Larger or Smaller Touchscreen Device from Apple?

[MacRumors]

As reported by Appleinsider, American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu informed clients that he believed there was a 50-50 chance that Apple would introduce new form factor multi-touch devices at WWDC next week.

Our sources indicate 4-inch and 7-inch touchscreen devices beyond prototype stage that are a cross between a Mac and iPod touch.

Of course, Wu says the exact timing is unclear. This simply adds to existing rumors that Apple is working on a mini-tablet or Newton-like device. Of note, Intel did officially introduce its low power Atom processor this week. The Atom processor has been rumored to be under consideration by Apple for use in an upcoming mini-tablet device.

Meanwhile, TUAW claims that Apple will even release Mac OS X 10.5.4 in mid June, only weeks behind 10.5.3 in order to support Mobile Me as well as a new piece of Apple hardware. Such a quick release for another version of Mac OS X would be unprecedented, though TUAW claims the news came from a "reliable" source. Of course, Apple has already started seeding versions of Mac OS X 10.5.4 as of yesterday.

Finally, iLounge publishes photos of what is claimed to be photos of new 3.2" and 2.8" screens to be used in future iPhones.

the first pictures and diagrams of a touchscreen display that a Taiwanese company claims is being used in an upcoming iPhone. It’s a 2.8” display—shown here alongside a newer 3.2” version—two sizes that would enable Apple to start shrinking both iPhones and touchscreen iPods from the current 3.5” screen size found in its first-generation models.

Despite the photos, iLounge believes there is "zero chance" that the smaller 2.8" screen would be used in the 3G iPhone expected next week, but considers the possibility that Apple may introduce new form factors in the future.

WWDC kicks off on Monday, June 9th. MacRumors.com will be providing live coverage of the keynote speech.


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[pik.]

pleaseeeeeeeee......give as a Mac-Touch -Pad whatever....

at 1000Euros I ll take two!!!!!!

come on apple....YOU can do it.....

[D4F]

I don't want nothing smaller then the current iPhone.

[eme jota ce]

I'm buying two on Monday, even if they don't go on sale by then.

[decimortis]

Originally Posted by D4F

I don't want nothing smaller then the current iPhone.

So you're saying you'd like EVERYTHING to be smaller than the current iPhone?

jk

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Give me a killer ebook-newton and Apple has all my money!

[Santa Rosa]

Those iLounge pictures look very dodgy.

Its difficult to see even with multi touch Apple wanting to go back into the sort of Newtonesk market again. The iPhone is just the right midpoint from having no computer, to having a laptop with you. Thats how it sits in that range so nicely. Anything bigger than that, but smaller than a laptop I dont see as really fitting in so good.

Then again it could be El Jobso's hobby project 2.

[SkippyThorson]

Originally Posted by eme jota ce

I'm buying two on Monday, even if they don't go on sale by then.

I want a tablet - I'm thinking the same way. I'll place orders for them. Even if they're in prototype.

[dizastor]

If they make a larger touchscreen I want a stylus for drawing.

[CaryMacGuy]

We must remember that the keynote is only 1 1/2 hours. We are running out of time to introduce all these new products.

[IJ Reilly]

A 50-50 chance -- talk about hedging your bets. Shaw Wu is really going out on a limb this time! There's a 50-50 chance of anything happening, either it does or it doesn't.

[SAMTATSICPRO]

I want a Multi touch 42'' HD Cinema display with new design.

[twoodcc]

wow. this might just happen. looking forward to finding out the details on Monday

[gkarris]

Last night - thought to myself, "My MacBook is awesome, but still a bit too large for doing some basic stuff..."

This morning - thought to myself, "My iPhone is awesome, but still a bit too small for doing some basic stuff..."

Originally Posted by MacRumors

As reported by Appleinsider, American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu informed clients that he believed there was a 50-50 chance that Apple would introduce new form factor multi-touch devices at WWDC next week. Of course, Wu says the exact timing is unclear. This simply adds to existing rumors that Apple is working on a mini-tablet or Newton-like device. Of note, Intel did officially introduce it's low power Atom processor this week. The Atom processor has been rumored to be under consideration by Apple for use in an upcoming mini-tablet device.

(breathe, must remember to breathe....)

Coincidence with upgrade to 2.0 for the iPhone/Touch?

[Santa Rosa]

Originally Posted by IJ Reilly

A 50-50 chance -- talk about hedging your bets. Shaw Wu is really going out on a limb this time! There's a 50-50 chance of anything happening, either it does or it doesn't.

That is so true lol. They must have so much confidence in his judgments.

Why doesnt he just come out, put his hands up and say "hey, guys, I really actually have no clue"

[bmcgrath]

Hmmmm

[blur35mm]

Newton cometh...wifi and bluetooth for web access with your 3G in your pocket. My speculation anyway...

[APPLENEWBIE]

Originally Posted by IJ Reilly

A 50-50 chance -- talk about hedging your bets. Shaw Wu is really going out on a limb this time! There's a 50-50 chance of anything happening, either it does or it doesn't.

Thats what I was just thinking! WU: "Apple may or may not introduce a new gadget." I guess that's what he gets the big bucks for...

[louden]

Bring it! They won't introduce new MBPs because Montevina is delayed, but they'll introduce a 5x7 tablet device on the Atom processor that will run some trimmed down version of OSX!

Bring it! and not for 1000 Euros! More like $600 tops!

[macmike47]

Well I believe there's a 50/50 chance that Apple may or may not introduce either a tablet and/or 1-2 other new devices at WWDC.

Now will somebody pay me

[happyjaxx]

I want (and predict) something with the iPhone like the Foleo was to a PalmTreo...

Actually, I'm sure Palm sold the Foleo hardware to Apple :-)

[Smin]

I think if they were going to release something that big they would have the media there.

[Virgil-TB2]

... Our sources indicate 4-inch and 7-inch touchscreen devices beyond prototype stage that are a cross between a Mac and iPod touch.

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but a 4 inch touch-screen would be 2x2 inches only!

That means square and it means that it won't be able to display the typical home screen of the iPhone, or the soft keyboard, or web pages etc. without some incredibly ugly "shoe-horning."

If this is for a phone, then it seems it has to be a Blackberry form factor with a physical keyboard beneath the screen. It's more likely that this is some kind of souped up Apple remote IMO.

[jbernie]

Although not necessarily in the market for an iPhone one of the attractions is the screen size vs Blackberry devices etc, the larger screen size makes web surfing on the device more practical.

[dizastor]

Originally Posted by Smin

I think if they were going to release something that big they would have the media there.

I think the media attends Macworld and WWDC. They are pretty big events.