Apple Tablet With 7-Inch Screen to Be Announced in January?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/12/23/apple-tablet-with-7-inch-screen-to-be-announced-in-january/)

Citing a source who has been "amazingly accurate", Boy Genius Report issued a brief note (http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/12/23/apple-tablet-definitely-coming-in-7-size/) today claiming that Apple's much-rumored tablet will be announced in January and will carry a 7-inch screen. Most rumors have pointed to a 10-inch screen for the tablet, and while the source does not rule out the possibility of such a model, they can only confirm the existence of the 7-inch model.It has been widely reported recently that the size of the tablet is 10", but there was also talk about a 7" model. Our connect said there is 100% a 7" Apple tablet, to be announced in January, and whether this is in addition to a 10" model, they don't know.Claims of the smaller screen size, which were sporadic over the past year, appear to be picking up steam in recent weeks, led by speculation (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/12/04/apple-snapping-up-7-inch-touchscreens-ahead-of-january-tablet-launch/) that a severe shortage of the screens could only be the result of Apple snapping up supplies.

Article Link: Apple Tablet With 7-Inch Screen to Be Announced in January? (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/12/23/apple-tablet-with-7-inch-screen-to-be-announced-in-january/)

[Grimace]

Bring it!

Add in content from magazines/newspapers, toss in deals from CBS/Disney/ABC for TV shows, and add in WiFi video chat (3G probably won't cut it) and I'll buy two!

[bacaramac]

Bring it!

Add in content from magazines/newspapers, toss in deals from CBS/Disney/ABC for TV shows, and add in WiFi video chat (3G probably won't cut it) and I'll buy two!

+1, I really want this, for no reason except it would be a cool new toy. :D

[cmaier]

Oh, lordy. How many of these iTablet rumor threads do we need simultaneously.

[z4n3]

How long before someone comes out with the size matters jokes!!! or is it just me!!! :p

[maclancer]

7 inch, camera built-in, HDMI out, USB... oh yeah :eek:

[Doctor Q]

I'm sure, without any proof, that they will release the tablet in two sizes. It's just Apple's style to offer 2 or 3 choices of each product.

Even if I'm right, that still leaves the question of whether one size will be available long before the other.

[aswitcher]

Hopefully this is the big Touch and the 10 will be the small Mac.

[cmaier]

Hopefully this is the big Touch and the 10 will be the small Mac.

It would be really weird if they did that. Each running different applications, and yet with a similar UI (it would be even less like Apple to make them use different UI's).

[TraceyS/FL]

It would be really weird if they did that. Each running different applications, and yet with a similar UI (it would be even less like Apple to make them use different UI's).

There was an article from August that indicated just this - 7" as a big Touch, 10" as a small mac. I didn't just snag the URL to it when i was doing a search though.

I guess i'm not spending my kids money yet :D

[cmaier]

There was an article from August that indicated just this - 7" as a big Touch, 10" as a small mac. I didn't just snag the URL to it when i was doing a search though.

I guess i'm not spending my kids money yet :D

yeah, I remember those articles. I just don't believe them.

[JeepGuy]

There was an article from August that indicated just this - 7" as a big Touch, 10" as a small mac. I didn't just snag the URL to it when i was doing a search though.

I guess i'm not spending my kids money yet :D

10" would be a Tablet Pro :D

[Jelite]

10" would be a Tablet Pro :D

Same as the 7" but with firewire.

[MongoTheGeek]

Two thoughts.

Perhaps to men it looks 10" but women say it's only 7".

Also how big is a PSP? Not just the screen the whole thing.

Just saying.

[Peace]

My guess. 7" geared toward gaming. 10" geared toward magazines,interneting and media stuff.

[Vol7ron]

7in seems to be a good size though. Not to big, but also not too small. Of course, i would welcome a 10in as well. How big is the screen on the kindle and the sony e reader? isn't that only like 7in?

[MacFly123]

I would want the 10"!

[poundsmack]

Can you say Tegra 2 Apple products. mmmmmm

[cmaier]

Can you say Tegra 2 Apple products. mmmmmm

Tegra 2 is overhyped.

