From Loop Rumors—click link and scroll down for artist’s rendering

Apple introduced its multi-touch iPhone nearly one year ago. Not long after, the long-awaited iPod Touch debuted in roughly the same form factor, sans the cellular phone and camera. Many who have enjoyed the new technology have wondered how else Apple will utilize touch computing.

Rumors of an Apple tablet have circulated since the Newton’s demise. But the information LOOPRumors is gathering points to an entirely new device that will coexist with Apple’s current laptop offerings, and benefit from Multi-Touch 2.0. The iTablet, as we will refer to it, will be much more of a Mac Communicator than today’s iPhone or iPod Touch.

From the information we gathered, here’s what we know: Apple will gear this new device at those users who already own Macs. The iTablet will run its own version of Mac OS X Leopard, specifically designed for the device. The iTablet will interact with other devices better than an iPhone or iPod. Users will be able to screen share with their home or work computer from a remote location, video conference with other users, and information suggests the iTablet will have beaming capabilities.

Recent data we received suggests there will be solid state storage as well as a mini DVD drive, possibly explaining today’s find that Apple is working on a mini-disc adapter. All of the standard I/O ports are said to be exposed on the side of the device, keeping the front and back simple, in Apple’s classic design that we’ve become accustomed to. A mouse attached would confirm earlier reports that Apple is using this display as a hybrid display capable of receiving inputs from multiple sources (hands, mouse, stylus). And although details of the outside are sketchy at best, the iTablet is said to be composed of glass, with one button on the face of the unit, sporting a metallic Apple logo on the back.

Internal components will be more robust than the iPhone, capable of more computing power. The iTablet will include an accelerometer, allowing it to operate in multiple directions.

And finally, an unconfirmed report suggests that Apple will utilize both sides of the device to input information.

While a debut at Macworld Expo in January would be optimistic, the possibility does exist.

Re: iTablet? New rumors + image

[quote author=“lumi”] From Loop Rumors—click link and scroll down for artist’s rendering

Apple introduced its multi-touch iPhone nearly one year ago. Not long after, the long-awaited iPod Touch debuted in roughly the same form factor, sans the cellular phone and camera. Many who have enjoyed the new technology have wondered how else Apple will utilize touch computing.

Rumors of an Apple tablet have circulated since the Newton’s demise. But the information LOOPRumors is gathering points to an entirely new device that will coexist with Apple’s current laptop offerings, and benefit from Multi-Touch 2.0. The iTablet, as we will refer to it, will be much more of a Mac Communicator than today’s iPhone or iPod Touch.

From the information we gathered, here’s what we know: Apple will gear this new device at those users who already own Macs. The iTablet will run its own version of Mac OS X Leopard, specifically designed for the device. The iTablet will interact with other devices better than an iPhone or iPod. Users will be able to screen share with their home or work computer from a remote location, video conference with other users, and information suggests the iTablet will have beaming capabilities.

Recent data we received suggests there will be solid state storage as well as a mini DVD drive, possibly explaining today’s find that Apple is working on a mini-disc adapter. All of the standard I/O ports are said to be exposed on the side of the device, keeping the front and back simple, in Apple’s classic design that we’ve become accustomed to. A mouse attached would confirm earlier reports that Apple is using this display as a hybrid display capable of receiving inputs from multiple sources (hands, mouse, stylus). And although details of the outside are sketchy at best, the iTablet is said to be composed of glass, with one button on the face of the unit, sporting a metallic Apple logo on the back.

Internal components will be more robust than the iPhone, capable of more computing power. The iTablet will include an accelerometer, allowing it to operate in multiple directions.

And finally, an unconfirmed report suggests that Apple will utilize both sides of the device to input information.

While a debut at Macworld Expo in January would be optimistic, the possibility does exist.

I’ve got a part for the new widget in my hand, fresh from China. And hearing about component manufacturing problems, I’m wondering if they’ll make it for MacWorld. (They must make it to MacWorld as they already missed Christmas and missing MacWorld will mean heads will roll at Apple).

BTW, the artist rendering is as wrong as rain.

Re: iTablet? New rumors + image

[quote author=“Eric Landstrom”]I’ve got a part for the new widget in my hand, fresh from China. And hearing about component manufacturing problems, I’m wondering if they’ll make it for MacWorld. (They must make it to MacWorld as they already missed Christmas and missing MacWorld will mean heads will roll at Apple).
BTW, the artist rendering is as wrong as rain.

