If a tablet is a reality for next year, then it would make perfect sense for them to announce it at WWDC. Then release it at a special event in March of 2010 after MacWorld. This would make perfect sense in the scheme of things considering how Apple has dropped out of MacWorld. They wouldn't want to be constrained by the scheduled date of MacWorld to deliver this product. If they can announce it at WWDC and then leave the delivery date open for "First half" of 2010, they are free to float that delivery date as necessary.
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Apple Tablet Coming in 2010?
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As much as it galls me, i could see this happen. There might be a limited Osborne effect where iPod touch sales could be depressed though.
To be honest, I sort of expected this. Sure it's been "rumored" for a while, as was the iPhone before it was intially released.....and it blew everyones freaking mind.
I'm sure we'll hear something about it during WWDC (as I expected) as a teaser for the new product getting people hyped up about it. Then they'll release it early 2010, late 2009. (possibly)
I'm sure we'll hear something about it during WWDC (as I expected) as a teaser for the new product getting people hyped up about it. Then they'll release it early 2010, late 2009. (possibly)
Too right - sick of hearing about it to be honest! How does this make news?Either put up or shut up you overpaid ANALyst scum sucking maggot. There.
If it's true that Apple would be limiting the price to under $700, then I'd guess it won't be fast enough to replace a white Mac Book. It might not even be fast enough to surpass the MBA. And that would be the point.
Releasing it in 2010 would also make sense. Right now, people are worried about making the next mortgage or rent payment. Because the tablet is probably meant to be a second computer, it'd be almost foolish to release it now. Granted, the (alleged) lower price would make it less painful.
Either way, I know that I'm not interested in making this kind of purchase until I feel the economic situation is going a little better.
Releasing it in 2010 would also make sense. Right now, people are worried about making the next mortgage or rent payment. Because the tablet is probably meant to be a second computer, it'd be almost foolish to release it now. Granted, the (alleged) lower price would make it less painful.
Either way, I know that I'm not interested in making this kind of purchase until I feel the economic situation is going a little better.
Oh dear. Who pays these people?
To make up nonsense.
One one hand there are compelling reasons to have a desktop computer. Large screens and keyboards and fully featured applications.
Then there are compelling reasons to have a handheld device. Portability coupled with an interfaced designed for a tiny screen.
But the real question is - Is there a compelling reason for a device in the middle? Other than wanting to look like Yeoman Janice Rand?
What do tablets with 5"-7" screens do better than other devices?
There is book reading, a la Kindle.
and ...er... that is it.
Unless Apple can also create a world-class note-taking device, I don't see a business case.
And to deliver world-class note-taking, you have to outclass one of the best portable devices on the planet: A pad of paper and a pencil. And that takes some beating..
C.
To make up nonsense.
One one hand there are compelling reasons to have a desktop computer. Large screens and keyboards and fully featured applications.
Then there are compelling reasons to have a handheld device. Portability coupled with an interfaced designed for a tiny screen.
But the real question is - Is there a compelling reason for a device in the middle? Other than wanting to look like Yeoman Janice Rand?
What do tablets with 5"-7" screens do better than other devices?
There is book reading, a la Kindle.
and ...er... that is it.
Unless Apple can also create a world-class note-taking device, I don't see a business case.
And to deliver world-class note-taking, you have to outclass one of the best portable devices on the planet: A pad of paper and a pencil. And that takes some beating..
C.
This product falls right between a Macbook and an iPod. It certainly doesn't replace either. It will not be as powerful as a Macbook or as compact as an iPod. If you are looking for something to edit video on, organize your photos, then buy a Macbook. If you want something that will take that data with you to show off and also be able to handle web surfing, email and contacts then a tablet would be just right. It will also not fit the needs of everyone. So if you need a macbook then you will still buy one. Apple has never been about making a product that fits everyone's needs or for that matter a product that is capable of expanding to meet everyone's needs.
The iPod was a music player when it first came out. Now it's a music player, organizer for contacts, notes, calendar. A gaming platform and a front end for access to hundreds of other devices. Apple will fill a niche. Then little by little, the future versions of that product will expand to fill other needs.
If it cannot handle photoshop,illustrator,etc then I do not see the point in it. That's the only reason why I want a tablet.
And if it *could* handle photoshop, it would need a color screen. Which means as a reader it would have a much shorter battery life than a Kindle.
Can someone name just *one* function that such a device could do better than an iPhone or a MacBook.
C.
I would consider something like this as dramatically different, but I wouldn't expect it to be priced in the $500-$700 range:
This will be halla-cool in 2013. I don't think we'll see an affordable bendy before then. And if it appears in 2013, we'll be lucky.
You are right. The only people who want an Apple tablet are people who either are gadget freaks, or have money to burn. There is no advantage. We have the iPhone, the macbook. Is there really a need for a smaller macbook?
PC companies make netbooks because they run the OS small and cheap. Apple already has that in the iPhone.
It does sorta for the iPod touch. A customer might have gone for the iPod touch in the absence of a tablet but giving the choice would hold on to their cash for the bigger device.
I was hopeing for something this year, but waiting for an os better than the iPhone will be worth it, hopefully...
enough already
yep, I've been following macrumors.com for 7 years and there have always been rumors of a tablet just one year away. Every year.
I think the moderators need to tighten up the filters of which tablet rumors get posted. Every few months we get a post that some guy says apple has a tablet coming. Enough already! I don't want to hear about tablets anymore until steve jobs personally hits me in the face with one.
The apple tablet rumors have outlived the popularity of tablets themselves.
yep, I've been following macrumors.com for 7 years and there have always been rumors of a tablet just one year away. Every year.
I think the moderators need to tighten up the filters of which tablet rumors get posted. Every few months we get a post that some guy says apple has a tablet coming. Enough already! I don't want to hear about tablets anymore until steve jobs personally hits me in the face with one.
The apple tablet rumors have outlived the popularity of tablets themselves.
Hope not.
The only thing more tiresome than the Apple Tablet rumor would be Apple... or anyone... officially announcing their product almost a year or a long time in advance. Rumors is one thing, announcements is a whole lot different.
I thought Apple said one time they would stop doing these things because it always hurt sales when they announced new products far in advance. I was surprised when they announced Snot Leopard in advance, I vividly remember Bertrand saying "in about 6 months" at that presentation almost a year ago. I remember thinking "Ah, Snow = winter release. Neat.". Don't care what they promised later on because that was when they piqued my interest. Today I'm no longer jumping up and down on any rumors of it being released and that's the effect from software only, not any hardware...
Release a powerful, but reasonably priced workhorse that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and is big as a house. That would be more useful to me than a stupid in-between tablet.
I was told by Directv that my local HD channels would be here by Thanksgiving for 3 years, and they came on the 4th year. Just give it time, it will come.