[bijanorama]

I was really looking forward to a 10" tablet to replace my laptop for school. Something that you can type on with the blu-tooth keyboard and mouse when you're at home. I'm not a power user anymore, I just want one device to do it all. (except gaming)

-BJ-

[TheSlush]

I say boo to 7". Too small in comparison to the iPhone. It simply wouldn't be bigger enough than the iPhone's 4"ish screen to be a differentiated experience. Apple will want everyone and their mother (including current iPhone owners) to feel like they absolutely MUST get one of these things, which is how everyone felt when they saw the iPhone. But at only 7", will current iPhone owners feel they need to have it? Maybe not so much.

[Scarpad]

Too big. I've had my Issue with Archos, but they seem to be getting it together with their currnt line of Tablets, I picked up a 5 Internet tablet with 16gb and the Android Interface is very nice. With the Latest FW its fairly fast, has a gorgeous screen that plays any video format I throw at it, including HD stuff. But biggest of all it still fits in my Pocket.

[Scarpad]

I say boo to 7". Too small in comparison to the iPhone. It simply wouldn't be bigger enough than the iPhone's 4"ish screen to be a differentiated experience. Apple will want everyone and their mother (including current iPhone owners) to feel like they absolutely MUST get one of these things, which is how everyone felt when they saw the iPhone. But at only 7", will current iPhone owners feel they need to have it? Maybe not so much.

I phone is a 3.5 in screen so it would be double the size..

[RichardI]

My guess. 7" geared toward gaming. 10" geared toward magazines,interneting and media stuff.

Doesn't the 7" make more sense for a reader? Nah, maybe not if magazines are also available, but isn't 10" too small for the average mag? I just measured the paperback I'm currently reading, and it is 8 1/2" corner-to-corner, my weekly news mag is 13"?
Unlike Apple to chintz on the screen size.

[cmaier]

Doesn't the 7" make more sense for a reader? Nah, maybe not if magazines are also available, but isn't 10" too small for the average mag? I just measured the paperback I'm currently reading, and it is 8 1/2" corner-to-corner, my weekly news mag is 13"?
Unlike Apple to chintz on the screen size.

There's something to be said in "just big enough" in this sort of device. Too big and it becomes a hassle to carry along. Too small and it's a phone. Someplace in between it gets small enough for large pockets, but large enough to comfortably view a shrunk 8.5x11 page.

[Lesser Evets]

Perhaps to men it looks 10" but women say it's only 7".


Or perhaps men worry it is only 7" but to women it feels like 10".
This is not uncommon.

[Doctor Q]

Doesn't the 7" make more sense for a reader? Nah, maybe not if magazines are also available, but isn't 10" too small for the average mag? I just measured the paperback I'm currently reading, and it is 8 1/2" corner-to-corner, my weekly news mag is 13"?
Unlike Apple to chintz on the screen size.
7" would be sufficient if the media page you are reading is designed for that size. We don't have to have our books and magazines presented to us just as they are in print. And we certainly don't want them shown the same way but scaled down. We want a format that fits the device, the same way we want mobile versions of websites.

[Yr Blues]

I hope it uses a more advanced, full color e-ink technology. Eye strain on a back-lit display reading something for a few hours sucks. A Newton would be cool, but I hope it's not something that I have to have a subscription to use.

[cmaier]

I hope it uses a more advanced, full color e-ink technology. Eye strain on a back-lit display reading something for a few hours sucks. A Newton would be cool, but I hope it's not something that I have to have a subscription to use.

There really isn't a full color e-ink technology that's ready for mass production yet. Another year or two.

[applemike]

http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/apple-tablet-to-be-revealed-next-month-devs-already-working-on-apps

According to this

: The Apple Tablet will officially be unveiled next month (release in March) -- at CES 2010 in Las Vegas -- and the company has "asked selected iPhone devs to prepare high-res apps for the occasion." Yes, there are programmers already developing applications specifically for the Apple Tablet. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Apple has] told select developers that as long as they build their apps to support full screen resolution - rather than a fixed 320x480 - their apps should run just fine.

