At this point it’s already the stuff of legend. In geek circles, the Apple Tablet is more coveted, more sought after, and more mysterious than Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and the jackalope combined.
One thing that seems increasingly clear is the market has been dancing around the question, “what is the perfect computing form factor between smartphone and full notebook?” for some time. The unexpectedly popular netbook craze is one answer to that. I think Apple’s tablet will be another.
Moreover, I think the Apple Tablet will be disruptive to the still formative eReader and digital publishing industry. Amazon is the current forerunner there, with the popular Kindle taking the lead over earlier player Sony and smaller companies like iRex, FoxIt and Bookeen. They’re already sitting right on top of a pile of published works to distribute, and right now their vertical strategy is almost the only game in town… Read on at mashable.com
iPods with cameras? Maybe. iTunes with new features? For sure. iTunes with Beatles? Nope. I’m sure that Apple (AAPL) will indeed sell the Fab Four’s music via its digital music store one day. But it’s not happening at Apple’s keynote presentation tomorrow.
The Beatles estate, Electronic Arts (ERTS) and Viacom’s MTV (VIA) will be releasing a new version of “Rock Band” that features the bands songs tomorrow. And on the same day, EMI Music Group will be releasing all of the band’s music on remastered compact discs. But that’s it, a source familiar with the band’s plans tells me. For now.
Beatles-to-iTunes is a story that never goes away. And some day, it will turn out to be true — there’s no good reason for it not to happen. But predictions that it will happen have been tied to wafer-thin logic.
Two years ago, the Web was convinced an announcement was in the offing because of the wording of an Apple keynote invitation. This year, even sober-minded publications are noting the timing of Apple’s keynote event, and the Rock BandRock Band reviews and CD launches, and concluding that an iTunes launch makes sense, too… Read on at allthingsd.com
It has happened every September since 2005, and in a few short weeks it will happen once again. Apple (AAPL) is indeed planning a keynote event for the week of Sept. 7, as reported by my colleague, Peter Kafka. And according to sources close to the company, the date is Wednesday, Sept. 9. The event will be held in San Francisco–most likely at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, where it has occurred in years past–and is expected to showcase upgrades to the iPod line and an update to iTunesiTunes that may involve some sort of social element. Our sources insist it will not involve any discussion whatsoever of the tablet Apple is reportedly developing. Too bad. It’s looking more and more like we’ll have to wait until 2010 for that. No word yet on who’s to preside over the event. There’s been speculation that it will mark the first public appearance by CEO Steve Jobs since returning from medical leave earlier this year. Our sources have no information on whether or not that will prove true.
via allthingsd.com
Throw away everything you thought you knew about the truth. This is the one. We can’t wait to stuff one awkwardly into the fake keyboard tray of our fake MacBook Micro and live life just how Apple rumor sites have always wanted us to live it. Granted, Nowhere Else has gotten some pretty great scoops in the past, so we won’t rule anything out just now. The pic above lines up pretty well with all the rumors we’ve heard so far — which sort of helps and sort of hinders its veracity in our eyes. Nowhere Else isn’t calling it either way, if that helps you in your soul search for the truth. Another pic is after the break.
Update: Eagle-eyed tipster Terry points out that the “Welcome” graphic is an easy spot on Google Image Search, with that exact configuration and timing of converging letters from Leopard’s intro video showing up in the very first result. Try it for yourself! Not a good sign, folks.
