Intel Confirms Atom-based Larger iPhone (Mini-Tablet)?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

According to ZDNet.de (http://www.zdnet.de/news/hardware/0,39023109,39190850,00.htm), Intel Germany CEO Hannes Schwaderer confirmed that Apple would be using the Intel Atom (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/03/02/intels-silverthorne-ultra-mobile-proecessor-now-called-atom/) processor in a future version of the iPhone. The new model will reportedly be a larger model with a larger display, correlating with circulating rumors (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/11/3g-iphone-in-may-another-device-at-wwdc/) about a mini-tablet device rumored to be coming from Apple. English translation: As part of an Intel event for the 40th birthday of the semiconductor company at Munich’s BMW World, Germany managing director Hannes Schwaderer confirmed today what has long been a rumor on the Internet: namely, that there is an iPhone with Intel’s new Atom chip. The device is slightly larger than the current version, Schwaderer said. That is not, however, because of the Intel chip, but because of the larger display used in the new iPhone.
He goes on to say that an upgraded version of the current form factor of iPhone would also exist as a 3G-model.

While Schwaderer calls the larger device a "version of the iPhone", it seems clear that it refers to the rumored mini-tablet device. Some rumors have suggested that it would be introduced at WWDC.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/14/intel-confirms-atom-based-larger-iphone-mini-tablet/)

[Grimace]

Whoa. This is big. Apple -- what is up your sleeve?

[christopher3071]

CrazY! YEsss

[ZiggyPastorius]

Interesting. I wonder what and when we can expect this/to look like?

[iFan]

That seems very unusual for Intel to spill the beans on a deal regarding Apple. Makes perfect sense, though.

[TheCreator]

I wouldn't want to carry anything much larger than the current iphone with me everywhere I go... I'm not all that excited about this.... but that could change.

[tothecore]

if it also acts like a WACOM tablet... I'm sold!!!

[Zeegler]

That seems very unusual for Intel to spill the beans on a deal regarding Apple. Makes perfect sense, though.

...unless...

[kjs862]

I'm going to be on the edge of my seat during the WWDC live feed!:D

[stevedave50]

would they release this at the same time as the "normal" iphone? competition for eachother? or completely different target markets?

[lazyrighteye]

Whoa.

I really don't know what to say other than I WANT.

[Much Ado]

So now we know why Apple bought PA Semi- to stop Intel going and stealing their thunder by opening their mouths a few weeks before WWDC. :rolleyes: The fewer people other than Apple who know what's going on, the less chance there is for a leak.

[klagermkii]

Uh oh, Steve isn't going to like this one bit... if there was one coming out, get ready to see it cancelled! :rolleyes:

When are Apple's partners going to learn to keep their big mouths shut. If you're a manager that really can't keep a secret about upcoming products, leak it out onto someone's blog anonymously. Don't do it like this where Steve can vent his rage at your employer.

[bobbleheadbob]

So maybe we'll get the 3G iPhone sometime in the next 2 weeks, and a tablet Mac at WWDC? :confused:

That would be awesome! :D

[liketom]

hello iPad :D

should be good

[nagromme]

If it was bigger AND a phone I might consider it. As long as it's thin and still pocketable.

But speaking informally, someone could even call the iPod Touch a "version" of the iPhone, so who knows?

I like the idea of having the same architecture in my Mac and my phone.

FYI, Atom on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverthorne_(CPU)

[dlastmango]

hello iPad :D

should be good

iMiniPad and iMaxiPad?

[Mykbibby]

I still dont see the point of it...

[liketom]

I still dont see the point of it...

if steve talks about it at wwdc you will , in fact you'll be begging for it :D

[HiRez]

Uh oh, Steve isn't going to like this one bit... if there was one coming out, get ready to see it cancelled!If I were Mr. Schwaderer, I'd be booking a late night flight to an undisclosed country. But then, he must know you can't hide from Steve's ninja stealth assassins. Hopefully he has updated his will and straighted out his affairs for his family's sake.

[k2director]

Hannes, kiss your ass goodbye. You can run but you can't hide from Steve Jobs' personal team of assassins heading your way....

[Zeegler]

I don't think we're gonna see new product launches at WWDC, just based on precedence.

[DubOverdose]

Sweet. Let's hope it actually comes through.

[PlaceofDis]

hmmm might have to wait on my considering of an eee then. this might work, but i guess we'll see, won't we?

the odd thing is that apple, and steve jobs, hates it when companies do this. so i'm surprised anything was said and it makes you wonder just how furious he is over this now.

[Tom B.]

I still dont see the point of it...

I think you will when the App Store starts to get going.

[WhySoSerious]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet? i mean, it's probably too big for pockets (or if you squeeze it in, it'll be uncomfortable) and it'll be just like all the other crappy mini-laptops out there.

think of it this way, it'll be about the size of a portable dvd player. what's the point in that? if you need a PC that bad when you're on the go......get a full blown laptop (MBA or MB or MBP). If you don't need a PC that bad, but just wanna surf the net, watch movies, play games.....an iphone should suffice and it fits in your pocket.

this is a bad idea and the only market that exist for a tablet is for HARDCORE fanboys, not 99% of the other population.

this will be a huge dud. the only purpose the tablet will serve is to TEST technology so they can use it in future MacBooks and iMacs.....nothing more, nothing less.

[Zeegler]

hmmm might have to wait on my considering of an eee then. this might work, but i guess we'll see, won't we?

the odd thing is that apple, and steve jobs, hates it when companies do this. so i'm surprised anything was said and it makes you wonder just how furious he is over this now.

yeah...UNLESS it was a planned move by :apple:'s marketing dept

[QCassidy352]

I will withhold judgment until I see what this device is all about, but from the limited description in this article, I can't really see the point.

[Korolen]

It seems like the iPhone is as big of a device as anyone would want to carry in their pocket. A larger screen would cross the line into the world of carrying it in a bag (like a laptop bag). But the screen seems too small for that, and they do already have the MacBook Air for that market of ultra-portable laptops... I guess we'll see where Steve takes this one?

[TexasAg]

I don't think we're gonna see new product launches at WWDC, just based on precedence.

Except that I read earlier today (based on a wiki entry) that Apple has actually announced new hardware pretty consistently since around 2002. Here's the entry:

Before 2002, WWDC was not a place for hardware announcements, but Apple deviated from that principle in 2002 when it announced the rack mounted server Xserve, in 2003 with the introduction of the consumer-oriented iSight and the Power Mac G5, in 2004 with the introduction of redesigned Apple Cinema Displays, in 2005, when an announcement was made that Apple Computer would start the transition of their computers from IBM's PowerPC microprocessor line to Intel's line of x86 processors, and in 2006 with the release of the Xeon-based Mac Pro and Xserve.

2007 included an announcement of the launch date for the iPhone.

[job]

I don't think we're gonna see new product launches at WWDC, just based on precedence.

Wasn't the G5 Powermac introduced at WWDC way back when?

I'd say that counts as a new product launch...

[tgildred]

if steve talks about it at wwdc you will , in fact you'll be begging for it :D

oh, so true.... :p

if it also acts like a WACOM tablet... I'm sold!!!

I hadn't thought of that... I'm suddenly drooling.

If I were Mr. Schwaderer, I'd be booking a late night flight to an undisclosed country. But then, he must know you can't hide from Steve's ninja stealth assassins. Hopefully he has updated his will and straighted out his affairs for his family's sake.

Steve may take care of this one himself.

[cloudnine]

English translation:
He goes on to say that an upgraded version of the current form factor of iPhone would also exist as a 3G-model.

While Schwaderer calls the larger device a "version of the iPhone", it seems clear that it refers to the rumored mini-tablet device. Some rumors have suggested that it would be introduced at WWDC.

[ sarcasm ]

Oh yay. A tablet. How exciting.

[ / sarcasm ]

[andiwm2003]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet? i mean, it's probably too big for pockets (or if you squeeze it in, it'll be uncomfortable) and it'll be just like all the other crappy mini-laptops out there.
.................

if it's only slightly larger than my iphone than it's too large for a phone and too small for a tablet. for decent internet browsing and pdf reading it would need a 800x480 screen. many websites are 800 pixel wide. i don't believe this is going to happen. at least not "slightly larger" than the current iphone.

[tgildred]

Oh yay. A tablet. How exciting.

[ / sarcasm ]


you forgot the open tag on your sarcasm...

[NEENAHBOY]

*sing-songy* Someone's gonna get fiiiiirrrreddddd...

[Phil A.]

I think there's a typo in the original article. Surely it should say "Ex Intel Germany CEO Hannes Schwaderer"...

[WhySoSerious]

exactly...a tablet is pointless. just introduce the touch technology into a redesigned laptop and be done with it. don't waste time/energy/r&d into a stupid tablet. :rolleyes:

[Zeegler]

if it's only slightly larger than my iphone than it's too large for a phone and too small for a tablet. for decent internet browsing and pdf reading it would need a 800x480 screen. many websites are 800 pixel wide. i don't believe this is going to happen. at least not "slightly larger" than the current iphone.

iTablet is 13" and comes w/ iPhone headphones/mic for those time that you are using the iTablet and too lazy to pick up calls from iPhone in your pocket

[TexasAg]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet?

What if it's a tablet that is "tethered" to your iPhone? Not something that you hold up to your head and make calls on, but something with a larger screen that you can surf through your iPhone and do work on. Might not be bad.

[TMay]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet? i mean, it's probably too big for pockets (or if you squeeze it in, it'll be uncomfortable) and it'll be just like all the other crappy mini-laptops out there.

think of it this way, it'll be about the size of a portable dvd player. what's the point in that? if you need a PC that bad when you're on the go......get a full blown laptop (MBA or MB or MBP). If you don't need a PC that bad, but just wanna surf the net, watch movies, play games.....an iphone should suffice and it fits in your pocket.

this is a bad idea and the only market that exist for a tablet is for HARDCORE fanboys, not 99% of the other population.

this will be a huge dud. the only purpose the tablet will serve is to TEST technology so they can use it in future MacBooks and iMacs.....nothing more, nothing less.

Bigger screen, same thickness, multi-touch, reader, more performance, more battery life, more memory, card reader...blah..blah..blah..blah..blah, and omg what about the games!

Nah, who would want one of those...(as he carefully maps his position for a 48 hour siege of Summit Sierra Apple store).

[Klaxons2012]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet? i mean, it's probably too big for pockets (or if you squeeze it in, it'll be uncomfortable) and it'll be just like all the other crappy mini-laptops out there.

think of it this way, it'll be about the size of a portable dvd player. what's the point in that? if you need a PC that bad when you're on the go......get a full blown laptop (MBA or MB or MBP). If you don't need a PC that bad, but just wanna surf the net, watch movies, play games.....an iphone should suffice and it fits in your pocket.

this is a bad idea and the only market that exist for a tablet is for HARDCORE fanboys, not 99% of the other population.

this will be a huge dud. the only purpose the tablet will serve is to TEST technology so they can use it in future MacBooks and iMacs.....nothing more, nothing less.


