DOES anyone need a tablet computer? Not really unless it’s running specialized software for inventory control, doctors, nurses, ect. Why would Apple release a device to compete in that space that’s a niche of a niche? The answer is that they wouldn’t. But a number of things have been going on that points in a few possible directions.
Apple buys LaLa. A service that allows for previously purchased or acquired content to be streamed to just about any device. Apple is building a 400,000 sq ft facility in North Carolina. Apple is rumored to be in talks with publishers (books, newspapers, magazines). Apple is rumored to be in talks with CBS, HBO, and a few other video content creators/ owners with Disney and ABC pretty much already in place. Apple is rumored to be asking a select few iApp devs to create new versions of some of their apps to fit on a bigger screen. New versions of iLife and iWork are supposed to be coming out soon. How hard would it be for them to create mobile versions of some of the individual pieces? Like Pages, Numbers, Keynote iPhoto, and iMovie. No need for iDVD or GarageBand for a device like this.
So, no big storage needed since most of the content you want is available in the cloud for streaming or downloading before a long plane flight through WiFi. Pages, Numbers, and Keynote (which will save in MS Office formats) have your office needs (mostly, it would still be limited as compared to either a Windows or Mac laptop) covered. You can bet that a lot of developers would jump in to port iPhone apps or create new ones. Built-in BlueTooth could even make it not so bad as a phone (because holding a 9-10 inch device to your ear would look stupid). Mini or Micro USB (or BlueTooth) for a separate keyboard (mouse?). This isn’t going to be a tablet Mac. It isn’t going to be just a big iPhone/ iPod Touch. It’s going to be something else, something new like the iPhone was when it first came out with a different sort of interface than anything released before by Apple.
These are all rumors naturally and who knows what actually will come out. Will it be open to multiple carriers (doubtful), how many content partners will be on-board at announcement (if that’s even where this is going). Hard to say with any authority (though based on how many frigging front-paged stories there’s been on this it hasn’t stopped anyone from talking).
So far Apple hasn’t said anything and they won’t until someone holds it up and shows what it can do. To get my money for a 1st gen product (from anyone) it better be able to do all the things I’ve guessed and more. Otherwise, like the iPhone (the 3GS was the first one I bought), I’ll hold onto my cash until it can.
What do you think is coming?
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