Apple’s go-to writer for “controlled leaks” got the ball rolling yesterday when the Wall Street Journal published an article by her and two other writers that focused on Apple’s upcoming iPhone refresh.

Sourcing “people briefed by the company,” the WSJ says that Apple is planning to release a CDMA iPhone compatible with Verizon’s network. Pegatron is said to be manufacturing the new handset and they plan to start mass producing it in September.

Knowing as much as I do about Apple, I find it hard to believe that Apple would release an iPhone on Verizon’s network. Let’s not forget that the Motorola DROID’s entire marketing campaign appears to hinge on what it can do and the iPhone can’t. We also shouldn’t forget about Apple’s line of ads showing the ability to use AT&T’s data network while on a phone call. I just don’t know if Apple’s ready to drop AT&T exclusivity quite yet.

Soon after the Wall Street Journal’s report Engadget heard that the upcoming iPhone would be named the iPhone HD and would be announced on June 22. John Gruber also decided to weigh in and point out that the WSJ didn’t mention anything about the A4-family CPU, the 960×640 display, or the front-facing camera. He doesn’t exactly come right out and say it but it appears that this is what he’s been hearing.

Sounds like this is going to be a pretty good handset. Look out Windows Phone 7 Series.

Update 3/31/10: Changed some wording to make it clear that John Gruber didn’t specifically say that the next iPhone would have all of these features, simply that the WSJ didn’t mention them.

iLounge learned last week that starting in May Apple will no longer be selling clear plastic screen protectors in their stores.

There have been several theories as to why Apple would decide to do this. I don’t believe it to be any one reason but a combination of several. For one, shelf space is valuable and if Apple doesn’t believe that their devices need screen protectors, they aren’t going to sell them anymore. The current iPhone and iPod touch screens don’t scratch all that easy, they is much more likely to crack than scratch. Apple has seemingly taken the stance that if you think that flimsy piece of plastic is going to protect your device, you can get it elsewhere.

Secondly, these screen protectors are incredibly difficult to apply. I went through my InvisibleShield phase, I bought three of them for three separate devices and finally gave up for good. Those things are darn near impossible to put on straight, not to mention all the dust and whatnot that inevitably ends up on it in the time it takes for you to take it out of the package and actually apply it to your device.

And lastly, Screen protectors may have been a good idea back before the iPhone, when screens weren’t made with such high quality material but the glass that Apple is using on the iPhone is absolutely superb. And the oleophobic coating on the screen does a great job of keeping all those nasty fingerprints away.

Speaking of the iPhone’s screen, I’ve never publicly told this story before but I think now is as good of a time as any to do so. When I was waiting in line for the original iPhone in 2007 I was behind a man who claimed to have a piece of the glass that Apple used on the iPhone. He said that Corning Inc. was the company who developed the glass and it was originally designed to be used for windows. It was incredibly sturdy glass but unfortunately it was just too heavy to be used in windows. Corning inevitably ended up shelving it for a while. It wasn’t until Apple contacted them about using glass for their displays that their glass finally had a home.

After telling his story the man went to his car to get the piece of glass, it was cut exactly in the same dimensions and size of the iPhone’s glass front. It even had the holes for the home button and speaker.

I haven’t been able to confirm whether his glass was actually the same glass that was used on the iPhone but I do live near Corning, NY (where Corning Inc. is located) and it isn’t out of the realm of possibilities for his story to be completely true. I saw it and touched it, and when I got home with my brand new iPhone that night, the similarity between the two pieces of glass were uncanny.

Of course, It’s also possible that he made the glass himself as a great way to impress the other people in line at the AT&T store, but I choose to take him at his word.

MacRumors reports that Apple has started accepting iPad applications into the App Store.

The iPad section of the App Store will be launching on April 3 and developers who hope to have their application in the store on the grand opening should submit their application by March 27 at 5 PM.

9 to 5 Mac has posted screenshots of the iTunes Connect submission interface.

It’s kind of mind boggling to think that the majority of developers haven’t been able to test their application on an actual iPad.

But for a select few developers, Apple has allowed them to test their applications on a real iPad. Douglas MacMillan, writing for BusinessWeek, shed some light on the terms of Apple’s agreement for those who do get access to an iPad. MacMillan spoke with four people familiar with the terms who claim that the iPad must be kept in a room with blacked-out windows. The device must also remain tethered to a fixed object.