That's a bit of an overreaction, don't you think? How can you tell a product is going to be a dud by just hearing a vague description of specs from a chip manufacturer. I think this tablet has the potential of being the next big thing in mobile computing. Apple should get the benefit of rolling out a product before you place such a judgement upon it.

[terrordemon]

who says this has to be a tablet??? could larger mean screen resolution? like, maybe its a quarter of an inch bigger. its not 3 inches larger on each side.

i honestly see no reason why this couldnt make its way into the 3g iphone.

[WhySoSerious]

iTablet is 13" and comes w/ iPhone headphones/mic for those time that you are using the iTablet and too lazy to pick up calls from iPhone in your pocket

yeah...and geared toward the super-dooper-tech-geek. no ordianary consumer will want a tablet when they can get an iphone or MPA/MBP.

a tablet is one of those things that has no real place in the world. it serves no purpose other than to test new touch technology and maybe garnish some funds from the super geeks who want anything/everything new.

[cloudnine]

you forgot the open tag on your sarcasm...

heh. all fixed :P

[rockstarjoe]

What are the chances that this guy is just speculating based on rumors? Might be a bad game of telephone going on...

[Eduardo1971]

iMiniPad and iMaxiPad?

Funny! On the flip side at least if they are named this iMiniPad and iMaxiPad will come with built in protection from spills.

[bigmc6000]

is it possible that the Intel guy may be right about the resolution but wrong about the size factor? I mean, wouldn't it be nice if Apple upped the resolution of the iPhone without actually changing the dimensions? Of course it would need a better processor to be able to handle the increase in data brought about by such increases in resolution. Of course I think it'd be great if they upped resolution to match 720p TV's and made all TV downloads 720p :)

[hypermark]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet? i mean, it's probably too big for pockets (or if you squeeze it in, it'll be uncomfortable) and it'll be just like all the other crappy mini-laptops out there.

this will be a huge dud. the only purpose the tablet will serve is to TEST technology so they can use it in future MacBooks and iMacs.....nothing more, nothing less.

I totally disagree (and I am crying because I am happy and want this device)!

Imagine a living room version of your iPod that doesn't need to fit in your pocket, is big enough to offer better video, web, gaming, etc., can integrate more services into the same screen (e.g., IM and gaming), generates no heat so it doesn't burn your lap, and can run native applications and sync back to and control your desktop Mac/Apple TV, etc.

I think that would be pretty cool.

Everyone focuses on this as a PHONE when I think the story that Apple seems to be pursuing is intersect of mobility (via cellular or Wi-Fi) and media (via iPhone, iPod, Mac, Apple TV) across different form factors.

Mark

[Diatribe]

is it possible that the Intel guy may be right about the resolution but wrong about the size factor? I mean, wouldn't it be nice if Apple upped the resolution of the iPhone without actually changing the dimensions? Of course it would need a better processor to be able to handle the increase in data brought about by such increases in resolution. Of course I think it'd be great if they upped resolution to match 720p TV's and made all TV downloads 720p :)

It would need to be bigger not to accomodate a bigger screen but a bigger battery as Atom feeds on battery like there is no tomorrow.

[Zeegler]

yeah...and geared toward the super-dooper-tech-geek. no ordianary consumer will want a tablet when they can get an iphone or MPA/MBP.

a tablet is one of those things that has no real place in the world. it serves no purpose other than to test new touch technology and maybe garnish some funds from the super geeks who want anything/everything new.

I think if it has phone functionality, someone like Flavor Flav would also buy it...I mean, have you seen what he uses for a wristwatch? Also, Zack Morris might also want in (remember the old cell phone that he had to call his dad on so his dad would spend time with him?)

[Diode]

Just how big is "slightly" bigger?

1.2 times the size, 1.5 ?

If were talking fractions of a inch in dimensions this could be well worth it ....

[alion]

I will withhold judgment until I see what this device is all about, but from the limited description in this article, I can't really see the point.

Not seeing the point of you buying it? Or you don't believe it is going to be a sell out?

The fact is Steve Jobs products, except Apple TV I assume, always sell out Even the Macbook Air, which was viewed as a "fanboy" product was a big seller as far as I'm concern.

So from a business point of view, it's a great move to encompass as wide the consumer base as possible.

Apple's products are also famed for its sustainability, so let's speculate what future products this technology will bring.

[Klaxons2012]

yeah...and geared toward the super-dooper-tech-geek. no ordianary consumer will want a tablet when they can get an iphone or MPA/MBP.

a tablet is one of those things that has no real place in the world. it serves no purpose other than to test new touch technology and maybe garnish some funds from the super geeks who want anything/everything new.

Didn't people say "nobody will want a MBA because people will either buy a MB or a MBP"? Everything in due time comes together.

[RustyM]

If it was bigger AND a phone I might consider it. As long as it's thin and still pocketable.

Absolutely. If it is pocketable phone, I may pick one up.

I'm still having trouble visualizing the full potential of this device. A bigger touch screen device sounds great, but what additional features can it offer?

[BRLawyer]

Whoa. This is big. Apple -- what is up your sleeve?

You're welcome...I predicted this in another iPhone-related thread on MR. Apple is gonna release the new iPhone probably BEFORE WWDC, and then the fabled iTablet.

Mark my words again: Apple is gonna become the most powerful IT company in the world in less than 2 years. MS and Dell are toast and peanuts compared to Apple now...

GO APPLE GO!

[stainlessliquid]

A bigger iphone? How much bigger can that giant thing get? Its probably the biggest phone on the market already. People wouldnt be able to fit it in their pockets.

I would expect them to release an EEE like product more, and those are what are making most use of the atom processor. Apple was very stupid to pass on an oppurtunity to take this extremely high in demand market. Maybe they have finally learned their lesson? Every PC maker I can think of has either already released an EEE'ish computer or has one in the works, Apple is the only one who hasnt jumped on the wagon yet.

If Apple creates a low cost tablet EEE then it would be an instant win like the ipod.

[MacFly123]

If all the rumors about GPS and iChat and everything else end up ONLY being in this bigger iPhone like tablet and not the 3G iPhone I am going to be SOOOOOOO PISSED!!!!

[Tymmz]

Maybe a competitor to the EEE-PC. That would be nice...

[terrordemon]

is it possible that the Intel guy may be right about the resolution but wrong about the size factor? I mean, wouldn't it be nice if Apple upped the resolution of the iPhone without actually changing the dimensions? Of course it would need a better processor to be able to handle the increase in data brought about by such increases in resolution. Of course I think it'd be great if they upped resolution to match 720p TV's and made all TV downloads 720p :)

thats exactly what i was getting at earlier. size could be resolution and not form factor.

i'm hopeful of this in the new iphone

[FunkyJunk]

Here's the relative size of this thing if what he says holds true, and it keeps the same ppi as the iPhone screen:

http://www.chrisweaver.net/images/ipadsize.gif

[ashoka8350]

There has been a rumor that Apple plans to release a tablet version about one and half the size of present iPhone. This would be the size comparable to Checkbook. Again we also know that Apple has a patent on some thing like an iMac screen where you can insert the tablet, to make it work like a computer!. May be that is what is coming. Surprise... Surprise !! :apple: :D

[WhySoSerious]

Didn't people say "nobody will want a MBA because people will either buy a MB or a MBP"? Everything in due time comes together.

yeah, but the mba fills the needs of what a tablet would be used for. no need to have in the apple product line an iphone, tablet, mba, mb, mbp. seems way unecessary.

[Rocketman]

If true our company will be buying 2 larges and 3 smalls.

Rocketman

[Pressure]

Maybe a competitor to the EEE-PC. That would be nice...

Not going to happen at that pricepoint, really.

[jmorrison0722]

I think the point here is it will have a larger display. The phone may be bigger, but it might only be a few milimeters bigger or thicker. We won't see a much larger iPhone...it's already one of the largest phones out there. I can see Apple making the screen bigger to cover even more of the front though. Perhaps even with a touch sensitive, or repositioned home button.

[tny]

I would expect them to release an EEE like product more, and those are what are making most use of the atom processor.


My suspicion is that this is the Apple answer to the eee - a $500-$600 tablet with a 4 1/2 in. multitouch screen (versus the 3 1/2 in iPhone screen), maybe eventually available either as an iPhone (WiFi+3G) or an iPod (WiFi only), with bluetooth pairing to Apple's wireless keyboard and mouse (if the battery is big enough). It will need a decent text editor, and a few other apps, to compete with the eee, though.

Edit: (Ok, maybe it is 5 in. like the FunkyJunk's posting.)

[arn]

Correction:

In the original article, I suggested that the Intel exec said it was a 720x480 display. This actually just a guess based on rumors from the article. The Intel exec only said "larger display".

arn

[Rocketman]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet? i mean, it's probably too big for pockets (or if you squeeze it in, it'll be uncomfortable) and it'll be just like all the other crappy mini-laptops out there.

2/3 of the people I know who use an iPhone have it in a holster anyway. My hands are big and a 20-40% bigger device would be a value add. It would likely have longer battery life too?

People with aging eyes like bigger screens.

Rocketman

[Klaxons2012]

Correction:

In the original article, I suggested that the Intel exec said it was a 720x480 display. This actually just a guess based on rumors from the article. The Intel exec only said "larger display".

arn

http://doubledt.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/intel-iphone-like-mid_2.jpg

:confused:

[ZiggyPastorius]

yeah...and geared toward the super-dooper-tech-geek. no ordianary consumer will want a tablet when they can get an iphone or MPA/MBP.

a tablet is one of those things that has no real place in the world. it serves no purpose other than to test new touch technology and maybe garnish some funds from the super geeks who want anything/everything new.

Businesses use tablets quite a bit, and touch screen computers. The Subway I work at uses a touch screen computer, as do most fast food restaurants, and I'm pretty sure a lot business men and women use tablets for presentations and the like.

[L3X]

What if it's a tablet that is "tethered" to your iPhone? Not something that you hold up to your head and make calls on, but something with a larger screen that you can surf through your iPhone and do work on. Might not be bad.
This is what I'm thinking.

iPad + iPhone = portable

[Lepton]

I've always said when the tablet comes, it will not be a downscaled laptop. It will be an upscaled iPhone.

[WhySoSerious]

2/3 of the people I know who use an iPhone have it in a holster anyway. My hands are big and a 20-40% bigger device would be a value add. It would likely have longer battery life too?

People with aging eyes like bigger screens.

Rocketman

ya? well, 7/8 of the people i know have their cell phones in their pockets.

i'm not debating the value of a larger screen or longer battery life. i guess i just can't see the value in a TABLET (i'm talking tablet here, not "larger iphone") when apple already has an iphone and a mba to target the demographic that searches for such functionality.

[Tymmz]

Not going to happen at that pricepoint, really.

You are probably right. That's what the iPhone is for.

[DaBrain]

I still dont see the point of it...

Perhaps if this is true it could be an ebook reader in addition to ipod touch stuff along with a larger display for viewing movies etc... and bigger screen for cruising the web? It will be interesting to see what comes out! :eek:

[Klaxons2012]

ya? well, 7/8 of the people i know have their cell phones in their pockets.

i'm not debating the value of a larger screen or longer battery life. i guess i just can't see the value in a TABLET (i'm talking tablet here, not "larger iphone") when apple already has an iphone and a mba to target the demographic that searches for such functionality.

