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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > iPhone, iPad & iPod > Apple tablet / netbook / large iPhone is coming for real

Apple tablet / netbook / large iPhone is coming for real
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turtle777
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Dec 24, 2009, 02:44 PM
 
Seems like the rumors are picking up significantly over the last weeks.

Latest rumor:
Apple To Demo Tablet In January, Asks Developers To Get Apps Ready

This tells me we're in the final stages. Something's coming up pretty soon.
The timeline the above source gives seems realistic:
* demo in Jan
* sale in Mar

This is going to be an interesting start into 2010.

-t
     
0157988944
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Dec 24, 2009, 03:54 PM
 
More rumors around the holiday surely means it's for real!

I'll believe the hype when it's on shelves.
     
turtle777  (op)
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Dec 24, 2009, 04:08 PM
 
Originally Posted by adamfishercox View Post
More rumors around the holiday surely means it's for real!

I'll believe the hype when it's on shelves.
I believe this is a different "quality" of rumor.

It's not one of those " a friend who works in a CHinese factory has told me" kind of rumor.-t

-t
     
Judge_Fire
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Dec 24, 2009, 06:49 PM
 
A great and entertaining rumor season this is. Were at point 7 in the The Cycle, which is my favorite part.
     
mattyb
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Dec 25, 2009, 07:49 AM
 
I'm excited about this. Lets hope the price and specs don't make it a 'luxury' purchase.
     
Phileas
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Dec 25, 2009, 10:18 AM
 
What I am hoping for is a dual e-ink/lcd screen. If it has got pone of those I'll be buying immediately.
     
imitchellg5
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Dec 25, 2009, 10:20 AM
 
I've been hearing rumors on the Internet that it'll be announced January 26th and will ship in March. My own source within Apple says that an announcement could happen anytime, but they need a while to start producing.
     
PB2K
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Dec 26, 2009, 06:48 AM
 
the slate rumor is old

here is a significant slip of tongue two months ago
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ajprice
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Dec 26, 2009, 02:48 PM
 
iSlate and Magic Slate trademarks acquired in 2006, islate.com in 2007. Magic Slate could be some kind of desktop multitouch trackpad, like the iGesture Pad made by Fingerworks, who Apple bought out a while ago...

Apple 'iSlate' Trademark and What is a 'Magic Slate'? - Mac Rumors

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olePigeon
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Dec 26, 2009, 09:56 PM
 
So it'll be a very large iPod Touch... probably. Meh.
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AKcrab
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Dec 27, 2009, 01:58 AM
 
     
Shaddim
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Dec 27, 2009, 02:00 AM
 
Better be ****ing kick-ass if it's going to replace my Kindle.
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turtle777  (op)
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Dec 27, 2009, 03:12 AM
 
Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
Better be ****ing kick-ass if it's going to replace my Kindle.
I wouldn't expect Steve to settle for anything less than stelar.

-t
     
angelmb
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Dec 27, 2009, 04:50 AM
 
I.D. Magazine, the International Design Magazine has closed, I highly suspect others might follow; I'm not renewing my subscriptions to I.D. (oh snap), 'HOW' or 'print' until Apple unveils the tablet. It is enough of a pain to get the magazines in pristine condition this side of the pond and even worse, as European I'm not legible for all the fancy prizes they give away to (American) readers.
     
LegendaryPinkOx
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Dec 27, 2009, 05:44 PM
 
Originally Posted by AKcrab View Post
Can anyone give me more info on this Mac?
Looks like the bastard love child of an iPhone and a Macbook Air.
are you lightfooted?
     
Sealobo
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Dec 27, 2009, 06:06 PM
 
are we having a countdown to Jan 26th?
     
dcmacdaddy
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Dec 27, 2009, 06:34 PM
 
I love the back-story to this "discovery".

