“I was first tipped on the existence of plans for a previously unknown Apple portable device, somewhat larger than the current iPhone, a few months ago. The device was described as having a touch screen and best suited to be gripped with both hands. A little later, another source provided a key piece of evidence that pointed to Apple working with the German company Balda on securing 5.2″ touch panels ( more than likely pre-production units ) for an unknown device. This tip was crucial in determining the approximate size of the device and where it best fits in the Apple product lineup. Balda is one of a handful of companies that design and manufacture ( in Xiamen, China) high scratch and shatter resistant, multi-touch capable displays for mobile handsets and is thought to have received orders for Apple iPhone,” David Sieger reports for Eye On Apple.
“According to my sources, the new device is more than likely based on Apple’s current portable platform ( ie. iPhone/Touch ) and once the SDK is released, a little digging inside the platform interface should reveal the extent of the platform’s capabilities and Apple’s plans for the portable multi-touch lineup. Moreover, 3G is part of the device specs with WiFi included as well,” Sieger reports.
“The mysterious device resembles less an Ultra Mobile Mac and more an upper model iPhone or a more capable next gen iPod Touch. In other words, the portable’s hardware seem to suggest not a fully capable and portable Mac but a device which depends heavily on wireless connectivity,” Sieger reports.
“Such a device is likely a year from introduction although, due to its 3G capability, may be introduced a full six months before being shipped ( similar to iPhone ) to clear the FCC hurdle,” Sieger reports.
More in the full article here.
Let the rumours roll. I love it.
It doesn’t even matter what it is. The whole rumour mill and all the hype is quite entertaining to follow..
and the market for this sort of device is……??????
Maybe…
IF this is happening… ‘if’ being the biggest word in the English language… I bet Apple is waiting for the low-power 4G chipsets that were announced not long ago.
THEN we might see iPhone 2.0 with the same chipset announced at the same time.
One more thing… ?
…and a bluetooth ice-grinder…
Stop reporting BS… Please!
Portable video player using Wi-Fi
VideoFone
Programmable remote control
Portable music player (speaker out)
Oh yeah, and its called “Tabula Rasa” (clean slate).
I told you it was coming.
Is it time yet to manipulate the price Apple back up??? It’s sure sounding like it’s time.
That’s not a rumor, that’s a fact…of course Apple is having this somewhere in the labs. Any ‘analist’ or illiterate could come to that conclusion.
The big question is: ‘Will it meet the standards of Apple’ (Jobs’ standards to be specific)
These rumors are just plain obvious. Next page…
I can see one of them thar baby Macs inside this beaut.
its not handheld. It goes in your Audi or VW. Its a nav/audio/Internet communicator for the car.
It’s not because Apple is experimenting in the labs, that such a product will be anounced.
Where’s Asteroid?
This will be a Wireless Media + Productivity + Internet mobile device. Lots of things can’t be done with laptop. For instance, during meetings, people take notes on paper… and those people actually happen to have laptops!!! This is just an example.
So it will be:
– A ultra-portable multi-touch device
– Larger display than iPhoe/iPod Touch
– With some kind of openable tripod for it to stand on a table if necessary
It will allow you to do:
– Note taking (Hand writting)
– Document reading/basic editing (iWork document)
– e-Book reading
– Wireless Internet Browsing
– Email
– Video/Movies/Music/Photo
– Sync wirelessly with other devices
– Install other applications
This device will allow you to do 90% of what you do with your laptop on the go. And lot of things you do during meetings, in the bus etc. This is the future of mobile computing. To do the rest, you’ll still have your desktop machine.
Sounds like the Bee Ess to me.
A 5.2″ screen device, roughly an enlarged iPhone, would just about fit in the inside jacket pocket of your typical road warrior. A bit large for my shirt pocket, though. Fit nicely in my jeans … until I sat down.
We’re seeing a form factor designed mainly for a fairly specific market, a market that includes most analysts (!), while ignoring most of the rest of the population. Got Skype? It could be your “iPhone”. As a status-gathering toy it certainly beats the iPhone in providing fodder during presentations … much easier to see the much larger screen at arm’s length.
All that said, I’m sure it’s in Apple’s labs and much less sure it will ever see the light of day. Unless, of course, Apple consigns the MBA to the scrap heap after wringing every drop of free ink out of it.
Maybe Apple can “re-kindle” some interest in eBook use.
iRead anyone?
A Wireless Multi-touch Device?
I think we finally found our WMDs.
Where’s my AppleTV update?
re: and the market for this sort of device is……??????
—
Me!
In other words people who run their own business who cant be bothered to plugin and turn on their laptops who need instant on mobile Mac tablet.
this is just a cheap rip off of AppleInsider’s report on the device from many months ago.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/09/26/up_next_for_apple_the_return_of_the_newton.html
long live the Newton II…!!
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I still want my iBarrow. I telling you, every lawn man and hobby gardener on the planet will buy on in less than a month. Apple stock price will go to $1000.
“I still want my iBarrow.”
O.K., but people won’t see them clearly without their iGrasses. And you’ll need something to manage them. Just an iDeere.
@DLMeyer:
Why would Apple have to scrap the MacBook Air just to have another, smaller device? This device would fit many other needs, particularly if it uses Apple’s Inkwell handwriting technology (which has languished on OS X). This could be a much better option for people to carry with them rather than a laptop, but would not take the place of a laptop because the data entry via keyboard would not be available.
It’s amazing that this analyst said this product would be “more than likely” based on Apple’s current mobile platform. Uhhh, why would Apple develop a new OS when it has the best one already in OS X?
The whole power behind Apple’s products is OS X, which was significantly revamped for Leopard, and no other manufacturer can compete with the power and flexibility of OS X in a mobile environment. Sheesh.