Personally, I imagine a smaller MBA with touch functionality and a convertable screen to be the perfect "tablet". But if we're talking a device with no QWERTY, then you might have an issue.

[foodle]

Newton 2 !!!

I'm surprised no one has said this yet ... or maybe everyone in here is too young to remember the original.

[jemo07]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

According to ZDNet.de (http://www.zdnet.de/news/hardware/0,39023109,39190850,00.htm), Intel Germany CEO Hannes Schwaderer confirmed that Apple would be using the Intel Atom (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/03/02/intels-silverthorne-ultra-mobile-proecessor-now-called-atom/) processor in a future version of the iPhone. The new model will reportedly be a larger model with a 720x480 pixel display, correlating with

Well,

There is a lot of talk about this recently, there was some info coming from WSJ and EETimes regarding higher definition on the Iphone, and a bit larger screen size, making the Iphone a serious game platform.

Apple can pull this off since they can tie it all to iTunes and a user with a contract could possibly rent a game for $1 a day! that could have a tremendous impact in the gaming industry.

Now, about the Atom, it would have to be a custom chip, maybe close to 800Mhz and less than the 6 W ratings that they discussed a while ago.. (it was to go down to the 3~2W range) and Apple would need to make the Iphone bigger to accommodate for a larger removable battery.

It's all speculation, but we will have to see.

JM

[FunkyJunk]

No Qwerty wouldn't bother me - looks like it would be the ideal size for thumb-typing (assuming it's the size I laid out in my diagram, which it may not be).

[photo-video]

So this news points to the fact that MacRumors story form a few days back may be accurate about iPhone in May and a new device at WWDC.

http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/11/3g-iphone-in-may-another-device-at-wwdc/

[cliffjumper68]

I can see this as a portable iChat device on a wifi N network. That would be huge for enterprise customers. Some type of desk mount and a portable case.

If Apple pushes iChat it could start a new paradigm in communication. Video phones have never really taken off in mainstream context because of transmission quality, price, and implementation. Using a portable iChat capable device would change that dynamic.

[iZac]

iMiniPad and iMaxiPad?

i hope that was a sarcastic comment, it sounds like a sanitary towel! :rolleyes:

[Klaxons2012]

Newton 2 !!!

I'm surprised no one has said this yet ... or maybe everyone in here is too young to remember the original.

I'm hoping the product is called Newton2 or iNewton just to appease the more nostalgic Apple fans. ;)

[drditty]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet? i mean, it's probably too big for pockets (or if you squeeze it in, it'll be uncomfortable) and it'll be just like all the other crappy mini-laptops out there.

think of it this way, it'll be about the size of a portable dvd player. what's the point in that? if you need a PC that bad when you're on the go......get a full blown laptop (MBA or MB or MBP). If you don't need a PC that bad, but just wanna surf the net, watch movies, play games.....an iphone should suffice and it fits in your pocket.

this is a bad idea and the only market that exist for a tablet is for HARDCORE fanboys, not 99% of the other population.

this will be a huge dud. the only purpose the tablet will serve is to TEST technology so they can use it in future MacBooks and iMacs.....nothing more, nothing less.

I'd like to carry it around the hospital in my white coat and do electronic medical records on it. iphone is too small and laptop is too big. This would be just right. Don't forget about the healthcare market, its one of the biggest industries in the US.

[Virgil-TB2]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet? i mean, it's probably too big for pockets ... if you need a PC that bad when you're on the go get a full blown laptop (MBA or MB or MBP). If you don't need a PC that bad, but just wanna surf the net, watch movies, play games.....an iphone should suffice ...Astounding analysis. :rolleyes:

If the spec is as rumoured, I would buy one just to have as a portable note taker, writing implement, and most importantly, reader.

While the iPhone has finally made reading the web *possible* on a portable device, it's hardly very easy or handy to use as a web reader. It has no functionality as a book reader at all.

In my office I use many computers for many different things, but when I want to take notes I still pick up an old fashioned pen and paper. A device that could replace that need (if indeed that's possible), would be a no-brainer and a big seller.

I have a collection of many tens of thousands of books, but just as I now buy my music mostly from iTunes as digital files, I would not be opposed to doing the same with new books coming out. Even if this thing had no more functionality than the kindle, but just looked better I would probably buy it and use it every day.

... this will be a huge dud. the only purpose the tablet will serve is to TEST technology so they can use it in future MacBooks and iMacs.....nothing more, nothing less.Gee, I don't know why Steve Jobs doesn't just ask you about this stuff first. He could probably save a lot of time by referring to your prescient visions on future tech. :)

[Rocketman]

i'm talking tablet here, not "larger iphone"

The one I am hoping for is a slightly larger iPhone.

ATNN

Rocketman

[Klaxons2012]

i hope that was a sarcastic comment, it sounds like a sanitary towel! :rolleyes:

Do I see another Mac vs. PC commercial idea here?

[EagerDragon]

Even if they release the iPhone take 2 tomorrow, I am waiting until WWDC to hear what Steve reveals.

Two questions:
1) Is this really his statement?
2) How good is the translation?

[Tampa Tom]

And I was just fixing up my Newton Messagepad 2100 as I miss it so much. I guess I'll wait before putting $90 in it replacing the backlight.

If Apple would give me a screen (full color) the size of a Newtons w/ handwriting recognition and a case which is lot thinner and lighter....SOLD!

[arn]

Rumors have said 1.5x the size of the iPhone.

someone want to mock that up?

arn

[dawnraid]

is this it?
it was found by somebody else on imageshack a few weeks ago.
Any way arn if it isnt, heres your mockup.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/48/advert6zb0.jpg

[Klaxons2012]

Even if they release the iPhone take 2 tomorrow, I am waiting until WWDC to hear what Steve reveals.

Two questions:
1) Is this really his statement?
2) How good is the translation?

I have to agree. If Apple releases a product just before a huge Keynote, you have to suspect something is up.

[Zeegler]

lol....

that actually made me laugh out loud a little. good timing! :D

I aim to please. Plus the WiMax on my new iTablet that I stole from Mossberg made it easy to quickly search for a quote related to rain...

[Klaxons2012]

Hi is this it?
Found by somebody else on imageshack a few weeks ago.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/48/advert6zb0.jpg

I'll take five.

[elcid]

is this it?
it was found by somebody else on imageshack a few weeks ago.
Any way arn if it isnt, heres your mockup.
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/48/advert6zb0.jpg

Can I get a sense of scale?


This doesnt really sound like I could slip this in my pocket. Do I have to carry it in another bag or something? I dont mind carrying a laptop bag but I think that in order to require something like Atom then they will have a rather larger unit.

[FunkyJunk]

Rumors have said 1.5x the size of the iPhone.

someone want to mock that up?

arn

See my diagram on page 3, unless you're looking for a Photoshop job.

[FunkyJunk]

This doesnt reallly sound like I could slip this in my pocket. Do I have to carry it in another bag or something? I dont mind carrying a laptop bag but I think that in order to require something like Atom then they will have a rather larger unit.

I'm looking at a scale drawing on my desk here, and it looks like it would still fit in a pocket. A dress slacks pocket for sure, jeans pocket would be a squeeze, but it would still fit I think.

[desharkey]

http://doubledt.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/intel-iphone-like-mid_2.jpg

:confused:

What is this thing?

[DaBrain]

wow, that was a stupid rebuttal. what if i am a CEO....just not with apple? what if i'm CFO or CTO or President or SVP....

get off the computer and go back to class youngster.

Why are You So Serious? :rolleyes:

[infowarfare]

I've been champion this image and the idea for the past week now on several threads, but no one believed me...

:cool:



That's why it's more likely they will release this new iPhone early with little fanfare and a completely new product at WWDC along with the SDK (that will bridge the iPhone's touch abilites with the Macbook line, as per my "things are getting touchy" post!)

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

In light of recent news, anyone care to revisit and speculate on the meaning of the two diverging Golden Gate bridges on the WWDC poster...

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

I wonder, are the bridges diverging, or CONVERGING, ie Mac+iPhone= tablet?

That's what I've been saying all along! And I reiterate, Things ARE getting touchy!

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/48/advert6zb0.jpg

Trust me on this and remember, you heard it here first!

[WhySoSerious]

Astounding analysis. :rolleyes:



Gee, I don't know why Steve Jobs doesn't just ask you about this stuff first. He could probably save a lot of time by referring to your prescient visions on future tech. :)


as opposed to your analysis of "anything apple wants to produce is great by me!"?

i can see it now, steve pitches 15 ideas to you and you boil up in a sweat saying "sure steve, those ALL sound great....make 'em!"

1 year later, apple has suffered a stock hit of huge proportions because you got all giddy at the though of a new apple product and how you could fuse it into your own life....not considering what the general population would think of it.

bravo!

ya know.....sometimes, apple doesn't always come out with the best idea/product. sometimes what they intend to make would be better off just an idea on a scratch card.

[ashoka8350]

There has been a rumor that Apple plans to release a tablet version about one and half the size of present iPhone. This would be the size comparable to Checkbook. Again we also know that Apple has a patent on some thing like an iMac screen where you can insert the tablet, to make it work like a computer!. May be that is what is coming. Surprise... Surprise !!

I hope this becomes a reality.

[Zeegler]

"iTablet" or "iMaclet" or "iMac Touch" or "iMac Touch Air" or "iMasick ofMacNames"

[arn]

What is this thing?

That is Intel's example of an Atom-based device.

arn

[MacH4X0r]

is this it? maybe a more tall slender type phone?

http://www.zdnet.de/i/news/200802/iphonemitatom.jpg
http://doubledt.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/intel-iphone-like-mid_2.jpg

[macidiot]

A bigger iphone? How much bigger can that giant thing get? Its probably the biggest phone on the market already. People wouldnt be able to fit it in their pockets.

I would expect them to release an EEE like product more, and those are what are making most use of the atom processor. Apple was very stupid to pass on an oppurtunity to take this extremely high in demand market. Maybe they have finally learned their lesson? Every PC maker I can think of has either already released an EEE'ish computer or has one in the works, Apple is the only one who hasnt jumped on the wagon yet.

If Apple creates a low cost tablet EEE then it would be an instant win like the ipod.

You're joking right? The iPhone is one of the smallest, if not the smallest smartphone existing. And unless you're either a girl or a midget, or a Cirque du Soleil performer that lives in skintight clothing, the current iPhone fits just fine in pockets. The iPhone could easily get .25 inches wider and still fit comfortably in pockets.

And EEE? Apple does not create or target products for people that can barely pay for the electricity to charge a EEE. There might be high demand, but there is zero profit. Apple would be incredibly stupid to enter this market. They made the mini. How well is that doing?

You want an EEE from Apple? Buy an iPhone. Internet, email, and communication. Pretty much all the EEE is good for.

[FunkyJunk]

Not been paying attention?

[Klaxons2012]

What is this thing?