Via engadget.com
According to AllThingsD, Apple is planning a keynote event the week of September 7th, a time the company has traditionally used to unveil new products. Although it’s still unclear whether that event will include an Apple Tablet announcement, another intriguing rumor surrounding the eagerly anticipated device also caught our eye this morning by way of Gizmodo: that it will come in two editions, one featuring a webcam and one focused on the education market. The publication’s source also says that the Apple tablet “will cost $700 to $900,” consistent with earlier reports. Once again, the actual release date of the product is pegged as “this holiday season,” and the screen is listed at 10 inches. But why the two editions, and why does that price point, which is substantially higher than other netbooks, keep coming up? According to Gizmodo’s source, Apple sees the product fitting in between iPhone/iPod Touch and MacBook, both in price and functionality… Read on at Mashable.com
With the spate of recent rants about all that’s wrong with Apple–although I will admit it is mildly amusing to read all the labored recountings of the longtime devotion from ex-fanboys, followed by the scales falling off the eyes to be quickly replaced by crocodile tears–BoomTown wonders exactly when the bizarre emotional connection some have with the computer company is going to end. Well, never, I guess, because then it wouldn’t be the cult it is, would it? And, anyway, the pendulum will swing once again and soon to favor Apple (AAPL), once the drumbeat gets even louder for the new tablet device that is slated to be delivered from on high sometime this fall by–in the most likely and juicily dramatic scenario–CEO Steve Jobs… Read on at allthingsd.com
In recent weeks, the Apple tablet has transitioned from “longtime rumor” to “practical inevitability”. In particular, a story in the Financial Times last week said the device may be announced as early as next month. Today Barron’s has ramped up the excitement by quoting an analyst who claims to have seen the device “first hand”. The “veteran analyst”, whom Barron’s does not name, claims to have seen a prototype of the tablet. Commenting on the device’s playback of hi-def video, the analyst is quoted as saying: “It’s better than the average movie experience, when you hold this thing in your hands”. The analyst adds that other device manufacturers are holding off on similar products until they see the Apple machine: “It’s close enough now to a final design that in Asia, there’s no other product in the waiting room or in the bullpen”. Frustratingly, he gives no details on the device’s spec… Read on at Mashable.com
Verizon said today that it’s inked a partnership with Wi-Fi hotspot service provider Boingo Wireless that will allow its broadband customers to use Boingo hotspots across the country, an agreement that was first reported by The Wall Street Journal back in May. The New York-based phone giant has been somewhat of a flip-flopper when it comes to playing nice with Wi-Fi, always insisting that its 3G wireless networks are better. Regardless, Boingo is the one that’s laughing all the way to the bank. The two companies have had a relationship for many years, but only because MCI had partnered with Boingo before being acquired by Verizon. Since then, Boingo has partnered with Verizon Business, which I guess includes parts of MCI… Read on at Gigaom.com
Rumors of an Apple tablet – essentially a large iPhone or iPod touch – have been swirling for over a year. Today the Financial Times is adding credibility to the rumors, reporting that Apple is rushing to debut the device in time for the Christmas shopping season. The article swings back and forth between the new device and a series of record label deals Apple could launch simultaneously, but here are the points specifically related to the tablet: Screen size: “may be up to 10 inches diagonally”, touch sensitive (of course) Phone capability? Unlikely – it’s more like a large iPod Touch than an iPhone. Wireless connectivity: Same as the iPod Touch, with the ability to download media through iTunes. Kindle Rival? May provide the ability to read books, creating a rival to Amazon’s Kindle. Launch date: By Christmas, possibly as early as September… Read on at Mashable.com
At this point it’s already the stuff of legend. In geek circles, the Apple Tablet is more coveted, more sought after, and more mysterious than Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and the jackalope combined.
iPods with cameras? Maybe. iTunes with new features? For sure. iTunes with Beatles? Nope. I’m sure that Apple (AAPL) will indeed sell the Fab Four’s music via its digital music store one day. But it’s not happening at Apple’s keynote presentation tomorrow.
It has happened every September since 2005, and in a few short weeks it will happen once again. Apple (AAPL) is indeed planning a keynote event for the week of Sept. 7, as reported by my colleague, Peter Kafka. And according to sources close to the company, the date is Wednesday, Sept. 9. The event will be held in San Francisco–most likely at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, where it has occurred in years past–and is expected to showcase upgrades to the iPod line and an update to 