It should come as no surprise that Apple has allowed some developers access to an iPad before it’s release. Apple allowed a few developers access to the iPhone SDK before it was launched, and this is no different. Apple wants this platform to be successful, and although the simulator gives developers a really good idea of how their application will work, there’s no substitute for trying your application on a real device.

I just hope that the developers who only have the simulator to work with won’t have too many serious changes to make once they get their iPads on April 3.

AppleInsider claims that Apple has developed a “full-on solution” to multi-tasking on the iPhone.

From the article:

From a user-facing perspective, Apple plans to deliver a multi-tasking manager that leverages interface technology already bundled with its Mac OS X operating system, according to those same people. It was requested that specifics be withheld at this time, as the iPhone Software 4.0 remains under development and reportedly has a quite ‘way to go’ before it’s ready for prime time.

I would love to hear a little bit more about how Apple plans to impliment multi-tasking on the iPhone. As much as I hope to see something like Expose or webOS-style application switching, I have a feeling Apple will come up with something very different.

But regardless of how multi-tasking will actually work, we at least know one influential writer who believes AppleInsider’s report.

Greg Sandoval reporting for CNET:

[Apple's] representatives have recently spoken with some of the major film studios about enabling iTunes users to store their content on the company’s servers, two people familiar with the discussions told CNET. That’s in addition to streaming television shows and music.

I would love Apple to allow users to re-download previously purchased content at no cost, just as they do with apps. But, I would settle for being able to stream content from their servers, as long as I can delete content without worrying about whether or not I’m going to want to watch it again.

John Gruber of Daring Fireball shines some light on the iPads missing apps. He also puts the kibosh on the whole dashboard widgets concept and quite honestly it was a pipe dream from the get-go.

But, speaking about why the apps are missing, Gruber simply explains that they just aren’t going to be there. Apple did have internal versions of the apps but scrapped them before announcement. I guess Steve Jobs just wasn’t happy with scaled up versions of the apps.

After looking at the list of missing applications again (Stocks, Weather, Voice Memos, Clock, Calculator, and Compass), the only app that I’ll actually miss is Calculator. The only other application in that list that I actually use is Clock and because I always have my iPhone close at hand I don’t think there will be much use for it on the iPad.

Whether Apple adds these apps in future firmware upgrades remains to be seen, but I don’t expect many people to miss them all that much.

Peter Kafka:

Hulu and its owners, three of the big broadcast TV networks, want to bring some version of the Web video service to Apple’s device. But the most likely scenario is one in which access to Hulu on the iPad comes as part of a subscription package, multiple people familiar with the company tell me.

The problem is that if Hulu decides to define the iPad as a mobile device they would need to be granted the rights to display content on mobile devices. This is doable, but it’s the same kind of ridiculous red tape that forced Boxee to remove Hulu from their app and it’s the same kind of red tape that will put TV networks in the same position the music industry is in.

I have no doubt that a paid subscriptions service could work well for Hulu. But (even though it will never happen), I really wish Hulu would use HTML5 for their web site and publish videos in H.264 using the video tag.

Apple appears to have a little more leverage than originally thought in regards to e-book pricing in the iBookstore.

Motoko Rich writes the following for the New York Times:

according to at least three people with knowledge of the discussions, who spoke anonymously because of the confidentiality of the talks, Apple inserted provisions requiring publishers to discount e-book prices on best sellers — so that $12.99-to-$14.99 range was merely a ceiling; prices for some titles could be lower, even as low as Amazon’s $9.99.

What this means is that if a book is released to the iBookstore at $14.99, if that book hits one of the best-seller lists it would be discounted to $12.99 or less.

McGraw-Hill CEO, Harold McGraw III, was recently interviewed by CNBC, when asked about their textbooks on Apple’s tablet he replied:

Yeah, Very exciting. Yes, they’ll make their announcement tomorrow on this one. We have worked with Apple for quite a while. And the Tablet is going to be based on the iPhone operating system and so it will be transferable. So what you are going to be able to do now — we have a consortium of e-books. And we have 95% of all our materials that are in e-book format on that one. So now with the tablet you’re going to open up the higher education market, the professional market. The tablet is going to be just really terrific.