Intel Demos iPhone like MID of the Future

Intel just keeps banging out the hits from IDF. After the handful of McCaslin "next-quarter" and "coming-soon" UMPCs we saw from the chipmaker (and associates), Intel started busting out prototypes from its forthcoming Menlow chipset, using smaller, 45nm Silverthorne CPUs, and the 2009/2010 offering Moorestown... which is the bad-boy you're looking at in these photos is based on. In a rather obvious homage to the iPhone, the chip-kingpin presented this do-anything, go-anywhere MID (provided you can cram this French-bread-sized device into a pocket). The device will feature a 45nm CPU as well, plus all kinds of goodies like integrated WiFi and WiMAX, and apparently 24 hours of battery life on a single charge. Obviously, this product will probably never see the light of day (at least not in this form factor), but then again -- you never really know. Check a few more photos after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/20/intel-demos-iphone-like-mid-of-the-future/

[desharkey]

That is Intel's example of an Atom-based device.

arn

Thanks! It's interesting. I like the side-by-side view it has going on!

[ZiggyPastorius]

i hope that was a sarcastic comment, it sounds like a sanitary towel! :rolleyes:

...Comment edited due to overwhelming stupidity.

[WhySoSerious]

Why are You So Serious? :rolleyes:

lol....d@mn you! i was waiting for that! bravo! :D

[infowarfare]

Size comparison?:

http://idannyb.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/08_macair_080505e1.jpg?w=600

[bigmc6000]

It would need to be bigger not to accomodate a bigger screen but a bigger battery as Atom feeds on battery like there is no tomorrow.

Have we still not moved onto something newer than Li-Polymer batteries? I mean, there's gotta be *something* out there!

[MacH4X0r]

if you rotated it sideways it would be a perfect handset, and KILLER for mobile gaming...

[drb6]

I always found tablets in their current form useless but with Multi touch, they could actually become revolutionary (as it was proclaimed in the first place). Can't wait to see what Apple has up its sleeve come WWDC. If this turns out to be true, the two bridges bit makes total sense. Development with SDK diverges into the iPhone apps and the iPhone Pro apps and will expand from there.

But if its only slightly bigger, I don't quite see the point (yet).

[DaBrain]

2/3 of the people I know who use an iPhone have it in a holster anyway. My hands are big and a 20-40% bigger device would be a value add. It would likely have longer battery life too?

People with aging eyes like bigger screens.

Rocketman

Truer words could not be spoken! That's why I ditched my eee and got a macbook! My eyes were killing me!--)) ;)

[Shasterball]

Who wants a tablet? Not me...

[Klaxons2012]

Size comparison?:

http://idannyb.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/08_macair_080505e1.jpg?w=600

That definately won't fit in my pocket.
It would be great for that Slingbox app though.

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU like Mac OS X; en) AppleWebKit/420.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.0 Mobile/4A102 Safari/419.3)

This is really cool. I hope to see this soon.

[pik.]

a tablet for me would be PERFECT:p:eek::rolleyes:

[macidiot]

2/3 of the people I know who use an iPhone have it in a holster anyway. My hands are big and a 20-40% bigger device would be a value add. It would likely have longer battery life too?

People with aging eyes like bigger screens.

Rocketman

Sorry, I just had to lol at holsters.

I can only think, "I'm Batman!"

[Fonzijr1964]

i will take two no joke one for home and one for school

[danielwsmithee]

Here's the relative size of this thing if what he says holds true, and it keeps the same ppi as the iPhone screen:

http://www.chrisweaver.net/images/ipadsize.gifGive me that in a 4-4.5" screen with more ppi and I'll buy.

[Stridder44]

Awesome news! Can't wait to see the new iPhone/tablet/whatever it's gonna be.

[twoodcc]

i am kinda surprised by this. i guess we'll see at WWDC though

[ChrisA]

How many of you remember the quote below from one of Jobs' keynotes. Looks like he wasn't joking.

"Hi, I'm Steve, welcome to my weekly podcast, "Super Secret Apple Rumors," featuring the hottest rumors about our favorite company. I have some pretty good sources inside Apple, and this is what I'm hearing; the next iPod will be huge, an 8 pounder with a ten inch screen! ..."

[askthedust]

Mobile movie device would be nice to replace portable dvd player. Decent screen could be attached to a head rest. Don't see the demand being that great although target sells 5-7 different versions as do other retailers. I suppose you would need built in ripping in iTunes for an average consumer who does not know what handbrake is...

But, if I were a sales guy that just needed to be able to read email click through a presentation with an apple remote, touch screen a 3d product rendering and could touch screen everything else for $500.00 or less....

[patmcfar8]

Bigger screen, same thickness, multi-touch, reader, more performance, more battery life, more memory, card reader...blah..blah..blah..blah..blah, and omg what about the games!

Nah, who would want one of those...(as he carefully maps his position for a 48 hour siege of Summit Sierra Apple store).

Word. Let me know if you can save me a spot in line. ;)

[TechnoLawyer]

How many of you remember the quote below from one of Jobs' keynotes. Looks like he wasn't joking.

That was the iPod HiFi -- except for the screen. :confused:

[imwoblin]

This tablet is the next logical step for Apple after the Macbook Air. Just remove the keyboard on the air, slim down the bezel, and add multitouch to the screen ala iPhone. This makes so much more sense to me than the MacBook Air. Ill be first in line.

[TechnoLawyer]

But, if I were a sales guy that just needed to be able to read email click through a presentation with an apple remote, touch screen a 3d product rendering and could touch screen everything else for $500.00 or less....

Give it a DVI port and Keynote Companion (run-only Keynote) plus the other iPhone apps, and I will never need another laptop.

[ashoka8350]

http://images.appleinsider.com/newton-reincarnation-070925.png

[Lone Deranger]

Oh man.. Steve's gonna be pissed at Intel. :D

[Rocketman]

Sorry, I just had to lol at holsters.

I can only think, "I'm Batman!"

:)

Funny thing is most of those devices are jammed into an iPhone 2 with SDK apps installed.

Except the backpack and the Starbucks cup.

Rocketman

[MikeyC]

Could this be the iphone HOME by any chance?

All the functions of an iphone, but on your landline?

Makes sense for people who wanna email / surf the net and have an mp3 player in their living room, but dont wanna shell out for a laptop or have room for a desktop!

[G4R2]

The reason I like this rumor is that it approaches the tablet problem the way that Apple would. There are two reasons that tablet's don't resonate with computers the way they should. First, they're too large and bulky. The correct form factor that correlates to the functions that most consumers would use them for is somewhere in the range of slimmed down Newton.

And second, tablets lack a very important feature that a slightly larger iPhone would possess, mobile connectivity both for voice and data.

Truth is I could really use an OS X tablet like device for both business and personal use that is slightly larger and more powerful than the current the iPhone. I hope Apple finds the right formula to make this succeed.

[Rocketman]

Oh man.. Steve's gonna be pissed at Intel. :D

He ought to say something at the keynote just to "tag" him. :)

Rocketman

[Bye Bye Baby]

I still dont see the point of it...

So, what would it do? I couldn't imagine it being that much of a revolution product. Could I be wrong?

Probably...:p

[Pressure]

Well,

There is a lot of talk about this recently, there was some info coming from WSJ and EETimes regarding higher definition on the Iphone, and a bit larger screen size, making the Iphone a serious game platform.

Apple can pull this off since they can tie it all to iTunes and a user with a contract could possibly rent a game for $1 a day! that could have a tremendous impact in the gaming industry.

Now, about the Atom, it would have to be a custom chip, maybe close to 800Mhz and less than the 6 W ratings that they discussed a while ago.. (it was to go down to the 3~2W range) and Apple would need to make the Iphone bigger to accommodate for a larger removable battery.

It's all speculation, but we will have to see.

JM

The Silverthorne (Intel Atom) has a maximum Thermal Design Power of 0.6 to 2.5 Watt.

It's a big power draw for a mobile device, which should get solved in the future however.

[bigmc6000]

Could this be the iphone HOME by any chance?

All the functions of an iphone, but on your landline?

Makes sense for people who wanna email / surf the net and have an mp3 player in their living room, but dont wanna shell out for a laptop or have room for a desktop!

I want it to be able to control my TV too!! :) that'd be great, sitting there typing away (with the virtual keyboard that's the same size as a regular one) and then hit the channel up button there on my iHome device. Ah, one can only dream! :)

[Ade-iMac-177]

That would be amazing - the new newton!!!!!!

bet it doesn't have any phone support - it will just be the PDA though.
I would still get one, i <3 multi-touch

[cnorth3]

Sure you do! Apple is clearly moving toward devices that are adjuncts to desktop computers, communicating via Back To My Mac. No need to schlep a full-blown laptop around when you can use an iPhone or a tablet as a terminal for your iMac, or whatever, when you're away from home (or, for that matter, in the living room). Already works pretty well w/ Remote Buddy. Bet you five bucks that's what the tablet is all about, and that we will see Back To My Mac capabilities in iPhone 2.0. Betcha!

[boobooq88]

Maybe its a tablet that integrates w/ AppleTV and iTunes from your Mac/PC in some way or another

And its small enough to take in your car and mount it somewhere and use the GPS from your iPhone and make bluetooth calls through it as well (possibly)?

Has fairly loud speakers and a decent microphone

Had a iSight camera as well so you can vid chat over iChat.

I would definitely buy one if it had that


Maybe it wouldn't need your iPhone for calls and need a subscription to a Cell Pone carrier (ie AT&T)?

Or what if you were able to share this device w/ the phone number on your iPhone and have a switch on your iPhone to have your calls go through the tablet instead w/o using bluetooth?


Maybe if it was something like this car manufacturers would offer an "in-dash Dock" for this instead of using their own NAV systems?


Should be interesting :cool:

[Bye Bye Baby]

This tablet is the next logical step for Apple after the Macbook Air. Just remove the keyboard on the air, slim down the bezel, and add multitouch to the screen ala iPhone. This makes so much more sense to me than the MacBook Air. Ill be first in line.

You have got to be kidding. More sense than an Air? Everyone criticised the Air because it was so minimalist and had traded off so many features and your idea is to take away the keyboard. Well that's an award winning idea isn't it?

[winterspan]

I think there's a typo in the original article. Surely it should say "Ex Intel Germany CEO Hannes Schwaderer"...


:)

[quandmeme]

Does everyone remember the concept video (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6381789873197028811) for the MS Oragami platform? (Zune swallowed the concept for now, IMO) But watch the video again. It shows both the limitations and the possibilities very well. I'm intrigued.

[nickspohn]

MY OPINION


This is the new iPhone we are going to see. 1.5 times the iPhone? That isn't much bigger, and i don't think Apple would have 2 products that do the same thing, but one is just a tad bigger than the one introduced.


$10 says this is the new iPhone, and this is what's going to be released at WWDC.

[terrordemon]

what about those who dont really use a desktop? and who really just use a laptop? ones that are always on the go?

what i dont get (and it may come with the sdk + 3g, who knows) is why not just make the iphone have the abilities to bridge this gap between the iphone + the laptop???

fine, create a device to bridge between iphone and desktop, but what about the laptop users? if i wasnt constantly moving my computer, which i've done in the past, i would LOVE this device; i'm still tempted at the taste of it. but, what a lot of people need i feel is iphone -> laptop, as well as iphone -> desktop

[nickspohn]

Who actually thinks this is going to be the next model of the iPhone? I sure do.

