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Exactly, if something is a trade secret it must exist. If Apple had no piece of hardware which could be meant with the term 'tablet', this nothing could not be a trade secret.

actually the existence of such a device is also a trade secret so take this 'confirmation' with a grain of salt.

that said, I agree that it most likely something IS in the works. but I base that on Jobs "if we could make a netbook" comment of old and the numerous issues with the iphone as filling that niche. NOT that some lawyer may have slipped out and forgot to say "the mere existence of a product being developed AND how it will work..." in his comments

as for Valleywag, it was a great move for them. they know saying anything is illegal and those with knowledge know it. so no one would send them anything. but the offer gets them major attention, which they need cause the site is not exactly rolling in hits. or wasn't. it likely is now.
 
So stupid. It is just a gadget.

Is this the best way someone can come up with to spend $100K?
 
So stupid. It is just a gadget.

Is this the best way someone can come up with to spend $100K?

That "gadget" can potentially make or break the plans of several big players in the industry. Apple's gadgets are big business, and can change a lot of what's to come, from every manufacturer.
 
So Apple just confirmed that the tablet exists.

"Apple has maintained the types of information and things you are soliciting"..."in strict confidence"

Yup, thanks for that!
 
People don't think Apple knew Gawker would publish the letter? LOL.

Apple know's exactly what it's doing. They knew this would be construed as confirmation of a "tablet". It doesn't mean there is one however.

The letter simply said what gawker was doing is illegal. Which it is.
 
This ABSOLUTELY confirms the existence of the tablet. And makes me all giddy inside. I can't wait till the end of January.
 
Ahh the Apple law department, the very same that sent a caution letter to a little girl who wanted Steve Jobs autograph, she was told off for giving unsolicited product ideas about her perfect iPod.
 
Valleywag's site is annoying

Well Valleywag's publicity stunt worked for me. I went to their site. The bad thing is their site plays an annoying parody of We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel...and I couldn't figure out how to mute it (other than muting my speakers). Thanks for letting my cubicle neighbors know I'm not doing work! I won't be visiting Valleywag.com again.
 
there's simply not a way the contest can run without violating the law.

Don't be so sure. A great flaw in our legal system is that there is so much verbiage, and limitations in that verbiage, that a great deal more is legal than most people realize. The contest makes clear that whatever is done be legal; if someone can find a legal way to enter, no problem.

Example: someone has an iSlate prototype, sweet-talks Jobs into canceling his NDA, and gives it to Valleywag. $100,000 win. All legal. (Unlikely of course, but legally possible, hinging only on Steve's signature.)
 
Can't wait to see what happens at 6 PM today. Will they remove the contest or will they press their luck. I hope they go all in and up the prize amounts. Go Valleywag! :D
 
If I were Steve, I'd take a picture of myself holding the tablet agonisingly out of sight, surrounded by Apple execs with stunned/amazed expressions, before sending it in and demanding my $50000
 
I think Steve Jobs, Valleywag, and the lawyers are all in cahoots to keep the world talking about the product we all know will be announced in less than two weeks. This will probably even make the network news. You can't buy advertising like that! :D

Mark
 
There's no confirmation of the existence of anything. Absolutely none. You could post a contest just like this one for photos of an "iToilet" and get the same cease-and-desist from Apple's lawyers. Gotta quit reading into things.

The point of the C&D is not whether such a thing exists, but that persons under an NDA are unlawfully being enticed, period.

FTR, I'm not arguing that there isn't a TabSlateBook, because I don't really give a rat's ass one way or the other.
 
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