The bit above comes in at about the 2 minute 50 second mark.

There has been some speculation that this was a controlled leak by Apple. And I doubt it, this doesn’t show any signs of a controlled leak. Instead, this has “big mouth” written all over it.

The Financial Times is reporting that Apple is attempting to halve the cost of TV Shows from $1.99 to $1.

Apple’s belief, media executives said, is that drastically cutting prices could spur sales of TV shows on the iTunes digital entertainment storefront, which have so far frustrated Apple executives.

The article goes on to mention that Apple has “floated the idea” of offering a television subscription service, including a “best of television” offering that would include News Corp, Time Warner, Viacom, Disney, and CBS content for $30 per month.

Kasper Jade reporting for AppleInsider:

When Apple finally takes the wraps off its long-anticipated tablet next Wednesday, the device will strike a familiar chord with owners of the original iPhone, with similarities in industrial design trickling all the way down to the handset’s button and connectivity components, AppleInsider has learned.

I think we’ve all assumed that the tablet would look a lot like a bigger iPhone. What’s more interesting is the ports and connectivity that the tablet offers. It’ll obviously have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a headphone jack, but Kasper Jade also says that it will have speakers, a microphone, GPS, 3G, and a 30-pin dock connector.

iLounge corroborates on the design but says that the tablet will have two dock connectors so that it can be docked in either portrait or landscape orientations, also giving added flexibility to accessory makers.

BusinessWeek‘s Peter Burrows reports that Apple is in talks with Microsoft to make Bing the default search engine on the iPhone.

Apple is in talks with Microsoft to replace Google as the default search engine on its iPhone, according to two people familiar with the matter. The talks have been under way for weeks, say the people, who asked not to be named because the details have not been made public.

I wouldn’t doubt that Apple would talk with Microsoft about this, they are the number two search company, and Google and Apple haven’t exactly been getting along as of late.

But, John Gruber found the most interesting part of this BusinessWeek piece. Buried in the last paragraph is this little gem:

Even if it’s consummated, an Apple-Bing deal may prove short-lived. The person familiar with Apple’s thinking says Apple has a “skunk works” looking at a search offering of its own, and believes that “if Apple does do a search deal with Microsoft, it’s about buying itself time.” Given the importance of search and its tie to mobile advertising — and the iPhone maker’s desire to slow Google — “Apple isn’t going to outsource the future.”

I’ve often thought that Apple only works with other companies until they have enough time to build a better version of the other companies product. Apple has been using Google Maps in the iPhone since its introduction but will most likely be using PlaceBase’s maps in their mapping application soon. And, given Apple’s want to control every aspect of the user experience, search is a logical progression.

Kasper Jade writing for AppleInsider:

People familiar with Apple’s initiative claim the electronics maker is seeking allotments of LED camera flash components in the tens of millions for delivery during the 2010 calendar year, meaning future iPhones — and possibly the iPod touch — are the most likely recipients of those parts, due to their sales volume.

Poor camera quality is something that the iPhone has been criticized for in the past. The 3.2MP camera with auto-focus in the current iPhone 3GS was a huge leap in the right direction. But, anyone who has tried to take a picture with their iPhone in low light knows an LED flash would be a big deal.

AppleInsider isn’t the only one talking about the next iPhone. Bloomberg reports Goldman Sachs analyst Robert Chen who said the following in an interview:

Apple’s going to put a lot of innovation, not just on the hardware, but also on the software of the new iPhone.

Chen mentions an improved camera and a touch-sensitive casing as some of the new features. He compared the touch-sensitive casing to that of the Magic Mouse’s.

I can’t really imagine what the new case would be used for and it seems a little too far fetched to me. But then again, if you told me two years ago that Apple was going to release a one-button mouse without a scroll ball, I would have thought you were crazy.

John Paczkowski, writing for All Things Digital, says that the rumored Apple event will be on January 27 instead of January 26.

The gathering is to be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, a space Apple often uses for media events like this. According to other sources, it will occur on Wednesday, Jan. 27, not Tuesday, Jan. 26, as had been rumored.

The Wall Street Journal’s Yukari Iwatani Kane and Geoffrey A. Fowler report that Apple will announce a tablet at the event that will have a 10 to 11-inch screen and will be shipping in March.