[jemo07]

The Silverthorne (Intel Atom) has a maximum Thermal Design Power of 0.6 to 2.5 Watt.

It's a big power draw for a mobile device, which should get solved in the future however.

I had not kept up with the specs. Glad to her that! :)

[benmrii]

Obviously I will withhold any significant judgment until I’ve actually seen what this potential item actually is, but since it is a basic idea that has been floated around a few times already I’d like to say that I think it is … dumb.

If we’re talking about a tablet PC, basically another option in the MacBook/MacBook Pro/MacBook Air line, that is a different story, although I doubt that will actually be the case considering even the MacBook Air and MacBook have native resolutions of 1280x800 with this device claiming only a 720x480. So that being said…

The iPhone is a good size for a portable, all-in-one device. A consistent comment has been that anything larger would be too large to carry as a tech device. So something that is less than a portable computer in functionality but larger than an iPhone (size) is unlikely to be a good match.

The other thing that strikes me as dumb is the abundance of marketing this as a smart phone, as an all-in-one portable device, as a replacement for the Treo and the Blackberry. The biggest mention of this recently was full Microsoft Exchange functionality. Not to limit Apple’s creativity and innovation with my own, but what more could a little bigger sized device give that a 3G iPhone with GPS, a 2nd camera for video conferencing and 32GB of storage space doesn’t?

I’m not challenging, I’m really asking… why/what would a 2nd device be if not a full-on tablet/portable PC or just the new iPhone that is a little bigger?

$10 says this is the new iPhone, and this is what's going to be released at WWDC.

That is more likely to me than a new device somewhere inbetween a tablet and an iPhone.

[SirOmega]

This stinks of another Kevin Rose thing, why would anyone at Intel see the final design. IIRC, Apple didn't even have more than 30 people (a few people at ATT and the rest Apple staff) with iPhones and thats after the announcement. This supposed device hasnt even been announced yet - this rates a 1 on the plausibility meter (out of 10).

[imwoblin]

You have got to be kidding. More sense than an Air? Everyone criticised the Air because it was so minimalist and had traded off so many features and your idea is to take away the keyboard. Well that's an award winning idea isn't it?

Easy there cowboy.... It's just my opinion. No need to pretend you are smarter than anyone else on this board.

[Bobo Decosta]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet? i mean, it's probably too big for pockets (or if you squeeze it in, it'll be uncomfortable) and it'll be just like all the other crappy mini-laptops out there.

think of it this way, it'll be about the size of a portable dvd player. what's the point in that? if you need a PC that bad when you're on the go......get a full blown laptop (MBA or MB or MBP). If you don't need a PC that bad, but just wanna surf the net, watch movies, play games.....an iphone should suffice and it fits in your pocket.

this is a bad idea and the only market that exist for a tablet is for HARDCORE fanboys, not 99% of the other population.

this will be a huge dud. the only purpose the tablet will serve is to TEST technology so they can use it in future MacBooks and iMacs.....nothing more, nothing less.


Its not because it's mobile you have to take it everywhere. Why do you need a laptop at home for browsing the web, reading mails and access media content. Put a remote for the TV and some domotica features and you have an all access interface for your home, add laptop functionality and omg Apple reinvented the UMPC

[wizard]

why the hell would anyone want a tablet?

I would! Seriously the iPhone is just to small, add a half inch or so to the screen height and just a hair more in length and you have a much more desirable device. Especially for the delivery of web and video.

i mean, it's probably too big for pockets (or if you squeeze it in, it'll be uncomfortable) and it'll be just like all the other crappy mini-laptops out there.

Depends on your pocket doesn't it. If you are of small stature sure you will have problems, but many of us find issue wit the tiny cell phones popular these days. Imagine if you wore size 16 shoes and had like size hands, how would modern phones fit your hands. Not well at all let met tell you.


think of it this way, it'll be about the size of a portable dvd player. what's the point in that?

You need to do the math and you will find out that unit won't be that big if Apple maintains the same dot density.

if you need a PC that bad when you're on the go......get a full blown laptop (MBA or MB or MBP).

I already have one and frankly not even remotely the same thing.

If you don't need a PC that bad, but just wanna surf the net, watch movies, play games.....an iphone should suffice and it fits in your pocket.

If that was the case I would already own one. The current iPhone is nothing more than a beta device for an entirely new concept in portable electronics.


this is a bad idea and the only market that exist for a tablet is for HARDCORE fanboys, not 99% of the other population.

this will be a huge dud. the only purpose the tablet will serve is to TEST technology so they can use it in future MacBooks and iMacs.....nothing more, nothing less.

I think it will be Apples hottest seller in decades! Really I see that much demand for it.

Dave

[apple101]

im confused. they are going to come out with a screen larger than the iphone and put a phone with it? wont that be a pain in the ass to put up to your ear when you get a phone call?

[terrordemon]

as a side note, what do you guys think is the chance of this:

having a macbook/macbook pro with a screen that reverses and folds down with pen touch screen capabilities to imitate a tablet?

something everyone is forgetting is that a tablet pretty much needs a PEN INPUT. honestly it just makes it better. look at the origami video. writing, drawing, etc.

[Tsurisuto]

I really hope that this is an eBook reader. I really want to buy one of these, but most of them are pants, and the ones that are good are not compatible with the Mac.

It would be great to download books through iTunes, and even better if you had an option to let Alex (Leopards voice) read them back to you too.

[Zukum]

If the screen were bumped up just a little more to 5.25 x 3.5 inches, and if it had the same resolution as the latest ipod nano (204 ppi), it could provide 720p x 1080 high definition. The same HD provided on iTunes.

[TechnoLawyer]

Its not because it's mobile you have to take it everywhere. Why do you need a laptop at home for browsing the web, reading mails and access media content. Put a remote for the TV and some domotica features and you have an all access interface for your home, add laptop functionality and omg Apple reinvented the UMPC

Exactly. I do all my leisure reading at home on my iPhone (mostly via Google Reader). I would primarily use this device at home where the larger size would be a benefit, not a drawback. I would only take it with me when I had to give a presentation (if it could run Keynote). Otherwise, only my iPhone would leave the house every day.

[Foocha]

Three reasons to doubt...

1. It's very unlikely that Intel Germany's CEO would be privy to this kind of info. It's a whole new product line - people more senior at Apple would be kept in the dark - let alone someone from Intel.

2. SJ's been on record in the past dismissing Tablet PC as a product category.

3. It's not at all clear what market such a product would be addressing. It would be too large to be a phone, and with no keyboard, it wouldn't be much of a laptop replacement.

[mdriftmeyer]

According to staff at the Oregon plant who make All Apple products they aren't using the Atom.

[jemo07]

Imagine if you wore size 16 shoes and had like size hands, how would modern phones fit your hands. Not well at all let met tell you.


Dave, iPhone will come in S, M, L, and XL sizes. Screen resolution will be the same, but the battery will vary with each model :)

Ok, seriously, devices like the iPhone are hard to predict, look at what has come of the iPod?
I think Apple has found a niche and are trying to capitalize on it big time! Some one said once that money was in the living room and that should be where Apple should focus. Steve thought and has proven that money is with each individual (may in one household) and there is where he is focusing. The iPhone is bringing together something that other phones have tried with the notion of SmartPhone, that is music player, phone, palm computing, and now Apple will most likely add handheld gaming to the mix!

Love to watch this all happening.. good I am exited... (heck I own Apple stock!!!!)

[jontucker]

I'm certain that it won't be the next model iPhone. Whether it'll actually be produced is another matter, but I doubt that too really.

[Jackou]

I was thinking about something smaller haha not bigger!! The iPhone is a phone god damn it you use it to make a call sometimes !
Who feels like bringing a macbook to his ear come on!
Doesn't make sense
A tablet if you want (thought nobody wants it) Or a phone but not both...:mad::rolleyes::cool::p;):confused::):eek::(:o:D:apple:

[jonnyb]

Three reasons to doubt...

2. SJ's been on record in the past dismissing Tablet PC as a product category.


But SJ has also been on record saying no-one would ever watch video on an iPod

[nickspohn]

Well my reason being is that.. i don't want 2 similar products to chose from. A bigger device would be harder to carry around and put up against your ear wouldn't be nice, thus getting the current iPhone model. But i do indeed want the best...


Aye.

[anti-microsoft]

I don't think Apple is going to make a PDA. I think they are becoming out of date no one uses them anymore. Now Smart phones are the thing. Maybe an Internet tablet with video-watching functionality and VOIP.

[Tallest Skil]

Imagine if you wore size 16 shoes and had like size hands, how would modern phones fit your hands. Not well at all let met tell you.

Hello, I'm a Mac. I can use the iPhone just fine, though...

[jontucker]

A bigger device would be harder to carry around and put up against your ear wouldn't be nice

Thats the reason it's not going to be the next model iPhone.

i don't want 2 similar products to chose from

Thats the reason I doubt it'll go into production.

[poopyhead]

I dont think it will replace the iphone but will instead be a similar but entirely new device.

what I want is a slightly larger form factor with handwriting recognition that I can take notes on in class (will hopefully be able to run word and text twist), store all of my music on, that I can sync with my powerbook or imac via the web or .mac, and maybe be able to access my powerbook or imac online.

[FoxyKaye]

Jeez - I thought Germans were all about discipline and structure. If this even has a shred of truth to it, Apple's going to come down like the Hammer of God on him. Steve-o doesn't like his secrets revealed before he's ready.

Though I've been mostly staying out of the iPhone speculation fray, this really amused me. Just more confirmation that someone knows something about the iPhone 2.0, but yet, no-one knows anything.

[seenett]

For some reason I don't envision a tablet having a phone function - just data via 3G, wifi, and bluetooth. Maybe a 32gb flash drive. Advantage would be a bigger touchscreen/keyboard. If dot mac is also revamped per the rumors, then maybe server based versions of applications (and storage) like Word, Excel, etc? More of a bridge product between an iphone and a macbook air.

[louden]

I really hope that this is an eBook reader. I really want to buy one of these, but most of them are pants, and the ones that are good are not compatible with the Mac.

It would be great to download books through iTunes, and even better if you had an option to let Alex (Leopards voice) read them back to you too.

I think I posted on another thread - I hope you can access safari books online with ease. The Seattle Public Library gives us free access to their technical book section. I think that would be the schhiz night!

[Donz0r]

is it possible that the Intel guy may be right about the resolution but wrong about the size factor? I mean, wouldn't it be nice if Apple upped the resolution of the iPhone without actually changing the dimensions? Of course it would need a better processor to be able to handle the increase in data brought about by such increases in resolution. Of course I think it'd be great if they upped resolution to match 720p TV's and made all TV downloads 720p :)

720P on a handheld device??? ...talk about pointless

[anti-microsoft]

For some reason I don't envision a tablet having a phone function - just data via 3G, wifi, and bluetooth. Maybe a 32gb flash drive. Advantage would be a bigger touchscreen/keyboard. If dot mac is also revamped per the rumors, then maybe server based versions of applications (and storage) like Word, Excel, etc? More of a bridge product between an iphone and a macbook air.

