Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sony's John Koller: Apple's entrance into gaming market drives consumers to PSP]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/31/sonys-john-koller-apples-entrance-into-gaming-market-drives-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/31/sonys-john-koller-apples-entrance-into-gaming-market-drives-c/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/31/sonys-john-koller-apples-entrance-into-gaming-market-drives-c/#comments Um, okay? Just days after Apple introduced its exceedingly underwhelming iPad while simultaneously attempting to convince that masses that said product was the portable gaming device they had been waiting their whole lives for, Sony's own hardware marketing honcho has come forward and extolled Cupertino's decision to finally make the gaming leap. In a recent interview, John stated the following:
"Apple's entrance into the portable gaming space has been a net positive for Sony. When people want a deeper, richer console, they start playing on a PSP."
While we can't seem to shake the suspicion that Mr. Koller is drawing links that probably don't exist (at least fully) in reality, research firm NPD does show that sales of the PSP have "nearly tripled since the iPhone went on sale in June 2007." Of course, it's not like the PSP has gained functionality, become the home of more than a few killer titles and spawned a UMD-less sibling since the heydays of '07, but hey -- who are we to question the suit?

Sony's John Koller: Apple's entrance into gaming market drives consumers to PSP originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appleapple tabletAppleTabletgaminghandheldhandheld gamingHandheldGamingipadislateJohn KollerJohnKollerplaystationplaystation portablePlaystationPortablepspScott ForstallScottForstallsonySun, 31 Jan 2010 15:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's iPad keyboard dock, case and other accessories get the hands-on treatment]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/28/apples-ipad-keyboard-dock-case-and-other-accessories-get-hands/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/28/apples-ipad-keyboard-dock-case-and-other-accessories-get-hands/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/28/apples-ipad-keyboard-dock-case-and-other-accessories-get-hands/#comments
 Apple didn't give us a great amount of time with its newly unveiled iPad today, and as you've likely seen, we spent the bulk of our allotment touching the unit itself. Lost in the proverbial shuffle were a number of the unit's launch accessories, including the admittedly intriguing keyboard dock ($69), case ($39), iPad Dock Connector to VGA adapter ($29) and camera connection kit ($29). Each of these doodads seem to look and feel exactly as you'd expect 'em to, though we're still baffled by Apple's decision to make you pay extra for access to the world's most widely accepted connector. We're also somewhat appalled (but not surprised) by the $39 price tag purportedly attached to the stripped-down case, and while the $69 MSRP on the keyboard dock is apt to cause some grumbling, at least there are a few iPad-specific keys on there to make it (marginally) worth your while. Dig in below for more on each.

Read - iPad keyboard dock hands-on
Read - iPad case hands-on
Read - iPad Dock Connector to VGA adapter hands-on
Read - iPad camera connection kit hands-on

Apple's iPad keyboard dock, case and other accessories get the hands-on treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesaccessoryAppleapple tabletAppleTabletcameracamera connection kitcamera connectorCameraConnectionKitCameraConnectorcasedockdock connectorDockConnectordonglehands-onipadipad accessoriesipad accessoryipad caseiPad keyboardiPad keyboard dockIpadAccessoriesIpadAccessoryIpadCaseIpadKeyboardIpadKeyboardDockislatekeyboardkitslatetabletusbThu, 28 Jan 2010 00:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple iPad first hands-on! (update: video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-first-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-first-hands-on/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/apple-ipad-first-hands-on/#comments Here it is folks, the Apple iPad. The screen is gorgeous, tilting is responsive, and the thing is super thin. Still, if you've used the iPhone before -- and you can see the two devices side-by-side here -- there's not a lot of surprises here so far. Here are some initial thoughts on the iPad:
  • It's not light. It feels pretty weighty in your hand.
  • The screen is stunning, and it's 1024 x 768. Feels just like a huge iPhone in your hands.
  • The speed of the CPU is something to be marveled at. It is blazingly fast from what we can tell. Webpages loaded up super fast, and scrolling was without a hiccup. Moving into and out of apps was a breeze. Everything flew.
  • There's no multitasking at all. It's a real disappointment. All this power and very little you can do with it at once. No multitasking means no streaming Pandora when you're working in Pages... you can figure it out. It's a real setback for this device.
  • The ebook implementation is about as close as you can get to reading without a stack of bound paper in your hand. The visual stuff really helps flesh out the experience. It may be just for show, but it counts here.
  • No camera. None, nada. Zip. No video conferencing here folks. Hell, it doesn't have an SMS app!
  • It's running iPhone OS 3.2.
  • The keyboard is good, not great. Not quite as responsive as it looked in the demos.
  • No Flash confirmed. So Hulu is out for you, folks!
Update: We've got video, head after the break to check it out!

