Apple to release six inch iPod/tablet at September event?

Cleve Nettles
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August 18, 2009
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Would you consider a 6-inch iPod touch to be a tablet?

Businessweek spoke to Richard Doherty, a director at market researcher Envisioneering Group on Apple's upcoming Tablet(s):

"There's no hotter topic [than tablets] in Asia right now," ...Apple has developed prototypes of two different tablet machines—one that resembles a large-sized iPod and boasts a 6-inch screen, and another that features a larger display. Apple may launch one or both devices as early as September, Doherty says. A decision on whether and when Apple takes the tablet plunge lies with Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Doherty says.

Obviously tablets have been tried and failed before.  He has some answers on why Apple's could be different.  He guesses a much lower cost than has been predicted before as well as 65,000 apps on launch.

Price, for starters. Apple's tablet may cost as little as $679, Doherty says. Then there's the Apple software mystique. "Apple has a real opportunity to take the magic of the iPhone interface and give that more real estate to do the tasks," Kay says. "It's an iPhone, but bigger. It's something that you know, but bigger." The device may be able to wirelessly access iTunes and Apple's App Store, which offers more than 65,000 apps such as games, e-books, and calendars. Apple declined to comment for this story.

Really? Apple declined to comment for this story?  Shocker.

But the iPod tablet isn't the only tablet being built in Cupertino.  Doherty says there is a Mac tablet out there somewhere too.

One of Apple's prototype devices is able to run all Mac applications, and allows for video and audio editing and graphic animation, Doherty says. Another, which looks like a larger iPod, lends itself to watching videos, playing games, and reading e-books.

This may not be such a boring September after all. Perhaps Apple leakers are saying 2010 for the Mac tablet and 2009 for the iPod tablet?

Comments (14)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 8:33am

Boooo! Better not be 6". What a waste. That's 3" smaller than the lousy 9" netbooks everyone's complaining about that are too small.

The iPhone is great in a pinch and it's great for all email and casual web surfing, etc on the go, but it's not a computer. If I want to tweak my iWeb site on the go, or edit a quicktime movie, I need a computer, not an iPhone. And a 6" iPhone is no better solution either.

And you can get a 9" netbook for $300. So Apple's 6" better be $199 or less and we know that;s not going to happen since they're charging $500 for a 3" iPhone. And it better be running Snow Leopard, not iPhone OS.

Not gonna happen. I think it's safe to say that I, along with the rest of the Mac community, will be pissed if we find out we waited how many years for a 6" tablet, that's not ever a tablet.

Come on Apple, don't let me down. Bring on the full featured 10" Snow Leopard iTablet.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 9:26am

don't worry, it doesn't exist, just like last year....and the year before that etc. you get the rumors, then the retraction within weeks of an actual event lol

the Cappy (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 11:40am

Yeah, somehow that tablet is always 6 months away. Year after year after year...

If it DOES exist, then people need to remember my original iPhone cost $599. Keep that in mind as you fantasize about larger machines, thinking they'll somehow be $600-800.

Maybe there'll be a subsidy, people say. One of the only things that'll cool me from buying one (even if I don't need it) would be attaching it to a subscription plan. I'm already paying monthly rates for my iPhone. Maybe I'll pay 2 subscriptions, but the chances are very low. And for many other people, the chances of them having 2 subscriptions will be zero.

No doubt Apple has designed prototypes of these things. But they won't be released into the wild until these issues are fixed and the product becomes viable. What if they decide there's no way to make a top-notch tablet at a price that people will pay? We'll simply never see the thing. And in a way, that kind of looks like what we've been witness to the last couple of years, doesn't it?

Dr.Evil (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 1:22pm

Your original iPhone cost $599 because you were an early adopter. Early adopters always pay the premium. You paid $599. I paid $199 a year later for a next gen version. I doubt you'll be paying more than $900 for the mythical iTablet since it most likely will be based on the similar hardware and software tech to the iPhone/iPod touch. And, since you can get an entry level macbook for around $900 I can't see the mythical tablet costing more than that especially when it'll be underpowered compared to a Macbook.

