Apple device sized between iPhone, MacBook detected online

[AppleInsider]

Apple chief Steve Jobs' has dismissed any immediate plans to enter the netbook field, but a new discovery online points to a mystery device with a resolution in between its pocketable devices and its notebooks.

While expanding an article on Jobs' wait-and-see approach to netbooks, which are described as part of a young field, New York Times technology writer John Markoff remarked on Wednesday that a search engine firm has noticed an "unannounced product" from Apple in its web visit logs.

The company has asked not to have its name revealed but is willing to say the alleged hardware has a display resolution somewhere between iPhone 3G's 480x320 and the 1280x800 of the 13-inch MacBook. The device name itself is also kept secret.

Such a scope is unusually broad but still leaves any potential device in limbo regarding Apple's conventional lineup. With most display makers opting for widescreen LCDs, the most common choices from outside PC builders in between Apple's two extremes are 800x480 and 1024x600. The former resolution has been used by both netbooks and very high-resolution handhelds, while the latter is now used mostly by netbooks; neither would be a clear indication by itself. Another option, 720x480, is also used for some handhelds as well as DVDs.

However, Jobs' comments as well as known projects in development at Apple may provide insights as to Apple's ultimate direction should the unknown device translate to a shipping product rather than stand as one of the prototypes the company frequently shelves when it proves unfeasible.

Jobs himself downplays the importance of jumping into netbooks early and describes the iPhone is a "pretty good solution" for many of the functions of the mini-portables, which are usually counted upon for basic web browsing, chat and email.

Also, AppleInsider remains confident that the Cupertino, Calif.-based electronics maker is still developing its larger multi-touch tablet, which would provide more computer-like features and more screen area than either the iPhone or iPod touch. Although it's not known what if anything has changed since the device was pushed past its initially suggested launch timeframe, the hardware when first described was said to be about 50 percent larger than the iPhone and might use the extra breathing room for added software features.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[studiomusic]

Easy... this is someone that has a netbook and is using an iphone to tether to the internet.

[amac4me]

Jobs has been known to downplay a product or market and later on we see Apple release a product to compete with current players.

If this "device" has been detected online, perhaps we'll get some insight during MacWorld 09 or later next year.

[Olternaut]

Thanks for deleting my non-threatning post. Exactly how was my post upsetting to your thread or forum for that matter? If my post did not break any forum rules kindly re-post it please.

And yeah....mactouch ftw!

[Olternaut]

Originally Posted by amac4me

Jobs has been known to downplay a product or market and later on we see Apple release a product to compete with current players.

If this "device" has been detected online, perhaps we'll get some insight during MacWorld 09 or later next year.

Insight? Its going to debut at the next MacWorld.......right macronin....ireland?

[JeffDM]

It would be hard to be more vague than that.

How does a search engine know the screen size? Is there a javascript call that a web app can use, and then send that information back to the server?

[YTV]

1. Let's hope Apple really does release a netbook and release it soon. If you look at the top 25 Notebook sellers on Amazon, atleast 15 of them are netbooks. Right now I using a Dell Mini 9 with OSx. But I would gladly pay $7-$800 for an Apple netbook as long as it has the following:

MAX. 10 screen size
MAX. 3 lb weight
MAX 1 inch thickness
Glossy Screen
Non-soldered RAM

2. Steve pretty much shut the door on any type of tablet at the last event when the macbooks were released. Saying that Appleinsider is confident that Apple is still going to release one is pretty laughable. Seems like a tactic to get new users to visit the site when doing web searches.

[palegolas]

If everybody has an iPhone, would one want a "bigger iPhone OSX device" as well? And an iMac? I don't know how many Apple devices there are room for. A "bigger iPhone OSX device" would perhaps be that $500 computer just being dismissed by Jobs himself.

I must say, since I got an iPhone my lust after an Apple tablet has diminished to nearly zero. I already have an Apple tablet.. a very portable one.

[Olternaut]

Originally Posted by palegolas

If everybody has an iPhone, would one want a "bigger iPhone OSX device" as well? And an iMac? I don't know how many Apple devices there are room for. A "bigger iPhone OSX device" would perhaps be that $500 computer just being dismissed by Jobs himself.

I must say, since I got an iPhone my lust after an Apple tablet has diminished to nearly zero. I already have an Apple tablet.. a very portable one.

Steve says frequently that the public often hasn't a clue about what they want or need. Often times Steve has to show them!

