Apple Netbook/Tablet on the way?
July 14, 2009 by Robin Parrish
Filed under Electronics
It’s the rumor that won’t die.
For almost five years, it’s been believed that Apple is working on a touchscreen tablet PC, thanks to patents filed by the company for just such a device dating back to 2004 and 2005. Rumors had swirled since long before those dates, though, that Steve Jobs was planning to unleash the first Mac Tablet in the near future.
Fast forward to 2009, and in the wake of the iPhone and iPod Touch, which could be considered small scale versions of that same patented device, and we’re still waiting for the iTablet to appear. We now know they have the technology to create a device such as this, and actually make it work. And the recent surge in popularity of netbooks can only be nipping at Apple’s heels. So a combination Tablet/Netbook seems inevitable.
The only question remaining remaining is when.
Over the last few weeks, new rumors have begun to circulate that this coveted device is closer than ever, thanks to an article in the Chinese Times. The article claims that three Taiwanese corporations are already at work manufacturing the components for Apple’s Tablet PC, and that the finished product will ship in October for about $800. This is just hearsay, and should be considered another brick in the rumorwall for now.
But hey… anybody know when the next Apple keynote is?
Image: Robin Parrish.
