Now that the Internet is blowing out a kidney over news coming out of Asia that Apple bought up a bunch of touchscreens, I thought it might be nice to posit what Cupertino has in store for those babies.
The news came from Digitimes this morning:
“Wintek revealed that it is currently working with Apple to develop some new products, but it said it does not know what applications the new products are for. Wintek added that no shipment schedule has been worked out yet, but shipments are likely to begin in the second half of the year.”
The report then names Quanta Computer as the manufacturer “of Apple’s new netbook.” Here’s what we think could be happening.
1. HD iPod Touches – A bigger iPod Touch could be in the cards, especially with the move towards HD content in iTunes. Add in a bigger processor and you could be dealing with what amounts to a Newton 2.0.
2. Apple Netbooks – This is a bit hard to stomach simply because its not in Apple’s best interests to build a loss leader. However, given the popularity of the Mac Mini as a gateway Mac you could see a ~$500 laptop coming out sooner than later. Perhaps the touchscreen would allow for easier interaction, something important for a smaller-sized laptop?
3. A touchscreen MacBook/MacBook Pro – This is a considerably harder to accept. What could Apple do to the interface to make a touchscreen a compelling addition? Unless it was a convertible tablet it sounds far-fetched.
4. An Apple Tablet – Apple doesn’t do something until it knows it can do it well – and then it owns the space. Perhaps the time is ripe for a MacBook stuffed into a tablet. There are many markets where tablets are popular and offering something as thin and light as the air but with no keyboard might make sense especially due to the commoditization of netbooks.
5. Everyone is wrong – This is the most likely scenario. OEMs don’t want to piss off Apple. For Wintek and Quanta to admit they’re building hardware for Apple takes a lot of balls or a lot of stupidity. In Apple’s world, loose-lipped OEMs usually get the beat down and Apple can’t afford to mess up the launch of a low-cost netbook because it would cannibalize the sales of their current wares.
What think you?
this year Apple will spawn the creation of the most advanced and useful personal media devices the world has ever seen, mobilizing and streamlining life as we know it. Newspapers and Cable TV will go out of business before the end of 2010. I can get the weather on my iPhone in one slide and one tap, takes 2 seconds, finding the weather channel ov TV takes longer and I have to be in front of a TV, which I rarely am.
Go Apple its your birthday!!! lol
…or you could look up!
go god its your birthday!!! lol dummy
…or you could look up….HAARP technology
I bet they are doing a kindle competitor. They have a better platform/tech capabilities.
Makes sense, sell ebook on itune!
Why give all the market to amazon?
Don’t you remember Steve Jobs’ reaction to the Kindle? I don’t think so.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/the-passion-of-steve-jobs/
Apple likes audiobooks.
So, despite this, is TC still going ahead with the CrunchPad?
Crunchpad into the deadpool. RIP.
“this year Apple will spawn the creation of the most advanced and useful personal media devices the world has ever seen, mobilizing and streamlining life as we know it. Newspapers and Cable TV will go out of business before the end of 2010. I can get the weather on my iPhone in one slide and one tap, takes 2 seconds, finding the weather channel ov TV takes longer and I have to be in front of a TV, which I rarely am.
Go Apple its your birthday!!! lol”
hahaha…Cable TV will go out of business before the end of 2010…right, not to be completely ignorant but how do you think this would work. they had a hard enough time getting older people to switch to digital over the air. and all they had to do is get a converter box. i just cant see this happening within the next few years. in my opinion this would take at least 5-10 years for such a change, and even that might not be realistic. newspapers aren’t as hard to believe however, companies are currently working to make electronic viewers for newspapers. and according to rumors another company is working on a viewer that will roll up.
You can select from a quicklist of the people you contact most, search your contacts, and manage multiple conversations. ,
It is a sorry thing to be asked to show my colours in order to have my arguments taken at face value. ,
Apple has too much swing… It’s great that they’re evening the market against Microsoft, but their fan base tends to be a wee bit fanatical.
let’s leave the knee jerk mactard vs. wintard fights out of this and discuss hardware. What apple makes now will redefine all hardware a few months later.