[pmz]

I really want a 7" product and not a 10" product. Pocket vs. no pocket. = buy vs. don't buy

[t0mat0]

7 inches - isn't that roughly mousepad sized?
WIth the whole islate name going around - what's the potential for the 7 inch to be the slate mousepad screen multitouch, and the 10 inch screen the tablet?

[Bye Bye Baby]

Could there be worse size? Seven inches? Too big for you pocket and too small to be give the best user experience?

Based on wat we know of the tablet- I can't say that I see anything to get excited about. $1000 to buy more content? Got to be kidding.

[CyberBob859]

7 inches - isn't that roughly mousepad sized?
WIth the whole islate name going around - what's the potential for the 7 inch to be the slate mousepad screen multitouch, and the 10 inch screen the tablet?

That would be my guess. The 7" is the "Magic Slate" input device and the 10" is the "iSlate" tablet.

[emotion]

Interestingly I find myself wanting the 10" rather than a 7".

I use my iPhone all the time while sat around for browsing and reading and for sure Apple are looking like they'll introduce an upgraded iPhone early too but for me I'll still have an iPhone and the tablet would be an extra for use at home or instead of a laptop. Based on that the 7" is a little redundant.

I think Mac OSX is highly unlikely on these devices. That said, a part of me would like to see something like the tablet that would be able to run Ableton Live. I love this app for djing and a multitouch version would be fantastic for live performance.

I can't help but think Apple TV is part of this puzzle. There's something very wrong with most living room kit right now. Most PVR/DVR devices have absolutely terrible user interfaces when compared with what you see on computers and phones. My Sky HD+ system is shocking in its clunkiness.

[Mercury7]

The only reason I would want the seven inch tablet to be true is if apple decided to incorporate the iphone functionality in to it.....I mean this would be the iphone pro I always wanted.....and yes I would hold a 7 inch brick up to my ear for occasional phone calls....I would give up my current iphone for this simply because I use my iphone for internet and gaming functions mostly.

I have a feeling it will not have this functionality.....probably more akin to the ipod touch which I would not like after moving from one to the iphone....wifi is good but even an edge connection is better than none at all.

[Thex1138]

7" Magic Slate
10" iSlate
:rolleyes:
?

[tdream]

Before I thought 7" would be the perfect size however giving it a little more thought, 7" is too small for me. That's a little larger than the current crop of ebook readers. Fine for normal sized books but not great for reading A4 sized pdfs. 10" would be ideal. It would be similar in size to the Kindle DX and the Irex 1000.

[sushi]

7" would be sufficient if the media page you are reading is designed for that size. We don't have to have our books and magazines presented to us just as they are in print. And we certainly don't want them shown the same way but scaled down. We want a format that fits the device, the same way we want mobile versions of websites.
I'm not so sure.

After using Zinio Reader, I've found that I like being able to see a magazine exactly as it is in print on my screen. I now much prefer this method of delivery over a mobile version -- at least with magazines.

[Nostromo]

7" could be a nice, extended iPod Touch, including text editing and better photo display capability.

Still small enough to connect to your car HiFi and to carry it around.

And now the price.

Probably 30% more than what you'd hope for.

[Ryn0soR]

I say boo to 7". Too small in comparison to the iPhone. It simply wouldn't be bigger enough than the iPhone's 4"ish screen to be a differentiated experience. Apple will want everyone and their mother (including current iPhone owners) to feel like they absolutely MUST get one of these things, which is how everyone felt when they saw the iPhone. But at only 7", will current iPhone owners feel they need to have it? Maybe not so much.

I know I've set myself up for some jokes, but... Have you tried holding a 10" diag screen in your hand and tried to guess what it would be like to type on? Where do you carry it? How do you use it while your walking around? A little 10" tablet can be kinda cumbersome. However, A 7" screen can fit in the front pocket of a pair of man-pants (sorry ladies). There are some real benefits to the smaller, more portable 7" -- it can impact your life every minute of every day -- that's what made the iPhone so great. A 10" that needs to be put into a sleeve, and then into "bag" is not as usefull if it's too hard to get to. Granted, sitting on the couch streaming a movie or reading an e-book, I'd prefer the 10", but be carefull what you wish for...:confused:

[omegaphil6]

In January they will end the month with:

iPod Touch 32GB $199 / iPod Touch 64GB $299

&

iMac Touch 7" 32GB $599/ iMac Touch 10" 64GB $799

Everyone will whine and moan because it costs too much, yet it will still sell rather well.