[camroidv27]

Sorry folks, but no need to be alarmed. That was me surfing on my "NetMac Wind One EE".
Probably was just a person with OSX installed on an MSI Wind or Aspire One, or Asus EEEPc.

1024x600... that fits right between the two resolutions.

[NMR Guy]

How do they know this isn't just someone who has installed OS X on their linux/windows netbook?

[DoughBoy]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

It would be hard to be more vague than that.

How does a search engine know the screen size? Is there a javascript call that a web app can use, and then send that information back to the server?

There are some JavaScript functions available for getting the dimensions of the screen:
http://www.javascriptkit.com/howto/newtech3.shtml

My question is: Isn't it more likely that someone installed Mac OS X on an OQO or an Eee PC?

[Ensign Pulver]

Jobs' comments

Jobs's comments.

Why can't anybody get this right?

[Olternaut]

Originally Posted by DoughBoy

There are some JavaScript functions available for getting the dimensions of the screen:
http://www.javascriptkit.com/howto/newtech3.shtml

My question is: Isn't it more likely that someone installed Mac OS X on an OQO or an Eee PC?

I don't how that can be more likely.

[Kasper]

Originally Posted by Ensign Pulver

Jobs's comments.

Why can't anybody get this right?

It can be written either way.

[dizzy13]

Whats the difference in a netbook and a MacTouch? Couldn't this be some testing of a new MacTouch?

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

Originally Posted by Ensign Pulver

Jobs's comments.
Why can't anybody get this right?

Dude... either works. And "Jobs' Comments" is the best way to write it anyway...

[NMR Guy]

Originally Posted by Olternaut

I don't how that can be more likely.

msi-wind-netbook-running-apple-os-x-leopard

os-x-touchscreen-netbook-gigabyte-m912x

[krispie]

Originally Posted by Kasper

It can be written either way.

Yes, the right way and the wrong way.

[MartiNZ]

As I understand it, "Jobs's" would be correct. However, the 's is omitted for "Jesus'" so maybe there is something there .

[mrparet]

Originally Posted by krispie

Yes, the right way and the wrong way.

Both variations are acceptable under the English language rules. The form "Jobs'" is more common in publication because it saves ink. "Jobs's" is more common for uptight English professors. In everyday writing, however, they are interchangeable.

[Phone-UI-Guy]

Maybe it is safari support on Apple TV. While you couldn't use it well by itself, using an iPhone/iPod Touch as a touch/gesture remote would make a pretty cool web surfing experience at HD resolutions.

Probably just one of the many devices they have in their labs...

[rhowarth]

Umm, sure it's not just somebody editing the browser string on their web browser and/or changing their Display system preferences to a funny resolution? I can switch my MBP to 640x480, 720x480 (stretched) and a whole lot more for example.

[zunx]

Here it is:

Next Apple moves will be Books and Games…
http://spidouz.wordpress.com/2008/09...ooks-and-games

WILL BLOW COMPETITORS AWAY!

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by DoughBoy

My question is: Isn't it more likely that someone installed Mac OS X on an OQO or an Eee PC?

That would be my guess, too.

Originally Posted by krispie

Yes, the right way and the wrong way.

It seems like it's the ones whom are so adamant about spelling and grammar, that so often get it wrong.

—*Apple, Inc. = USA
— AppleInsider.com domain registration = USA
— Apple Insider writer country of residence = All USA (I think)
— Highest number of total English speakers = USA
— Highest number of 1st language as English speakers = USA
— Highest number of English speakers using the internet = USA
—*Michael Phelps = USA

So why would they write it in a British-ish manner.

[Charko]

Originally Posted by mrparet

Both variations are acceptable under the English language rules. The form "Jobs'" is more common in publication because it saves ink. "Jobs's" is more common for uptight English professors. In everyday writing, however, they are interchangeable.

At school in England, we were taught that both s' and s's are correct and neither is better. This is the reason that the first and shorter version is often preferred ... even by 'uptight English professors'.
It's more elegant.

This is Charles' opinion.

[Ireland]

This whole thread is nonsense, so a computer in a lab at Apple with an unrecognizable name surfs the web. "You mean Apple is working on new stuff?" Yeah, they are a technology company, they tend to all do that.

[robb01]

I cant wait to see what this is

______________________

[EyeNsteinNo]

iBrick

all clear plastic, looks like glass, see all the internal hardware
phone, 2 video cameras, iChat, all iPhone features, IPod priced
take it home, connects to TV, computers, range, lights, etc. (all at the time, of course)

PS, wife sez it better do the bank transfer every wednesday ON TIME.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by Ensign Pulver

Jobs's comments.

