FT: Apple planning to have a tablet out by Xmas, project "Cocktail"
Wow. The Financial Times (in an article from tomorrow) is saying that Apple will have a tablet out for Christmas. They are anticipating a September launch (which would coincide with the iPod launches). Their version of the tablet (10 inches, media focused, App Store) seems to indicate that it will me more iPod than Mac, though they say "full featured, tablet-sized computer".
The talks come as Apple is separately racing to offer a portable, full-featured, tablet-sized computer in time for the Christmas shopping season, in what the entertainment industry hopes will be a new revolution. The device could be launched alongside the new content deals, including those aimed at stimulating sales of CD-length music, according to people briefed on the project...
Apple is working with EMI, SonyMusic, Warner Music and Universal Music Group, on a project the company has codenamed “Cocktail”, according to four people familiar with the situation. The labels and Apple are working towards a September launch date for the project, which aims to boost interest in albums by bundling liner notes and video clips with the music.
The new touch-sensitive device Apple is working on will have a screen that may be up to 10 inches diagonally.
It will connect to the internet like the iPod Touch – probably without phone capability but with access to Apple’s online stores.
“It’s going to be fabulous for watching movies,” said one entertainment executive.
Book publishers have been in talks with Apple and are optimistic about their services being offered with the new computer, which could provide an alternative to Amazon’s Kindle.
The secondary story on this one, though it is the title and about 30% of the content, is the new music format that Apple is working on. "Cocktail" is a new way of grouping music together with multimedia. You'll recall that Apple worked on a "Season pass" item with Depeche Mode. It would seem that Apple is taking that and a bunch of other types of content and packaging it in an album-type form. The new content would give music listeners a reason to purchase an album rather than a few tracks, which they are increasingly doing.
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Comments (41)
I would LOVE to see one of these "tablets" come out and hope it's powerful enough to run some audio programs and light design. This over a MIDI keyboard controller with touch screen... SWEET!!
Consider the ramifications of a portable tablet-styled media center. Where would you put it to watch a movie? You wouldn't set it on a desk and hunch over it the whole time. Putting it in your lap would be even worse. With a screen almost twice as big as the Kindle, it's probably going to be over twice the weight, and that would be awkward to prop up or hold in front of you without some kind of base. And we aren't the kind of company that offers a separate base for something.
If they're coming out with something it might be geared at browsing, but I'd be surprised if they went for media. They already have the best lineup of media players in iPod (including iPhone). Why would they disrupt that?
Kindle DX has a 9.7in screen which doesn't include the bezel where all the keys are located. The Kindle DX weighs just over half a kilo which is about four times the weight of an iPhone (which I feel is quite a weighty device)but is about a quarter of the weight of a Macbook. I can't see the tablet weighing more than a macbook or even coming close to the weight of one. If this tablet does see the light of day I'd say it'd be quite similar to the Kindle DX in dimension and weight.
If I had to guess I'd choose October (maybe a day or so in advance of Windows 7). It would get all the attention and just lay Windows 7 to rest on its crappy kernel and registry.
If it is in September then you'll have one heck of a month with Snow Leopard and new iPod launches. Also, when are they updating the iMacs? Those usually occur sometime in the fall as well. It is going to be a nice autumn that's for sure!
Windows 7 launches on Thursday the 22nd of October. A nice little kick in the face on Tuesday the 20th with a tablet running Snow Leopard with the new Marble multi-touch UI will give them something to talk about.
My hope it will be more than a better Kindle - i.e. the best of all worlds would be that AND a decent Mac with Snow Leopard and have phone capabilities via Skype and Google Voice, etc.
Will people stop comparing netbooks and tablets to a fucking ebook reader? Seriously.
Until netbooks and tablets use e-ink (and they never will) they will not be good for reading long periods of time on.
I reckon that this thing will be like a Kindle... but way better! Woo! It's guaranteed that it'll have an awesome screen that will change to e-ink when you load up an ebook then change back to normal when you exit the app.
Kindle better watch its back! Woo!
Better than Kindle! Better than Kindle!
Woo!
This is starting to sound like a free cell network connection type deal ala Amazon Kindle. Interesting. I still don't fully get it, since it's not pocketable, but interesting none the less.
I could say that Apple is going to produce a 97 inch iphone and it would have as much merit as this article.
