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Apr 12, 2001
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AppleInsider reports on a research note from analysts at Kaufman Bros. claiming that Apple has investigated a range of tablet screen sizes from 4 to 12 inches over the past several years. Many of the orders have reportedly been large enough to account for small production runs of corresponding devices rather than merely a handful of prototypes each.
In a research note issued Tuesday, Kaufman Bros. revealed that Apple has bought screen sizes of 4, 7, 9, 10 and 12 inches over the last two years. Some of the purchases were allegedly of such a large amount that the firm suspects they were for more than a simple sample, but a more significant small production run.

Based on that information, the analysis predicts that Apple will launch at least one -- but possibly multiple -- new devices in the near future.
The report suggests based on that evidence that Apple could be considering launching multiple tablet or netbook form factors in the relatively near future, with 2010 being the most likely timeframe for an introduction.

Recent reports have been pointing to an approximately 10-inch screen for Apple's much-rumored tablet, with conflicting information on launch dates suggesting that the new device will make an appearance possibly as soon as September of this year but perhaps not until 2010.

Article Link: Apple Investigating a Range of Tablet Screens From 4 to 12 Inches?
 
once again

Once again... if this ends up being simply web and media tablet my wallet will remain closed.

No hand writing recognition will be a show stopper for me. I know Mr. Jobs hates the stylus and the multi button mouse but your consumers don't. No hand writing recognition, no money from my home.

The 10” screen would be awesome, iPod size screens need not apply.

I hope these rumors are true otherwise a Linux tablet will be in my near future. I am sick and tired of waiting for Apple to produce something in this segment.
 
I want 7"--double the iPhone. Still very portable. At 10" it would be very cool, but I already have an Air.
 
As cool as these sound, I still don't see the killer app here. If, as said, it's a movie/TV player and Internet surfing toy, forget it. I can see it replacing my laptop when it's time but I don't see me buying one in addition to a desktop, laptop and iPhone.
 
I want 7"--double the iPhone. Still very portable. At 10" it would be very cool, but I already have an Air.

That's the spirit! Of course, at least a dozen know-it-alls here will still insist there just isn't a market for this. Fortunately, as the rumors become more credible, more people are praising the idea of more mobile options than not.
 
The Q1 2010 rumours could be referring to Apple's financial year, which starts in October I believe. Which puts both rumours at the same time.

(Someone at AppleInsider worked that out, I blindly repeat it.)

9" should be enough (so she said).
 
I just dont see why they wouldnt release it before the Holiday season? I mean this could be a big product and the holidays are the best times for release. I believe it will be announced next month at the iPod event.
 
I'm really curious to see what Apple is going to do with this. There are a lot of people saying it will have no market, or it just doesn't make sense. I don't think anyone could have predicted how useful and versatile the iPhone would become. Perhaps this will be the same - Apple may have a much grander plan that we can think of thus far.
 
I call bullsh*T on a tablet of 4inches.
iPhone and iPod Touch are just about 4inches. Another device in this market segment will pull itself into the grave or kill the iPod Touch.

8"inches or higher is ideal fo ra Tablet screen. Sure multiTouch is standard fanfare from Apple ... but I think InkWell will make its debut for FULL use by the masses and not just Graphire Tablet users or users needing accessibility options.
 
How about an Apple POS system? (Point of Sale)

They have the technology and the niche is currently owned by Symbol (a Motorola division).

That *could* explain the various screen sizes.

Anyone thought of an Apple IP phone? To compete with Cisco? Again, they have the technology and could pull it off...
 
Didn't know there would be an ipod event, If there is they will probably announce that along with details of any bump/price cuts for the imac. All in time for Christmas or what the Americans call "the holidays" :):)
 
This is awesome. More smoke from Cupertino.

No one has any idea what they're releasing anymore. Someone may have guessed correctly, but no one really knows...

How long until the lids off, though? I'm betting late August-early September before a reliable leak surfaces.
 
those tablets will NEVER replace a notebook. they are in addition to a desktop and an iphone.

they are a toy for all the times you don't want to drag you notebook out of a bag and wait for it start up. and they are for all the applications where the iphone is just too small.

i want one in 8" - 12 " inch. only requirement is that most of the mac application run in some form and that most of the iphone apps run. battery life should be epic, wifi and 3G/4G. great screen, please a stylus, less than $799.
 
As cool as these sound, I still don't see the killer app here. If, as said, it's a movie/TV player and Internet surfing toy, forget it. I can see it replacing my laptop when it's time but I don't see me buying one in addition to a desktop, laptop and iPhone.



What I am thinking a killer app for a larger iPhone/Tablet would be is as a peripheral device for your primary computer... thnk of it as a "keyboard" from the future, completely customizable and that has actual computing power in addition.... oh yeah.. and on top of that, while you aren't using it as a peripheral it would also be the ideal personal media player available.

What I am thinking is that if you just try to market this Mac Tablet as a pure media device it seems kind of redundant to a laptop or even your primary PC. BUT if you market it as primarily an interface device that you use with your current computer.. be it Mac or pc then you have a killer app for this device. And this is on top of all the things it can do that the iPhone and iPod can do as well.

So when I say use it as a peripheral let me flesh that out a bit. let's say you are a film student.. and in your spare time you make a lot of student films. You know how there are those machines editors use when making films that have all kinds of buttons and sliders to make editing more efficient and easily controlled? They have the same thing for audio editors too.. like a big panel with all kinds of sliders etc.

Well.. the iPhone touch interface in a tablet form would be the PERFECT interactive canvas for making all kinds of customizable interfaces for this purpose. Any application you could think of you could have a custom control panel designed to use in conjunction with your primary computer. And the great thing about this is that rather than having this tablet that is JUST a low tier laptop.. instead you have something that can be used with your primary computer to make it more powerful and easier to use.

Basically, I view this as being an attachment for your computer, be it apple or PC, that makes it better and more usable.. whether it is by making a custom control panel with all different kinds of controls.. or as an input device for drawing OR just as a way of multitasking. Rather than having to upgrade our computer the tablet is a way of adding another monitor.. or another control method or just more RAM for multitasking.

So you could attach the tablet to your computer and it works in conjunction with it communicating and controlling it or working in tandem with it. Imagine you want to use your primary PC for some big task like rendering something.. your tablet could work in conjunction with your PC to play music so as not to sap your main computers resources. But what makes it so great is that it is connected to your computer rather than just isolated.

My only questions are whether Jobs WOULD do this.. would he make a device that works with Windows machines? And could he do this.. is it logistically possible to make a device like this that could work seamlessly with both macs and PCs as a peripheral for all different kinds of apps. If Jobs isn't going this route that I envision is it possible the Mac touch tablet could later be modified and customized for this purpose contrary to Apple's plans or in addition to them?
 
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