I totally agree!

[louden]

You know, I haven't played with the iPhone SDK much yet - how is it with working with different resolutions? Does everything scale? Windows Mobile didn't do a very good job at that, and I'm assuming some new device would run the iPhone OS to keep it battery friendly.


To me the perfect size would be the exact size of the wireless keyboard. That way the two would travel together well.

[deputy_doofy]

Probably already mentioned in this large thread, but what if this is the gaming model? You have the iPhone with X amounts of memory. The iPod Touch with up to 2X amounts of memory. And then, perhaps, the iGame (or some silly name), with up to 3X amounts of memory.

The iGame would be slightly larger for gaming. I'm grasping at straws here, but I could see them pursuing the gaming market with a device like this. Telecommunications, music, gaming - all programmed with a Mac and, thus, Mac-compatible. Everything comes "home."

[louden]

720P on a handheld device??? ...talk about pointless

720p or 1080p is important because I want my media library to run on a device as well as the TV. I don't want two copies of everything, or a less than perfect resolution on my TV.

[yanke]

What about acceptable screen size for the tablet?

I vote for min. 5'' and max 7'' ...

If it is in this range I will buy one on day one.

Obviously I need all the possible features :D

[corrado7]

MY OPINION


This is the new iPhone we are going to see. 1.5 times the iPhone? That isn't much bigger, and i don't think Apple would have 2 products that do the same thing, but one is just a tad bigger than the one introduced.


$10 says this is the new iPhone, and this is what's going to be released at WWDC.

make that 20 and i say iphone and tablet 2 different things:D

[poopyhead]

I think the phone feature is a possibility depending on the size of the tablet

if they include a phone then they can increase profit margins by signing more profit sharing/exclusive carrier agreements with cell phone companies

it would also allow the tablet to be used as a fake gps device in conjunction with google maps

and allow web access/syncing in places without a wifi connection

[MacsAttack]

You know, I haven't played with the iPhone SDK much yet - how is it with working with different resolutions?

From what I've seen... Not very good.

Not to say it can't be extended, but for all those people busy getting ready for the ApStore launch having a completely new device added to the mix at the last second would be a mondo-rug-pulling event.

[yanke]

Original Newton dimensions:

7.25 x 4.5 x 0.75 (inches)

just for comparison...

[louden]

I was thinking about something smaller haha not bigger!! The iPhone is a phone god damn it you use it to make a call sometimes !
Who feels like bringing a macbook to his ear come on!
Doesn't make sense
A tablet if you want (thought nobody wants it) Or a phone but not both...:mad::rolleyes::cool::p;):confused::):eek::(:o:D:apple:

You've got short-sighted thinking. A compelling device that people could carry around everywhere, all the time would be a new niche. I used to carry around a Franklin Planner constantly - and the thought of carrying a device seems to be OK with me. I think part of the issue is how to carry it. I may be crucified for writing this, but I seriously think we're in for a future of small over the shoulder messenger bags, some kind of man purse, or even bigger pockets on our cargo pants. I'm sure it will do wonders for the getting things done set, but probably dock the chances for the typical fanboy to score any points with women...

Didn't kirk and spock carry their tricorders with some strap type thing over the shoulder? I've got some cargo shorts on right now, and the outside pocket is plenty big enough for a new device in some protective skin.

[farmboy]

That's a bit of an overreaction, don't you think? How can you tell a product is going to be a dud by just hearing a vague description of specs from a chip manufacturer. I think this tablet has the potential of being the next big thing in mobile computing. Apple should get the benefit of rolling out a product before you place such a judgement upon it.

I'm speculating it's approximately 5 in x 8 in (13mm x 20mm), with nice resolution, OS X, maybe multi-touch or mt + stylus, couple of ports, etc.

I think there is a very large market in the medical field alone (doctors-PAs-Nurses) for reference, patient files, PDR, x-ray/MRI images, etc. Depends on the capabilities.

I also think there is, or will be in the very near future, a large-but-hard-to-estimate-right-now market for electronic books. Amazon had the right idea but the wrong device. E Books are the future, sooner rather than later. The transition will be fast and furious once the right device is out there. Buy the books outright, or rent for a month or whatever. It WILL happen, and you read it here firs....sec...thir...2119th.

As an internet device, it could work--much bigger than the Touch or iPhone. Add GPS, tunes...and of course for the mandatory whiners--a replaceable battery!

[PK56]

I really hope that this is an eBook reader. I really want to buy one of these, but most of them are pants, and the ones that are good are not compatible with the Mac.

It would be great to download books through iTunes, and even better if you had an option to let Alex (Leopards voice) read them back to you too.

I'm surprised that no one in this thread (at least that I saw) has mentioned the Amazon Kindle. What an enormous gaping hole that Apple could fill SO much better! And to me, Jobs actually tipped his hand about ebook readers when his response to the Kindle was to sniff that "no one reads anymore." I'll bet Apple had the iPod video functionality well in development when he publicly dismissed the need for pocket video, too. Cagey guy.

Anyway, a small tablet could blow away the Kindle as an ebook reader, AND provide so much more as well. This would be a game-changing product in so many ways.

[some12b]

does this remind anyone of the ill-fated foleio by palm? I am sure apple can do a better job....

Anyway, as long as this thing has wifi n plus mobile phone capabilities, all wrapped in a thin casing and yet still fit in one's pocket, then I am completely sold. Would it have gps and camera as well?

[ClothheadHQ]

hi

Will mac rumors be doing a spoiler free link to the feed of WWDC key note when it is posted?

any one idea's on how long the delay will be between live and link?

or is their a live post?

thanks

steve

[MacsAttack]

Anyway, a small tablet could blow away the Kindle as an ebook reader

No. it wouldn't. The key to any e-book reader is the fancy new "electronic paper" which :-

1. Has a very low power requirement

2. Is far more comfortable to read than a traditional LCD display.

Point 2 is a real killer. LCD displays just don't cut it for heavy reading - which is why we still have books (and lots of people still like to read a "real" book).

[Marvin1379]

Newton 2 !!!

I'm surprised no one has said this yet ... or maybe everyone in here is too young to remember the original.

it's been said in previous threads

[bentoms]

iPod Touch > Portable Media Device with Wifi for internet & email etc...

iPhone > Portable Media Device & phone with Wifi EDGE/3G for internet & email etc...

"iPhone Pro" > Portable Media Device & phone with Wifi EDGE/3G for internet & email etc.. But with iwork Touch built in for quick document editing on the fly!!

ALOT of guys in advertising would use an "iPhone Pro" as there primary device.

No More Blackberry > iPhone Pro synchronises via active sync to/from there exchange server.

Presentations can be edited on the move thought iWork Touch &/or Office Touch & once finished the device could hook up to a screen/projector to make the presentation to clients.

Servers access via VPN & docs launched remotely.

We would by a fair few of these off the bat.

my 2 pennies worth!!

[louden]

I'm surprised that no one in this thread (at least that I saw) has mentioned the Amazon Kindle.

Kindle Schmindle. We could use a little thinning of those ranks.

If Apple does release a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 ish device, I'm sure it will do as good or much better job of being an eBook reader than the Kindle.

And I'll say it again for the third or fourth time - high-quality access to Safari Books Online on some new device would be devastating to the future of the Kindle.

[PK56]

Kindle Schmindle. We could use a little thinning of those ranks.

If Apple does release a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 ish device, I'm sure it will do as good or much better job of being an eBook reader than the Kindle.

And I'll say it again for the third or fourth time - high-quality access to Safari Books Online on some new device would be devastating to the future of the Kindle.

I agree with your point about Apple being able to produce a better eBook reader than the Kindle, yes. Even without using electronic ink that another poster thinks is critical to success.

But Safari? Great service, but really just for techies. Unless/until they feature Tom Clancy books etc., that won't be "devastating" to the Kindle. Not enough volume. That would be like iTunes featuring only classical music.

[Marvin1379]

Can I get a sense of scale?


This doesnt really sound like I could slip this in my pocket. Do I have to carry it in another bag or something? I dont mind carrying a laptop bag but I think that in order to require something like Atom then they will have a rather larger unit.

slightly larger than 2 iphones side by side

[Chef Medeski]

is it possible that the Intel guy may be right about the resolution but wrong about the size factor? I mean, wouldn't it be nice if Apple upped the resolution of the iPhone without actually changing the dimensions? Of course it would need a better processor to be able to handle the increase in data brought about by such increases in resolution. Of course I think it'd be great if they upped resolution to match 720p TV's and made all TV downloads 720p :)
The HTC Diamond has a ppi at about twice the iPhone, but a smaller screen. At 3.5" you could easily get that resolution with less ppi. Thats a touch device too unless multi-touch needs much smaller resolution (which it doesn't seem to have). So its certainly plausible that the iPhone could have a 720x480 with the same form factor. I imagine 1.5x each dimension would be a bit too big. But about 1.25x with a screen size of about 4 or 4.5" and a smaller border, would be pretty good size. It would look a bit large, but nothing too ridiculous and would greatly help looking at website and videos.

Hopefully they add a MicroSD or SD slot so we can easily upgrade 8 or 16GB up. :)

I wouldn't mind using it as a phone.

Here's the relative size of this thing if what he says holds true, and it keeps the same ppi as the iPhone screen:

http://www.chrisweaver.net/images/ipadsize.gif

The HTC Diamond has over twice the ppi of the iPhone, so I'm sure it wouldn't need to be that big.

[bzudo]

I think an Apple tablet has some potential. I work for a interactive media company and we design a lot of tablet based programs for pharmaceutical reps. It's big business. They use tablets to sell pharmaceuticals to doctors. It allows them to have the doctor interact with the information.

Not sure if that's what will happen, but I think there is a market there.

[louden]

I agree with your point about Apple being able to produce a better eBook reader than the Kindle, yes. Even without using electronic ink that another poster thinks is critical to success.

But Safari? Great service, but really just for techies. Unless/until they feature Tom Clancy books etc., that won't be "devastating" to the Kindle. Not enough volume. That would be like iTunes featuring only classical music.

Not just techies - business too. I'd have to think they'd expand if there's a market to fiction. Sooner or later there will be.

[Wharrgarbl]

My take is the Cringely take: Apple must have ROYALLY pissed off Intel.

This is retribution, plain and simple. CEOs do not have "slips of the tongue" regarding partner's products.

Check it out:

http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2007/pulpit_20071129_003521.html

[Niiro13]

Just got to post this again. here's the concept =P

http://www.maclife.com/sites/future.p2technology.com/files/imce-images2/0511_MAC0608Cover_300.jpg

[corrado7]

iPod Touch > Portable Media Device with Wifi for internet & email etc...

iPhone > Portable Media Device & phone with Wifi EDGE/3G for internet & email etc...

"iPhone Pro" > Portable Media Device & phone with Wifi EDGE/3G for internet & email etc.. But with iwork Touch built in for quick document editing on the fly!!

ALOT of guys in advertising would use an "iPhone Pro" as there primary device.