I’m no windows fanboy (I use Mac and linux as well). And doesn’t making blanket statements about how great Mac is fuel those flames more than my original statement?
“What apple makes now will redefine all hardware a few months later.”
It’s a blanket statement that’s true. love them or hate them, they’ve defined CE design for the past decade.
I think it wasn’t a blanket statement, but more of a nod to all of their last hardware releases:
iMac – ushered in the area of ‘fun PCs’, all-in-one designs, etc. HP has copied this most recently. Dell has tried as well.
iPod has brought on dozens of copy-cat imitators, including Zune.
iPhone – same thing, everyone wants a smartphone with great internet access and touch screens.
What is so hard to believe that whatever ‘new’ kind of hardware Apple comes with next won’t have the same effect?
MGZ
“It’s a blanket statement that’s true. love them or hate them, they’ve defined CE design for the past decade.”
And that is an attempt to tone DOWN the knee-jerk fanboyism? Ah, so a proper level of knee-jerk fanboyism is complete and utter reverence for everything Apple does, and everything else is folly?
It is true that among a certain segment, namely Mac using designers in America, Jonathan Ive can do no wrong, but you would have to live in a pretty controlled bubble to think that that equals the entire world of consumer electronics.
agreed. thanks for the conversation moderating effort.
John Biggs’s comments alone illustrate a view that is a disservice to the reader.
Predicting the failure of newspapers due to the iPhone is completely unfounded. Show us the market data to support this. Newspapers have been hurting for years. The iPhone is not single-handedly taking them down.
Predicting the downfall of cable TV because of the iPhone or Apple Computer itself reflects a complete ignorance of the cable market. How many cable subscribers are there? How many iPhone subscribers are there? What are the attrition rates of each? How many people want to sit on the couch on a Friday night and hold an iPhone in their hand and watch a movie? Where is the data?
@mactard – wha?
Yeah Biggs you are a douche Apple Fanboy!!!
helooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwww
“let’s leave the knee jerk mactard vs. wintard fights out of this and discuss hardware. What apple makes now will redefine all hardware a few months later.”
Do I even have to explain how stupid that sounded?
Do I even have to explain how stupid a name Stefan is for a man? I bet you shave your armpits.
Anyways, article is spot on… Apple wouldn’t cannibalize its current offerings by allowing a “leak” of this magnitude.
Come to think of it… ever since Jobs took his “vacation” Things at Apple have gotten a little sloppy. What’s with the lame ass slogans accompanying the latest hardware releases? “Beauty outside. Beast Inside.” What the hell? What they write down dumb shit on small pieces of paper and pick em out of a hat? “Faster. Greener. Still Mini” WTF? Sounds like something a marketing “whiz” at Microsoft came up with.
But this sloppy? Naaaa.
In my opinion? Wintek & Quanta attempting to weather this crap economy by adding value to their futures with rumor. So Their working with Apple but don’t know how or why? Cmon…
What, exactly, did Apple TV and Time Capsule redefine?
How about their despicable mouse?
These (wet) blanket questions seem inconvenient for your blanket statement.
I got a Time Capsule asshole… It rocks!!!
Touchscreen probably wouldn’t point to a netbook, not a touchscreen macbook. Tablet just doesn’t feel like something that Apple would get into (although who saw the iPhone coming). Big Touches would be the most feasable IMO (wasn’t there speculation about larger iPods back during CES?) but it’s still a stretch. Is there any info about what size these alleged touch screens are?
Just read the article. It says touch _panels_, not touch _screens_. Couldn’t that mean trackpads? That could certainly point to a netbook (even though Apple denies working on anything of that nature).
there’s some confusion about what they’re planning. touch “panels” could mean the same as touchscreen.
I think, pretty-much, everyone saw the iPhone coming.
I think a tablet for apple would be a big hit. Also they can think about a keyboard less notebook with a vtouch keyboard like iPhone.
Well without Steve Jobs there to throw a camera at someone because it’s not working, (macworld show…LoL) I don’t know if Apple can make the right decisions..