Gallery: Apple iPad hands-on


Gallery: Apple iPad hands-on, part 2

Continue reading Apple iPad first hands-on! (update: video!)

Apple iPad first hands-on! (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple eventapple ipadAppleEventAppleIpadeventhands onhands-onHandsOnipadislateitabletlatest creationLatestCreationtabletWed, 27 Jan 2010 16:48:00 EST<![CDATA[The Apple iPad: starting at $499]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/the-apple-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/the-apple-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/the-apple-ipad/#comments After nearly a decade of rumors and speculation, Apple's finally unveiled the iPad. It's a half-inch thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds, with a 9.7-inch capacitive touchscreen IPS LCD display, and it's running a custom 1GHz Apple "A4" chip developed by the P.A. Semi team, with a 10-hour battery life and a month of standby. It'll come in 16, 32, and 64GB sizes, and it's got the expected connectivity: very little. There's a 30-pin Dock connector, a speaker, a microphone, Bluetooth, 802.11n WiFi and optional 3G, as well as an accelerometer and a compass. There's also a keyboard dock, which connects underneath in the portrait orientation, support for up to 1024x768 VGA out and 480p composite out through new dock adapter cables, and a camera attachment kit that lets you import photos from your camera over USB or directly through an SD reader. The device is managed by iTunes, just like the iPhone -- you sync everything over to your Mac. As expected, it can run iPhone apps -- either pixel-for-pixel in a window, or pixel-doubled fullscreen -- but developers can also target the new screen size using the updated iPhone OS SDK, which is available today. The 3G version runs on AT&T and comes with new data plans: 250MB for $14.99 and an unlimited plan for $29.99 a month contract-free. Activations are handled on the iPad, so you can activate and cancel whenever you want. Every iPad is unlocked and comes with a GSM "micro-SIM," so you can use it abroad, but there aren't any international deals in place right now -- Steve says they'll be back "this summer" with news on that front.

It starts at $499 for 16GB, 32GB for $599, and $699 64GB. Adding 3G costs a $130 per model, so the most expensive model (64GB / 3G) is $829. The WiFi-only model will ship in 60 days, and the 3G models will come in 90.

Hey, check out our first hands-on right here, and here's all our additional coverage:

 Live from the Apple 'latest creation' event
iPad powered by custom 1GHz Apple A4 chip
iPad can run all iPhone apps unmodified, new iPhone SDK out today lets developers tweak apps for iPad use
Apple's iPad keeping Adobe Flash away from your couch
Apple reveals iBookstore and app for the iPad
Apple announces iWork for iPad
Apple iPad 3G service plans on AT&T, $30 for unlimited data
iPad has optional keyboard dock, camera connection kit and Apple-designed case
iPad vs. iPhone... fight!
Apple iPad first hands-on!
iPad vs. iPhone: what does 3G cost you?

Gallery: The Apple iPad


Gallery: The Apple iPad introduction


Gallery: Apple iPad accessories

Continue reading The Apple iPad: starting at $499

The Apple iPad: starting at $499 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple eventapple ipadapple tabletAppleEventappleipadAppleTabletbreaking newsBreakingNewseventipadislateitabletlatestcreationspecial eventSpecialEventtabletWed, 27 Jan 2010 14:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Live from the Apple 'latest creation' event]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/live-from-the-apple-tablet-latest-creation-event/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/live-from-the-apple-tablet-latest-creation-event/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/live-from-the-apple-tablet-latest-creation-event/#comments
Will the Apple tablet finally, really be unveiled? We're at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco (see above) patiently waiting to get inside and get this thing underway! Keep reading after the break for the minute by minute coverage!