It was "found" on a train when someone picked up the wrong briefcase.
1.) As if anyone at Apple high up enough in the company to have a mock-up of Apple's Next Big Thing would "forget" the Next Big Thing on a train.
2.) As if anyone at Apple high up enough in the company to have a mock-up of Apple's Next Big Thing would be taking mass transit n the first place.
3.) If anyone at Apple high up enough in the company to have a mock-up of Apple's Next Big Thing was taking mass transit somewhere and was carrying a mock-up of Apple's Next Big Thing that person would probably have it (the briefcase) strapped to their wrist like it was a national secret.
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turtle777  (op)
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Dec 27, 2009, 07:28 PM
 
Originally Posted by dcmacdaddy View Post
I love the back-story to this "discovery".

It was "found" on a train when someone picked up the wrong briefcase.
1.) As if anyone at Apple high up enough in the company to have a mock-up of Apple's Next Big Thing would "forget" the Next Big Thing on a train.
2.) As if anyone at Apple high up enough in the company to have a mock-up of Apple's Next Big Thing would be taking mass transit n the first place.
3.) If anyone at Apple high up enough in the company to have a mock-up of Apple's Next Big Thing was taking mass transit somewhere and was carrying a mock-up of Apple's Next Big Thing that person would probably have it (the briefcase) strapped to their wrist like it was a national secret.
I don't believe the story at all; however, Apple DOES conduct field tests with their prototypes, and they DO use mass transit as well to conduct their tests. So that part of the story is not the unbelievable one.

Next generation iPhone caught testing, spotted in app usage log

-t
     
Eriamjh
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Dec 28, 2009, 05:03 PM
 
Hmmm... That pic above makes me think that the iSlate (or whatever it is ultimately called) could be made from the same machined aluminum form-factor that the Macbooks and iMacs use. It makes economic sense from a production standpoint. Sturdy, and lightweight without using plastic.

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spacefreak
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Dec 29, 2009, 09:32 PM
 
I love the image in the original story. This would be awesome...

     
Chuckit
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Dec 29, 2009, 10:12 PM
 
Originally Posted by spacefreak View Post
I love the image in the original story. This would be awesome...

If the iPhone had jagged, razor-sharp edges to defend yourself against muggers?
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Wiskedjak
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Dec 29, 2009, 11:04 PM
 
I'll be really disappointed if the iTablet ends up with a 1" bezel.
     
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Dec 30, 2009, 12:46 AM
 
I expect only one thing from the iSlate: hold it vertically for 1 page viewing, turn it horizontal for 2 page viewing.
     
Shaddim
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Dec 30, 2009, 05:31 AM
 
and it'll start at $899.
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Eug
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Dec 30, 2009, 10:18 AM
 
I still can't figure out what to uses such a hypothetical beast for.

     
MrsLarry
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Dec 30, 2009, 11:21 AM
 
Originally Posted by Eug View Post
I still can't figure out what to uses such a hypothetical beast for.

Well, I nearly just spewed my mouthful of tea into my keyboard.
     
Wiskedjak
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Dec 30, 2009, 11:44 AM
 
Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
and it'll start at $899.
Or, about twice what it *should* cost.
     
Chuckit
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Dec 30, 2009, 11:55 AM
 
Originally Posted by Wiskedjak View Post
Or, about twice what it *should* cost.
That will only be known when we see the sales figures.
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The Final Dakar
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Dec 30, 2009, 11:59 AM
 
Eh, the iPhone did alright being overpriced and they still dropped the price shortly after launch.
     
osiris
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Dec 30, 2009, 01:36 PM
 
If this tablet thing is for real, rest assured that it will probably cost a small fortune - maybe under $999 but more than $699, I guess. 3 months later it'll drop in price to a less absurd level - firstborn babies will be spared.