You give no resources to back up your claims.
This site is Bull Shit Apple Hackintoch Material.
The Hyperlink on the words "Financial Times" goes to the Financial Times
Yeah that Financial Times what a tabloid. It's right up there with The Star and News of the World. No back up whatsoever...
Or is every Apple user Gay?
Did you just call yourself GAY? Otherwise, why the hell are you on this site?
Why ? Are you looking to score ?
why do the tablet mockups always show that scroll wheel? wtf is the point of the scroll wheel on a touch screen display? do i need to remind them of the onion video showcasing this style product...lol
anytime i see that i just laugh at the idiot who thinks it would be "cool" to have a scroll wheel navigation system on a touch screen.
Didn't Steve Jobs say something to the effect that no body reads anymore and the Kindle was pointless? and futher that netbooks are crap (I kinda agree with him on that last one).
Regardless I could see a device like this... Take the next gen iPod Touch, add a video processor capable of decoding at least 720p, maybe 1080p, and then a MUCH bigger battery to support at least 4-6 hours of continuous HD playback. I'd certainly see eBooks being there, probably via an AppStore App like the Kindle Reader, but maybe an Apple App.... althought for me personally the killer app would be the NY Times.
What's your point?
Oh, I remember this! It's the Kindle 3!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI0Zry_R4RQ
Steve Jobs says people don't read, so it plays movies. You know, for illiterate people.
I sincerely hope the Macsheeps don't start exclaiming that Apple is innovating again.
There has been PMPs for what now..years??
If it's not a fully operating OS X running on it then it's just an oversized Ipod touch.
I'm waiting for my Viliv x70 which I think is a better device than just a media tablet.
WTF are you even doing on a Mac fan site? Shouldn't you be on a Viliv s70 site?
Yeah, and there had been cell phones for what...decades before the iPhone. If you don't think the iPhone was innovative, you're probably dim enough to think the plural of sheep is sheeps...oh, I see...
go be a d-bag somewhere else
Let's be nice people
Expected typical Macsheep(s) response/attack who cannot see beyond the world of Apple.
It's a shame really.
Please don't put words in my mouth. I never said iPhone was not innovative. It's a great multimedia device but poor battery.
And before you think I'm just here to flame, FYI I do have several Apple products: Ipod variances, Macbook, Airport Express.
Did you really just say "variances" when you meant "variants"? Please just go away.
The AppleInsider rumour that this product will actually launch in early 2010 makes much more sense.
Sure this is the Financial Times, but since when does the Financial Times have any links or inside information on Apple? If this pans out, it would be the first time they ever got a story before anyone else that's this big.
AppleInsider has been following this project for years and publishing rumour after rumour that have all panned out. They say it will launch in the Spring, probably at the next WWDC which is typically when big products like this are announced.
The lighter, the better. 300 g or less would be great.
The smaller, the better. Pocketable would be great.
Firewire for repairs via Target Disk Mode.
At least two USB 2 ports for wireless remote control and pendrive.
Ethernet port.
Wifi.
Bluetooth.
Touch screen.
Full and true GPS (TomTom compatible).
Full Mac OS X for full blown presentations from NATIVE Apple Keynote and Microsoft PowerPoint via video-out port to videoprojectors (with VGA adapter cable).
Here it is:
iNetbook rerendered
[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoboer/3226244527[/url]
First picture of:
Next Apple moves will be Books and Games…
[url]http://spidouz.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/next-apple-moves-will-be-books-and-games[/url]
We need thousands for our University.
POCKETABLE?????
HELLOOOOO......
...you just described an iPod Touch!
The lighter, the better. 300 g or less would be great.
The smaller, the better. Pocketable would be great.
Firewire for repairs via Target Disk Mode.
At least two USB 2 ports for wireless remote control and pendrive.
Ethernet port.
Wifi.
Bluetooth.
Touch screen.
Full and true GPS (TomTom compatible).
Full Mac OS X for full blown presentations from NATIVE Apple Keynote and Microsoft PowerPoint via video-out port to videoprojectors (with VGA adapter cable).
Here it is:
iNetbook rerendered
[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoboer/3226244527[/url]
First picture of:
Next Apple moves will be Books and Games…
[url]http://spidouz.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/next-apple-moves-will-be-books-and-games[/url]
We need thousands for our University.