Apple Tablet a reality?

Mac 9-5 has reported information that suggests manufacturing deals have already been done, and the product will be focused as an eBook reader.

Digitimes this morning is reporting that Foxconn (aka, Hon Hai Precision) has won the manufacturing contract, rather than Apple’s long-term Mac maker, Quanta.

This figures as Foxconn is also Apple’s iPod/iPhone product manufacturer, and suggests at least that this tablet will be a larger sibling in that side of the Apple family.

(Recall, there have been some claims of two tablets on Apple’s road map, one running OS X, the other running a variant of the OS X Mobile found on iPhones and the iPhone touch).

More info: The Foxconn-fabricated tablet will reach market in the first quarter next year, with initial shipments pegged at 300,000-400,000 per month.

The device will be equipped with a 10.6-inch panel which may come from Innolux Display, not WinTek as has been previously claimed.

Digitimes sources believe marketing of the product will focus on e-book functionality rather than music. The device will offer, “long battery life, quick Internet connectivity and an easy-to-use user interface”, according to the report.

It's believed the tablet is likely to be powered by a PA Semi-tweaked ARM processor. As part of Apple's planning for the product, and Apple has been in talks with newspapers, magazines and book publishers, including the New York Times, McGraw Hill and Oberlin Press.
share on: facebook