No More Blackberry > iPhone Pro synchronises via active sync to/from there exchange server.

Presentations can be edited on the move thought iWork Touch &/or Office Touch & once finished the device could hook up to a screen/projector to make the presentation to clients.

Servers access via VPN & docs launched remotely.

We would by a fair few of these off the bat.

my 2 pennies worth!!

lets assume your proposition. How do you hold the "iphone pro" to you ear to talk. That would look ridiculous. You might say use a bluetooth headset, but what if you forget it at home?

keep dreaming

[7on]

Sorry, I just had to lol at holsters.

I can only think, "I'm Batman!"

Oooooo me Freshman year. I had a Cell, iPod and Palm m515 :p

[mac 2005]

I still dont see the point of it...

Based on the available information, I'm not surprised. :rolleyes:

This could be the device we've been hearing about for a couple of years now. I seem to remember a rumor about a uniquely sized case in development that has yet to see manufacture and adoption in Apple's product line.

[HiRez]

who says this has to be a tablet??? could larger mean screen resolution? like, maybe its a quarter of an inch bigger. its not 3 inches larger on each side.

i honestly see no reason why this couldnt make its way into the 3g iphone.

I agree, I think you could fit a somewhat larger (and higher resolution) screen onto an iPhone that is not physically much larger than the current model (for starters, there is still more usable room on the existing faceplate). Which sounds awesome to me, I'd certainly be interested in one.

[ppdix]

:d

[swagi]

Well...the big news would be:

This magical device goes for sale unlocked! It retails at 799 in 32 GB and 999 in 64 GB.

Now that would get me going. But as long as I have this measily contract stuff in Germany, no money from me.

And to offer some argument for the 'size': I see an iPhone everyday, and it is not made for me. It is too big for my needs. I currently have a LG Chocolate (which sucks big style) and a Nokia E65 in my pocket. The Chocolate is about to be replaced in the next 3 weeks with a new phone. Current runners up to the iPhone nano (which I would like) are Samsung F490 LG Secret.

Both mobiles of mine are only slightly bigger than one iPhone. So go figure.

But if I buy that little bugger, I wouldn't mind carry it around in a nice pouch for a holster. Really, I wouldn't.

[ppdix]

3G iPhone plus 3G iPad or whatever they will call it. I remember the good 'ol days of the PowerBook Duo. Small enough to carry everywhere. I haven't gotten a MB because it is still too big and bulky to take along. The MB Air is thin but still huge in size compared to sub-notebooks. PC's have had sub-notebooks for a long time now. Apple chose to discontinue the Duo. A 7" tablet will blow the competition away!
:rolleyes:

[Marx55]

Apple, make it and we will order thousands for our University, if it behaves like a PowerBook for video presentations (wired and wireless) with true Ethernet and FireWire ports (and I mean true!) as well:

1. Make the Keynote or PowerPoint presentation on the Mac (or Windows or whatever).

2. Move the NATIVE presentation file (no export or other tricks, please) to the device.

3. Carry only the device with you and use it for wired and wireless (both are required) videopresentations in the classroom, conference hall, scientific meeting, etc.

Something like this, but with the FULL Mac OS X inside (and I mean FULL), so that any application can be run:

OQO model e2
http://www.oqo.com

[Stuart in Oz]

This product, if it exists, will be a hit with the enterprise market. All the people saying it's too big to carry around are thinking of private use - think instead of business users.

I'm a rep, I spend three days a week driving around my city (Sydney) to have meetings with my customers (retail electrical stores in my case). I love my MB for normal working but often I'm in a store owner's office and something comes up in conversation where I want to whip out a spreadsheet chart or a quickly show a new product featured on our web site. Taking the laptop out of my bag, unzipping it's neoprene cover, then opening it, then finding a place on the inevitably crowded desk to put it and turn it around for the other guy to see takes so long I don't usually bother. It interupts the conversation.

If there was a large iPhone/small tablet I could just hand it over to the other guy in 3 seconds flat without disturbing his desk or breaking into the conversation too much.

I'd buy one for that purpose alone.

[mixel]

Oh my!

I love the ipad/neo-newton/giant iphone haters.. "I don't want this? Why would anyone want this?"

A lot of people would buy this. I dont get why people extrapolate that if they have no use for something, and possibly their friends dont, that *nobody* would. Apple *do* make niche products, they don't all have to be for everyone.

They aim for things that are easy to beat by making them simpler and nicer to work with.. - Tablets? Well, nobody else has done them right and I dont have faith in anyone else TO get it right.

They don't care that *you* don't want a tablet. If they release one they'll know there's a market for it before release, thousands (millions?) of ex-newton owners are chomping at the bit for these, and if they DO exist, Apple will have made them both sexy and compelling, giving you some sort of useful functionality... If they exist - Apple know how hard they'll have to sell a device like this for people to not be skeptical.. So, if it happens, prepare to be surprised by it's niceness.

If it can run a nice art application (artrage? Sketchbook Pro?) and can do pressure sensitivity they've just insta-sold it to a lot of artists too!

Probably nothing you couldn't live without, but that's not the point. :D

[farmboy]

No. it wouldn't. The key to any e-book reader is the fancy new "electronic paper" which :-

1. Has a very low power requirement

2. Is far more comfortable to read than a traditional LCD display.

Point 2 is a real killer. LCD displays just don't cut it for heavy reading - which is why we still have books (and lots of people still like to read a "real" book).

Power consumption--don't know.
I read about two books a week, mostly paperback. The paper quality (always recycled) and the usually thin-stroked fonts make for eye fatigue after a while, especially in low light. I don't see how a hi-res screen could be worse, and it could be better, especially if you can change font size, etc. It's digital...sky's the limit!

[cal6n]

With an ARM chip? Maybe.

With an intel? Let's get real, please...

[jontucker]

Yes and that's the reason I'm not convinced. 2 things...

Look how much room it would take up inside that iMac, it just not realistic.

Why on earth would you need a virtual click wheel when you have a multi touch screen with elasticy flicky scrolling?

[chickenninja]

i predict 3g iphone soon, and tablet/supper-ipod-touch at wwdc

[oldMac]

Can someone say "iWalk"?

Personally, I don't really see the point of the device, either. The iPhone is a little big as it is, so unless it's got a folding screen or similar, I don't see the point.

[EagerDragon]

lets assume your proposition. How do you hold the "iphone pro" to you ear to talk. That would look ridiculous. You might say use a bluetooth headset, but what if you forget it at home?

keep dreaming

With a bluetooth ear piece you do not need put it to the ear, also in speakerphone there is no need to put it to the ear.

Besides the rumor is 1.5 times the iPhone size (probably an exaggeration) so it would not be quite as big as an MB, LOL.

It may just be 1.2 times the size with higher PPI.

[ufoscout]

$10 says this is the new iPhone, and this is what's going to be released at WWDC.

I agree. :)

[benmrii]

I don't see how a hi-res screen could be worse, and it could be better, especially if you can change font size, etc. It's digital...sky's the limit!

The issue isn't whether or not it is high-res, the issue is LCD. Not a good technology for pure reading which is why none of the portable readers use LCD.

[EagerDragon]

A little bigger unit than the iPhone could work fine, it is a matter of how much larger.

But I want phone on it even if it were a 15 inch tablet (exaggeration to show that to me size does not matter). I can use an ear piece just fine with a unit like that, I do not expect anything larger than 4.5 inches by 3 at most.

Heck I would love phone capabilities on an MB or MBP, with 3G/Edge for the road and WIFI at the cafe. Ear piece with it and it would work great.

[Chef Medeski]

If the screen were bumped up just a little more to 5.25 x 3.5 inches, and if it had the same resolution as the latest ipod nano (204 ppi), it could provide 720p x 1080 high definition. The same HD provided on iTunes.
You can get even more than 300 ppi these days. So does not have to be that big at all. Probably could be 4.5 to 4.75 long with current technologies. Now that would be sweet. 720p.

[djdole]

"Slightly bigger" does not a mini-tablet make.
Remember, the glossy black iPhone in the pic that has been circulating relentlessly is also slightly bigger. ;-)

[ivan123]

Consumer: Macbook, iMac, iPhone
Pro: Macbook Pro, Mac Pro, iPhone Pro

[JGowan]

if it's only slightly larger than my iphone than it's too large for a phone and too small for a tablet. for decent internet browsing and pdf reading it would need a 800x480 screen. many websites are 800 pixel wide. i don't believe this is going to happen. at least not "slightly larger" than the current iphone.Yeah -- you've got all figured out... I don't know how Apple currently shows most websites (sans those with Flash) at their current resolutions. Must be magic. :D

[Mr Maui]

I was thinking about something smaller haha not bigger!! The iPhone is a phone god damn it you use it to make a call sometimes !
Who feels like bringing a macbook to his ear come on!
Doesn't make sense

I guess you forgot about those bluetooth earpiece headsets that everyone is using these days. You don't need a Macbook on your ear. :)

I'm speculating it's approximately 5 in x 8 in (13mm x 20mm), ...

Ahem ... that would be centimeters, not millimeters. :)

[Niiro13]

Yes and that's the reason I'm not convinced. 2 things...

Look how much room it would take up inside that iMac, it just not realistic.

Why on earth would you need a virtual click wheel when you have a multi touch screen with elasticy flicky scrolling?

I'm guessing the only reason why MacLife put the scroll wheel was because the patent showed a scrollwheel with a keyboard.

[MacGohil]

Does anyone still remembers the folding-dual screen with multi-touch pattent that came out recently? or it old school stuff?

If Apple can redesign existing MBA, MBA or MB with the multitouch capabilities and add a flip over multi-touch glass cover which also acts as a K/B when open then we got the right balance....

Add to that the Iphone-functionality and it would make the perfect business and home portable....

Image.... using the virtual k/b on the glass pane with virtual controls for playing games....

Using the two multi-touch screen its also possible to shrink down this device to almost half the physical size of the current portable line-up when closed.... yet the same screen size when open....

That would be a seller device.... M sure apple already has someting alike in the development already....

[Stately]

Good evening all. This is my first post ever and would like to say, I love Apple ;):apple:. Now let's take this trek. I'm picturing a tablet device with great battery power, and the ability to run pro apps. i.e. Adobe Ps, Ai, Dw etc... Aperture, Word, itunes, excel, powerpoint entourage and all that good stuff. Feel me? Even if it had the ability to install other programs (maybe by way of mini-disk talked about in prior Apple patents ?) It would be cool too if all the rumors about the second go at the iphone were true as well i.e. GPS, videoconferencing & portable tv, yes . . . I need the tv LOL. What would also be cool is if the new iphone could at least carry files from the umpc and notebooks around to be synced at work or to another computer or something of that sort. Whew... ok now I can breathe. :D

[samh004]

I think that CEO had a little too much schnapps and if true, I can imagine whoever is in charge of him, giving out some discipline. You don't leak products for one of your major partners.

On the other side, a new newton sounds okay, but I'm gonna stick with getting an iPhone first probably. My pockets aren't that big...

I'm picturing a tablet device with great battery power

Fixed that for you.

