Report: Apple’s Tablet Just Weeks Away

Leander Kahney ()

apple_tablet_mockup

Apple will release its fabled touchscreen tablet as early as September, the Taiwanese paper Apple Daily claims. If true, the announcement is likely just weeks away. Apple will have to put the device on store shelves by the fall in time for the crucial holiday shopping season.

In a direct rebuttal of AppleInsider, whose sources say the tablet will be launched early next year, Apple Daily pegs a September release date for the device.

The paper details Apple’s suppliers: Wintek is providing the tablet’s touch-sensitive screen. Dynapack International Technology Corp. is supplying the batteries; and the whole device is being assembled by Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. (Hon Hai’s Foxconn unit made headlines after a worker allegedly committed suicide after losing an iPhone prototype.)

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The Apple Daily report jibes with Monday’s report from the Financial Times that Apple is working on a new, revolutionary kind of “digital album” codenamed “Cocktail” to accompany the tablet, which the FT also says will be launched this fall.

17 comments »

About the author

Leander Kahney

is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac, and author of three books about technology culture: Inside Steve’s Brain, the New York Times bestseller about Steve Jobs; Cult of Mac; and Cult of iPod. Leander has written for Wired, MacWeek, Scientific American, and The Guardian in London. Follow Leander on Twitter @lkahney and Facebook.

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Posted in Apple, News, Rumors |

  • CaryMG

    I have absolutely NO intention of getting one, BUT, nevertheless I haven’t been excited about a product like this since the Macintosh SE/30.
    And I SO mean that.
    Just because the that’s about Apple right now’s at a FEVER PITCH about Apple right now.
    And this interlocks *perfectly* with Steve making his comeback *and* a supermegablockbuster announcement like *this* one ….

    Steve Jobs is God.
    Discussion over.

  • thanx_al

    I’ll wait to see the specs on it first.

    If I can actually do real computing on it (not heavily lifting, just word processing, spreadsheets, pdf editing) it will be extremely tempting. I work alot on airplanes (frequently travel a 15 hour long-haul) and when my HP tablets worked, they were remarkable on a plane. I can only imagine how much better the Macbook Touch will be.

    If, however, it is a glorified iPod Touch, I’ll probably pass. I just don’t get the “must have 4,241 different gadgets to listen/watch the same mp3/mpeg files” lifestyle.

  • http://n/a AllanTH

    i don’t see the idea of having a mac tablet. Apple has the technology no doubt! but,, why?? and don’t use that lame comment “because they can!” . true they can! but i serious think that there is no market for this at this time.. and i hope it doest look like that! its an oversized iPhone!!

  • http://ochyming.wodpress.com Deocliciano Okssipin Vieira

    How you hold that thing, that render is not clever.

  • http://www.iloveflycasual.com FlyCasual

    I can only hope/assume that Apple will do to the tablet what they did to the phone: completely rethink it in a way that is not only elegant and overtly usable, but most importantly makes all their competitors think “why didn’t we think of this before?” THAT to me is what makes Apple Apple; thinking outside the box and making simplicity sexy.

  • Eric

    I’m torn on this or a new fender amplifier!!!! :(

  • Shawn Pero

    I’m still not 100% convinced this is even coming… there’ve been industry-wide rumors about new Apple products coming in the past that everyone assumed were a sure thing that never happened… this is another “I’ll believe it when I see it” instance.

  • CaryMG

    Now that the fervorwave has passed, I’m thinkin’ a little be more logically. lol

    I have my doubts about the September announcement.
    I’d *completley* forgot about the new video Nanos & Touches *AND* Snow Leopard’s comin’ out in September.
    *Those* will
    That way, all of this iPad hype will draw TONS of attention to what people might look at as “Ho hum — another new iPod announcement ….”.

    What everyone’s been saying up until today sounds more likely — Q210.
    Why?
    ‘Cause it interlocks even more than a September announcement since Q210′s
    when CES happens AND it’ll be Apple’s “We’re-Not-Doing-MacWorld-Anymore”
    big CES coming out party AND what better way to make a tremendous first impression than to have an iPad anouncement?

    Steve Jobs is bigger than God.

  • Horselover Fat

    Meh; it’s interesting, but I wouldn’t buy one; personally I’d like to see a stripped down iPhone for the prepaid market. To get a prepaid 3G iPhone in the UK is £350/$575. A prepaid iPhone say, without wireless (but still incorporating touchscreen and iPod) for £150/$246 would be awesome

  • mark

    Interesting. Only it means you need to have your head tilted forward the whole time when entering information. That could become a strain on your neck muscles with injuries as a result.

  • Mandy

    I’ve been waiting for a Mac Tablet for years. YEARS! I have butterflies overs this, even though it’s not exactly what I wanted. I just want something for around the house/outside when I don’t feel like sitting at my desk. I don’t have any use for a laptop/netbook because I don’t travel & and I don’t want a mini-computer nor do I like small screens unless it makes sense–like on a tablet. I just hope the screen can be ‘written on’ like other tablets.

  • http://mac-bargains.com Bilal

    can’t wait! .. can’t wait! .. can’t wait! :)

  • http://www.print-würgt.de Michalis

    I am starting to save my pennies.

  • Alfred

    I love the idea, but could I really justify the cost? I mean, realistically what could I do with it that I cannot do with a laptop? And would that be worth the money?

  • james

    I’ve steered clear of Apple products since the early 90s, but this, this is something I am seriously tempted by. If it has a digital ink function, and allows you to annotate documents on screen, then I am 100% guaranteed to buy one, and that’s not something I thought I would find myself saying about an Apple product.

  • Davo from Space

    This is awesome and is the future of computing! Imagine controlling your PC with this thing. Instead of sitting at your PC, you can be on the couch watching TV and surfing the net/working, or using it at the office. All the power of a PC with the mobility of a tablet!

    I will be first in line to get one.

  • http://www.canister-set.org Jessica Taylor

    both Fender and Marshall Amplifiers are great amplifiers because they are built by quality manufacturers`*: