Rumor: Apple developing second tablet device, made from unicorn tears
Just when you thought Apple tablet rumors were dead -- because, you know, they kind of announced one already -- another has emerged like a zombie rising from its grave to feast upon the brains of gullible fanboys. You may want to grab your salt shakers and wash its grains down with a stiff shot of whiskey for this one though. TechCrunch (a company familiar with tablet devices *wink*) is reporting that Apple may be hard at work developing a second tablet device - this one more computer than consumer device, said to be bigger and badder than its recently announced sibling. TC's MG Seigler claims to have "heard" from second-hand sources (I didn't realize Goodwill sold rumors) that iPad Maxi will feature a more robust software stack with more in common to the desktop flavor of OSX rather than iPhone OS, and powered by Intel's Atom processor.
Aside from the fact that Apple is now rolling its own chips, and hence no longer requires Intel's power-sipping Atom processor, why on earth fragment and possibly cannibalize your product line with TWO competing products that essentially attack the same markets from two different points? It isn't in Apple's nature to throw pasta at walls in hopes something adheres. Did we learn nothing from Steve's mobile device chart last week? He clearly outlined where the company has positioned iPad: as a tweener, straddling the iPod and Mac segments -- serving a role that Netbooks have failed to fill. So where does this fella fit in? And pray tell, how would strapping OSX to Netbook hardware (ala Atom) make it comparable in terms of features and performance to a MacBook? This rumor does not compute.Before the iPad was revealed last week, rumors circulated for a long time that Apple might be working on two different sizes for the screen of the device. Some had the device as small as 7″, others were saying it would go up to 10.6″
Believe it? Neither do I. I call shenanigans.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bingo said 7:34AM on 2-02-2010
SECOND!
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Bingo said 7:36AM on 2-02-2010
Damn, like snapping my fingers and tapping my toes, I just don't have the rythm :(
Tbone the Pirate said 8:02AM on 2-02-2010
They'll call it the MacPad Pro!
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delphinus87 said 6:05PM on 2-02-2010
Macbook > Macbook Pro
iMac > Mac Pro
iPad > iPad Pro?
Ego said 8:11AM on 2-02-2010
hmm.. I really doubt this is true. It's wishful thinking for retarded fanboys. BTW Apple killed Atom support with the 10.6.2 update. I doubt they'd create a new flavor of OS X with touch just use the Atom.
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lo_fye said 8:18AM on 2-02-2010
Apple always tries to release 2 versions of each product: consumer & pro
The iPad is the only Apple device not yet fitting that pattern.
Although, in every case below, the consumer & pro models DO run the same operating system. I would NOT expect the iPad Pro to run full OSX. I would expect it to offer more storage, a camera, better GPS, etc.
iMac => Mac Pro
MacBook => MacBook Pro
iPod Nano => iPod Classic
iPod Touch => iPhone
iPad => ???
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A. G. said 9:36AM on 2-02-2010
What about the Mac Mini, Apple TV, and Xserves? Sure, the Mac Mini now comes in two models (one with DVD, another that's a mini server), but that was only after it was out for 3 years.
Rockey04 said 9:52AM on 2-02-2010
iPad Wifi => iPad 3G
Shawn Wilkins said 8:15AM on 2-02-2010
Apple is ALWAYS working on new products. Why is this any surprise?
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rvr said 10:26AM on 2-02-2010
exactly. of course they're developing something like this. if the ipad really is their vision of the future, then they're surely trying to figure out a way to bring this model to the general purpose computer. will it see the light of day in the next 5 years? who the hell knows. but i have no doubt that they're playing with something along these lines, as well as a dozen other things that may never get released.
Tim said 8:21AM on 2-02-2010
Maybe between MacBook and iMac?
So you get iPhone, iPad, MacBook, iTablet, iMac.
But I guess not.
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screenworx said 9:22AM on 2-02-2010
I suspect that this is simply based on what would be obvious research into how eventually a multi touch device would/could eventually replace the laptop completely. It is not the basis for any shipping device in the foreseeable future.
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John said 8:34AM on 2-02-2010
iPad Maxi? Really!? As in Maxi-pad?
jesus christ.
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deluded spider said 10:43AM on 2-02-2010
My thoughts exactly, and I'm not even one of those people who immediately thought iPad = feminine hygiene pad. But "iPad Maxi" is now officially ridiculous, and Steve Jobs should step down because he's completely lost his mind. :(
Shunnabunich said 12:19PM on 2-02-2010
You realize "iPad Maxi" was Kent joking, right? Frick almighty.
Wooster said 8:36AM on 2-02-2010
This may be the Wacom replacement I was hoping the iPad would be.
But DARN IT, I'm in the market for a MacBook Pro now. Curse you Apple and always making me want to give you my money.
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Lee said 8:37AM on 2-02-2010
Come on, I know some people are disappointed about the iPad but get over it, a full tablet Mac OS X just isn't going to happen.
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Jonathan said 9:16AM on 2-02-2010
I really wish it were true. As for a pro line device, I hope it does have a flavour of OS X that is like OS X and not like iPhone. I want it to be like a true laptop, install dmg files, use it as a computer, not an iPod Touch on steroids.
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Dan Woods said 5:11PM on 2-02-2010
It's probably *just* based on Multi-touch technology advancing in Apple's Desktop (and Notebook) devices.
My MBP Trackpad is awesome, so is my Magic Mouse, (as is my cheap Graphics Tablet from Aldi) but they just don't compare to touching the screen.
In a few years time, we may see Multi-touch integrated with the screens of iMacs and MBPs, but I don't think we are going to see a Multi-Touch Mac OS X device in the short-term.
stephen said 9:26AM on 2-02-2010
You know, I am now officially sick & tired of this. Can't you guys stick to real "mac news" and not just re-report the same rumors that Engadget & Gizmodo report? Or stick the tablet stuff on a different site?
"Engadget reports that Gizmodo is reporting that TUAW received an email that was forwarded from a third party that a new apple tablet....."
All the blogs reported every single rumor of the tablet so when the thing was actually announced, it as a bust as the rumors made us think it was going to be so much more than it was. What it "is" is pretty neat all by itself.
Try & "act" like responsible product journalists at least. Let Apple come out with the product before you start hyping rumors of the next version. Else where you will drive visitors away who are sick of completely unjustified rumors.
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