Apple Tablet Coming in 2010

NEW. YORK. May 22. KAZINFORM. Apple may have turned its nose up at the netbook market, but that doesn't mean it's ignoring the void between its $400 iPod touch (32GB) and $1,000 MacBook. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster believes Cupertino will launch a touchscreen tablet, priced in the $500 to $700 range, in the first half of 2010; Kazinform refers to Trend News.

photo: QAZINFORM
Rumors of an iPod-like tablet have been swirling for months, with some speculating that Apple is developing a large-screen iPod touch-say, a 7- to 9-inch touchscreen device-that would be large enough for HD movies and maybe a few desktop-style apps. Such a device would provide a better gaming experience than the iPod touch too, PC World reported. The signs include: Apple's recent interest in chip designers, including the company's acquisition of low-power chipmaker PA Semi a year ago; Apple's efforts to add multi-touch features to its core products, including iPods, iPhones, and Macs; and the quintessentially Apple need to differentiate itself in an established market. (Think iPods, iPhones, Macs, etc.) One thing's for sure: An Apple tablet, subnote, or whatever you want to call it, won't copy the successful-if-unspectacular netbook formula of a shrunken laptop with a cramped keyboard and tiny screen; Kazinform cites Trend News. See www.news-en.trend.az for full version.