THEN, 6 months later they will revamp it with minor tweaks but the big news on the second revision will be a drop in price for the iMac Touches to $499 & $599 respectively

[omegaphil6]

One problem I see coming is the itunes 5 computer limit on authorized devices.

Will these Tablets be treated as extensions of your ocmputer relying on itunes for syncing media? or will they act on their own as separate computers?

[Nostromo]

In January they will end the month with:

iPod Touch 32GB $199 / iPod Touch 64GB $299

&

iMac Touch 7" 32GB $599/ iMac Touch 10" 64GB $799

Everyone will whine and moan because it costs too much, yet it will still sell rather well.

THEN, 6 months later they will revamp it with minor tweaks but the big news on the second revision will be a drop in price for the iMac Touches to $499 & $599 respectively

32Gb would be too small. I'd expect at least 128 Gb.

iTouch would be a good name.

[Peace]

I'm still holding out for MacTouch even though I think Apple's gonna resurrect the "new" Newton.

[sushi]

I'm still holding out for MacTouch even though I think Apple's gonna resurrect the "new" Newton.
Love the suspense. :)

There definitely is a wide chasm as to what it will be. My hope is more Newton, meaning more full featured, rather than just a bigger touch.

[Nostromo]

I'm still holding out for MacTouch even though I think Apple's gonna resurrect the "new" Newton.

While Newton is a great name, it's linked to a serious Apple defeat.

So I'm not sure if Apple would do that.

I mean, the invasion of Iraq was called "Desert Storm", not "New Vietnam".

[Nostromo]

Love the suspense. :)

There definitely is a wide chasm as to what it will be. My hope is more Newton, meaning more full featured, rather than just a bigger touch.

I hope so, too.

I'd like to see the ability to plug in an external keyboard. (Aren't there full sized keyboards that fold? Or maybe we'll get a compact keyboard of the same size as the Touch or Tablet or whatever it will be called, so you can pack it in the same pouch.)

What I'd like to see is a word processing, photo displaying, multi-media device that doesn't need to have the full power and RAM of a MacBook.

[Clix Pix]

I hope so, too.

I'd like to see the ability to plug in an external keyboard. (Aren't there full sized keyboards that fold? Or maybe we'll get a compact keyboard of the same size as the Touch or Tablet or whatever it will be called, so you can pack it in the same pouch.)

No need to plug in anything -- just use the already-tiny BT wireless keyboard and pair it with your new tablet! Wouldn't that be ideal??

[MickdyMickdyMAC]

The Kindle is 6" diagonal, but with all that extra trim real estate for the buttons-n-stuff - 8" x 5.3" x 0.36".

Apple would probably lose all the extra trim real estate on any tablet they do, so this 7" could dimension out to something like 6" x 4.75" x .3something". Probably wont be able to put in your pants pocket, but a jacket pocket maybe and for sure a purse (man purse?). And if this tablet is also open for app development to do whatever somebody may dream up it to do, this thing could gobble up the Kindle marketplace in a few years.

[Nostromo]

No need to plug in anything -- just use the already-tiny BT wireless keyboard and pair it with your new tablet! Wouldn't that be ideal??

Sounds very nice.

I always wanted some device for writing that can also display images, play music, connect to the web, but is smaller than a laptop. And you can put it into a larger pocket.

(I see clothes manufacturer put a iTouch or MacTouch breast pocket into jackets).

PS: If the iTouch could also cook a decent meal, now that would be great ;)

[Nostromo]

The Kindle is 6" diagonal, but with all that extra trim real estate for the buttons-n-stuff - 8" x 5.3" x 0.36".

