Apple working on Mac OS X-based tablet?

updated 07:25 pm EST, Mon February 1, 2010

iPad may get full-power Mac counterpart

Although the iPad has yet to ship, a potentially significant rumor Monday night has Apple already developing a more advanced model. Supposedly corroborated between sources, the new model would be much larger and more likely run software much more like Mac OS X, not iPhone OS. If true, the system would be ready within a year.

The TechCrunch contacts are short on many details, including screen size. However, a particularly large system is less likely due to the nature of the screen. A large screen area would likely need to be strengthened to avoid breaking; it's rumored the iPad was pushed back due to glass issues. A larger screen also brings questions of protection as it may be more prone to cracks or accidental damage.

OS-level multi-touch is equally a concern, as Mac OS X to date only recognizes basic gestures controlled by a trackpad and isn't built for touch. Whether or not Apple introduces this in Mac OS X 10.7 is completely unknown at this stage.

By Electronista Staff

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software, tablet, Apple, iPad, Mac OS X 10.7

Geoduck

Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2010

+12

02/01, 07:33pm | report spam | close reply

At this point

I don't believe it. It wouldn't fit with the rest of their line. I could be wrong but such a vague description with little to back it up aside of wishful thinking is not compelling.

jimmirehman

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2008

02/01, 07:42pm | report spam | (2 replies) close | reply

Makes no sense

If that were true and it got out, then it would potentially hurt iPad sales. If i knew of a OS X version of the tablet was coming out i wouldnt buy an iPad. My concern with iPad is the mobile Safari browser. I would much rather have the Desktop version of safari. There is no way apple would introduce this. they have

iPhone/ipod touch - iPad - Macbooks

Mac Mini - iMac - Mac Pro

where would this pro Tablet fit? no where.

slider

Mac Elite

Joined: Oct 1999

02/01, 08:07pm | report spam | close reply

Actually, it kinda does make sense

First off, +1 on mullum's comment - guess we needed to fill that void - the iPad filled the iPhone void......

It makes sense that Apple would at least have such a project in R&D. If the iPad takes off I can see Apple building on it for more power consuming applications.

Apple has already built and iPad version of the iWork apps, OmniGroup is talking about bringing all of it's applications to the iPad, and it's only been a week. After a year or two there's be thousand of touch interface optimized applications - so just like there's 140,000 apps ready to go for the iPad thanks to the iPhone and iPod Touch........

Damn, is this Apple's evil master plan to finally get us off our addiction to the 40-50 year old keyboard and mouse interface and onto a new direct touch interface? Sound's like a baby-step program ;)

chucker

Joined: Mar 2007

02/01, 08:10pm | report spam | close reply

re: comment title

please lets not have another year of tablet rumours, please

You're kidding - apple rumours are the only thing that makes my life worth living - after all its not like I have the money to actually buy the stuff they make.

Foe Hammer

Joined: Feb 2005

02/01, 08:13pm | report spam | close reply

I Hope So

And for the piece de resistance? Apple names it the iWindow. Because we need a much lengthier example to clearly determine if Ballmer's dancing or having a seizure (while his head explodes.)

chas_m

Moderator

Joined: Aug 2001

02/01, 08:20pm | report spam | close reply

I love the smell of pure BS in the morning!

Smells like ... well smells like bullshit actually.

namenotfound

02/01, 08:29pm | report spam | close reply

iTable?

Think about it! A wide screen end table, replaces your non-interactive, old fashioned boring table which only hold picture books. Watch TV, movies, email, web browsing and most importantly, display full size e-picture books.

dfcster

Joined: Mar 2009

02/01, 09:03pm | report spam | close reply

MacBook Pad

I would definitely go a product placed between MacBook and MacBook Pro:

The MacBook Pad/iPad Pro;
Would sweetly provide me with the tool that I require for my presentational work,
quick out off office edits/for my photography bag,
With Bluetooth2, USB3 and FW S1600... 13" or 15', heck better yet 17",
Aperture Touch, eventually Photoshop Touch... Mnum!

Nice if they partnered a deal with Wacom and produced a pressure sensitive MacBook Pad!

Ultimately the above configuration is the future of laptops/death of laptops,
Why have a fold out when you can have a full sized, semi transparent beveled keyboard,
or for the old skool or those doing a lot of typing the ability to pair a BT Keyboard and Magic Mouse!

The MacBook Pad and MacBook Pad Case is all I need to replace a foldout..
http://images.apple.com/au/ipad/specs/images/case_4_20100127.png
And when in the office a MacBook Pad Dock expansion allowing more USB3, FW S1600 and Mini DisplayPort output port [Da Bomb - Bye Bye MacBooks]
http://images.apple.com/au/ipad/specs/images/ipad_dock_20100127.jpg

PS.: (dfc) Patent 2010 - 2100; all ideas based on the above or a derogative of the above will be a breach of worldwide intellectual property ;)

ADeweyan

Joined: Mar 2004

02/01, 09:06pm | report spam | close reply

I agree...

I'm tired of the tablet rumors. If we've got to have something, can we please revive the rumor about Apple buying Disney instead? Or was it Disney buying Apple...? Oh yeah, it was both.

I admit you can't beat a good hardware rumor, but this one has more drama.

facebook_Jonathan

Via Facebook

Joined: Feb 2010

02/01, 09:10pm | report spam | close reply

It's true.

