The speculation that Apple is developing a touchscreen computer has once again stepped up another gear, following detailed internet rumours that have sent the company’s fans into a frenzy.
A report from the iLounge blog — which has a fairly good record at getting details of forthcoming Apple launches — says that the machine will boast a 10,7″ screen, use the iPhone operating system and come in 3G and non 3G versions. That detail has been enough to get the gadget blogs talking, with speculation focused on where exactly Steve Jobs and friends are going to find a capacitive touchscreen of that size.
Rumours of such a device are hardly new in themselves: it is believed that Apple has worked on a number of prototypes over the years, but never come up with something that it thought could turn into a viable product.
But with a constant stream of reports appearing to back up the idea that a project is in the works, it seems that Apple has had a change of heart — largely thought to be due to the success of the iPhone, which helped bring multitouch technology to the masses and has proved a hit with more than 20-million sold worldwide.
Despite the interest in the company’s plans for the future, though, it is not smooth sailing for Apple at the moment. While plenty of fans hope that a larger touchscreen machine could help boost the fortunes of tablet computers — which have been tried many times in the past, but failed to take off — the Californian technology company is also taking plenty of jabs from critics.
Locked in an ongoing battle with handset rival Palm — which is caught in a cat-and-mouse game in which it tries to make its Pre handset compatible with iTunes — the volume of voices lashing out at Apple’s dominance and control has increased recently.
The company is being investigated by the US communications regulator over its dealings with Google, as well as allegations of anti-competitive hiring practices.
And Tuesday saw the return of another one of the thorns in the company’s side: San Francisco startup DoubleTwist, which has developed software that allows other manufacturers access to iTunes. Three months after the start-up cheekily placed an advert on the side of the company’s flagship shop in California, it launched another campaign — this time spoofing Apple’s famous 1984 commercial.
guardian.co.uk