But I will hope for the best and say that maybe they (the other CEO’s) picked number 1- (HD iPod Touches) because that would be the coolest thing ever…
Even though I have an iPod I would not be able to help myself, and I would have to buy that new one.. -yeah I’m taking medication for this problem now..
I think it’s called ( iPod Sickiee) -someone who can help themselves and must buy a new iPod whenever they come out, because there so nice and shinny… LoL
Maybe Apple is making an Kindle2-like reader?
They do have a Kindle Reader for the iPhone – http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=302584613&mt=8
I think the issue of Apple choosing not to introduce a netbook because it will either diminish profits or cannibalize sales is a moot point. People who are in the market for a netbook value cost and the convenience of an ultra-portable computer over the selling points of OSX and the higher-end laptop lineup (which tend to command higher prices because those customers value the high-end graphics, displays, and aesthetics offered by those machines).
Therefore, netbook customers are likely to purchase a netbook from Dell or Sony if they are the only players in the market. Apple would be wise to produce a netbook to eat into the other netbook manufacturer’s market share. I don’t think in the early stages a netbook will necessarily cannibalize sales of the Macbook, but over time perhaps, as the power gets up to par with the larger laptops. The notion that Apple can choose to simply not manufacture netbooks to avoid their adoption is invalid. I don’t doubt that if Apple enters the netbook market they will produce a fantastic one (maybe the best), but simply not manufacturing one isn’t going to stop people from purchasing them.
And who says a netbook has to be less than $500? What if Apple makes a really, really cute netbook, and tries to sell it for $600, or even $700? MacAddicts will still buy them.
I would love to see them working on an Apple Tablet. I’ve been saying for a while whoever makes a slim, and good tablet, will have a buyer from me. I think apple could pull it off.
l
Picture this:
8×11 Inches wide
3/8’s of a inch thick
Its a touchscreen, netbook hybrid- The screen is the keyboard, much as a iphone is.
In typical apple style, there isnt any buttons aside from a on/off switch. 1 Ethernet port, 1 USB port and the power hookup is the only exterior blemishes.
It has 3G, Wifi and bluetooth, and 3 different models are available offering storage via a SSD (8, 16 and 32 gigs)
Its white.
It has a 5 hour non-userreplaceable battery.
Of course, thats just my assumption- I have no idea what they are doing
I want to revise the 8×11 with something smaller- Maybe 5×8 ? I dunno
I think you need to lay off the Cuervo, bud.
those specs are the easy part – how would apple price it? $599 to (try to) compete with other netbooks, but take a loss and cannibalize you other notebook and itouch sales, or $1999 and price yourself out of the netbook market but still put pressure on your laptops?
size 4.5″ x 8″ not any bigger which would dock into upcoming new iMac
It wont be white and it wont have an ethernet cable.
Look, I’ll make this quick – I don’t know how much time I have until Apple pulls this internet tube and I get cut off. Anyway, Apple is working on something so revolutionary it will literally change your world. It’s a touch screen internet enabled toilet paper dispenser! No more bringing a magazine to the restroom to pass the time while taking a … *blip* ###
DAMMIT! WE HAVE TO SAVE HIM! SOMEONE GRAB HIS IP ADDRESS!
Best comment I’ve read all day. Funny stuff.
The “Big iPod” media device seems most likely IMHO.
It’s for a tablet.
Apple won’t make a netbook, they’ve said repeatedly they won’t make a cheap device. But with a tablet, they can add value to the ’small computer’ design, and charge more for it.
Something like an iPod Touch, but 50-70% larger in 2 dimensions. Bluetooth for peripheral support (keyboard), wifi for internet access. An expresscard slot so cellular modem could be added, that is if they don’t build in support for AT&T by default. (I think this would require AT&T to bend over for Apple on the iPhone deal.)
It will come with a docking station that powers it wirelessly, and also acts as a stand so that you can set it down to charge, and put a keyboard near it to use it like any other computer.
It will work seamlessly with Apple TV, so that you can start watching a movie on your big TV, and then leave the room with your tablet and continue watching elsewhere.
