. The mid sized tablet is also sensible, but I don't know how much of a cross between an iPhone and a Mac it will be. I think it will be a larger Touch if it exists.

Unless there were must-have features available only on the 3G phone (5 MegaPixel camera, GPS), I'd be perfectly happy with a lower cost 2.5 G.
On the rare occasions where I haven't had wifi access on my touch but need to look something up, existing iPhone speeds are perfectly sufficient.

I think this would be a good approach.

As for 7" tablet?

[bclapper]

Originally Posted by ncee

There is ALWAYS a 50/50 chance something will happen.

I either will or won't buy a Ferrari tomorrow but the the chances are not 50% in favour

[Maxime]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Quick, hide this thread from Ireland!




They either will or won't release a new device. Hence, 50/50.

Well, even a monkey could have told you that. lol

Hell, I can tell you Apple has a 50/50 chance of launching a rocket to Mars next year. Either they will or they wont! lol

[aaarrrgggh]

Originally Posted by merdhead

Mice and faster and more accurate than trackpads. Multi-touch makes no difference to this.

A pen stylus or digitizer is more accurate, but a trackpad is at least as good as a mouse. It's considerably better from a workflow perspective if most of your work is on the keyboard and your "mouse" usage is minimal.

Not sure how multi-touch would add much, but there are some gestures that beat a "standard" configuration. I wish I could use multi-touch in AutoCAD (in OSX as well if I am going to dream).

[cosmic68]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Quick, hide this thread from Ireland!




They either will or won't release a new device. Hence, 50/50.

*gasps*

really? that never occurred to me! are you 80.8% sure?

[macinthe408]

Apple should make a Chumby-like device. I'd buy one. I currently use my iPhone for similar purposes, using it at the couch when I am too lazy to get up and go to the computer room.

An Apple Chumby...hmmmm.

[pik.]

just really want badly e Mac Touch...or Alu Macbook....

come on....

[zunx]

Something like this to run a full Mac OS X to be used for full wired and wireless presentations:

OQO model2
http://www.oqo.com

Why? Because we do NOT want to carry large and heavy MacBooks (yes, even the MacBook Air is too large and too heavy for us). We want to make Keynote and PowerPoin presentations on our Macs, move them to the new device as NATIVE FILES (NOT EXPORTED OR ELSE) and carry it and ony it in the pocket to the classroom or scientific meeting or whatever and use the device for the videopresentation. Make it with true FireWire and Ethernet ports and we will buy thousands for our University. For that, the new Intel Atom chip could be just great!

[Jensonb]

Originally Posted by ncee

There is ALWAYS a 50/50 chance something will happen.

Skip

Actually, there's a 100% chance it will rain

[solsun]

Originally Posted by Ireland

That chuckle is for both jokes! I say we won't see it. Wu knows nothing. He reads what we say here and comes to conclusions based on our collective consciousness.

Amen to that... He has used a nearly word for word quote from one of my posts here regarding WWDC a few years back..

[SpamSandwich]

There's a 50/50 chance that Shaw Wu loses his job after WWDC. Deal with it, Wu.