The New York Times has recapped several of the rumors surrounding Apple’s mythical tablet device. In doing this, they bring some new sources into the fold, most notably former Apple engineer, Joshua A. Strickland.
Mr. Strickland suggests Apple has been working on the tablet since at least 2003. Early prototypes were PowerPC chip equipped, and consumed more power than the device’s battery could practically supply.
“It couldn’t be built. The battery life wasn’t long enough, the graphics performance was not enough to do anything and the components themselves cost more than $500.
In addition, an Apple exec stated that the project was halted several times due to Steve Jobs’ one question: “what they were good for besides surfing the Web in the bathroom.”
Regardless if the device exists or not, it appears the magazine industry is interested in just such a device. Ad Age is reporting that the print industry is gearing up for the possible launch of the tablet.
What is the print industry doing you ask? Well, it appears they are worried that Apple will dominate the print industry much like they did with the music industry. So, publishers are coming together to form an industry-wide digital storefront to offer their content, thereby forming a direct competitor to whatever hypothetical solution Apple may create.
It’s true that magazine and newspaper publishers are eager to sell digital editions tailored for the tablet and other devices — but they’re just as determined to prevent Apple from getting between them and their readers along the way.
This fear doesn’t seem unfounded as it is rumored that Apple has approached The New York times in regards to supplying content to the new device.
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TAGS: Apple tablet, media, tablet