Continue reading Live from the Apple 'latest creation' event

Live from the Apple 'latest creation' event originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadapple islateapple itabletapple slateAppleIpadAppleIslateAppleItabletAppleSlateAppleTabletipadislateitabletlatest creationLatestCreationliveblognewtonsteve jobsSteveJobsWed, 27 Jan 2010 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Our live coverage of the Apple 'latest creation' event starts tomorrow at 10:00AM PT / 1:00PM ET]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/our-live-coverage-of-the-apple-tablet-latest-creation-event-starts-tomorrow/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/our-live-coverage-of-the-apple-tablet-latest-creation-event-starts-tomorrow/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/our-live-coverage-of-the-apple-tablet-latest-creation-event-starts-tomorrow/#commentsapple tablet, islate, tablet, apple event, latest creation Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Apple is supposedly set to introduce a tablet device (AKA the Apple Tablet, iSlate, etc.) at its latest event that will change the lives of every man, woman, and child on the planet. Sure, it could just be a fresh version of iLife and an 8GB iPhone 3GS, but we kinda doubt that. If you know what's best for you, you'll tune in for our minute-by-minute, live coverage of the event. There won't be a better seat in the house... well, except for wherever Steve Jobs is sitting.

The show gets going on Wednesday, January 27th at 10AM PT.

You can follow updates on Twitter or Facebook as well.

Here's the URL where you should park your browser, and below are starting times around the globe:

08:00AM - Hawaii
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow
03:00AM - Tokyo (January 28th)

Our live coverage of the Apple 'latest creation' event starts tomorrow at 10:00AM PT / 1:00PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple eventapple tabletAppleEventAppleTableteventipadislateitabletlatest creationLatestCreationsteve jobsSteveJobsTue, 26 Jan 2010 22:20:00 EST<![CDATA[McGraw-Hill's CEO confirms Apple tablet, debuting tomorrow]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/mcgraw-hills-ceo-confirms-apple-tablet-debuting-tomorrow/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/mcgraw-hills-ceo-confirms-apple-tablet-debuting-tomorrow/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/mcgraw-hills-ceo-confirms-apple-tablet-debuting-tomorrow/#comments Color us (not) surprised, but Apple is definitely launching a tablet tomorrow. At least, according to the CEO of one of the planet's most noted book publishers. In a recent interview on CNBC, Terry McGraw (head honcho of McGraw-Hill, naturally), very openly admitted that books from his company would be coming to an Apple tablet "tomorrow," and he also confirmed that his company has "worked with Apple for quite awhile." As he dug the hole deeper, we also learned that the "tablet will be based on the iPhone operating system," and he noted that said books would be "transferable." We're assuming an updated iPhone OS is also in the works, one that presumably supports textbooks in the way that the mythical tablet might. Obviously we're not taking any of this as gospel until Stevie J confirms or denies it on stage tomorrow -- for all we know, Mr. McGraw may have just seen something speculative -- but it's not too often you see a CEO blow this much pointed smoke. Peek the full quote after the break along with the interview clip.

Continue reading McGraw-Hill's CEO confirms Apple tablet, debuting tomorrow

McGraw-Hill's CEO confirms Apple tablet, debuting tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple slateapple tabletAppleSlateAppleTabletbreaking newsBreakingNewsipadislateleakMcGraw-HillrumorslatetabletTue, 26 Jan 2010 17:16:00 EST<![CDATA[The Apple Tablet: a complete history, supposedly]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/the-apple-tablet-a-complete-history-supposedly/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/the-apple-tablet-a-complete-history-supposedly/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/the-apple-tablet-a-complete-history-supposedly/#comments It's no secret to us (or our readers) that Apple's products tend to generate what some might consider insane amounts of interest for weeks, months, and even years before they're launched or even announced. Whether you love the company or hate its guts, you can't deny that Apple is particularly prone to being fodder for the rumor mill. It comes in all forms: leaked photos (be they real, fake, or merely imaginative fan creations), analyst speculation based on "what if" scenarios for investors, "insider" reports from Asian supply chains, and a fair amount of conjecture via the press, both mainstream and blog alike. Here at Engadget, we've always been pretty proud of our ability to decode fact from fiction, and we try not to add too much noise to the echo chamber in which the gadget world seems to sometimes live. That said, we do cover plenty of rumors -- and the Apple Tablet (in its many rumored form factors) may just be the biggest and most twisted of them all.

Apple's been kicking around the idea of a tablet since at least... oh, 1983. From real, physical prototypes to out-there ideas such as the Knowledge Navigator -- the company (who did not, alas, invent the idea of a tablet PC) has, somewhat unsurprisingly, seen fit to investigate the possibility for almost as long as it's been around. For one reason or another, though, they've never actually produced a device which saw the light of retail day (well, besides the Newton). Perhaps that's part of the fascination that Apple fans have with the product -- it's been rumored so long, and seemed on the verge of actual arrival so many times that it's become a Holy Grail of sorts for the tech community.

