Fresh Apple tablet rumors: February launch. $800-$1,000. AT&T, not Verizon
Rendering: Piper Jaffray
The iPod event is behind us. Apple TV did its thing on Monday. No new MacBooks loom on the horizon. So it's time for Apple (AAPL) watchers to talk once again about the tablet computer that is said to be the focus of Steve Jobs' laser-like attention.
Stepping into the fray is Taiwan Economic News' Steve Chuang, a reporter with a pretty good track record on the supply chain beat.
In a report Monday about three companies that claim to have won contracts to supply batteries, mini coaxial cables and power chokes (whatever they may be), he offers a surprisingly detailed summary of what the mythical device might contain:
- 9.6-inch Wintek touch sensitive screen. Down from 10.2-inch, 1o-inch and 9.7-inch in previous reports.
- HSPDA mobile broadband. This is the so-called high-speed downlink packet access protocol used by AT&T (T) for enhanced 3G service. No support here for rumors that Apple might give this one to Verizon (VZ).
- P.A. Semi-engineered processor. As expected. Apple acquired the fabless semiconductor company in April 2008 for just this kind of project.
- 300,000 long-lasting batteries. That's the size of the order DynaPack International Technology is said to have won.
- December delivery for February launch. Rumors tend to push delivery four months down the road. July's crop had the tablet coming in October.
- Price point: $799 to $999. That would give Steve Jobs a lot of latitude. And netbook makers plenty of breathing room.
Of course, wise reporters will believe nothing about any hypothetical future product from Apple until they see it.
But here's my question: How long will Jobs continue to do business with suppliers who go blabbing to the press the minute they win an Apple contract?
If this table doesn't have built-in handwriting recognition, WiFi, 64 GB RAM, the compass, and all the other 3GS features it will flop.
Furthermore, if the $799 – $999 price tag is a subsidised price where the customer will be forced to carry a 2 year contract with an obscenely greedy telecom that promises and charges for services that can't and won't deliver it will flop.
Failing to be reasonable in your expectations of what your customers will tolerate is what has Microsoft in hot water with it's OS.
If one could definitively know what this rumored tablet was, then it would damp sales of current products. But since no one can, this blabbing is good – it keeps Apple in the news. You might even think Apple plants a bunch of different rumors to keep everyone confused.
So does the tablet run Mac OS or only iPhone OS? And if only iPhone OS, will Apple provide iLife and iWork for the tablet? Does the PA Semi chip serve as the CPU or is it just a supporting chip? Does the rumored price include the cost of a cellular data contract? Or are you required to add a two-year cellular contract? Or is it that just the unsubsidized price?
As for Neil's comment that LTE will be here next year, just note that 3G has been rolling out (from both Verizon and AT&T) for over 5 years, and you'll still find no 3G in well-populated areas and along Interstates. So LTE will begin rolling out, but it will take years before one doesn't need 3G or even 2G as a backup to make it usable.
"How long will Jobs continue to do business with suppliers who go blabbing to the press the minute they win an Apple contract?"
As long as they meet his price points.
Last week Apple was touting the Touch as a great pocket computer. How many people are going to ditch their Touch or buy a tablet in addition to their touch?
Jobs doesn't care if vendors blab- their blabbing keeps his potential products in the newsfor free. Your column is an example.
If it has a camera for iChat, expect it to never be used more than once. Because you'll have your tablet on your lap or flat on your desk, the camera will pick up a very unflattering angle of you– straight up your nostrils, emphasizing your double chin since your head is tilted down. Maybe it will ship with a little stand like the iPod Touch has.
The price points don't seem so bad if that includes the subsidized wireless connection…like the Kindle with Sprint. Suddenly a lot more compelling.
I sure hope this is not bundled with a forced ATT or other carrier contract. I intend to use this primarily at home for web surfing and email (sorry don't like netbooks) and it would surely be a show stopper for me if I were forced to use a cellular connection (3G or 4G) as opposed to wifi which is plenty fast for me.
The Apple tablet may be the most revolutionary product Apple has yet developed. Remember that picture that circulated when Jobs first appeared back at Apple several months ago. He was walking with Apple famed designer Mr. Ives, and I sensed that were deep into developing something dramatic. The half-pound or so tablet may have been what they were talking about as they crossed the street al la Beatles’ Abbey Road with intensity and slight smiles on their faces.
I question the report as to why Apple is going with a 3G network when LTE, the 4G network will be rolled out next year. The advantage of LTE is that everybody, including Verizon, will be using it.
An $800 to $1000 gadget that would require an expensive data plan from AT&T in a recession is a bad move. Who can afford it? People are going broke tryingto pay for their iPhones.
I'm excited its on the AT&T network. Even though there have been problems in the past with capacity, they are shelling out cash hand over fist to expand the backhaul. They didnt get off to a good start but what the iPhone did do was make them push for one of the fattest backhaul pipes possible that will have Verizon far outdone when all is said and done.
I guarantee a release date within 4-5 months and it will have a camera for iChat. How do I know? I know Steve, not personally 
but I've been a technophile for 31 years and he's desperate to produce the next 'big' thing. The Apple II was the first (big thing) and he let the inovation get away from him, he will not let that happen again. With the iPhone under his belt he can taste the consumerism that a similar product can engender amongst the people and he wants that more than anything, it will have his personal stamp.
I am happy it is not Verizon as I just bought a netbook from them. I honestly would not pay that price point for that tablet even if it was. People are already irritated with ATTs network so lets just add more gadgets on it. I have never gone to AT&T for their service and never will.
I agree – the whole lure of a netbook is the lower price. If you're going to spend $1,000, why not just get a laptop? Especially if you need to do real work – the 'soft' screen based keyboard is tolerable on an iphone – I can't even begin to imagine writing documents without a proper keyboard.
It would be a shame if they tie it to a carrier – you'll get a lot of people who won't buy one just because of ATT. (Never mind the thought of a network that can't handle iphone traffic now having to handle full blown network traffic from a tablet)
$799 to $999 is a ridiculous pricepoint. I know that the Apple "premium" has to be charged on it, but it's still way to high. If this thing does ever go on sale, I will be shocked if it's anything over $599.
We just waded through a swamp of incorrect predictions, and they're back at it within a week.
I can't remember a single one of these supplier-based rumors that turned out to be factually accurate. Note that Samsung, which gives the biggest hint about Apple's product direction, leaks nothing. All that flash NAND they're moving and no one forecasted that the iPod touch would double storage capacities.
How many rumors have we also heard about carrier listings and 3rd party cases – iPhone Nano, iPod touch with camera, 3 new iPhone form factors, etc. – that turned out to be incorrect?
Gee, do you think Apple would go to the trouble of leak-testing suppliers by planting information, and then waiting until it gets out to the press?
Oh no! If they partner again with AT&T I won't be buying the Apple tablet, or buying into AT&T's crappy network. I passed on the iPhone as well due to AT&T exclusive. Love my Touch though.