Intel exec vouches for Atom-based Apple Newton tablet - report
A high ranking Intel executive is said to have made comments this week that corroborate reports of a Netwon-like mini-tablet under development at Apple, as originally revealed by AppleInsider last year.
Intel Germany chief Hannes Schwaderer reportedly spilled the beans during the company's 40th birthday celebration at BMW World in Munich, adding that the device is expected to be powered by one of his firm's Atom ultra-mobile device chipsets.
"Schwaderer today confirms what has long been a rumor on the Internet: namely, that there is an iPhone with Intel's new Atom chip," reads a report in the German edition of ZDNet. "The device is slightly larger than the current version, Schwaderer said. This is not [because of] the Intel chip, but [because of] the larger display used in the new iPhone."
AppleInsider exclusively reported last September that Apple, which helped spawn the PDA market with its Newton MessagePad line in the '90s, was planning to give the concept another go with a modern day reincarnation based on the its mutli-touch technology.
The device has been described by sources as an ultra-thin "slate" akin to the iPhone and running an embedded version of the Mac OS X Leopard operating system.
Artist depiction of future tablet device alongside Apple's existing handhelds | Artwork by audiopollution.
In a followup report published in December, AppleInsider went on to reveal that Apple would adopt Intel's ultra-mobile PC platform -- later renamed Atom -- for use in the much rumored Newton mini tablet and possibly future generation iPhone devices.
Intel Germany chief Hannes Schwaderer reportedly spilled the beans during the company's 40th birthday celebration at BMW World in Munich, adding that the device is expected to be powered by one of his firm's Atom ultra-mobile device chipsets.
"Schwaderer today confirms what has long been a rumor on the Internet: namely, that there is an iPhone with Intel's new Atom chip," reads a report in the German edition of ZDNet. "The device is slightly larger than the current version, Schwaderer said. This is not [because of] the Intel chip, but [because of] the larger display used in the new iPhone."
AppleInsider exclusively reported last September that Apple, which helped spawn the PDA market with its Newton MessagePad line in the '90s, was planning to give the concept another go with a modern day reincarnation based on the its mutli-touch technology.
The device has been described by sources as an ultra-thin "slate" akin to the iPhone and running an embedded version of the Mac OS X Leopard operating system.
Artist depiction of future tablet device alongside Apple's existing handhelds | Artwork by audiopollution.
In a followup report published in December, AppleInsider went on to reveal that Apple would adopt Intel's ultra-mobile PC platform -- later renamed Atom -- for use in the much rumored Newton mini tablet and possibly future generation iPhone devices.
Comments
"Schwaderer today confirms what has long been a rumor on the Internet: namely, that there is an iPhone with Intel's new Atom chip," reads a report in the German edition of ZDNet. "The device is slightly larger than the current version, Schwaderer said. This is not [because of] the Intel chip, but [because of] the larger display used in the new iPhone."
I doubt it will be a phone if it is bigger than the current iPhone. Maybe built-in HSPA feature for internet access only.
However, this sounds interesting. 3G iPhone this week and the tablet on WWDC08?! Probably explain the AT&T vacation memo and todays iPhone limit memo. I might be wrong.
Ok, waiting for the comments saying that because of this comment, Apple will change chip sources to AMD. As though that could happen.
I don't know Mel. An Apple tablet with a tri core Phenom would ROCK.
First; if one does the math you will realize the device doesn't have to be huge if Apple keeps the same pixel density. We are talking that won't be more that maybe an inch wider and probably not much longer.
Second; Apple has been very clear about the touch devices being the first web based tablets. Good tablet use requires more pixels, simple as that. Especially for the two big considerations: Video and web browsing. Of course all other functionality can be improved for such a device.
In any event what has been described is almost exactly what I'm looking for in a cell phone. Something that can still be carried on the person but yet delivers a bigger screen and a bit more capability.
Dave
As Jobs has publicly stated that the Kindle is a piece of crap and people "don't read books anymore" - I predict this is the Apple iKindle.
I think he tends to say such things to divert attention. The people that know better than to listen to a mouthpiece would look this stuff up anyway.
There were about $17B in US book sales and apparently still growing. The music industry is a bit over $10B and shrinking.
As Jobs has publicly stated that the Kindle is a piece of crap and people "don't read books anymore" - I predict this is the Apple iKindle.
I don't see how the Kindle is related to what is talked about here! Kindle is book reader, SJ said that people don't read anymore. He was talking about a device that only used to read books. The device here is like a computer with web browser, iTunes (can be used for audiobooks), and probably software from Apple App Store.
At iPhone thickness it fits into a coat pocket and can stand to have a 75% on-screen keyboard.
And also - Apple should buy jott.com - what General Magic could have been. Integrate that into the mobile OS.
I'm holding a 5x7 card in my hand - nice size, they could put a killer screen in one, still small enough for a one hand multitouch... I know smaller is more acceptable, but you don't want this thing in your pants pocket anyway... I still miss some of the things my Newton could do.
I still have three of my Newtons that I dearly love. No hesitation on my part to quickly purchase a new generation Newton. None whatsoever.
It's also one of the target device types of the Atom, although I expect it will use an Atom < 1.2GHz, possibly even the slowest one available, to maximise battery life. Paulsbo has nice features for this size device - video decode and good 3D. I'm also sure that Apple will have got an awesome pricing deal from Intel.
I think he tends to say such things to divert attention. The people that know better than to listen to a mouthpiece would look this stuff up anyway.
There were about $17B in US book sales and apparently still growing. The music industry is a bit over $10B and shrinking.
Agreed.
Besides which the Kindle *is* crap, and people really *don't* read many books anymore.
The problem is that people read that comment the wrong way.
"the Kindle is crap" == "we can make one waaay better than that thing"
"people don't read anymore" == "people would read more if there were good electronic books"
I would grab one of these for sure.
However, this sounds interesting. 3G iPhone this week and the tablet on WWDC08?! Probably explain the AT&T vacation memo and todays iPhone limit memo. I might be wrong.
I wonder if this refers to the postcard invitation to WWDC '08. "A landmark event in more ways than one" with the two Golden Gate bridges?