Apple iTablet component suppliers named

Jonny Evans
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July 28, 2009
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The clamor greeting the potential September debut of the as yet completely unannounced Apple tablet device has already gathered to a crescendo, and now a Taiwanese newspaper’s grabbing its share of attention by naming some of the component suppliers for the product.

Taiwan’s Apple Daily declares that Wintek will provide the tablet’s touch-sensitive display (didya Google "EE-1044-IN-W5C" yet?); Dynapack International Technology Corp. is providing the batteries; the whole device is to be manufactured by Foxconn. (Could the reason for all the recent cafuffle be that it was a prototype of this still non-existent device which went missing?  iPhone 2010 Prototypes aren't due until Xmas).

The Financial Times this week confirmed Apple intends releasing this device, which is like a giant iPod touch. Equipped with a touch-sensitive screen, the new iBook is thought to be intended for use as a gaming machine, fully-functioning computer, eBook reader and media manager. Some speculate it will also offer all the features of an Apple TV, saying the latter product may even be retired.

“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,” wrote the FT.

With Verizon much discussed as a potential network carrier for the device, it’s interesting how the carrier recently inked a WiFI deal for its customers - is it preparing to match AT&T’s offering?

Meanwhile major book publisher Barnes & Noble appears to be slowly ramping up its digital push, following this year’s acquisition of a company which facilitates sale of electronic books via a range of devices, including the iPhone.

Comments (18)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 3:51am

" the new iBook is thought to be intended for use as a gaming machine"
wait this thing is going to be named after the old macbooks, as an ibook? wow thats interesting.

Jonny Evans | July 28, 2009 - 3:55am

Well, it's an existing brand they own, as is MacBook - but is it an iPhone-related product, or a Mac?

Hmmm.

Could be another name, tbh

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 4:38am

I think all the talk about discontinuing the AppleTv is a bunch of crap. No way tablet would replace it. Who would want to hook it up to a TV everytime that you wanted to use it? Not I!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 3:35pm

What the big deal with connecting the new iBook (by the way, I noted when there were no new iBooks that the name would be for a new tablet)??

To connect the new iBook to a TV you you just walk into the room and voila the wonders of wireless connections occur. Yes, you would need a gizmo on your DTV but it will only be $49.95 (my guess) and you are all set to go.

and in the fall, 2010, Apple will re-release the Apple TV - but this time it will be a TV to complete the convergence. This will be after Apple buts Comcast.

(yeah, I know this all sounds far-fetched - except for the wireless connection to the TV or media center - in fact it is done now)

MacMonkey (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 6:02am

Whenever the Apple tablet was mentioned in the past I thought two things.

1) Would the tablet form factor actually be that usable? I always imagine a clipboard sized slate balancing on my forearm as I poke hopelessly at a wobbling screen

2) Between an iPhone and iMac/Macbook, where would it fit in? If I'm out I'll have my iPhone and if I'm in I'll have the iMac.

Then I actually thought, how big would a 10" screen device be? Knowing Apples love of minimal design, probably not much bigger than the 10 inches. 10 inches, well thats not much bigger than a DVD case, it's a little smaller than my hard bound copy of 'Screenwriting for TV' - in other words not that big. I could certainly hold and interact with a device that size without any trouble.

This leads to the most obvious use for the device, an e-book reader. If you typically carry a book to work/the park/the back garden, a 10" reader would take no more space and offer huge advantages. Then there's newspapers which are much more cumbersome than any tablet could be - especially on a train/bus. Both of these uses present a market unsatisfied by both the iPhone and desktop/laptop experience.

Of course the device could also be a photo album, jukebox, input device for larger machines and games console without even considering typing on the thing.

I don't know if we'll see a tablet this September, my bets are that we'll not. If we do though I for one will definitely consider it.

Apple Jedi (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 6:59am

Could this device finally be paired with the docking station that was rumored a bunch in the past:
http://www.iphonebuzz.com/docking-station-for-apple-ultraportable-detail...

