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France Telecom exec implies Apple tablet to have 3G, Web cam [u]

An executive with wireless operator France Telecom suggested in an interview Monday that Apple will soon release a tablet equipped with a Web cam, and Orange customers across Europe will be able to use the device.

Stephane Richard, the second in command with France Telecom, owner of Orange, simply said "oui" to a couple of questions Monday about a tablet with a Web cam. When asked if Orange customers will be able to use Apple's tablet, he said, in French, "of course."

Update: Although Richard went on to talk about the prospect of video conferencing with the device, Orange later issued a retraction on the executive's statements.

"These responses in no way reflect Orange’s confirmation of the existence of the rumoured device," the company said. "The spokesperson was merely confirming that he is aware of the speculation surrounding a launch and that Orange would be delighted to have such a product were it ever to be available.”

Richard did not volunteer the information, but rather responded by saying yes to a series of tablet-related questions from journalist Jean-Pierre Elkabbach. Nowhereelse.fr captured the video and relayed the information. A translation of the exchange follows:

    Elkabbach: According to weekly Le Point, in a couple of days Apple will be launching its tablet computer... Richard: Yes. Elkabbach: ...equipped with a webcam. Richard: Yes. Elkabbach: Are Orange customers going to be able to enjoy it? Richard: Of course!

Orange previously had an exclusive arrangement with Apple to offer the iPhone in France, though the nation's competition counsel ruled that exclusive relationship to be illegal. But France Telecom still sold 200,000 iPhones in December, Richard revealed Monday in Paris.

Orange is primarily based in Europe and Africa. It is the fifth largest wireless carrier in the world, with more than 189 million customers.

Stateside, recent rumors have suggested that Apple could make its anticipated touchscreen tablet compatible with the Verizon network. It has been speculated that Apple could offer subsidized and non-subsidized options for customers.

Apple is rumored to hold an event Jan. 27 to announce its tablet, expected to have a screen size between 10 and 11 inches and be akin to a jumbo iPod touch. While Apple is expected to reveal the product this month, reports have said it will not likely ship until March.



100 Comments

smiles77 16 Years · 658 comments

This is a great read:
http://www.techcrunch.net/2010/01/10...-cespool-2010/

The 12th annual CESPOOL conference attracted hundreds of attendees in Las Vegas this weekend and they were all excited about one product ? the book. Dozens of companies showed off their latest models, all of which have in common the new flexible ?paper? display and ?binding? technology.
The form factors varied, with some vendors showcasing additional features like built-in ?bookmarks? and ?appendices?. A particularly high-end offering from Ericsung boasted ?pop-up? technology, which allows viewers to experience wholly-immersive 3d scenery.

Users have warmed to the ?flipping? paradigm of reading and the brief moment between the current and next pages no longer seems to be a significant handicap for the devices. Noting readers? hunger for new features, the new paper displays allow for instant annotation and are compatible with pencils, pens, highlighters, and even markers of all makes and models. The newest displays even offer eraser compatibility and white-out friendly pages.
Of course, consumers can expect to pay a bit more for the extra features ? especially for the fact that books are physically present and tangible. They run from $14.99 for the lower-grade paperback lines to premium hardcover offerings at an average price of $24.99. Buyers in Canada can expect to pay several dollars more for the same product thanks to the longstanding envious grudge held against them for socialized medicine.

Whispers abounded on the CESPOOL conference floor about a new book or ?tablet? reading device from Apple Whole Food. Rumored to be chiseled from the finest granite, the holy buzz around this new product is palpable.
Riding the wave of new reading products, books are coming as the e-reader phase wanes. All of these products, however, face a challenging trend ? the average adult reads less than five words per day on average (including traffic signs), down from several hundred just a decade ago. This dramatic decrease has been blamed by some, particularly the on the widespread availability of audio cassettes and dirty magazines with color pictures. Equipment makers hailing books as the new device to save reading certainly have a lot to prove in the coming months.

ivan.rnn01 17 Years · 1803 comments

"Of course"! Who else is that quick to disclose sensitive Apple-related information before Frenchies do!
Sure, tablet will. If you bought music and videos on iPhone, you would hardly suggest Leo would rely on iTunes sync more, than on just curious stone-age-dated option.

avidfcp 16 Years · 371 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by ivan.rnn01

"Of course"! Who else is that quick to disclose sensitive Apple-related information before Frenchies do!
Sure, tablet will. If you bought music and videos on iPhone, you would hardly suggest Leo would rely on iTunes sync more, than on just curious stone-age-dated option.

Are we talking $30 plan or $50 and $200, I say more like $299 or $499 with plan and $999 without. No free option for AT&T at $1000.
Just wireless. If your an AT&T customer you'll have to get yet another plan so expect verizon to get a lot of sales. We'l see I suppose.

ted13 23 Years · 65 comments

I just watched a video clip and the Orange guy says a lot more than just "oui & bien sûr". He specifically says that the Tablet will do video calls (chat) over the cell network. In other words the tablet will feature video iChat over 3G.

If anyone has a link of the video to the whole interview, rather than just the small clip, please post -- it is clear a lot more info is there than what the article implies.

ivan.rnn01 17 Years · 1803 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by Avidfcp

Are we talking $30 plan or $50 and $200, I say more like $299 or $499 with plan and $999 without. No free option for AT&T at $1000.
Just wireless. If your an AT&T customer you'll have to get yet another plan so expect verizon to get a lot of sales. We'l see I suppose.

I can't speak for AT&T. Tablet without contract will be expensive. 1G looks reasonable estimation. But it seems to be gonna sell subsidized. Otherwise, back-to-school promotions will apply.

As for plans, Orange's data plan for iPhone costs now EUR 25 per month, unlimited tethering option costs 30 EUR/month.
Whence, 1000 - 12 * 30(40) ~ 600(500).