New Apple tablet rumor: Larger form factor running Mac OS X
Citing a "100 percent reliable" source, a new report alleges that Apple has fully working prototypes of 13-inch and 15-inch touchscreen tablets, with one model running Mac OS X.
The rumor reported Friday by Gizmodo states that the two new devices could be in addition to the long-rumored 10-inch device believed to be coming in early 2010.
"This source claims that the two touchscreen prototypes -- made of aluminum, but on the shape of big iPhones -- were in a factory in Shenzuen, China," the report states. "One of them 'was running Mac OS X 10.5.' When I asked, the source didn't know if these were built for demonstration purposes, or if they were preproduction units. The company has a tight relation with Apple but 'it's not FoxConn.'"
Writer Jesus Diaz goes on to call the rumor "surprising," given that most sources, including AppleInsider's own, have stated that the only forthcoming hardware has a 10-inch screen. The report speculates that perhaps Apple is exploring other form factors as internal prototypes, whether or not they will become final products released to market.
Given a report earlier this month that Apple investigated screen sizes of 4, 7, 9, 10 and 12 inches, these reports, if true, suggest that Apple has explored touchscreen devices at nearly every possible screen sizes. In the earlier report from a financial analyst, it was stated that Apple purchased large numbers of some screen sizes, suggesting they could have been for more than prototypes, but a more significant small production run.
As for the latest rumor, AppleInsider sources have been adamant that the 3G connected device due to arrive in early 2010 would come only with a 10-inch form factor.
Earlier this week, a new report stated that the upcoming tablet launch is the No. 1 priority of company co-founder Steve Jobs. AppleInsider's own sources have said that Jobs reset development of the device numerous times over the years, striving to create hardware that meets his own high standards. In fact, at times Jobs even had doubts that the product would even see the light of day. However, the device now seems set for its 2010 debut.
Gizmodo also reported weeks ago a rumor that the tablet would have a 10-inch screen and come in come in two versions: one for educational use, and one with a Web cam. That report said the operating system that the tablet would run is a "huge secret."
The rumor reported Friday by Gizmodo states that the two new devices could be in addition to the long-rumored 10-inch device believed to be coming in early 2010.
"This source claims that the two touchscreen prototypes -- made of aluminum, but on the shape of big iPhones -- were in a factory in Shenzuen, China," the report states. "One of them 'was running Mac OS X 10.5.' When I asked, the source didn't know if these were built for demonstration purposes, or if they were preproduction units. The company has a tight relation with Apple but 'it's not FoxConn.'"
Writer Jesus Diaz goes on to call the rumor "surprising," given that most sources, including AppleInsider's own, have stated that the only forthcoming hardware has a 10-inch screen. The report speculates that perhaps Apple is exploring other form factors as internal prototypes, whether or not they will become final products released to market.
Given a report earlier this month that Apple investigated screen sizes of 4, 7, 9, 10 and 12 inches, these reports, if true, suggest that Apple has explored touchscreen devices at nearly every possible screen sizes. In the earlier report from a financial analyst, it was stated that Apple purchased large numbers of some screen sizes, suggesting they could have been for more than prototypes, but a more significant small production run.
As for the latest rumor, AppleInsider sources have been adamant that the 3G connected device due to arrive in early 2010 would come only with a 10-inch form factor.
Earlier this week, a new report stated that the upcoming tablet launch is the No. 1 priority of company co-founder Steve Jobs. AppleInsider's own sources have said that Jobs reset development of the device numerous times over the years, striving to create hardware that meets his own high standards. In fact, at times Jobs even had doubts that the product would even see the light of day. However, the device now seems set for its 2010 debut.
Gizmodo also reported weeks ago a rumor that the tablet would have a 10-inch screen and come in come in two versions: one for educational use, and one with a Web cam. That report said the operating system that the tablet would run is a "huge secret."
Comments
That report said the operating system that the tablet would run is a "huge secret."
My money's on OSX.