Apple Jedi (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 7:00am

Could this device be paired with the rumored Apple docking station?

sri (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 7:03am

Apple Tablet may be launched this Christmas or possibly as early as September. I hope this will be another great rally for apple earnings. I will buy one of this for sure. The iphone started to be too little to stay all the day looking things. I am a great fan of apple product so started collecting all the information (more than 200 sites) about Apple Tablet(News, Videos, Pics, Pre reviews, Rumors etc.,). If you are interested take a look at the below link
http://markthispage.blogspot.com/2009/07/apple-tablet-large-iphone-or-ip...

iStevo (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 7:08am

It makes all sense for the iTablet and Apple TV to share many functionalities. In fact, the new Apple TV and the iTablet could share the same platform, an ARM based Mac OS X Snow Leopard (that was a good reason to make it leaner and Cocoa based).

Imagine a platform that runs all the App Store iPhone Apps plus some premium PC-like Apps, like Power Games, HD video, iWork, iLife and iChat.

Plus it does a better job with e-Books and runs the desktop version of Safari and Mail.

Plus the iTablet could fully control your Apple TV.

A 10 inch iTablet could be the true personal computer for many people, and the Apple TV would not be a hobby anymore.

iBook, iTouch or iPod touch Pro? It doesn´t matter, it will be a big hit.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 7:34am

Whatever it is, I think it'll need Snow Leopard to run. So I don't think we're going to see it in Sept. Isn't Snow Leopard due out in October?

Apple Jedi (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 7:52am

not October

Ryan Gray (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 8:00am

Isn't the iPhone SDK pretty much just something that's hiding ARM as just another build target in XCode? The only difference being that you can't build a full Cocoa app. My feeling is that they are going to gradually extend Cocoa Touch API to include things suited for a larger screen that you won't see on the small iPhone screen. In other words, a new "Mac OS" will grow out of Cocoa Touch rather than putting the Mac OS on a small screen.

Another possibility: the iPhone/Mac hybrid. The iPhone hardware is approaching the capability of netbooks, given that the OS can make heavy use of the GPU power. Certainly, the new GPU could drive an external monitor given the right dock connection. Let's even say it's the next generation device that gets the enhanced connector, even more CPU & GPU speed and comes with up to 64GB. So, imagine a universal binary that contains a full Mac OS build (but for an ARM) and a Cocoa Touch build. The touch one runs on the iPhone screen, but when you dock the phone, the Mac OS one runs on the external display, and they share data. Your iPhone would literally be your netbook. No need to sync since it is your Mac. You could if you want to, like the AppleTV.

t0mat0 (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 8:28am

So does Apple make their own batteries, or just do the tech and use the mentioned battery making company? WHy would they go with another company for a tablet, if they have battery making capability and use it for MacBooks, MacBook Pros, iPhones etc?

gendusoa | July 28, 2009 - 9:40am

 Looks like a 10.4" capacitive touch screen:

http://www.hdatech.com.au/XJD.htm

Interesting times ahead, but I'll believe it when I'm holding it in my hands.

Some idiot (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 11:12am

Maybe it's a peripheral device? Perhaps the rumored device is a peripheral monitor and docking station for iPhones and iPod Touches? Just a wild thought.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 11:46am

I was very excited in a Mac netbook or tablet, BUT not anymore. If they run an iPhone like OS and have an App Store with the same restrictions as the iPhone I will pass!

The way they are rejecting and removing apps from the iPhone WHY would I want this device. I will stay with my 10 inch Windows XP netbook, thank you! I am no longer interested in ANY device that is totally controlled by the maker as to what I can install on the device I paid for.

Olternaut (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 12:11pm

I'm afraid this guy has a point. I really hope it's more of a mac than an ipod touch.

Olternaut (not verified) | July 28, 2009 - 11:52am

I've been speculating on this device back when most everybody were naysayers claiming that myself and others were insane kooks.
Now look.

This device is going to be bigger than the iphone and will once again sucker punch the ENTIRE INDUSTRY! They won't know what hit them.....again.