I've seen the thing and can verify that it's real. Since it's so much larger than the iPad they put it on a stand. They were also worried about people's arms getting tired w/ all the touch stuff so they nixed multitouch for a separate keyboard and mouse. There is even a front-facing camera for video-conferencing. The current codename is iMac. Look out for it.

gplawhorn

02/01, 10:18pm | report spam | close reply

Hardware ain't the issue

The issue with an OSX tablet isn't the hardware, but the OS itself. The iPad is entirely geared toward fingers and gestures; there's no mouse option. This means a complete rewrite of the user interface.

Now, the iPad is certainly a step in that direction, and I believe wholeheartedly that Apple will release a touch-based computer; call it a tablet if you like. But the timeframe is probably more likely to be 2 to 5 years than one, similar to the time span between the release of the iPhone in late June of 2007 and the iPad in late March of 2010 - 21 months.

lamewing

Dedicated MacNNer

Joined: Aug 2004

02/01, 10:43pm | report spam | close reply

Well Axiotron did it

With Apple's permission, Axiotron built the Modbook that is a OSX - based tablet. I would like to see Apple produce a Modbook sized tablet that runs OSX and supports both multitouch and stylus (Wacom) input. In addition it could have actual USB ports unlike iPad.

Probably wishful thinking...but us artists (and those who like to input Japanese Kanji (Win7)) would love such a device. I am sure Apple could make it thinner and lighter than Axiotron's hybrid system.

02/01, 11:12pm | report spam | close reply

Sad, really

you know, I love MacNN, I really do.

But I am disappointed that they would help promote an obviously false story like this.

The entire purpose of this "report" is to hurt sales of the iPad, driving down the stock price.

At some point, MacNN is going to skate a little too close to the legal "shown have known" line.

The Vicar

Joined: Jul 2009

02/02, 01:10am | report spam | close reply

Unlikely.

One of the major differences between the iPhone version of the OS and regular Mac OS X is that the iPhone OS builds its binaries on the machine. (That is, instead of just copying a program file from disk to disk, iPhone OS downloads the program code from the App Store and compiles it.) When it comes down to it, that's the real reason why Apple has the App Store on those products -- it means that they can do whatever they like with the underlying hardware and new programs will still run on all iPhone OS variants. On regular Mac OS X, supporting a new CPU means adding an extra build target to applications, as with PowerPC and Intel, and adding another layer to the fat binary.

Apple could do that quite easily -- but if they did, they would have to alert developers to the impending new CPU series. Otherwise the machine would ship, and none of the existing Mac OS X software beyond the stuff which comes with the OS would run on it. Which would torpedo sales. So if the A4 is going to run regular Mac OS X, it can't happen just yet.

So one of three things must be true:
1) This rumor is just outright false.
2) This rumor is true, but we're so far away from actual release that Apple hasn't even warned developers yet.
3) This rumor is true in substance, but Apple is going to use the Intel Atom (or just a Core2 variant) instead of the A4 on the new machine.

Personally, I'd say #1.

Peter Bonte

02/02, 02:18am | report spam | close reply

Why is this a rumor?

Apple worked on the iPad for over 7 years, seems more than logical that they just keep on working on new projects for the near or far future. A tablet MacBook is a natural fit soon or later, there is more in there labs than this i would think.

facebook_Nq

-9

02/02, 03:33am | report spam | close reply

iPad strategy

With the launch of the iPad tablet, Apple has managed to become the ultimate digital go-between company for high quality and high price content in a small yet very affluent segment of the population ... NQ Logic encourages you to check out why Apple's iPad is the final digital puzzle for their ultimate connected consumer strategy at www.nqlogic.com

02/02, 03:34am | report spam | close reply

spyintheskyuk

Joined: Nov 2009

02/02, 08:16am | report spam | (1 reply) close | reply

Options

I wonder if it would be feasible to build a case not unlike the Apple case but with a slip in/integrated mini keyboard in one cover so that when open you could if required use it like a mini macbook or simply for extensive text input. Might want to lighten it but the available accessory keyboard could with a little adaptation do the job.

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Apple working on Mac OS X-based tablet?

updated 07:25 pm EST, Mon February 1, 2010

iPad may get full-power Mac counterpart

At this point

Makes no sense

comment title

Actually, it kinda does make sense

re: comment title

I Hope So

I love the smell of pure BS in the morning!

iTable?

MacBook Pad

I agree...

It's true.

Hardware ain't the issue

Well Axiotron did it

Sad, really

Unlikely.

Why is this a rumor?

iPad strategy

iPad strategy

iPad strategy

Options

sounds like

There already is one

Login Here

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Apple working on Mac OS X-based tablet?

updated 07:25 pm EST, Mon February 1, 2010

iPad may get full-power Mac counterpart

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At this point

Makes no sense

comment title

Actually, it kinda does make sense

re: comment title

I Hope So

I love the smell of pure BS in the morning!

iTable?

MacBook Pad

I agree...

It's true.

Hardware ain't the issue

Well Axiotron did it

Sad, really

Unlikely.

Why is this a rumor?

iPad strategy

iPad strategy

iPad strategy

Options

sounds like

There already is one

Login Here

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