Apple would probably lose all the extra trim real estate on any tablet they do, so this 7" could dimension out to something like 6" x 4.75" x .3something". Probably wont be able to put in your pants pocket, but a jacket pocket maybe and for sure a purse (man purse?). And if this tablet is also open for app development to do whatever somebody may dream up it to do, this thing could gobble up the Kindle marketplace in a few years.

A rimless design would be cool.

[sushi]

No need to plug in anything -- just use the already-tiny BT wireless keyboard and pair it with your new tablet! Wouldn't that be ideal??
Even could use Apple's BT keyboard and mouse. :)

[derek1984]

This should be called The MacTab.

[TheSlush]

Too big.... But biggest of all it still fits in my Pocket.Someplace in between it gets small enough for large pockets...Pocket vs. no pocket. = buy vs. don't buyToo big for you pocket...Have you tried holding a 10" diag screen in your hand and tried to guess what it would be like to type on? Where do you carry it? How do you use it while your walking around? A little 10" tablet can be kinda cumbersome. However, A 7" screen can fit in the front pocket of a pair of man-pants (sorry ladies). There are some real benefits to the smaller, more portable 7" -- it can impact your life every minute of every day -- that's what made the iPhone so great. A 10" that needs to be put into a sleeve, and then into "bag" is not as usefull if it's too hard to get to...:confused:And you can put it into a larger pocket.


I think everyone has become pocket-obsessed.

(Perhaps due to the iPhone's success at its size/portability? Or perhaps due to the iPod's original tagline of "1,000 songs in your pocket"?)

Does every valuable thing have to fit in one's pocket?? Laptops -- the mainstay of coffeeshops everywhere -- have never fit in a pocket, yet people continue to like and use them outside of the home. Even "ultra-portable" netbooks -- flying off shelves, touted as the hottest items -- don't fit in pockets.

Forget pockets! If you want something that small and portable, um, buy an iPhone, not a tablet.

The tablet needs to be a new/different/higher level of interactive experience than the iPhone, or people. will. not. lust. enough. to. buy. it. (see Cube, Mac)

[Nostromo]

I think everyone has become pocket-obsessed.

(Perhaps due to the iPhone's success at its size/portability? Or perhaps due to the iPod's original tagline of "1,000 songs in your pocket"?)

Does every valuable thing have to fit in one's pocket?? Laptops -- the mainstay of coffeeshops everywhere -- have never fit in a pocket, yet people continue to like and use them outside of the home. Even "ultra-portable" netbooks -- flying off shelves, touted as the hottest items -- don't fit in pockets.

Forget pockets! If you want something that small and portable, um, buy an iPhone, not a tablet.

The tablet needs to be a new/different/higher level of interactive experience than the iPhone, or people. will. not. lust. enough. to. buy. it. (see Cube, Mac)

Yours was the most pocket obsessed post. I liked your pocket gallery ;)

As for me: I want bigger pockets :D

[jon87]

From the images that i've seen, doubt they are the real product, it looks pretty nice!

Anybody know how much it will approximately cost?

[Nostromo]

From the images that i've seen, doubt they are the real product, it looks pretty nice!

Anybody know how much it will approximately cost?

30% more than what you hoped it would ;)

[Ryn0soR]

I think everyone has become pocket-obsessed.

(Perhaps due to the iPhone's success at its size/portability? Or perhaps due to the iPod's original tagline of "1,000 songs in your pocket"?)

Does every valuable thing have to fit in one's pocket?? Laptops -- the mainstay of coffeeshops everywhere -- have never fit in a pocket, yet people continue to like and use them outside of the home. Even "ultra-portable" netbooks -- flying off shelves, touted as the hottest items -- don't fit in pockets.

Forget pockets! If you want something that small and portable, um, buy an iPhone, not a tablet.

The tablet needs to be a new/different/higher level of interactive experience than the iPhone, or people. will. not. lust. enough. to. buy. it. (see Cube, Mac)

Sorry... It's all about mobility and usability, so it's all about pockets. As soon as I have to pack it up and put it away, or pull up a table and chair, this thing has missed it's mark.

As you said, laptops have coffee shops -- in fact, they NEED coffee shops to be useful outside of your office/living room. Netbooks are a price-point product, they are not any more mobile or useful than a laptop, they're just cheap.

