Rumor Mill: Tablet to be large-scale iPhone

Gadget Mix's Tommy Lawson writes that Kaifu Lee's Chinese-language post (Google Translate version) suggests that the tablet will provide eBook functionality, a virtual keyboard, and a built-in webcam, with 10 million units to be produced in the first year of distribution. He adds that Lee's ongoing relationship with Taiwan's Foxconn Technology Group lends weight to his reliability as a source on the subject.

Although this development adds no new features into the tablet rumor mill, it's comforting to know that the possibly mythical tablet is getting more and more plausible by the day.

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Source: http://gadgetmix.com/index/apple-tablet-looks-like-an-over-s…

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Gadget Mix's Tommy Lawson writes that Kaifu Lee's Chinese-language post (Google Translate version) suggests that the tablet will provide...

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aepilev

It would be cool if it had the built in capability yo charge while resting on one of those charging mats.

December 31 2009 at 7:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

timejumperone

My question is: Where's the market for it?

1) An e-book reader
2} A video player (wi-fi connectivity)
3) A video game player (PSP)
4) A full-fledge computer
5) A video phone (ala skype or GTalk)
6) A Windows PC (Boot Camp/Parellels)

How do you keep it from overheating or charged?

December 30 2009 at 5:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to timejumperone's comment

Tezgno

The market is somewhat there (in that it would probably compete in the Netbook market... if it is priced right). Knowing Apple, though, they will likely invent the market, just as they did for full touchscreen phones.

As for keeping it charged and keeping it from overheating, that's fairly simple to do. Unlike a laptop, the Mac Tablet will more than likely run on a processing architecture designed for ultra-mobile platforms (such as an Atom, an ARM, or maybe even a CPU from their PA Semi company that they purchased a while back). It will likely be ultra-low voltage and will definitely not contain the processing power of a laptop. Because of that, it could likely have 8+ hours of full running battery (with several days standby) and will probably not generate any more heat than what an iPod Touch or iPhone does today. Charging would likely be like any other iDevice or Mac Laptop.

December 30 2009 at 6:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

camkevbell

Hybrid bikes are no good on anything but groomed bike trails and quiet neighborhood streets. Try to push them further into the woods or urban areas, and you quickly discover their limitations. I think tablets are the hybrid bikes of computers.

December 30 2009 at 4:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jordan

Could it replace a laptop? I'd consider it for that.

December 30 2009 at 4:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Jordan's comment

Dan Woods

One of the reasons I waited for a 13" MBP before replacing my iBook G4 was because.
1) Unibody Eco-Friendly Construction.
2) 13" Form Factor (nearly as luggable as a MBA).
3) FW-800. A Mac without Firewire is like an iPod without Music. It works, but there is something missing...

It fills the hole between an iMac and my iPhone. I can't play WoW or write Cocoa-Touch Apps on my iPhone and I can't take my iMac with me.

While an iPhone OS Tablet can't replace my MBP, it could certainly replace all the Netbooks in use by people I know. Remote Access Apps (VNC and RDC) will make it an invaluable tool for SysAdmins and Product Catalogue Apps would make it perfect for Mobile Sales Representatives.

December 30 2009 at 8:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

MIKE

I'M IN!! OUT SHOPPING FOR MAN PURSE CURRENTLY

December 30 2009 at 3:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to MIKE's comment

Nathan

LOL - nothing less than Louis Vuitton will do dahling.

December 30 2009 at 4:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

pierre

Kaifu Lee is right. The device will also provide WiFi connectivity (of course) and G3 connectivity to have internet access everywhere.
iTunes will provide an impressive number of iBooks and some digital magazines starting day-1. Indeed it has a 10,1" full-color display and provides 8 hrs battery power. A stylus is included to allow taking notes using a new notes application; this application is extremely well integrated with ME and the Mac.

If you see, you will understand that this is the device you need today!
Enjoy it and have fun.

Pierre van Mouche

December 30 2009 at 3:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mr. Man

I just hope it is running some version of Mac OS X like on the desktops, so (hopefully) you could download stuff onto it. And I hope it has a Dock like on Mac OS X.

December 30 2009 at 3:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

thesman

If it can not run Flash I may have an issue with it.

December 30 2009 at 3:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

4 replies to thesman's comment

Mystic

It's going to be awesome. I can't wait!

And I'm all for it running the iPhone OS. If it has OSX I will pass!

December 30 2009 at 3:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

7 replies to Mystic's comment

Maxintech

A bigger iPhone isn't a deal for me.

December 30 2009 at 3:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply