Modified OS X for the Win.
Will the iTablet run OS X? Yes. Sort of. Apple claims the iPhone runs OS X, after all, though that device certainly can’t run the same applications you run on your Mac. We think the iTablet will more likely run a souped-up version of the iPhone OS, still centered around multitouch and downloadable apps from the App Store. If the processor architecture is right, it might even run actual iPhone apps. Still, you should expect custom applications that take advantage of the larger screen, along with plenty of interface changes. (Can you imagine a 10-inch screen peppered with tiny iPhone app icons?)
We’d be shocked if the iTablet didn’t include a more full-featured iTunes store built in. In fact, Apple should probably change its name to iStore or iMedia, because “Tunes” is going to be an even less accurate descriptor of a store that already sells music, movies/TV, and applications, especially when you tack on natural iTablet material, like books.
Guts and Glory.
The million-dollar question is what sort of hardware will serve as the guts of the iTablet. Intel’s Atom CPU, while very energy efficient, may still be too battery-draining for Apple. Not to mention the fact that the iPhone’s OS, which the tablet will likely use a variant of, is already well optimized for the ARM architecture. This, plus potential backward compatibility with iPhone/iPod Touch apps, is enough reason for Apple to choose a system-on-chip (SOC) that uses the ARM core and PowerVR-based graphics (all iPhones and iPod Touches employ Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR designs for 3D graphics acceleration). This could be a chip courtesy of Apple-acquired PA Semiconductor or something off the shelf.
The ARM Cortex-A9 multicore CPU seems like a good choice. It’s very similar to the CPU in the iPhone 3GS, only with more cores. Together with the inevitable larger battery, Apple could provide the true multitasking the iPhone lacks. Another great possibility is Nvidia’s Tegra SOC, which pairs an ARM 11 core similar to the one in the original iPhone with very impressive and power-efficient 3D graphics and HD video processing. We’d be disappointed if the iTablet didn’t have more RAM than the iPhone 3GS’s 256MB, but more than 512MB sounds too expensive. For storage, it would have to start at 32GB of flash and go up from there, with a 64GB option for $100 more.
So what does the total picture look like? Basically, a 9- or 10-inch iPhone with an interface and applications customized for a larger screen. Most of the same radio and other hardware features are there, and maybe even some added extras like a mini-HDMI jack and front-facing video camera. The CPU is similar to that of the iPhone 3GS, only more powerful, thanks in part to the larger battery. All this allows for true multitasking. Still, it’s distinctly not just a MacBook minus the keyboard. Whatever the hardware turns out to be, you can bet the real attraction will be new software features and services.
iTablet 1.0
Illustration: Adam Benton
In June 2008, we conceptualized this Mac tablet based on patents Apple filed between 2004 and 2008 ("Inside Apple R&D -- Apple Patents Realized"). We guessed we might see such a device in 2010. We don’t know if we got the look right, but we were pretty right on about the release date, if we do say so ourselves.
lovestar
November 28, 2009 at 4:04pm
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benet
November 10, 2009 at 8:41pm
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willtaylorisawesome
August 28, 2009 at 3:11pm
That model you guys made would defiantly get me to buy it. It should have good disk space and battery too and it should be perfect
SpaceTrucker
August 27, 2009 at 11:02am
I personally would like to see this mature but, with a slide out keyboard much like my Nokia Surge has, okay so give it a "touch screen" as well but, for it to be really worthwhile, it needs to have a real keyboard. Most likely it's going to include a SD card reader, and I look for bluetooth to be included in it and mini USB/Firewire 800 for connectivity/recharging it's batteries, not to mention Mini Display Port. A 120GB+ SSD drive option could be included as well. I agree with 720p resolution, anything less wouldn't be Apple like. What good would it be to have an Apple tablet that can't watch HD resolutions?!? I really wouldn't be surprised to find a full version of OSX 10.6 on it as well, instead of a stripped down "iPhone OS" on it. Wi-Fi b/g/n would be a must have as well as the ability to use it on a 3G network. (4G is too young yet for Steve to jump on it's bandwagon yet...) Okay maybe the iSight/iMic on it as well to one-up the competition with the ability to use it as a phone as well that has iPhone/iTouch's iStore built in and aTV's ability to download HD Movies for viewing/storing on it. Most likely it will use Intel's Atom processor and nVidia's 9500 mobile graphics chips as well, with a battery life of about 8-10 hours, reduced to 1.5 hours if using GPS and/or watching videos.
jfort2
August 21, 2009 at 1:34am
I can't wait to use this for school. The hand writing will be useful during class.
all10s
August 18, 2009 at 6:53am
If I was to buy one I would like an OS that is more like 10.5 soon .6 rather than an OS like the one used on the iphone. I would use it for working and school, quick and easy unit to hand write notes, transfer them my main computer to store. Also I would like it so I can have a program like Corel Painter so I can draw on the run as well
ragdoll_mac
August 18, 2009 at 5:35am
Wouldn't it be cool if the iTablet had a foldable screen so you could use it in a flat configuration as shown in the images, but also fold into a faux netbook with a keyboard on one end and the rotated display on the other? Then we could also close up the iTablet to protect the display when we aren't using it. Here's a link to a Samsung folding OLED screen:http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/cliff-kuang/design-innovation/foldable-display-same-size-double-screen
philnolan3d
August 17, 2009 at 8:40pm
"Apple already owns the market for notebooks costing more than $1,000".
I find this highly unlikely. Maybe more than $3,000.
RobertETH
August 17, 2009 at 7:55pm
...and the battery will last how long? ...and can I exchange a fresh battery when needed?
mwischmann
August 17, 2009 at 6:48pm
There is a typo right before the pic of the tablet. "All rumors point to a 9- to 10-inch screen, which seems perfectly vreasonable."
