Last year, a rumour that Apple was developing an iPhone nano, a slimmed-down version of the iPhone, sparked a wave of speculation and conjecture. The rumour proved to be false.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s often difficult to separate fiction from fact when it comes to Apple.<\/p>\n
The company indirectly encourages the rumour mill because of its secretive approach to new products. When CEO Steve Jobs delivers a keynote speech, he is always able to wow his audience when introducing new products because the information in the market beforehand is usually sketchy at best.<\/p>\n
So, it\u2019s with some trepidation that I broach the subject of the latest Apple rumours. But, hey, what\u2019s a column of opinion without some wild conjecture from time to time?<\/p>\n
Apple\u2019s recent order of 10-inch touch screens from Taiwan\u2019s Wintek, the same company that makes the touch-screens used in the iPhone, has led to speculation that Apple is planning to introduce a touch-screen netbook.<\/p>\n
Netbooks, low-priced mini laptops that typically cost less than US500, mostly use 10 inch screens. Sales of netbooks have proved a light amid the economic gloom \u2014 while sales of traditional notebooks and desktop PCs have slumped, netbook sales have soared.<\/p>\n
Analysts say Apple must be keenly watching the new market segment.<\/p>\n
But is Apple really building a netbook? Jobs has previously said Apple \u201cdoesn\u2019t know how to build a sub-500 computer that is not a piece of junk\u201d.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not convinced by the netbook rumours. I think Apple might be planning something altogether cooler \u2014 a general-purpose Internet tablet that can be used to listen to music, watch movies and read electronic books. Such a device \u2014 a keyboard-less, high resolution tablet that serves as a mobile entertainment and information device, and which connects to the Internet via high-speed Wi-Fi and 3G networks \u2014 would bridge the gap between smartphones and notebook PCs.<\/p>\n
And it would open up a whole new business line for Apple \u2014 e-books, which it would sell through its online iTunes Store.<\/p>\n
Apple already sells music, television programmes and movies through the store. Adding e-books would be a logical next move.<\/p>\n
Of course, it would set the company on a collision course with Amazon.com, which makes the Kindle e-book reader. The Kindle, which is not available in SA, uses high resolution electronic paper that mimics real paper. It includes a wireless chip that allows users to connect to Amazon.com and purchase and download new e-books over the air.<\/p>\n
It is unlikely Apple will use e-paper technology. But it may have something up its sleeve to make reading for extended periods on back-lit displays easier on the eye.<\/p>\n
The device, if it\u2019s coming, undoubtedly would use a multitouch interface similar to the iPhone\u2019s.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also a possibility that Apple may pitch the new product as a gaming device, as a rival to Sony\u2019s popular PlayStation Portable. But without a big community of game developers behind its operating system software, Mac OS X, this seems less plausible.<\/p>\n
We will probably know more in June, when Jobs, who should be back from a six-month, health-related leave of absence from the company, is due to deliver the keynote address at Apple\u2019s Worldwide Developers Conference.<\/p>\n
Jobs has traditionally used the conference to launch new products.<\/p>\n
Of course, I could be far wide of the mark and Apple could be planning a cheap, low end netbook after all.<\/p>\n
I just can\u2019t see it, though.<\/p>\n