I understand your doubts with all the previous rumors from years past but there seems to be too many this time which prevents me from dismissing the iTablet as easily as you have. I can see one being released next January when Apple traditionally would have product releases during past Macworld events.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 1:10pm

it does exist, it is coming between now and Xmas. There will be a new OS as well. Watch out, the Apple is going to rule the world

terry (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 11:53am

a couple thoughts...

1. Don't underestimate the appeal of a 6" screen iPodTouch or iPhone: that bigger screen could fit into a device that's only about 1" wider and 1.5" taller than iPhone 3G S, yet gives approx 2.5X the screen space. That would greatly increase effectiveness as an in-car Nav system; greatly increase effectiveness as an ebook reader; greatly increase effectiveness for browsing, for viewing multimedia, and for who knows what other iPhone apps. I respect your opinions, but it's NOT safe for you to presume to speak for "the rest of the Mac community." Toy around with a mocked-up 6" device (because the bezel would be wider, top and bottom bezel could be reduced): it's entirely possible many--not all, but many--people would find that an extremely enticing product, with or without phone functions (which, btw, could reduce the price with a service contract, just like the iPhone). Comparing it to netbooks misses the point, I think.

2. the article says there could be TWO new tablets, one the 6", and the other a larger, full-OSX device that seems to conform to what you want. Include a keyboard option and this device could suitably be compared to Netbook offerings. So it's not an either or.

I hope we get both.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 3:45pm

Did you not read the article? The most likely scenario is that they will launch both prototypes. I'll carry the 6 inch on the go and keep the 10 inch tablet at home.

Michael Braun (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 9:02am

I think that this is possible and could be popular. What I think is unlikely is a full-powered Snow Leopard tablet, in any size. If the tablet becomes popular, then perhaps such a product could emerge in the future. But for now, the tablet is the computer for people who hate computers - simple, elegant, portable, and with access to 65,000 applications to do most anything you could want.

Gazoobee (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 9:29am

None of this sounds right, I think the guy is making crap up based on several separate things he has heard.

The only hard evidence for a tablet so far indicates 10" screens being manufactured and shipped, which equates to a device roughly 6x9. For this guy to be saying "there's a 6 inch model and a 9 inch model" makes no sense at all.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 10:21am

This is pure fiction. Personally, I like the idea because I'm always wishing my iPhone was just a bit bigger and 10" is not portable enough. Nice ideas, but this product and release are just make believe. I think it's either people with apple fantasy lives or folks who selling the stock short against unrealized expectations after these events.

9toX (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 10:35am

Mac OS X inside and video-out port on a 300 to 600 g small device tablet. That is all needed for success. The iPod touch is too limited with its crippled OS inside.

The MacBook Air is too heavy and large, besides being port-limited.

Or bring a MacBook Air mini at 1/4 the MacBook Air size, no more than 600 g and with real independent ports: video-out, Ethernet, Firewire, USB2, SD card.

Or bring them all: iPod TABLET, Mac TABLET and MacBook TABLET. This is certainly the best approach, for anyone to get any of them.

the Cappy (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 11:48am

The MacBook Air is too heavy? You must be VERY delicate.

It's always very amusing to read people construct these fantasy lists of demands: video-out, ethernet, firewire, USB2, SD card... ALL those things with 600g weight limit. You're going to be one very unhappy delusional person.

Go out and actually design such a product, with your silly constraints. Don't draw it in Photoshop. Actually design the real thing. Look inside a MBA and see that there's no wasted space there. Make it a quarter of the weight while actually adding more ports. See how much mileage just shrinking the screen gets you.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 12:32pm

I think it will be something you plug you iPhone or Touch into, they will provide the software and it will just be a bigger screen.

It would really suck if that were the case.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | August 18, 2009 - 3:48pm

i think if they make a 'full' sized tablet it would be called 'MacBook'.

a 'small' sized tablet could be branded under the iPod Touch name