Evidence that any tablet actually existed or would come to retail, however, has always been slim at best. In the entire lifespan of Engadget, not one viable photo of a real-looking prototype has ever emerged, and not one source within Apple itself has ever really hinted that it was at work on such a product. Oh sure, there have been dozens -- possibly hundreds -- of people "familiar with the matter," but almost no one who would or could go on record to talk about the tablet, and in the end, it's always seemed like a non-starter. The Apple Tablet rumor started in earnest around 2002 -- before Engadget was even around. By the time we arrived to the party, the idea that Apple might be working on a tablet or slate PC was pretty firmly entrenched into the psyche of the avid gadget geek, but again, perilously little evidence existed to support the idea, or shall we say... the hope?

And here we are, in January of 2010, on the verge of yet another expiration date for the rumored launch of an Apple Tablet (though let's be honest -- this thing is starting to feel pretty real). We thought now might be as good a time as any to take a look back -- back through the rumor timeline of one of the gadget world's longest-standing, and seemingly best-loved unicorns. Join us for the ride, won't you?

Continue reading The Apple Tablet: a complete history, supposedly

The Apple Tablet: a complete history, supposedly originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeappleapple eventapple islateapple itabletapple rumorapple rumorsAppleEventAppleIslateAppleItabletAppleRumorAppleRumorsappletabletAppStorecanvas bagCanvasBageventipadislateislate.comitablet t221ItabletT221jonathan iveJonathanIvelatest creationLatestCreationnewton peripheralsNewtonPeripheralsrumorrumorsslateslate pcSlatePcspeculationsteve jobsSteveJobstablettablet pcTabletPcTue, 26 Jan 2010 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple rumor roundup: 'the day before' edition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/apple-rumor-roundup-the-day-before-edition/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/apple-rumor-roundup-the-day-before-edition/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/apple-rumor-roundup-the-day-before-edition/#comments We'll just come right out and say it: we couldn't possibly be happier to see that January 27, 2010 is tomorrow. Shortly after 10AM on the left coast, Stevie J himself will finally put a hush to the rumors that have been swirling constantly over the past fortnight or so (and we'll be there live to cover it). Till then, however, we've got one more round of scuttlebutt to serve up. Kicking things off is a New York Times report that explains in some level of detail what exactly the supposed Apple tablet will feature in terms of specifications. To quote: "It will run all the applications of the iPhone and iPod Touch, have a persistent wireless connection over 3G cellphone networks and Wi-Fi, and will be built with a 10-inch color display, allowing newspapers, magazines and book publishers to deliver their products with an eye to the design that had grabbed readers in print." We shall see.

Moving on, we've got even more whispers that publishers -- with the NYT mentioned specifically -- around the globe have been getting wind of this thing as the suits in Cupertino attempt to nail down content deals. Broadcast Engineering even has a piece that straight-up states that Apple was "was in New York City last week showing the tablet to media companies as a new way to sell books, newspapers and other reading material through its iTunes online store." Still not convinced? NetbookNews has an apparently ongoing article about the authenticity / non-authenticity of a Media Markt tweet that "accidentally" leaked a supposed €899 price point for the device, while Hot Hardware switches things up and reports that AT&T will lose its iPhone exclusivity during tomorrow's event. Oh, and the very first hands-on review of the Apple tablet is also live (courtesy of Mosspuppet), while yet another hotly contested image has arisen to perch atop these very words. Phew.

Apple rumor roundup: 'the day before' edition originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple tabletapple tablet rumorAppleTabletAppleTabletRumorcreativeipadiphoneiphone 3giphone 3gsIphone3gIphone3gsislatelatest creationLatestCreationmacos xOsXrumorrumor roundupRumorRoundupslateslate pcSlatePctablettablet pcTabletPcverizonTue, 26 Jan 2010 09:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple iTablet: the obvious name? (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/apple-itablet-the-obvious-name/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/apple-itablet-the-obvious-name/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/26/apple-itablet-the-obvious-name/#comments With all the recent talk about the iSlate, iPad, iSlab, whatever... doesn't it seem like the obvious candidate for the name of Apple's rumored tablet computer is being completely overlooked? Like Apple's first phone that later came to be called the iPhone, isn't the most obvious name for an Apple tablet the iTablet? To support the theory we decided to share the above image that we received from a trusted source and believe to be authentic. It's a picture taken of an Apple Store employee's corporate email after receiving information about the time and place of Wednesday's Apple event. While the content of the email wasn't very enlightening, note the word used in the filename of the second attachment: "itablet." Now this doesn't prove a thing. The administrative assistant who sent the mass email could have been using "itablet' much in the same way that we've been using the term for years as a generic placeholder for the rumored device. Then again, maybe we should heed the wisdom of Occam's Razor when speculating about Apple's naming preference for a 10-inch tablet computer?

