What everyone seems to be talking about recently is the launch of Apple’s latest creation. So I have decided to look into it a bit myself. Apple is to launch its new product, a tablet computer, on January 27th in San Francisco. The much awaited product does not even have a confirmed name yet, although rumours include ‘iSlate’,’ iTablet’,’ iPad’ and ‘iPage’. Fingers are, however, pointing to the name ‘iSlate’ after Apple bought the domain name iSlate.com last year.
What will it look like?
This new Apple tablet computer would look similar to an oversized iPhone, with an enlarged 10-inch screen. It seems it will be perfect for people who often work on the move as it will be smaller than a laptop, fitting nicely into a hand bag or briefcase, but big enough to work and watch films on, surf the web and read on it.
Instead of incorporating a keyboard, like a laptop, it will have a touch sensitive screen like on the iPhone, but if you don’t want to use your fingers, there is talk of a stylus also accompanying it.
It seems the user interface will also be completely different, and not like anything we have seen before on the iPhone or iPod, or even like the MacOS X.
Apple Tablet
What will it do?
The new Apple tablet will not only have a strikingly different look but also have some breakthrough new applications. You will be able to read ebooks, surf the internet, play music and even games (there are reports that EA has signed up to work with the Apple Tablet).
Rumours also suggest that there will be some breakthrough programs like facial recognition through a built-in camera, and an iTunes-like store where you can download newspapers to read on screen. This may mean that you could have audio embedded in newspaper music reviews, or be able to actually watch people being interviewed instead of it being reported. Here, take a look at it on YouTube!
How much will it cost?
The Apple tablet is reckoned to cost around $1000 when it is first launched. It could be a while until it reaches UK stores, but it is thought that Orange, O2 and Vodafone all want to be the first to stock the impatiently awaited device.
What an exciting new product to enter the market! I am eagerly awaiting Apple’s launch to see how it compares to other tablet computers and light weight laptops that are already on the market.
