No Apple media tablet until 2010, says analyst
updated 09:35 am EDT, Thu May 21, 2009
No media pad until 2010?
Although Apple is allegedly working on some form of media pad, it will probably not ship until 2010, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. The tablet has been described by other sources as Apple's answer to netbooks, but focused around tasks like web browsing, reading books, and music and video playback, as well as possibly making VoIP calls. Correspondingly, its specifications may also be just weak enough to avoid competing with MacBooks.
Munster believes that such a tablet will rely on a third version of Mac OS X, providing a middle ground between Macs and the iPhone while retaining multi-touch capabilities. "We expect the development of such an OS to be underway currently," he says, "but its complexity, along with our conversations with a key company in the mobile space, leads us to believe it will not launch until CY10."
BusinessWeek has reported that Apple may be negotiating to bring the device to Verizon, which could suggest some cellular functionality, or merely subsidized sales.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
Want one
Just sold my Sony Reader after discovering Stanza and OneDisk for the iPod Touch. An Apple Media Tablet (AMT?) would mean I could leave my MacBook at home for most of my long-distance trips. That would be very nice.
Here's hoping this device sees the light of day after years of speculation.