P.S. Amtek currently holds the US trademark (and itablet.com domain) for "iTablet" and continues to sell products under that name as it has for years. Not that a silly thing like trademark ownership could stop Apple from announcing its iPhone at a time when Cisco owned the rights.

Update: Looks like the attached image name above, while authentic, likely originated in a post from Pocket-lint (look at the properties). For what it's worth, the invite image we received was embedded with a name "top.jpg." Regardless, this is probably not Apple revealing its product name in a sloppy pre-event slip-up. [Thanks, MarkNewby]

Apple iTablet: the obvious name? (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple storeAppleStoreexclusiveipadislateitabletrumorspeculationtabletTue, 26 Jan 2010 04:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Our live coverage of the Apple 'latest creation' event starts Wednesday, January 27th]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/our-live-coverage-of-the-apple-tablet-latest-creation-event-starts-wednesday/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/our-live-coverage-of-the-apple-tablet-latest-creation-event-starts-wednesday/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/our-live-coverage-of-the-apple-tablet-latest-creation-event-starts-wednesday/#commentsapple tablet, islate, tablet, apple event, latest creation Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Apple is supposedly set to introduce a tablet device (AKA the Apple Tablet, iSlate, etc.) at its latest event that will change the lives of every man, woman, and child on the planet. Sure, it could just be a fresh version of iLife and an 8GB iPhone 3GS, but we kinda doubt that. If you know what's best for you, you'll tune in for our minute-by-minute, live coverage of the event. There won't be a better seat in the house... well, except for wherever Steve Jobs is sitting.

The show gets going on Wednesday, January 27th at 10AM PT.

Here's the URL where you should park your browser, and below are starting times around the globe:

08:00AM - Hawaii
10:00AM - Pacific
11:00AM - Mountain
12:00PM - Central
01:00PM - Eastern
06:00PM - London
07:00PM - Paris
09:00PM - Moscow
03:00AM - Tokyo (January 28th)

Our live coverage of the Apple 'latest creation' event starts Wednesday, January 27th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple eventapple tabletAppleEventAppleTabletipadislateitabletsteve jobsSteveJobsMon, 25 Jan 2010 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple Tablet rumor roundup: publishers and carriers edition]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/22/apple-tablet-rumor-roundup-publishers-and-carriers-edition/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/22/apple-tablet-rumor-roundup-publishers-and-carriers-edition/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/22/apple-tablet-rumor-roundup-publishers-and-carriers-edition/#comments This day simply wouldn't be a day between January 18, 2010 and January 27, 2010 without a new gaggle of Apple Tablet rumors to sift through, and while we're gritting our teeth as we skim every word, we've the latest and greatest most far-fetched rounded up here for your perusal.

The rumor: The Apple Tablet will "strike a familiar chord with owners of the original iPhone, with similarities in industrial design trickling all the way down to the handset's button and connectivity components."
Our take: Honestly, we can believe this one. Apple has had a great deal of success with the iPhone, and we've already seen the "tablet PC" as it's known today take a nosedive. Apple Insider is saying that the device may look a lot like a "first-generation iPhone that's met its match with a rolling pin," and while we've obviously no inside way to confirm nor deny, we can get why Apple would stick close to a design that it knows will work. Oh, and be sure to peek two more clearly fake mockups after the break.

The rumor: New York Times Arthur Sulzberger, Jr. won't be at Apple keynote next week.
Our take: So? Just because the head honcho from The Times is planning to be in Davos, Switzerland next week while Apple unveils its tablet doesn't mean that Jobs can't showcase the device's ability to video chat across oceans in front of the masses... if Apple even has a deal with any publisher. If Apple really is reaching out to publishers for content deals, you can bet your bottom dollar the NYT is listening. And be honest -- if you had the option of being in Davos or some convention center in San Francisco, which would you pick?

More after the break... if you dare.