People will love it, but then start moaning that although it’s also cool to read books on it, the resolution sucks compared to Kindle. The 2.0 version will add an extremely high resolution display, taking advantage of Apple’s upcoming ‘resolution-independent’ technology slated for Snow Leopard, making DPI issues irrelevant.
Apple will then add eBooks to iTunes’ existing music, TV, and movie stores.
MGZ
Apple will never make a netbook. An over-sized MID-like, nettablet sounds more like Apple.
Not that I care. Gimmie ubunto or win7 anyday.
Why? do you ask? Because I CAN DO WHAT I WANT with it.
1. you can do whatever you want with os x
2. doing ‘whatever you want’ with a piece of sh*t (win7) doesn’t mean much
Missing a market segment split can be costly as Apple’s rapid rise against RIM in smartphones shows.
It’s a fundamental principle that when attacking a market leader, it is best to segment away its weakest part of the market. These areas are often blue oceans. The leader will be slow to react, as they are often weakest in areas where they have not found profits. That’s how Apple approached RIM in the smart-phone market and indeed, RIM was slow to react. Smartphones had never been strong with consumers. It was generally assumed that price was the biggest issue. What RIM missed…
http://www.wesrch.com/Documents/view_editorial.php?flag=3&editorial_id=EL18O3P
Jennifer
http://www.wesrch.com
I’m guessing, but rather than an ebook, tablet, netbook, or other generalized notebook – this might be a HD on demand video player.
1. Apple has quicktime
2. Apple has movie connections
3. Apple has iTune store
4. The iPhone software has been well accepted and stable
5. Apple has the telecom connections to enable mobile video streaming transport
A product that becomes a portable HD TV as the primary role could be a paradigm shift. And btw, it’s also a touch computer.
I’ve worked with Apple since 1984. Apple rarely follows others. They like to pave the road with new innovations. This HD gadget will have the Apple touch to make it something that people will scream for.
hmmmmm a “paradigm shift” you say. Interesting. *rubs beard*
I’d vote for a tablet or Air form factor in the sub $1k price range. Apple has to release a portable in the sub $500-700 range, they are going to get killed in this category. I am in the market for a netbook and its killing me that Apple has no realistic offering.
Yeah, I agree, a smaller Air, below $1k, for the simple reason that being so much cheaper than the exiting (artificially overpriced) Air will become the news story, not the fact that it is more expensive than existing netbooks.
If the cost of SSDs continue to plummet, Apple may be able to include one, allowing a direct comparison with the more expensive Air – people will feel they are getting even more of a bargain, despite the fact the the component cost of an SSD will probably be pretty low by the second half of the year.
It will be bigger than existing netbooks, probably 12″, to accommodate OS X’s dock metaphor, and a “proper” Core 2 Duo. It will still fit in an average-sized handbag.
Apple will trumpet the usability of a bigger screen at roughly the same weight as competing 10″ netbooks. 12″ will suddenly seem luxurious.
There will be no touchscreen, the panels referred to are simply a smaller version of the existing multi-touch trackpads.
There will be a built-in 3G modem and it may be marketed via Apple’s existing telecom partners, probably subsidized over a 24-month contract – Apple is aware that there is a credit crunch, this will be a straightforward way to get precious credit to customers.
IPhone users will be offered special discounts, allowing them to “share” their “unlimited” 3G bandwidth between the two devices, in the form of a SIM for each, for an extra monthly fee.
The unique Air look will make these new, relatively inexpensive models stand out in cafes, giving the impression that “everyone” is getting them. As a result, everyone will get one.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing I would like more than to see them release a tablet, especially if it integrated Wacom-style drawing as seen in the Axiotron Modbook, but that isn’t going to happen, whereas the product I’ve described in the post above will.
I am thinking more in the lines of MGZ’s prediction too. I’d love to see a tablet and looking at Macbook Air, you can’t disagree if there is someone who can do it better, it is Apple. Not so sure about the netbook.
On another note, I noticed even Sony has a iMac wannabe as a 24″ Vaio in Best Buy!
