Kasper JadeThe latest example came by way of Richard Doherty, a director at market researcher for Envisioneering Group, who recently told BusinessWeek that Apple is working on two different versions of its multi-touch tablet.
More specifically, Doherty said one resembles a large-sized iPod with a 6-inch screen, while the second sports an even larger display. He added that Apple could launch both devices as early as September, a decision which he said rests in the hands of chief executive Steve Jobs.
This information, however, is far from accurate, according to people who've long been familiar with company's plans to redefine the market for portable computing with a slate-like device akin to a modern day Newton MessagePad.
These same people maintain that Apple is working on a single 10-inch device which will launch no earlier than the first calendar quarter of next year, which runs January through March.
For more on Apple's tablet plans, see:
Up next for Apple: the return of the Newton - Sept. 2007
Sources: Apple Newton-tablet not ripe for Macworld - Jan. 2008
Apple's much-anticipated tablet device coming early next year - July 2009
Christine McKee
Oliver Haslam
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
117 Comments
Isn't reporting on reports that scrape the barrel ... scraping the barrel?
I wonder how much of this is misdirection on Apple's part.
It would seem to be in their interest to keep the rumor mills churning and churning... to keep the interest up at a fever pitch. To this end, I think Apple has been leaking incorrect information. Else everyone (including AI) is totally full of crap. (a high probability)
Look at the wide range of estimates on just about every point (6" or 10"- one or two devices- OSX or iPhoneOS...) I think Apple is orchestrating all this (and probably does with each new release) and it also smoothers any real information that might actually leak out. Everyone knows something is coming, so keep the interest up by seeding the rumors with all kinds of (valid/invalid) information.
KRR
PS. The reality distortion field is on full power! Captain!
I wonder how much of this is misdirection on Apple's part.
It would seem to be in their interest to keep the rumor mills churning and churning... to keep the interest up at a fever pitch. To this end, I think Apple has been leaking incorrect information. Else everyone (including AI) is totally full of crap. (a high probability)
Look at the wide range of estimates on just about every point (6" or 10"- one or two devices- OSX or iPhoneOS...) I think Apple is orchestrating all this (and probably does with each new release) and it also smoothers any real information that might actually leak out. Everyone knows something is coming, so keep the interest up by seeding the rumors with all kinds of (valid/invalid) information.
KRR
PS. The reality distortion field is on full power! Captain!
I have absolutely no idea one way or the other but IMHO I doubt Apple have to do anything in the way of creating rumors. I have never been a conspiracy theory type
It is good that secrecy is generating all this distortion field... even though Apple may not be doing this directly. Keeps competitors like Palm, MSFT off their balance... keeps them day late and dollar short!
We will find out when we find out. Why is this a big deal anyhow? Apple sure must love all the free marketing by their own secrecy.
That said. If the tablet runs the iPhone OS X, I don't think it would do too well since it would be a large device with no real keyboard. iPhone is a good size for a palmtop device.
If it uses its own new version of OS X, I'm sure that'll make developers happy.
My hope is that it uses Snow Leopard. That would make sense to let us use the device as a regular computer.
My guess, is the first. How disappointing.
Eh, but why would I care, I won't be buying the thing. Its fun to watch everyone else guess about Apple too. That and to voice the other side are really the only reasons I come here.