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Wednesday, December 23, 2009, 07:25 am
Apple tablet could have 'imminent' Jan. 2010 debut - report
As Apple reportedly pushes to launch a subscription television service, the company is also rumored to unveil its long-awaited tablet device in January, a new report states.Without naming a source, the Financial Times said that Apple's touchscreen device is "expected to launch imminently." The publication also reiterated much of what was said by The Wall Street Journal Monday: Apple has had discussions with Walt Disney Co. and CBS Corp. about offering subscriptions for TV shows through iTunes.
"Apple is preparing an announcement next month that many anticipate will be the official unveiling of its tablet, but the company has so far declined to confirm the existence of the device," the Financial Times reported. "Wall Street analysts expect mass production of an Apple tablet to begin as early as February."
It noted that magazine publishers Time Inc. and Condé Nast have created prototypes of digital editions of their magazines. The concepts shown were device-neutral and publishers intend to offer them on a variety of tablet devices expected to arrive in 2010.
A consortium of publishers have also agreed to open standards for a new digital storefront that will offer users media content on portable devices. The publishers intend to create a reading application that can render the "distinct look and feel" of specific publications. It would allow for devices to be viewed on a variety of hardware, including Apple's potential tablet.
In July, AppleInsider reported that Apple's rumored tablet device would arrive in early 2010. The 10-inch, 3G-enabled touchscreen device is said to have been crafted under the watchful eye of co-founder Steve Jobs.
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Previous Comments View All
Why, Apple, why're you so hard to me?? 
I'm not at all interested in TV and can't make me watch it more than for one evening a year. I'm not at all an artist myself and can't make simplest sketch out of what my eyes see around...
So, this shiny amazing product is useless for me. 
BTW, isn't that letting go 3GS here and there making room for Leonardo?
If I have to run to a communications for connectivity, I don't think I'll have much interest in it.
Here's my current guess on what the device will be like:
1) 10" LED-backlit LCD panel with touchscreen features.
2) ARM11 CPU with PA Semi technology to keep power consumption down.
3) Unknown GPU technology to allow smooth 720p HDTV playback.
4) 2 GB of system RAM.
5) 240 to 320 GB 1.8" dual-platter hard drive for local storage. (Don't laugh. Given Apple's success with the iPod classic running for long periods of time with a single-platter 1.8" hard drive, not to mention a lot more space for a much bigger batter pack on the tablet, such a method for local storage actually makes sense, especially given the current steep prices for SSD storage).
6) 802.11b/g/n WiFi connectivity.
7) Maybe Bluetooth connectivity for external keyboard/mouse pointing device.
8) Possible 3G GSM HSDPA/HSUPA cellphone network connectivity.
8) iPod dock connector and Mini DisplayPort connector, with optional adapter for Mini DisplayPort to HDMI 1.3 connections.
5) 240 to 320 GB 1.8" dual-platter hard drive for local storage.
never
I've got $300 in credit card reward points waiting to be used on this thing 
Only problem is, I'm going to have a hard time explaining to my wife why I need a MacBook Pro, iPhone 3GS AND an Apple Tablet 
Here's my current guess on what the device will be like:
1) 10" LED-backlit LCD panel with touchscreen features.
So you agree with everyone else.
This is very possible although I'd say it's only about 70%
Unknown? Chipsets for this already exist.
No need unless the tablet is running the full Mac OS on Intel hardware.
Never going to happen. Apple won't go backwards on this, they'll stay with SSDs.
It's a given although I'd like to see 802.11a added.
This they better have. The screen is big enough to use for remote computing to your Mac or a PC. Unfortunately it'll work much better with PCs until Apple decides to do a remote desktop that works better than the crappy one they have now.
I suppect that the tablet may, although unlikely, use the Gobi card so it would run on both AT&T/T-Mobile and Verizon/Sprint. Hopefully the card will also be replaceable so you could put in a future LTE card.
Would be nice since there I don't think there is any more room to add this to the current dock connector but then maybe Apple will reuse the Firewire pins on the dock connector or even use a new dock connector.
It it doesn't have a screen that also servers as a camera, I'm not interested! http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...tos_video.html
Nobody cares that you are not interested because of one feature you think is a must have. Keep your negativity to yourself.
Continues to make no sense to me if built around a cellular plan with no easily accessible file system, no storage and and a beefy os.
Who needs another cell plan when they probably already have some smartphone or another? Its not pocketable so who will travel with this versus their existing laptop? It has to provide some unique functionality that's attractive to a mass audience and does not compete with products they already own.
As far as subscription TV, this can't be a significant focus. Apple plans a product around obtaining rights to programs already contractually locked up with broadcasters who need Apple like they need a hole in the head?
I think the market for what's constantly discussed is too narrow for Apple.
Who needs another cell plan when they probably already have some smartphone or another? Its not pocketable so who will travel with this versus their existing laptop? It has to provide some unique functionality that's attractive to a mass audience and does not compete with products they already own.
The unique functionality is that it is instant on. This is the major reason many of my friends love their iPod touch. Instant on for mail, Internet and this time maybe some additional multimedia content such as newspaper and/or books. Would be enough for me.
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It it doesn't have a screen that also servers as a camera, I'm not interested! http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...tos_video.html