Continue reading Apple Tablet rumor roundup: publishers and carriers edition

Apple Tablet rumor roundup: publishers and carriers edition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleApple tabletAppleTabletattbooksdesigne book readere readere-booke-book readerE-bookReadere-readerEBookReaderEReaderipadiphoneislateMcGraw-Hillpublisherrumorrumor roundupRumorRoundupslatetablettimesverizonFri, 22 Jan 2010 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple rumor roundup: pipe dreams, Lala's role and Verizon's iPhone 4G]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/21/apple-rumor-roundup-pipe-dreams-cloud-storage-and-verizons-ip/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/21/apple-rumor-roundup-pipe-dreams-cloud-storage-and-verizons-ip/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/21/apple-rumor-roundup-pipe-dreams-cloud-storage-and-verizons-ip/#commentsIn case you haven't noticed, things are getting out of hand in the world of Apple rumors. Frankly, it's all we can do to read another one and trudge onward, but hey -- we've no problem with folks putting their reputations on the line here. Let's dig in to the latest pair, shall we?

The rumor: Apple's acquisition of Lala will actually lead to customers having access to an "online locker" for multimedia. This could be a cloud storage location for one's iTunes library, enabling them to have access to their jams and vids even when away from their at-home storage. The trick is that the cloud would only hold the metadata, and streaming would originate from somewhere else on Apple's end.
Our take: Okay, so we want to believe. Just imagine if your next Apple tablet or iPhone knew exactly what songs you owned in iTunes, and at a moment's notice, you could tap into the iTunes store and stream full, unedited versions of those songs from anywhere. Amazing, no? Problem is, the bulk of iTunes libraries aren't made up of content that was purchased in iTunes (or purchased at all). It seems that the best Apple could do would be to negotiate streaming deals for content you've actually purchased within iTunes, which results in a half-baked user experience. Last we checked, Stevie J wasn't much on half-baked user experiences.

The rumor: Astoundingly, the mythical Apple tablet won't be the company's "one more thing" next week; instead, it'll be a refreshed iPhone... that works on Verizon Wireless. Oh, and iPhone OS 4.0. So says Canaccord Adams analyst Peter Misek, anyway.
Our take: Ha! Apple has never been one to showcase too much at one time, and we're guessing that the outfit would be smart enough to withhold a new iPhone introduction for a separate press event. We don't doubt that a Verizon iPhone is in the works (though an LTE version will be at least a year or two out), but there's no way Jobs steals the tablet's thunder by giving every rabid iPhone user hot sweats when considering the switch to Big Red. Bottom line? Don't bank on it.

At this point, we reckon everyone would be best served by taking a huge step back, a deep breath and one of those so-called "chill pills." Next Wednesday ain't so far away, now is it?

Apple rumor roundup: pipe dreams, Lala's role and Verizon's iPhone 4G originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleApple Tablet leaked photoAppleTabletLeakedPhotocloudcloud storageCloudStorageIpAddressiphoneiphone 4gIphone4gislatelalamacbookrumorrumor roundupRumorRoundupslatestoragetablettablet pcsTabletPcsverizonThu, 21 Jan 2010 10:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Analysts debate P.A. Semi's role in forthcoming Apple wares]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/20/analysts-debate-pa-semis-role-in-forthcoming-apple-wares/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/20/analysts-debate-pa-semis-role-in-forthcoming-apple-wares/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/20/analysts-debate-pa-semis-role-in-forthcoming-apple-wares/#commentsIt's easy to forget that Apple snapped up P.A. Semi for a song way back when, but now that we're just days, hours and seconds away from Apple's expected tablet reveal, a new wave of processor-related conjecture is hitting the fan. Richard Doherty, director of technology consulting firm Envisioneering Group, has come forward with some exceedingly detailed rumors on said tablet, a touchscreen MacBook and an OS X-based unicorn that lives in the cloud. As the story goes, Apple's pickup of P.A. Semi was primarily an effort to acquire a huge pool of engineering talent to use for its own internal designs, and now Doherty is saying that "before the year is out, Apple will have the most powerful, lowest-cost SoC in the industry." According to him, there's nothing from "ARM licensees or Intel that could challenge the power-per-watt, the power-per-buck, the power-per-cubic-millimeter of size," and he anticipates that four new products are in the pipeline from Cupertino. Need details? How's about a touchscreen iMac, an "iPod touch on steroids" with a 5-inch display, and "two different versions of media pads in the 7- to 9-inch (screen size) area." Alright Dick, you just put your reputation on the line -- here's hoping you've got your story straight.