Forgive me if I read your post with a degree of scepticism unless you’re willing to back it up with more than just vague mysterious references seemingly-designed to cause Apple fans to start slavering

Re: iTablet? New rumors + image

[quote author=“Tommo_UK”][quote author=“Eric Landstrom”]I’ve got a part for the new widget in my hand, fresh from China. And hearing about component manufacturing problems, I’m wondering if they’ll make it for MacWorld. (They must make it to MacWorld as they already missed Christmas and missing MacWorld will mean heads will roll at Apple).
BTW, the artist rendering is as wrong as rain.

Forgive me if I read your post with a degree of scepticism unless you’re willing to back it up with more than just vague mysterious references seemingly-designed to cause Apple fans to start slavering

Hearsay then as I’m not going to share more information about the part. I will say this: Munster’s latest remarks are on target and the artist and the tablet are off target unless Apple is bringing two new widget lines to market at the same time (something that I doubt but is possible).

@ Eric:

You have one of these?  If yes, what capacity?

I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a sub-notebook debut before any rumored tablet.

Re: iTablet? New rumors + image

[quote author=“Eric Landstrom”][quote author=“Tommo_UK”]
Forgive me if I read your post with a degree of scepticism unless you’re willing to back it up with more than just vague mysterious references seemingly-designed to cause Apple fans to start slavering

Hearsay then as I’m not going to share more information about the part. I will say this: Munster’s latest remarks are on target and the artist and the tablet are off target unless Apple is bringing two new widget lines to market at the same time (something that I doubt but is possible).

I have no knowledge of iTablet at all, but I do hear that new video conferencing capability (mentioned in the iTablet rumor) is coming to Leopard.  Unwilling to “back it up” as to do so would violate a confidence.

Eric and Capa, I fully understand your reticence about elaborating on your information. With enough of these insider posts maybe we can piece together whats up. But very interesting. Thanks for the hints and we will revisit these posts on Jan 15

This is most likely my next Apple purchase.  If this is announced at MacWorld, I can see it shipping in March.

I can envision a tablet that can become a map with GPS, book, monitor, true video conf, and of course the ultimate touch UI.

Am I the only person who isn’t completely overwhelmed by the prospect of an ultraportable MacBook? I consider my iPod touch to be truly ultraportable. That was a real killer product for me. An 8”-10” MacBook seems more like a fleshing out of the MacBook line rather than something completely different.

[quote author=“wheeles”]Am I the only person who isn’t completely overwhelmed by the prospect of an ultraportable MacBook? I consider my iPod touch to be truly ultraportable. That was a real killer product for me. An 8”-10” MacBook seems more like a fleshing out of the MacBook line rather than something completely different.

Sort of feeling the same. When I need a portable, I use my MacBook Pro, if I need an ultraportable, I will use an iPhone . If I need to take notes in a meeting, I use pen & paper.

But then I felt the same way about the iPod.

Re: iTablet? New rumors + image

[quote author=“looprumors”] . . . . information suggests the iTablet will have beaming capabilities.

Beam me up, Scotty ! 

[quote author=“wheeles”]Am I the only person who isn’t completely overwhelmed by the prospect of an ultraportable MacBook? I consider my iPod touch to be truly ultraportable. That was a real killer product for me. An 8”-10” MacBook seems more like a fleshing out of the MacBook line rather than something completely different.

The iPhone isn’t a productivity tool, however. You can’t easily type reports or even long e-mails, nor can you create Keynote slides, or even save a file for that matter. A tablet with on-screen keyboard would be both useful and fun.

I would love a new small portable. 

I think the ultra-mobile computer is another major new territory.  Such devices can power a big screen at home or in the office, and can go with you wherever.  I think the market for these is growing all the time.

My daughter is a case in point. She is travelling around the world for a couple of years, all her belongings on her back. This includes cell phone + charger, camera + charger, laptop + charger, and extra batteries and cables, plus a few clothes and toothbrush.

As she journals, emails travelogues and stores zillions of photos, she needs a smaller and lighter computer than her 5 pound iBook Pro. Maybe there are others out there who lead a wanderer’s life, or just business people with lots of other things to carry.

Here’s hoping for a small real computer.

[quote author=“iBob”]My daughter is a case in point. She is travelling around the world for a couple of years, all her belongings on her back. This includes cell phone + charger, camera + charger, laptop + charger, and extra batteries and cables, plus a few clothes and toothbrush.

As she journals, emails travelogues and stores zillions of photos, she needs a smaller and lighter computer than her 5 pound iBook Pro. Maybe there are others out there who lead a wanderer’s life, or just business people with lots of other things to carry.

