Apple Expected To Unveil Tablet Soon
Apple has announced that it is set to unveil its newest gadget later this month – which is expected to be its much anticipated tablet computer, reported AFP.
A cryptic email invitation was sent to journalists from Apple saying, "Please join Apple on January 27 for a Special Event." It also welcomed them to, "Come see our latest creation."
The company famous for the wildly popular iPod and iPhone did not divulge any other details about the invitation-only event to be held at 10:00 am Pacific time at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco.
In September, Apple used the same venue for an iPod event featuring the first public appearance by CEO Steve Jobs after leaving the scene for almost six months to undergo a liver transplant.
There have been rumors circulating for months that Apple is planning the release of a touchscreen tablet computer that looks much like an oversized iPod Touch.
"Watch (Apple) shares drop 10 percent if it is not the anticipated tablet computer and 15 percent if Steve Jobs is not there with the tablet in his hand," wrote analyst Douglas McIntyre on 247WallSt.Com.
The Wall Street Journal wrote that the color multimedia device will enable users to surf the Web, listen to music, watch movies or television shows, while also serving as an electronic book and newspaper reader.
The Journal said the Apple tablet will have a 10- to 11-inch (25.4- to 27.9-centimeter) screen and may begin to ship in March.
However, Apple has declined to comment on products before their release, and so the rumors have spread like wildfire through technology blogs, fueling interest.
The rumors have spurred other companies, including computer giant Hewlett-Packard, to show a similar gadget at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month.
Microsoft chief executive also gave consumers a peek at its HP “slate” computer during the annual gadget show.
However, there are not many companies that have the ability to generate the kind of excitement that Apple can. The company’s tablet computer would mark its first major first major product release since it came out with the popular iPhone three years ago.
"No consumer products company today even comes close to Apple’s ability to generate hype, and then build market dominance on top of that hype," technology analyst Carmy Levy said.
"Apple’s goal with its new tablet-based machine is very similar to what it set out to do when it entered the media player market with its iPod in 2001, and the smartphone market with the iPhone in 2007," he added.
"Specifically, the company wants to redefine a market where other companies have tried — and largely failed — to succeed," said Levy.
According to Levy, the device is expected to cost around $800, though other analysts told the Wall Street Journal it may cost as much as 1,000 dollars.
Silicon Valley gossip website Valleywag.com got a rise out of Apple when it offered rewards of up to 100,000 dollars for anyone who could present proof that Apple has indeed made a tablet computer.
Apple was declared the winner after receiving a letter from the company’s lawyers.Â
"We believe you and your company have crossed the line by offering a bounty for the theft of Apple’s trade secrets," an Apple lawyer said in a copy of the letter posted online by Valleywag.
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