Update: Looks like UBS Investment Research has been hearing something similar. According to it, the forthcoming tablet "will be powered by a processor designed by P.A. Semi and built by Samsung."

Analysts debate P.A. Semi's role in forthcoming Apple wares originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystappleapple tabletAppleTabletarmchipcpuEnvisioneering GroupEnvisioneeringGroupHon HaiHonHaiipodipod touchIpodTouchislatemacpa semiPaSemiprocessorRichard DohertyRichardDohertyrumorsamsungtablettablet pcTabletPcWed, 20 Jan 2010 09:19:00 EST<![CDATA[3D UI patent snapped up by Apple in 2008: could be bases-covering, could be life-changing]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/3d-ui-patent-snapped-up-by-apple-in-2008-could-be-bases-coverin/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/3d-ui-patent-snapped-up-by-apple-in-2008-could-be-bases-coverin/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/3d-ui-patent-snapped-up-by-apple-in-2008-could-be-bases-coverin/#comments We've seen this done badly so many time that it's hard to imagine anyone so self serious as Apple taking a crack at it (even if they've already done so in the desktop space), but for whatever reason the company picked up this 3D UI patent back in 2008 under the guise of a few French employees. The patent was just released in December, and describes in some detail a method of zooming around in 3D using multitouch. Of course, this picture seems to imply that it's for jumping through some representative icons on a 3D plane, but the patent seems more concerned with the core mechanics of using multiple fingers at once to get around in 3D space and manipulate 3D objects -- and then going to great lengths to cover Apple's back in regards to multitouch, capacitive touch, and "multifunction" devices. So, this could be something we see in "the tablet," the next iPhone or even never, but at least we can rest assured that pinch to zoom won't be the only multitouch game in town forever.

3D UI patent snapped up by Apple in 2008: could be bases-covering, could be life-changing originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3d3d gestures3d multitouch3d ui3dGestures3dMultitouch3dUiapplegesturegesturesiphoneislateitabletmultitouchtabletTue, 05 Jan 2010 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA['Major' Apple announcement coming January 27th, devs already working with beta SDK (update: shipping in March)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/04/major-apple-announcement-coming-january-27th-devs-already-wor/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/04/major-apple-announcement-coming-january-27th-devs-already-wor/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/04/major-apple-announcement-coming-january-27th-devs-already-wor/#comments According John Paczkowski over at All Things D, Apple is planning a "major product announcement" for Wednesday, January 27th -- not the 26th as we've heard in previous reports. Additionally, the French site Mac4Ever says developers have been given a beta of the iPhone OS 4 SDK which includes a "simulator" for reformatting / scaling applications to a new, tablet-sized screens. Here at Engadget, we can confirm that sources very familiar with the situation over in Cupertino have been given info about a tablet heading for launch at the end of January, which will -- in fact -- require reformatting and resizing for (we assume)... yep, its new screen size and resolution. As far as details, they're pretty scarce right now, but you can probably begin preliminary salivating and / or player hatin' as it relates to new Apple hardware. We'll have more info as it becomes available, but for now, stay tuned.

Update: The Wall Street Journal just added its support for the rumor by saying that Apple will unveil its "new multimedia tablet device later this month" with a "10- to 11-inch touch screen" with plans to ship it in March. The WSJ's sources claim that Apple believes it can "redefine the way consumers interact with a variety of content" as we've been hearing all along. [Thanks, David]

'Major' Apple announcement coming January 27th, devs already working with beta SDK (update: shipping in March) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appleapple eventapple tabletAppleEventAppleTabletiGuideislateitabletrumorspeculationtabletMon, 04 Jan 2010 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple tablet rumor party: Fox News, former Google China president, and the 'iGuide' (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/30/apple-tablet-rumor-party-fox-news-former-google-china-presiden/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/30/apple-tablet-rumor-party-fox-news-former-google-china-presiden/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/30/apple-tablet-rumor-party-fox-news-former-google-china-presiden/#comments No words can stress how much we're sick of Apple 'iSlate' rumors right now, but when someone with powerful links speaks up, we gotta take note. Kai-fu Lee -- former Google China president -- has joined the Apple rumor mill by leaking what he claims to be insider knowledge of the device. Now, we've heard a lot of this same noise before: sub-$1000 price, an iPhone-like appearance, 10.1-inch multitouch screen, video conferencing, cellular connectivity, 3D graphics and virtual keyboard. What really got our attention is Lee's link with Foxconn -- the Apple OEM is one of the main contributors to Lee's post-Google investment venture, Innovation Works, so there's a good chance that Lee's spoken to someone overlooking the manufacturing of a certain Apple device. Of course, we can't abide Lee's final proclamation that "Apple expects to produce near ten million units in the first year!" This is pretty bold considering Apple's only sold five million portable computers so far this year (and ten million was the number of iPods sold in Q3 2009 alone), but hey, who knows if Steve Jobs has already worked out a subsidizing plan with some carriers to lure us all?