Here’s hoping for a small real computer.

This may not help your daughter, as she’s already on her adventure, but others might be able to cut down on the weight and complexity by using a multi-purpose charger that could charge the laptop and everything else. Examples include the Travel Power Adapter by Belkin and the iGo series by Mobility Electronics. By changing the tip, one can charge a laptop, many cameras, PDAs, iPods, cell phones, etc.

Also, many cell phones can be charged from an USB port, including a port on the laptop (just put it in sleep mode with it connected to its own charger) or an inexpensive USB charger. (Some do not work with iPods, however.) You can find lightweight retractable cables by ZipLinq (one source is Retractable Cables ), Boxwave , Brando in Hong Kong (very fast service—they also have excellent screen protectors and lots of gadgets) and others. Boxwave has a neat device, the VersaCharger Pro , that can be used in a car or AC. (She would need a universal AC plug adapter, of course.) I can testify that the VersaCharger Pro works with both iPod 5.5G (video) and Nano 2G, Palm TX, and a Samsung cell phone. It also charges a JBox external USB battery by MacAlly, which comes in handy if any of the other devices runs low.

Those contemplating traveling should consider a camera that uses AA batteries rather than proprietary batteries. AA-battery cameras will be a little bit larger than the tiniest cameras, but, if your batteries run down, it’s easy to find AA batteries almost anywhere in the world. Do take NiMH rechargeable batteries and a good charger, of course, but you can use alkaline AAs in a pinch. There are lots of good cameras that use AA batteries, including the “A” series by Canon. The relatively new 8 MP A720 IS (the successor to the A710 IS) has a 6x zoom lens with image stabilization, shoots very nice movies, and has a wide range of automatic and manual modes for about $200. With 2 AA batteries, it would weigh about 9 ounces. Slightly cheaper ($160 or less), with a 4x zoom and 7 MP, is the Canon A570 IS . If you want more MP, check the Canon A650 IS —12 MP & 6x zoom, but it is heavier (and a lot more expensive) than the A570 or A710 and requires 4 batteries. You can get adapters for all three to use add-on filters (a polarizer is a good idea) and wide-angle and telephoto lenses.

(Be wary of very tiny high MP cameras. Their sensors are so small that, when they cram that many pixels onto the sensor, the image quality suffers and there often is a lot of noise, color fringing, and other bothersome issues. Their images are often WORSE than cameras with many fewer MP. For most uses, 6 MP is plenty, unless you have a digital SLR with a larger sensor and really good lenses and you intend to either crop a lot or enlarge beyond 11” x 14”.)

I have a Canon S3 IS (12x zoom, 6 MP, 4 AA batteries) but, if I were traveling a lot, I’d get the A720 IS, as it is much less bulky, about half the weight, and needs only 2 batteries.

Thomas Distributing is a good source for batteries and chargers. They have a special version of the Maha C204 that they call the “world” model, as it can use 100-240v 50/60 Hz—you just need the plug adapter.

The biggest stumbling block if Apple is to sell an subnotebook is what they’re going to charge for it.  Over or under $1000?  The least expensive MacBook is $1100.  Will Apple sell the subnotebook for $1000 in order not to cut into MacBook sales.  The only thing is that if it has some flash drive in it, then that will drive the cost up unless there is no optical drive.

It’s going to have to have some sort of touchscreen or else there isn’t going to be much of a hook to buy it instead of a regular MacBook.  Light in weight probably won’t do it.  One other hook could be extended battery life over a notebook equipped with a hard drive. 

This MacBook Thin seems like such a risky proposition to me because I just can’t see it fitting anywhere or targeting some new type of user in quantity and yet not eat into MacBook sales (which maybe won’t matter if it sells well enough).

The iPhone was somehow able to create a large consumer demand that shouldn’t even exist for a handset in that price range.  This MacBook Thin is going to have to have some gimmick to attract new customers in droves.  It seems like an answer to a question nobody asked.  I say this because the subnotebook market doesn’t seem like it’s growing at all.  A MacBook Thin will have to be darn useful for people to buy.

Could it be targeted for elementary and high schools if it were cheap enough and rugged enough?  I think a Kindle would be more suitable.  A MacBook Thin might be good for secretaries that mostly need to look up information and do light typing but I’m sure it won’t be cheaper than some Acer notebook.

Argghh.  Anyone have any ideas about the MacBook Thin target group to ease my troubled mind about MBT future sales?