As someone wrote a while back, Snow Leopard has technologies that will make a tablet much nicer to use. Expose in the dock, for example. Smaller size, for example.
I can understand a 6 - 10 inch tablet, it's holdable, transportable, and usable. Any bigger and it starts to be a bit unwieldy, it needs to be rested in a stand, or placed flat on a surface. It's turned into a different class of device.
My money's on OSX.
As someone wrote a while back, Snow Leopard has technologies that will make a tablet much nicer to use. Expose in the dock, for example. Smaller size, for example.
The third party programs still wont be nice to use on a tablet though. For a consumer device, which is what a sub $1000 tablet would most likely be, I think a variant of iPhone OS would work best. However, a 13" or 15" tablet would not be a consumer device, and it would not have a sub $1000 price. I don't know what to make of this rumor. Isn't it coming from the same guy that said someone called him with details on the tablet, yet provided no additional information except for a codename he won't reveal?
Snow Leopard does have some touch friendly features like large icons with in icon previews and the expose feature you mentioned. I am very skeptical of this report though.
However, there is 1 thing that I would want on an apple tablet that I would keep me on the sidelines (other than the obvious USBs, DVD, etc) I want the ability to run my iPhone apps on it
.
Secondly, no human source is 100% reliable.
The 10" one however would be pure tablet. Mac OS X? Shocking!
And less and less credible.
C.
My money's on OSX.
As someone wrote a while back, Snow Leopard has technologies that will make a tablet much nicer to use. Expose in the dock, for example. Smaller size, for example.
My money's on OS-Y. Of course they're not going to call it that, and it will borrow heavily from OSX, but every 10 years or so every company tries to re-invent their OS and the Mac's time has about come due. My guess is that Apple will demonstrate a device in the early spring to ship during summer, then devote next year's WWDC to it in June, then ship the device by July.
I'm just guessing, of course. But why would Apple release a fundamentally new platform with no third-party developer conference about it first? I would have thought they'd have learned their lesson with the iPhone.
Apple, the ?Boomer? Tablet and the Matrix
http://bit.ly/46CtH
Check it out if interested.
Mark
Well there goes their 1 chance at getting something in the sub 1k range. If it's a 13" or 15" tablet there's no way they are going to price it low enough to encourage buying. Unless of course Apple does the unthinkable and prices it low... (which I would whole heartedly be in favor of)
However, there is 1 thing that I would want on an apple tablet that I would keep me on the sidelines (other than the obvious USBs, DVD, etc) I want the ability to run my iPhone apps on it
with the itunes store turning in higher and higher profits, they might switch to the razor blade model
Secondly, no human source is 100% reliable.
What if El Jobso himself told you?
Could you imagine, all the faked photoshop photos, all of the doctored videos (as I examine the iWalk sitting on my desk) all the 'I'm making the plastics now' references.
Tell me that wouldn't be a great lead in with Steve on the stage...
Dave
These "reports" are getting more and more bizarre
And less and less credible.
C.
Yes, but not less interesting!
What if El Jobso himself told you?
Especially if he told you. Like I say, watch what Apple does not what they say.
My money's on OS-Y. Of course they're not going to call it that, and it will borrow heavily from OSX, but every 10 years or so every company tries to re-invent their OS and the Mac's time has about come due. My guess is that Apple will demonstrate a device in the early spring to ship during summer, then devote next year's WWDC to it in June, then ship the device by July.
I don't agree. OSX has nothing but positive connotations at this point. And it is relatively well known. I don't see Apple moving away from the name any time soon... Besides, I thought the whole point of Snow Leopard was to renovate the insides of OSX (metaphorically speaking) so why move away from it now?
I'm just guessing, of course. But why would Apple release a fundamentally new platform with no third-party developer conference about it first? I would have thought they'd have learned their lesson with the iPhone.
Yeah, the iPhone has been such a disaster...
It looks just like a giant-iPhone!!
And yet it is running Mac OS X!!!!!
C.
geesh...