It seems like the groundswell is continuing. The Financial Times is trying its crystal ball out on Apple talking about how the music industry is helping to driving the functionality of the tablet and that Apple is targeting a release in time for Christmas THIS YEAR.
The funny part is the thing about the music industry. I know Apple’s gotta deal with them because of iTunes and the iPod and all but it’s like they’re catering to an old grandmother who keeps yelling at them about how the world’s changed.
Given Apple’s track record, you know they’re probably allowing a lot of the rumors to run so that they can brush aside that bullet point and throw out another five more (it’ll make salads for you!) when Steve Jobs takes the stage in his waterproof black turtle neck (for all the drool).
I’ll tell you this though, don’t be surprised if it’s basically an iTouch (wireless MP3 player with that interactive album system to appease granny) + a MacBook Air (no DVD drive, suckers), that also happens to have a built-in data modem (Verizon OR AT&T after a little exclusivity with Verizon for a billion dollar fee), a Kindle-compatible book and textbook reader, a deal with one or more major textbook publishers to offer up the latest readling lists for 60-70% of the colleges and universities across the country, and an improved version of Newton’s infamous handwriting recognition software that also tells you–through a digital helper a la Microsoft’s also infamous paper clip–how terrible your writing is. Oh, and it’ll include all the motion sensors of the iPhone so you can hold it up and use it as a steering wheel. Maybe I should get a job at Apple and help them make it happen?
Shit, now I want one. Assholes.
out
UPDATE: TechCrunch is reporting that Toshiba’s ramping up to fulfill a flash memory chip order for Apple in time for Fall. Oh noes!
UPDATE UPDATE!!: Barron’s is getting into the fray it looks like. Bouncing around the Web, it seems relatively reliable…
Tags: Apple, Financial Times, Rumors, Tablet