Wasn't the Newton over $600 or 700 back in '96? That's like eleventy trillion in today's money.
( Last edited by osiris; Dec 30, 2009 at 04:36 PM. )
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Wiskedjak
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Dec 30, 2009, 01:47 PM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
Eh, the iPhone did alright being overpriced and they still dropped the price shortly after launch.
Oh, there's no question that people will flock to purchase a new Apple logo. But if this thing is only a netbook or glorified iPod Touch, any price tag higher than $600 will be overpriced IMO.
     
Phileas
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Dec 30, 2009, 01:48 PM
 
There are several unconfirmed rumours out there putting the sales price at $399.00.

Makes sense when you're going up against the Kindle et al.
     
The Final Dakar
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Dec 30, 2009, 01:50 PM
 
How much did the iPod touch debut at? This thing will be way larger and do more (I assume).

I dunno, I'm not trying to justify a high price... I'm just sort of bracing myself for the worst.
     
The Final Dakar
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Dec 30, 2009, 01:50 PM
 
Originally Posted by Phileas View Post
There are several unconfirmed rumours out there putting the sales price at $399.00.

Makes sense when you're going up against the Kindle et al.
That'd be awesome... but it just doesn't sound Apple.

Maybe after a year.
     
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Dec 30, 2009, 01:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
That'd be awesome... but it just doesn't sound Apple.

Maybe after a year.
Yep. Apple has never really bothered to compete with anyone on price-point.
     
Shaddim
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Dec 30, 2009, 02:57 PM
 
I was already told (by someone who would know) that it'll be close to $1000. If it's really great then that's not an awful price, but I just can't see it replacing my MBP or Kindle.
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The Final Dakar
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Dec 30, 2009, 02:59 PM
 
After seeing the MacBook Air pricing, thats very believable. There's really no way I could see it debuting much cheaper than a MacBook.
     
turtle777  (op)
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Dec 30, 2009, 04:06 PM
 
Originally Posted by Shaddim View Post
I was already told (by someone who would know) that it'll be close to $1000. If it's really great then that's not an awful price, but I just can't see it replacing my MBP or Kindle.
I find that believable.

Let's not forget, Apple always introduced game-changing hardware at a comparatively high price.

The first iPod and first iPhone were priced so high that the pundits agreed it would be a financial disaster. Well, years later we know that Apple exactly knew what they were doing.

I expect nothing else from this new gadget.

-t
     
Eug
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Dec 30, 2009, 05:52 PM
 
I thought the first iPod was priced not too terribly for what it was... but it wouldn't sell that well because it was Mac only. It sold better than I expected, but the sales didn't really take off until it was a Windows product as well, and it really took off once iTunes launched on Windows.

I thought the first iPhone was appropriately priced actually. Smartphones were always expensive pieces, and the iPhone was no different. In fact, perusing the phone forums, it seemed just about anyone with any experience with an iPod KNEW the iPhone would sell like gangbusters. Any pundit who predicted it would fail miserably was a total idiot IMO. A reasonable guess might have been that it would sell OK but not totally awesomely, but it seemed to me the phone geeks were pretty much agreed it had too many advantages to be a flop.

ie. To the phone geeks, the iPhone was a no brainer. I'm not so convinced about an iTablet. It reminds me of an Air, or even worse, AppleTV. Well, at least AppleTV isn't $1499.

So, count me in as one of the skeptics about the iTablet:

1) I'm skeptical it will even launch any time soon.
2) If it does actually launch, I'm skeptical that I'll really have a need for one, given I already have an iPhone and a 13" MBP.
( Last edited by Eug; Dec 30, 2009 at 06:01 PM. )
     
The Final Dakar
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Dec 30, 2009, 05:54 PM
 
It reminds me of an iPod Touch.
     
Eug
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Dec 30, 2009, 06:02 PM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
It reminds me of an iPod Touch.
Which already exists, for $199.
     