[maddogeco]

So maybe we'll get the 3G iPhone sometime in the next 2 weeks, and a tablet Mac at WWDC? :confused:
:D
thats what ive been saying for a while now

[Mr Maui]

This product, if it exists, will be a hit with the enterprise market. All the people saying it's too big to carry around are thinking of private use - think instead of business users.

I'm a rep, I spend three days a week driving around my city (Sydney) to have meetings with my customers (retail electrical stores in my case). I love my MB for normal working but often I'm in a store owner's office and something comes up in conversation where I want to whip out a spreadsheet chart or a quickly show a new product featured on our web site. Taking the laptop out of my bag, unzipping it's neoprene cover, then opening it, then finding a place on the inevitably crowded desk to put it and turn it around for the other guy to see takes so long I don't usually bother. It interupts the conversation.

If there was a large iPhone/small tablet I could just hand it over to the other guy in 3 seconds flat without disturbing his desk or breaking into the conversation too much.

I'd buy one for that purpose alone.

Finally!! A common sense response. Thank you. :)

With an ARM chip? Maybe.

With an intel? Let's get real, please...

How about with custom-designed chips from a chip design company you just purchased?

[wizard]

The reason I like this rumor is that it approaches the tablet problem the way that Apple would. There are two reasons that tablet's don't resonate with computers the way they should. First, they're too large and bulky. The correct form factor that correlates to the functions that most consumers would use them for is somewhere in the range of slimmed down Newton.

You hit the nail square on the head! Actually a smaller newton by a bit. In any event if Apple keeps the same ppi I believe the device will be manageable. Certainly bigger than an iPhone but smaller by a wide margin than most sub notebooks.

If Apple does it right the case might not even end up that much longer.

And second, tablets lack a very important feature that a slightly larger iPhone would possess, mobile connectivity both for voice and data.

Absolutely important! What one needs is constant connectivity that is easy to manage.


Truth is I could really use an OS X tablet like device for both business and personal use that is slightly larger and more powerful than the current the iPhone. I hope Apple finds the right formula to make this succeed.

Powerful? I'm not so certain that the iPhone currently lacks in power, but rather is underutilized. That doesn't mean it couldn't be better just that it isn't a bad platform as it is. The long term play here is that it Apple does go with ATOM they have set themselves up for the future on a 64 bit platform. Thus they can ride the next few years of process improvements ultimately delivering in a couple of years a very powerful but pocketable platform. Being the first ATOM platform this is really the beginning of a very interesting future for portable devices. Just wait until it is practicable to have 2GB or RAM and 500GB of storage in these things. Notice I said 500GB of storage so as not to imply Flash, there is a lot of interesting technology coming online for bulk storage.

It is good to see Apple at the forefront of technology again.

Dave

[Stately]

One thing I think people quickly forgot because of the success and revolution that the iphone brings about, is that Apple was and still is a computer company first and foremost. If a umpc was put out, that's exactly what it would be. Even if it had some strong compatibility with the iphone, it would not be an upgraded iphone. It would be in its own category.

[wizard]

The HTC Diamond has over twice the ppi of the iPhone, so I'm sure it wouldn't need to be that big.

The higher ppi is exactly what we want to avoid. The desire for the larger screen is directly related to the ability to view web, video and other information in greater detail. To see that detail you need a larger screen.

Personally I'm all for it, the extra size isn't that much of a problem relative to carrying a laptop around. The extra functionality over an iPhone like device will make for fast and intense sales.

Thanks
Dave

[AidenShaw]

I think that CEO had a little too much schnapps and if true, I can imagine whoever is in charge of him, giving out some discipline.

I can see it - lederhosen, handcuffs and whips!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Goasslschnalzer_in_Tracht.jpg/300px-Goasslschnalzer_in_Tracht.jpg

[MattInOz]

How about with custom-designed chips from a chip design company you just purchased?

Exactly and that is why you'd say more ARM than Atom.
Those guys have a lot of experience with both ARM and POWER cores.
So take what they know reducing POWER footprint.
Apply to scaling up ARM.

[yellier35]

Oh my!

I love the ipad/neo-newton/giant iphone haters.. "I don't want this? Why would anyone want this?"

A lot of people would buy this. I dont get why people extrapolate that if they have no use for something, and possibly their friends dont, that *nobody* would. Apple *do* make niche products, they don't all have to be for everyone.

They aim for things that are easy to beat by making them simpler and nicer to work with.. - Tablets? Well, nobody else has done them right and I dont have faith in anyone else TO get it right.

They don't care that *you* don't want a tablet. If they release one they'll know there's a market for it before release, thousands (millions?) of ex-newton owners are chomping at the bit for these, and if they DO exist, Apple will have made them both sexy and compelling, giving you some sort of useful functionality... If they exist - Apple know how hard they'll have to sell a device like this for people to not be skeptical.. So, if it happens, prepare to be surprised by it's niceness.

If it can run a nice art application (artrage? Sketchbook Pro?) and can do pressure sensitivity they've just insta-sold it to a lot of artists too!

Probably nothing you couldn't live without, but that's not the point. :D

I agree 100%!! I am in the market for a pen tablet and this could be great. If this thing cost less than a cintiq or close to the intuos line, I am sold. As a bonus, acts like a phone/internet device, this is worth much more than just a basic drawing tablet. I wonder if they can do more or equal to 1024 pressure sensitivity.

[uNext]

holy mother of captain america.

[sushi]

hello iPad :D
The Newton rises again! :)

Purchased a Touch about a month ago. Love the interface. Reminds me of what the Newton would have evolved into.

who says this has to be a tablet??? could larger mean screen resolution? like, maybe its a quarter of an inch bigger. its not 3 inches larger on each side.
We may see two versions of the 3G iPhone.

The current form factor and a tablet style form factor.

Current iPhone is 4.5" x 2.4" x 0.46" @ 4.8 oz

Blackberry 8707g is 4.5" x 2.7" x 0.8" @ 4.93 oz

A slightly bigger iPhone would be viable to many folks. Of course a table sized device, that uses Mac OS X and can run full apps would be nice as well. The OQO provides an interesting solution on the Windows side.

Just how big is "slightly" bigger?

1.2 times the size, 1.5 ?

If were talking fractions of a inch in dimensions this could be well worth it ....
Exactly.

A bigger iphone? How much bigger can that giant thing get? Its probably the biggest phone on the market already. People wouldnt be able to fit it in their pockets.
Some Blackberry phones are a little bigger and individuals put them in their pockets. Granted most use a holster of some sort, but I see folks putting them in their pockets all the time.

Consumer: Macbook, iMac, iPhone
Pro: Macbook Pro, Mac Pro, iPhone Pro
Interesting concept.

[winterspan]

I have a couple of thoughts...

I mentioned this in the other forum, but I thought I'd rehash it here. I think this product will basically act as a replacement for the iPod touch, and similar in size to a larger version of the Nokia N800 internet tablet. This would increase the differentiation between the iPhone and the iPod Touch, and basically create two entirely separate product lines. I'm never seen a poll done, but anecdotally it seems like there are a lot of people who like the idea of the Touch as a Wifi-based web/application platform and media player, but wish the screen was larger and higher resolution for a higher functionality-level, while still being able to fit in a large pocket or small bag. The iphone-shape is great, although it should be natively in landscape mode and with a 5" screen. Have a look at the Nokia tablets and Samsung/Sony UMPC for similar devices.

[MacinDoc]

I think that CEO had a little too much schnapps and if true, I can imagine whoever is in charge of him, giving out some discipline. You don't leak products for one of your major partners.
In the past, partner companies working with Apple to develop new products have been unceremoniously cut off when they have been responsible for product leaks, even if that meant a delay in the introduction of the product or a downgrade in the product's capabilities...

[rhett7660]

This is interesting to say the least..... Boy WWDC, if it is announced then will be big.....

[Digital Skunk]

All I have to say about this is:

HELL YES!!! Bring it on if it's not a crippled tablet with flashy UI. I hope that the hardware matches the software, and we get things like GPS, expandable memory (SDHC) maybe even a replaceable battery and add on keyboard (since we all know Apple won't put a pen in this thing.

Hopefully it's just an iPhone but just a slight bit larger, and it's marketed as "The iPhone, the way it should have been since day 1..."

Give me a hi-res display and serious professional/productivity centered apps on the app store and I may have something to put my HTC and iPod down for. I may, just may be able to carry ONE device with me day to day. :D

[corrado7]

I guess you forgot about those bluetooth earpiece headsets that everyone is using these days. You don't need a Macbook on your ear. :)

what if you forget to bring your earpiece one day or you forget it somewhere???????

[Stately]

Well as far as form factor, I would love to c the tablet come in around 5" x 7" maybe 5" x 6". I think these sizes are adequate for viewing and working.

[brian6504]

I think you will when the App Store starts to get going.

You know, I haven't played with the iPhone SDK much yet - how is it with working with different resolutions? Does everything scale?

I doubt they're really going to release a device with a different screen resolution. The current iPhone SDK has minimal support for different resolutions; it's similar to how the regular Cocoa IB handles window resizing and is used primarily for rotations. If this were employed on this supposed device, the UIs would be hideous. Plus, this doesn't take into account people who render the entire screen (i.e. games) or other custom graphics (i.e. PNGs in the UI).

Releasing this device would impose a lot of work on developers who have been working the the beta SDKs and probably destroy confidence in Apple's development tools. Lots of people and companies have invested a lot of money into development and they don't want to see it blown away with the introduction of an incompatible device. Good UIs are very expensive to develop.

[Tallest Skil]

Consumer: Macbook, iMac, iPhone
Pro: Macbook Pro, Mac Pro, iPhone Pro

Jobsian/Ivian Show-offy Smallness Niche: MacBook Air, Mac Mini, MacTablet :D

[brian6504]

I'd like to carry it around the hospital in my white coat and do electronic medical records on it.

This product, if it exists, will be a hit with the enterprise market. All the people saying it's too big to carry around are thinking of private use - think instead of business users.

But, if I were a sales guy that just needed to be able to read email click through a presentation with an apple remote, touch screen a 3d product rendering and could touch screen everything else for $500.00 or less....

I can totally sympathize with your positions but Apple doesn't release products for niche markets. They're a consumer electronics company and their products and policies have proved that over and over again. They don't think in the business context; it's not their model.

Apple would need to see a sizable consumer market to enter and this forum hasn't proved there is one. The took a risk with the Apple TV, entering an unsure market, and didn't get it right. They're continuing to try but I don't think their investors would be happy if they continue to enter into unsuccessful market (i.e. the tablet market).

[techlover828]

I'd love a tablet but wouldn't want it to also be a phone... I'd just like a glorified touch that's more like an ultraportable computer.

[jnc]

Sigh.

Will believe it when I see it, hope I never do. It'd need to be freaking show-stopping to make any impact, let's say that. A bigger MT screen and "OSX lite" won't really cut it anymore.

So it'd be like... an 8 inch iPod touch? Can't help thinking "why?". Get a laptop, or an iPhone, whichever. Not enough pockets/manilla envelopes for all the crap Apple appear to want to push out. Talk about some major product overlap


GUESS I'LL JUST HAVE TO BUY THEM ALL!