Pockets are important! Do you remember bag phones in the early 90's... seeing some dude walking around the mall thinking he was SO IMPORTANT that he had to carry a phone around with him... hanging in a bag... ridiculous. 5 years later they (mobile phone companies) fit them in your pocket and everyone started buying them...

Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of a powerful 10" tablet serving as a laptop replacement, but what I like even more is the thought of a product that offers the portability of my pocket-sized iphone and the functionality of a laptop -- a product that changes how I interact with the world at anytime from anyplace -- and that would come in a 7"-ish screen that fits in my pocket.
:apple:

[TheWatchfulOne]

30% more than what you hoped it would ;)

Due to the projected screen size and purchase price of the tablet device... it will be primarily marketed to people with deep pockets.;)

[scottness]

7" would require a purse-like sized thing to carry nicely, which I'm not into since I'm a dude. 10" would work well if it ran osx. I'd buy it if I could run the full FM Pro, bottom line.

[Dioscorus]

Did anyone see the leaked spec sheet on Gizmodo ealier today that was then removed? OTTOMH, it had a 2.26 GHz Intel processor, 2GB RAM (expandable to 8GB), 120GB 4200rpm HD, 7.1" multitouch display w/ oleophobic properies, OS X 10.7 Clouded Leopard, etc.

[rdowns]

Did anyone see the leaked spec sheet on Gizmodo ealier today that was then removed? OTTOMH, it had a 2.26 GHz Intel processor, 2GB RAM (expandable to 8GB), 120GB 4200rpm HD, 7.1" multitouch display w/ oleophobic properies, OS X 10.7 Clouded Leopard, etc.

LOLz. Not even close. A traditional hard drive? Would doom it from the start. OS X 10.7 Clouded Leopard - that's just too funny

[Clix Pix]

Even could use Apple's BT keyboard and mouse. :)

That's what I meant -- Apple's BT wireless keyboard and wonderful little BT wireless Magic Mouse...... Apple's BT wireless keyboard is pretty darned tiny!

[Dioscorus]

LOLz. Not even close. A traditional hard drive? Would doom it from the start. OS X 10.7 Clouded Leopard - that's just too funny

Yea, I didn't quite expect that it would have a hard drive. Why do you think it was removed though?

[cmaier]

Yea, I didn't quite expect that it would have a hard drive. Why do you think it was removed though?

because it was B.S.

[XboxMySocks]

but a jacket pocket maybe and for sure a purse (man purse?).

It's not a man purse, it's called a satchel.

But actually on topic, I tend to have fairly deep pockets, I don't really think carrying this around would be a huge problem.

[lPHONE]

Garbage.

I want a 17" tablet I can draw on.

[Ragnar]

Not everyone for sure, but every time I read these types of threads it sounds like some people are simply describing a Hackintosh netbook!:D

[braedough]

Take a 10" screen fold it in half and you have two 7.x" inch screens...

[HaXoR7Om]

It just strikes me that 7" would be a little too small and would not be good for OSX but great for multimedia. I hope the 7" is the big iTouch and the 10" is a fully fledged mac running snow leopard with a large on-screen keyboard.

I can only hope. :apple:

[finaldarien]

I have a 7inch LCD at home, modded onto a bamboo wacom tablet and it does seem a bit small but with higher resolution and used vertically, I can see it being just right.

[gibbz]

I have a 7inch LCD at home, modded onto a bamboo wacom tablet and it does seem a bit small but with higher resolution and used vertically, I can see it being just right.

img

Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jYNaQUJdEo

That is pretty slick :)

[ftaok]

I phone is a 3.5 in screen so it would be double the size..

Actually, if a 7" screen would be 4x the size of a 3.5" screen, provided they kept the same aspect ratio. A 10" screen would be nearly 9x the size of the iphone.

[Paul B]

I hope it has a Mini Displayport!!

[Cinematographer]

I have a 7inch LCD at home, modded onto a bamboo wacom tablet and it does seem a bit small but with higher resolution and used vertically, I can see it being just right.

That looks great, man! Congratulation. :cool: