Derrick
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The rumours have been flying around for some time now that Apple has been secretly working on a new tablet offering aimed at competing with the Netbook market. Analysts and industry insiders have been talking about possible features and release dates for ages now based on production contracts and part orders made by Apple in recent months. The latest story on this comes from the “The Financial Times” that revealed information gleaned from people supposedly briefed on the project stating that the 10-inch tablet will have the same features as the IPod Touch and much more.
Apple is apparently making new content deals with some of the largest record labels around and apart from music and video functionality the tablet will also have a strong electronic book reading functionality. I can imagine content deals being made in that regard too. Now, if you have been interested in this device and for some reason found yourself perhaps holding out for it, the good news is this. If it exists, and all indications are there that it does, you won’t have to wait longer than about two months according to some reports. It is set for release in September 2009.
The tablet will apparently include Wi-Fi, which is kind of expected from any mobile computer worth its salt. It will also have 3G capability according to The Apple Insider. Features don’t seem to be a problem if the reports are true but pricing might. Some reports indicate that the device will sell for between $600 and $1000 in the USA. This will make it a lot more expensive in South Africa as our local prices tend to get quite fat when the equipment lands on our shores, but that is not the problem. The problem is it is not competitive with other Netbook makers. Sure it will be a cool gadget if it comes out, but will it have the uptake capability of current Netbooks. Netbooks have sold like hotcakes because of their trimmed down price on a trimmed down and smaller factor system.
Perhaps it is not competing with Netbooks, in which case, fine, the price is okay as long as it comes with a processor to match. An Atom processor will be the defining element. If it comes with an Atom processor it is a Netbook competitor and the pricing better be acceptable or it will fail. The guys at Apple however are sly developers. They know what they are doing, especially if recent product history is taken into consideration. I for one am excited to see what they will come up with if anything. Odds are September will be very interesting.
Apple is apparently making new content deals with some of the largest record labels around and apart from music and video functionality the tablet will also have a strong electronic book reading functionality. I can imagine content deals being made in that regard too. Now, if you have been interested in this device and for some reason found yourself perhaps holding out for it, the good news is this. If it exists, and all indications are there that it does, you won’t have to wait longer than about two months according to some reports. It is set for release in September 2009.
The tablet will apparently include Wi-Fi, which is kind of expected from any mobile computer worth its salt. It will also have 3G capability according to The Apple Insider. Features don’t seem to be a problem if the reports are true but pricing might. Some reports indicate that the device will sell for between $600 and $1000 in the USA. This will make it a lot more expensive in South Africa as our local prices tend to get quite fat when the equipment lands on our shores, but that is not the problem. The problem is it is not competitive with other Netbook makers. Sure it will be a cool gadget if it comes out, but will it have the uptake capability of current Netbooks. Netbooks have sold like hotcakes because of their trimmed down price on a trimmed down and smaller factor system.
Perhaps it is not competing with Netbooks, in which case, fine, the price is okay as long as it comes with a processor to match. An Atom processor will be the defining element. If it comes with an Atom processor it is a Netbook competitor and the pricing better be acceptable or it will fail. The guys at Apple however are sly developers. They know what they are doing, especially if recent product history is taken into consideration. I for one am excited to see what they will come up with if anything. Odds are September will be very interesting.