Why can't anybody get this right?

In my country, Jobs' is the correct way.

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by solipsism

...

—*Apple, Inc. = USA
— AppleInsider.com domain registration = USA
— Apple Insider writer country of residence = All USA (I think)
— Highest number of total English speakers = USA
— Highest number of 1st language as English speakers = USA
— Highest number of English speakers using the internet = USA
—*Michael Phelps = USA

So why would they write it in a British-ish manner.

wow.

Perhaps you did not intend it, but this is a really stuck up offensive comment (and quite wrong also).

In fact, more people speak and write English, than speak or write the American variant (by simple numbers that is). The US is actually not that big of a place dont'cha know.

Even if your numbers were accurate, it's still pretty offensive to tell the folks that originated the language, that you know it better than them and that your spelling is "more better" (to use an American term).

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2

wow.

Perhaps you did not intend it, but this is a really stuck up offensive comment (and quite wrong also).

In fact, more people speak and write English, than speak or write the American variant (by simple numbers that is). The US is actually not that big of a place dont'cha know.

Even if your numbers were accurate, it's still pretty offensive to tell the folks that originated the language, that you know it better than them and that your spelling is "more better" (to use an American term).

It wasn't meant to be offensive, but to show that so much of this site is US-centric, so why expect the grammar to be based on rules that are generally accepted in the UK? Both are acceptable, but in the US s' is much more common and considered standard. The only thing 'stuck up" I see is to expect a country that adopted a language to speak and write it the way you do as if the "original" is the only correct way, despite the fact that English has evolved from other languages, which include many, many loanwords. There is nothing pure about language, so you can't expect American English to follow standard British English rules.

here is a list of the number of English speakers on Wikipedia. For a better source you can check the CIA World Factbook.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English...total_speakers

[MacTel]

Sounds like it may be the Apple tablet.

[McDave]

Steve bags the Netbook but not a bigger iPhone/Cocoa Touch product. Enhancing a simple device makes a lot more sense to me than making a complex one smaller. A clamshell tablet would do the job for me and could seize an emerging market segment without damaging notebook sales

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by NMR Guy

msi-wind-netbook-running-apple-os-x-leopard

os-x-touchscreen-netbook-gigabyte-m912x

I was going to say that too. It is probably one of these two since MSI Wind and M912x both have a screen resolution of 1024×600. I know a friend who bought the MSI Wind because he needed very small and cheap laptop with Mac OS for travel.

[Mac-sochist]

I have no opinion as to whether this is indicative of any product plans or not, but I would love to see the iPhone/iPod Touch, perhaps with slightly smaller dot pitch or a slightly larger screen, able to display Standard-Definition TV at 640 x 480. That would be a huge milestone.

On the other subject, I was told in grade school (in the US, 40-50 years ago) that putting an extra s on the end of a possessive like that was completely illiterate. But--since everybody does it in speech, because it's unrecognizable as a possessive without it, isn't writing supposed to reflect language? Should we use different grammar in writing than in speech? I don't know...but I do know people need to relax a little bit on the subject.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by NasserAE

I was going to say that too. It is probably one of these two since MSI Wind and M912x both have a screen resolution of 1024×600. I know a friend who bought the MSI Wind because he needed very small and cheap laptop with Mac OS for travel.

Make that two people you know (even though I am virtual). I don't want to take a $2k mac with me when I backpack. The MSI Wind is perfect for travel from a cost ratio is lost/stolen, basic functionality, small size for packing in a 12" Ziplock freezer bag, and the ability to run OSx86 well.

[indiekiduk]

yup i have a friend running os x on a MSI Wind. I would have got one myself if the screen wasn't so shit - it has big pixels like a DS.

[ascii]

Originally Posted by rhowarth

Umm, sure it's not just somebody editing the browser string on their web browser and/or changing their Display system preferences to a funny resolution? I can switch my MBP to 640x480, 720x480 (stretched) and a whole lot more for example.

Exactly. Someone out there with bad eyesight is using their Mac at a low resolution and the whole web gets in a tizzy.

[plokoonpma]

Could be a military prototype. After Apple bought PA Semi and the late push of The USA Department of Defense to ensure Apple will continue to supply the military with the needed chips the link between both sides got stronger and showed a massive adoption of iPod Touch and iPhones by the military. Those devices are heavily used on the field since now have the ability to be used even as a translation tool and can be erased remotely.
Wont surprise me that they asked for something else to suit some needs they have. After all the comments that had military on the iPhone 3g guided tour video.