@MGZ: Spot on. But I think they will include the high res screen in release 1 in order to provide an essential edge over wannabe Windows 7 devices that will probably show up from the likes of HP who have already launched a few nifty devices, such as the iMac like TouchSmart PC. With the iPod and iPhone Apple have proven that by creating a product so ahead of the curve it was almost impossible for competitors to catch up. I also predict that if the form factor of the tablet is right, it could become one of the top selling gadgets ever invented. Possibly outselling mobile phones because it would also be purchased for use by pre-schoolers as a learning, doodling pad.
It won’t come with a stylus, but Apple will probably base it on a touch screen technology that will allow any item to be used on the screen – vital if people are able to sketch and paint on it.
There are several Apple patents that hint that such a tablet could be docked in any orientation, so you don’t even have to think about which way up it is. In fact, you could mount it vertically for a portrait orientation when viewing eBooks or web pages while it charges.
Be a great home control system too.
I want it now. Do you?
I think if this rumor is true (big if) then it’s likely either an HD iTouch or a Tablet.
I’ve thought for a while the Mac Air was really just a hardware demonstration / test that they could do the hardware in a size suitable for a Tablet. The question is whether a Tablet makes any sense and I think Apple has made it more of a discussion with the iPhone UI that they invented.
As for an HD iTouch I’d be interested. I’ve had the 2.0 version of the iTouch since it came out and love it. I’m amazed how easily it is to use. I’d be tempted to buy another one that was a bit bigger if it had a larger web browser and an on screen keyboard that may allow for easier long term typing. Basically it would be a low powered tablet right there.
Watching TV and movies on the iTouch currently is not bad. But I don’t think I’d want to do too much extended viewing on that screen size. For me it’s a portable computer. But for mainstream America not sure…..
I would like to commend the loyal subjects of the Apple Empire for their level of interest in this news. Feel secure that Emperor Steve will not be launching a netbook or tablet. All other developments are currently undisclosed and will be until a properly announced media event by Apple.
Thanks you, sir
HP/Compaq TC1100 is still the coolest looking computer ever made. That has to bug the design folks at the Apple Cult to no end. It makes sense that they would build a tablet.
Windows is an abomination— Changed over to Apple — easier- more reliable and 100 % better. whatever they put out has got to be better than Windows. Hopefully Windows will cease to be a player
“Hopefully Windows will cease to be a player.”
2 things:
1. Having a large competitor drives competition which drives better products. Apple very well has a more stable OS than MS (mainly because they don’t let as many other people create drivers for it as Windows does) but without MS, Apple wouldn’t need to “shine” as brightly because they wouldn’t need to. One might argue that that is why Windows isn’t as great as it could have been because they didn’t really have any competition for so long. Now that they (MS) view OSX as a competition you are starting to see improvements in the OS. (Win7 is probably the best OS MS has ever released… and that is from a long time IT guy) Not saying it’s better than OSX, but Apple and MS need each other to build a better product that we can argue over.
2. Apple really needs to get its game together in the Enterprise arena. Windows will be around as long as it is simple to hook up a computer to the network and have any user sit down at it and have the same desktop/ permissions/ etc as they had on the machine down the hall. And the Apple offering needs to play well with Windows environments for the next 5 years at least before going solo. I would love to get Mac’s for my “daily task” users that don’t do much more than Web, Email, and Documents, but I can’t control them with a Mac the way I can with Active Directory, and until I can, I (and other Enterprise level IT guys) will opt for control over “ease of repair”. Because when it comes down to it it is far easier to rebuild a computer, than to deal with security issues.
My 2 cents… oops, I didn’t say something slanderous. Ummm… Sorry… I got nothing.
One idea that occurs to me is an iTouch like device in place of the trackpad on a MacBook. Capable of displaying data as well as being a trackpad. Perhaps even undockable (so exactly like an iTouch). Seems crazy but I could see a hybrid device with keyboard but also a second display/touchscreen usable for a range of functions.
“Apple can’t afford to mess up the launch of a low-cost netbook because it would cannibalize the sales of their current wares.”
Astonishing that TC of all places doesn’t know that netbooks are not competing with laptops.
Get it straight: Laptops are for people who want to work with data and apps on their machine. Netbooks are for people who want to work with data and apps off the web. Very different needs.
