The
Apple tablet rumors are at
a fever pitch, yet again. Depending on what you've read, it's all but confirmed that the company's got a January 26th event scheduled at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) in San Francisco, CA. All this, of course, with nary a word or comment from Cupertino HQ, and without the context that this trend has come and gone ad nauseam, both with the tablet and before with the years of lead-up to the iPhone. Here's the latest bit:
MacRumors has dug up information about a Delaware-based company, Slate Computing, LLC, that was founded in November 2006 and owns the trademark "iSlate," the signatory of said trademark being Apple's Senior Trademark Specialist Regina Porter. Given that Apple owns "iSlate" trademark in Europe and that it's allegedly pulled similar stunts with a
"fake" company and the iPhone trademark, sure, we could buy into this being just a dummy corporation... but does it really
confirm an impending tablet that'll be called the "iSlate?" Not at all. We wouldn't be surprised if Apple has done this for numerous other trademarks, either to give itself more options or to prevent others from trying to manufacture products under those names. (Slate Computing, LLC also happens to own the "Magic Slate" trademark, just so you know.) Also bought up in 2006? The domain iSlate.com, which again according to
MacRumors (with help form Mark Gurman of
AppleRejectedMe.com) was apparently and briefly shown to be owned by Apple at some point during 2007. Food for thought, but trust us, you don't want to confuse hearsay for concrete fact.
Which brings us to December 24th, where we see a statistically significant uptick in Apple's stock value. Seeing as the fiscals were released
back in late October along with the last refresh of hardware (
Mac Pro specs notwithstanding), it seems everyone decided to spend their holiday bonuses on some Apple shares. Now, we're not claiming to be professionals here by any stretch of the imagination, but it seems a lot of the activity here can be attributed to the recent flux of rumors. Jason Schwarz of
The Street has an interesting take on it, which if you've got 15 minutes to kill should be worth your time to browse through.
posted December 26th 2009 1:36PM
@jakeZ
should we file your predictions along with Nokia's and Ballmer's boneheaded predictions about the failure of the iPhone? Or do you think you're maybe not as high profile as those guys?
@Wesscoast
Hmm... Did you actually read my comment? I never said anything about this vaporware being a failure. Hell, I even said I might consider purchasing it. Now go back to your apple shrine.
@jakeZ
Insert strawman argument here :
"If it's just a big iphone, I think it will only see mediocre success"
I love taunting you idiots.
There sure is a lot of discussion about a completely non-existent device without even a hint of form factor and specifications to actually get excited about.
Fanboy much?
@Ducman69
the specs are obvious, the interesting part is the design and the software. that's Apple's secret sauce. And for that we have to wait a few weeks. Apple Event Jan 26 pal.
@Wesscoast What are the specifications?
@Ducman69
who cares about specs, its obviously an ipod touch with a bigger screen more suited for reading ebooks.
its the integration with the App Store that's gonna sell this thing.
Look, Charlie! Apple mountain.
People will buy an apple tablet because it will look and feel cool, will play music / video, run skype / gchat, display pictures, and browse the web around the house easily. It'll do the same thing as the Joojoo trainwreck thing or the chumby, but with itunes / app store. Not everyone will buy it of course. Anybody with a reasonable laptop can do this stuff anyway.
Apple sells lifestyle devices. People pay extra for their offerings because they make them feel good; people don't buy Apple products for their inherent utility to cost ratio.
@fylraen - So Apple is offering us a glimpse into an "alternative lifestyle choice" in San Francisco?
@Ducman69
lets just applaud the guy cause he used the word 'inherent' instead of 'inherit' and move on...
Mac Slate unfortunately has a very sad initial. ):
Apple Tablet = Bigger iPod Touch/iPhone = YAWN!
I just want my unicorn...
Oh well, is late is a good enough exuse for me!
(iSlate)