The Final Dakar
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Dec 30, 2009, 06:04 PM
 
And a tiny ass screen.
     
slugslugslug
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Dec 30, 2009, 06:07 PM
 
Surely there’ll be something more to it than an overgrown iPhone/iPod touch. If it’s going to be expensive, it’ll have to also be really compelling, so people don’t look at it and say, “why don’t I get a netbook or laptop instead?” Besides apps, I think some media partnerships and another store are pretty likely. As in, everything you can read on your Kindle/nook/Sony thingy, but also color, video and more interactivity.

I’m really curious as to how they’ll do text input. Apple is extremely careful about that kind of thing, and it’s certainly not clear that their solution at iPhone size is the best one (or even a half-decent one) in the tablet form factor.

Even if it’s expensive, this thing might have some promise if it allows enough productivity for some folks to ditch laptops, especially if it’s got any reasonable I/O capability. I use a MacBook now, which I occasionally bring to school/work when I need to avoid Windows. If I could bring The Tablet to workk to get some reading done, display some presentations, and maybe do a little writing, I can see switching to iMac + Tablet instead of MacBook + monitor.
     
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Dec 30, 2009, 06:19 PM
 
Which begs the question: what is the point of a tablet?

If it's just an oversized iPod Touch, I suspect it'll have a limited market due to it's size but comparable functionality. A 10" screen isn't going to fit in the pocket very easily.

If it's just an oversized iPod Touch targeting the Netbook market with the iPhone OS at a price point higher than $600, I suspect it'll have a limited market until the price drops.

At the +$600 price point, I'd expect full MacOSX and a USB port (or 2). Or, I'd expect something completely unexpected.
     
slugslugslug
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Dec 30, 2009, 06:28 PM
 
I can see a point for some of the same people who want reading devices. I’m in grad school, so I download dozens of PDFs every week (not that I read ’em all, but that’s another discussion). I can’t read them in bed on my MacBook or my iPhone. It just doesn’t work for me. I often print them out, but that gets unwieldy and is wasteful. I (and I’m sure lots of others in academia) would love to have a way to keep these things organized and read them on a decent sized display away from a desk.
     
The Final Dakar
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Dec 30, 2009, 06:31 PM
 
Originally Posted by Wiskedjak View Post
Which begs the question: what is the point of a tablet?

If it's just an oversized iPod Touch, I suspect it'll have a limited market due to it's size but comparable functionality. A 10" screen isn't going to fit in the pocket very easily.

If it's just an oversized iPod Touch targeting the Netbook market with the iPhone OS at a price point higher than $600, I suspect it'll have a limited market until the price drops.

At the +$600 price point, I'd expect full MacOSX and a USB port (or 2). Or, I'd expect something completely unexpected.
I think regardless of how awesome this thing is, its going to be about price, price, price. There's a reason you can now pick-up an iPhone for $99 now.
     
Chuckit
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Dec 30, 2009, 06:50 PM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
I think regardless of how awesome this thing is, its going to be about price, price, price. There's a reason you can now pick-up an iPhone for $99 now.
The iPhone was a success even before it was cheap. The reason there's an iPhone for $99 now is because the 3G is now much cheaper for Apple to make and it can still get suckers luxury customers with the 3GS.
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Dec 30, 2009, 06:50 PM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
I think regardless of how awesome this thing is, its going to be about price, price, price. There's a reason you can now pick-up an iPhone for $99 now.
Oh, did the Department of Redundancy Department tell you that?
now now now now now now now
     
Eug
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Dec 30, 2009, 06:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by The Final Dakar View Post
And a tiny ass screen.
That fits in your pocket.
     
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Dec 30, 2009, 11:06 PM
 
The Apple Tablet looks like a bigger iPhone that sports an awesome UI packed in a beautiful 10.1-inch screen. The tablet combines the functions of both netbook and kindle, an ebook reader. It has virtual keyboard for text entry and a webcam for video conferencing

Link

Ex-Google China President Says Apple Tablet Is a 10.1-Inch iPhone With Webcam - apple tablet - Gizmodo
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