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Eleventh hour rumors brew new details on Apple's tablet

by Aron Trimble Jan 27th 2010 at 9:51AM

The tension is palpable as we all wait patiently for the start of Apple's event featuring "new stuff," and it seems that a little birdie has stuck his neck out and flown some forbidden images over to the crew at Engadget. What you see is a cell phone-sourced image of a prototype tablet which looks to be running some sort of mapping application.

The hardware details are largely obscured, but what is obvious is that there is a definite home button -- much like the one on the iPhone. Additionally, there seems to be a cut-out in the casing which could reveal a front-facing camera. Using some image editor trickery, Engadget has also determined the screen size to be as expected, roughly 10 inches.

These images seem plausible to me mainly for the fact that they reveal very little information. Also, the fact that the hardware details are hidden from the photographer seems very Apple-esque. If I remember correctly, Apple did something similar during the development of the iPod.

Over in the Twitterverse, notable Apple watcher (and TUAW founder) Jason Calacanis is claiming to have had in his possession a pre-release Apple Tablet; he had some back-and-forth with Matt Schlicht of Ustream, who also intimated that he got an early Apple present. Some of the hardware details that have been "leaked" are a front- and rear-facing camera, 10-inch OLED display, HDTV tuner, and a low-power mode specifically for reading ebooks.

The information about the multiple cameras and low-power mode are definitely plausible; however, the use of an OLED display and inclusion of an HDTV tuner would indicate some sort of funny business. Given that Apple is in the business of selling HD television shows, it seems weird that they would make it easy to get that same content for free.

One thing we know for sure, though, is that with less than four hours until the start of Apple's event showcasing its latest creation, things are really heating up.



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The tension is palpable as we all wait patiently for the start of Apple's event featuring "new stuff," and it seems that a little birdie...
 

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VKM

I haven't heard this one yet, but here's a prediction on a way to have fun with a tablet and not deal with all those other nuisances we've heard about:

Apple's iMerge:

1) It is a tablet-type PC, but mostly a screen and enhanced speed booster.
2) It requires an iPod Touch or, preferably, an iPhone 3G/3GS that snaps-in to the iMerge. In other words, it physically gets swallowed-by the the iMerge.

Why?
a) It instantly connects all of one's applications, contacts, SMS history, etc. to the iMerge. No syncing.
b) The extra on-board processor and memory boost all apps and allows multi-processing.
c) Does not require people to buy a new subscription for telecom -- use your iPhone. Or, if using an iPod Touch, you could opt for the 3G internal card.
d) Not an "extra" device that cannibalizes the sales of iPhones/iPodT's.
e) Larger real estate and processing allows more incorporation of big-format applications such as book readers, Excel-worksheets, graphics/design applications.
f) Works as a data store and backup (stick in your iPhone/iPodT and it syncs for backup to a 1TB drive.
g) Users can un-snap the iMerge and take the iPhone when on the fly for quick around-the-office efforts.
h) Basically, the iMerge becomes the essential companion device for the iPhone/iPodTouch.

January 27 2010 at 1:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
slightlyprofessional

The hardware in the photos is a prototype or like others have suggested it (the tablet) has been encased in something to hide it's real design. Prototypes don't have to be pretty until they are a real product that is ready to be sold or presented.

January 27 2010 at 12:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dave.lenweaver

No way this is the design. Maybe the size is close but what is shown here is MS/Dell Ugly. Jobs would kill Ives if he presented this one.

January 27 2010 at 11:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David Frantz

HDTV would be a huge win if this is true. It would be easy to implement too considering that there are single chip tuners available and the decoding hardware would be there anyways. The biggest problem would be the antenna.

As to the leaks and stuff I don't really trust them. That is not a problem because in an hour and a half the specs will be out.

January 27 2010 at 11:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to David Frantz's comment
SIP

I don't own or watch TV of any kind -- if this thing has a tuner built in it's going to cost me an extra £142.50 per year. UK TV licensing requires a license simply for owning equipment with means of receiving a TV signal. There are hard-to-prove exemptions but...

January 27 2010 at 12:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brett

http://twitter.com/BrettArchibald/status/8283827026
"What I want in an Apple tablet: The ability to draw with a pointy-tipped stylus, rather than my fat finger. Will be disappointed? Surely..."

January 27 2010 at 10:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gman

Um did anyone look at the other photos: http://www.engadget.com/photos/is-this-the-apple-tablet/#2654019

This thing is freaking ugly...I really hope for Apple's sake this is a fake...lol.

-Gyve

January 27 2010 at 10:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Gman's comment
BMAiMod

Ummmm I think that outer casing it to hide the final design. its not the actual housing.

January 27 2010 at 11:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
GM

Someone please fill me in on the Hassel Island thing... (comment #10)

January 27 2010 at 10:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
taoprophet420

In one of the photos it looks like there is 30 pin connector and one at the bottom.

January 27 2010 at 10:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
andythefiredog

I doubt the tablet will have a built-in HDTV tuner, however, Apple could pair the MacBook touch / iBook GS with an AirPort Express type device designed to transmit live video. Perhaps AirPort Express HD.

January 27 2010 at 10:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dave C

PLEASE tell me that ALL of this NEVER ENDING tablet coverage is not just for an oversized iPhone that can be used for reading books and newspapers!!!!!! I am excited to see a tablet, but only if it is an ACTUAL computer running some version of Leopard, not the iPhone OS. All signs are pointing to this thing being a Kindle-like reader. BOOO! Downvote if you will, but with this CONSTANT, NON-STOP coverage, I really think some people will be let down with the tablet's release, especially if it is overpriced (likely)!

Just so people don't think I'm a PC flameboy, I own a 3GS, and a Macbook (after being burned several times on a regular PC, I smartened up and moved over to Apple)

January 27 2010 at 10:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Dave C's comment
dg

I think this was the reason for the McGraw Hill "leak"... to start the letdown that this is a big iPhone and not a full computer.

January 27 2010 at 11:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joey

I think Apple sees a lot of growth potential in the "simplified computing device" market. As such I fully expect this fabled tablet to be nothing more than a big (overpriced) iPhone with updated software.

However while all this might illicit some fallout from the professional/geek crowd, the consumer market will likely find the tablet quite appealing - especially if its subsidized through carriers.

Let's face it, there's an inordinate amount of people out there who find modern computing to be incredibly difficult and cumbersome. They want to read the news, watch videos, listen to music, visit Facebook and tweet just like everyone else but the learning curve is simply far too steep.

So they turn to their phones for their computing experience. In part this is why the iPhone has done so well. It bridges the gap between computing and traditional single purpose devices (TVs, DVD players. etc.). Therefore, a "bigger iPhone" is sure to find a niche in those who want all the same functionality but more screen real estate. You just can't say the same about a Mac OS Apple tablet. At least not in the traditional sense of what we know the Mac OS to be.

January 27 2010 at 12:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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