Apple has done an EXCELLENT job anticipating consumer need and THEN providing a COMPLETE product that satisfies that need. For those who have any history with Apple and its corporate mentality, they know it is not interested in short sighted marketing gimmicks that make it a quick buck. THerefore, I HIGHLY doubt that there wil be an larger HD iPod touch. There is virtually NO added value with this product and I doubt it would draw a significant enough market to justify its R&D. More likely, Apple sees the hole in its product portfolio which is for a more powerful touchscreen like product. THey have ALSO seen the interest in Kindle and probably knows that despite Amazon’s best efforts the Kindle is genuinely UNNATRRACTIVE and has limited functionality. Apple has a history of keeing a close eye on consumer trends until they are certain that a product has signficant interest, then they do their homework and bring in a product that is feature rich, easy to use and satisfies the needs of a market and gets it right the first time.
SO in short, my money is on a color e-reader of some sort with note taking capability, WiFi, full OS, perhaps a stylus or touch QWERTY keyboard for input. Dimensions between 4×6in or 5×7 for around $700
BANK!!
It sounds like the web tablet that Techcrunch has been working on (is that project still going?).
Apple will do pretty much the same thing, they will call it an iPad and they will make millions, oh well that’s why they’re Apple.
For sales of all Mac software, Apple gets 0%. For sales of all iPhone/iPod touch software, Apple gets 30%.
So I’d guess it’s for something more like an HD iPod than a computer.
Plus that adds the additional money from selling HD video. Throw in books and it will get the Kindle too. Profit by selling every sort of content that can be displayed on a mobile device.
something like the size of a nokia tablet?
Whatever they will do, it will be a game changer as the iPhone
I will never understand why people keep making reference to a low-cost Apple netbook. Apple will never do a low-cost anything. Instead they will do something new, breaking the pre-defined categories of laptops, netbooks, hand-helds, etc.
The success of the iPhone & iPod Touch suggest Apple will continue with the all touch control strategy. The MacBooks are gaining more touch control with each iteration. All touch interface is where the future of mobile devices will be.
Every illustration of the Apple netbook showing a physical keyboard is delusional. They already make these devices. Does anyone remember the MacBook Air? Is that low cost? Not in the least.
And do you recall what the first iPhone sold for originally? What about how pissed off people were when they lowered the price a month later. For Apple, low price = lack of quality | commodity item, exactly where they never ever want to be. They cannot and will not compete on price! Wake up people!
If Apple did a 2×2 times bigger iPod Touch, you could run current applications with bigger pixels. This would then build on the thousands of current applications. Native apps with twice the screen res, (ie 960×640) would be fantastic as a netbook , Kindle beater etc. It would introduce a new paradigm (ie touch interface) for Netbooks that would take Apple straight to a leadership position. The touch keyboard would be so much larger and therefore easier to use. It would not take sales from either Macbooks or from the much smaller iPod Touch/iPhone. I don’t know whether it’s possible technically? If Apple did this I would buy it instantly. 960×640 would be just great in such a device!
For fucks sake osx is no more a tablet os than windows HENCE iphone and touch not using the same interface. Anyone thinking there is an OSX tablet is as deluded as they are a Mac fanboy
There is no reason for apple to do one of this products… there is no soul in this kinds of products until now… the usability of netbooks is just weak – my aspire one is staying unused on my desk for 1 year.
I dont get why anyone hasn’t made a light-weight tablet touch screen yet! i mean, how cool would it be to walk around or lie in bed with a touch screen, and to be able to acces the net, read etc…Great for bathroom reading! :-) its Obviously a coolthing to build with alot of potential! Why always leave these opportunities to Apple?
Apple has invested a lot of money into a touchscreen interface for OS X and has made the ROI back from the iPod Touch and iPhone sales alone. But that investment can pay further dividends when they apply it to other products.
So a larger touchscreen device from Apple is inevitable. The question is when? and how cool will it be? The new MacBook Pro 17″ shows what they can do with battery power. That would have been one of the main problems with a touchscreen device.
Maybe they are finally making Alan Kay’s Dynabook.