Continue reading Apple tablet rumor party: Fox News, former Google China president, and the 'iGuide' (updated)

Apple tablet rumor party: Fox News, former Google China president, and the 'iGuide' (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple islateapple tabletAppleIslatefox newsfoxconnFoxNewsiguideiguide mediaIguideMediaislatekai-fu leeKai-fuLeemac tabletMacTabletrounduprumorspeculationtablettablet rumorsTabletRumorsTrademarkWed, 30 Dec 2009 20:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Entelligence: iSlate or just uWish?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/entelligence-islate-or-just-uwish/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/entelligence-islate-or-just-uwish/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/entelligence-islate-or-just-uwish/#commentsEntelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.
Harry McCracken has a great post on Technologizer reviewing the tremendous buzz around the iPhone right before it launched -- it was about three years ago at this time that rumors were swirling around Apple getting into the phone market. All sorts of predictions had been made for years, dating back to a 2002 New York Times piece in which John Markoff said "Mr. Jobs means to take Apple back to the land of the handhelds, but this time with a device that would combine elements of a cellphone and a Palm -like personal digital assistant." Of course, it took until 2007 for Apple to announce the iPhone and nearly six months longer for Apple to actually ship it.

The rumors of Apple doing a phone back then were at about the same fever pitch of the recent Apple tablet rumors. Like the iPhone, the tablet rumors aren't at all new -- in this case we can go back to 2003 for some of the earliest stories about this mythical device. Will Apple introduce a tablet in 2010, as some predict? Will there be in an introduction in January? What features might it have, and how could it be sold and positioned? I'm not going to speculate on those things for two reasons: first, if I don't know, my guess is as good as yours -- and second, if I do know, I probably couldn't tell you anything, could I? Having said that, I find it remarkable that the latest tablet buzz so closely echoes the run-up to the iPhone. Call it déjà vu all over again.

Continue reading Entelligence: iSlate or just uWish?

Entelligence: iSlate or just uWish? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple tabletAppleTabletcolumncolumnsentelligencefeaturedfeaturesislaterumorrumorstabletMon, 28 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple tablet terrorized by component rumors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/apple-tablet-terrorized-by-component-rumors/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/apple-tablet-terrorized-by-component-rumors/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/28/apple-tablet-terrorized-by-component-rumors/#comments Took some time off for the holidays, did you? Well, things haven't changed much since you've been gone. The world is still afraid of terrorists and Apple's still rumored to be working on a tablet. Regarding the latter, two rumors have coalesced this morning from component suppliers. First, Taiwan's Economic Daily is reporting via the Wall Street Journal that Cheng Uei Precision has landed "connector" orders for a "new flat-panel Apple Tablet PC" expected to begin shipping in Q3. Then DigiTimes piles on with its claims that Innolux (not WinTek) will be the initial supplier of 10-inch glass "touch panels" for Apple's new tablet. DigiTimes then muddles things by claiming that the tablet will begin mass shipments (presumably to consumers) in March or April based on its analysis of shipping schedules from Apple's upstream component suppliers. One thing's for sure: if Apple does ever announce an iSlate or whatever they decide to call it, you won't be using it during the last hour of your flight into the US.

Apple tablet terrorized by component rumors originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10-inchappleCheng Uei PrecisionChengUeiPrecisioninnoluxislateitabletrumortabletMon, 28 Dec 2009 03:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple's 'iSlate' and other rumors that have given its stock a holiday boost]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/26/apples-islate-and-other-rumors-that-have-given-its-stock-a-ho/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/26/apples-islate-and-other-rumors-that-have-given-its-stock-a-ho/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/26/apples-islate-and-other-rumors-that-have-given-its-stock-a-ho/#comments 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.

Apple's 'iSlate' and other rumors that have given its stock a holiday boost originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplappleapple tabletAppleTableti slateISlatenasdaqrumorrumorssharesslateslate computingSlateComputingstocktabletSat, 26 Dec 2009 13:36:00 EST