Regarding the material used for the device:

Apple was working on two different material finishes for the device, one of these people said, though it was unclear whether the Cupertino, Calif., company was just testing the finishes or planning to come out with multiple versions of a tablet at different prices.

Much like John Gruber, I find it very odd that they are so certain about the ship date but are uncertain about the finish. Then again, if this announcement is going to be on the level of the first generation iPhone announcement, it wouldn’t surprise me if the tablet team is split up, those working on software and those working on hardware. If that’s the case then it is entirely possible that someone in the company could know about a release time frame but not know many details regarding the hardware.

Previously:
12/28/09: Apple Tablet May be Announced in January
10/7/09: Apple Tablet Coming in Q1 2010
8/24/09: Steve Jobs Has Been Focusing on the Tablet

Update 1/6/10: John Martellaro shares his knowledge of Apple’s planned leaks:

Often Apple has a need to let information out, unofficially. The company has been doing that for years, and it helps preserve Apple’s consistent, official reputation for never talking about unreleased products. I know, because when I was a Senior Marketing Manager at Apple, I was instructed to do some controlled leaks.

He says that this recent Wall Street Journal report has all the signs of a planned leak. Seth Weintraub of 9 to 5 Mac takes it one step further and points out that Yukari Iwatani Kane has had a part in many of the recent “likely leaked stories.”

Ashlee Vance, reporting for the New York Times, says that Microsoft and HP are planning to unveil a “slate-type computer” during Steve Ballmer’s keynote at CES this evening. Ashlee Vance’s source said that the device could be available by mid-year.

Everyone has seen Gizmodo’s piece on the Microsoft Courier. Whether this HP-made device is similar, or even the same device, is yet to be known.

If Ballmer actually plans to announce a tablet device less than a month before Apple is rumored to announce a similar device, it better be good.

Who knows, it could be awesome. But, Steve Jobs was right when he said:

Nobody wants a stylus.

Previously:
9/23/09: Microsoft Courier

Update 1/6/10: Kara Swisher reports that Microsoft will certainly not be unveiling the Courier tablet. She says that Microsoft may be working on the Courier with HP but if a tablet is shown it won’t be much different than the tablet devices they’ve shown in the past.

The Ballmer keynote has ended and just as Kara Swisher said, the tablet (or slate as Microsoft is now calling them) was just a boring device running Windows 7. It’s not surprising, I didn’t really expect much innovation from this keynote. And honestly, did anyone else?

David Richards writing for Smarthouse:

HTC, who have been working closely with Google for the past 18 months have several working models of a touch tablet including one model, is based on the new Google Chrome Operating System say sources.

If HTC is indeed working on a tablet, I would have no doubt that one of their prototypes is running Chrome OS. Given HTC’s close relationship with Google, in regards to Android, I would imagine they would have put Chrome OS on a tablet, at least just to… well, prototype it.

Previously:
11/20/09: Google Officially Demos Chrome OS

The Financial Times‘ David Gelles reports that Apple will hold an event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. They expect Apple to “make a major product announcement on Tuesday, January 26th.”

Citing Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, David Gelles hints that a tablet will likely be announced at the event.

Dan Frommer has since published a piece on Silicon Alley Insider saying:

Apple has been telling some app makers to prepare apps for a demo next month, according to this source. “They’ve told select developers that as long as they build their apps to support full screen resolution — rather than a fixed 320×480 — their apps should run just fine,” our source says.

According to a source who spoke with the Boy Genius Report, the Apple tablet is going to come in a 7-inch size. Their source didn’t know whether or not that was the only size, only that the 7-inch size is definitely coming.

Not to be left out of the fray, MacRumors has found evidence that Apple has acquired the domain name “islate.com” and TechCrunch has found evidence that Apple has trademarked the term “iSlate.” MacRumors, building off of TechCrunch’s findings, later found that Apple has the trademark for “Magic Slate” as well.

As Nick Bilton of the New York Times puts it:

But the icing on the cake comes from a current senior employee inside Apple. When one of my colleagues here asked if the rumors of the Apple tablet were true, and when we could expect such a device, the response from his source was, “I can’t really say anything, but, let’s just say Steve is extremely happy with the new tablet.”

Yet another recently departed Apple employee tipped me: “You will be very surprised how you interact with the new tablet.”

It sounds to me like John Gruber was right, the tablet will be a 2010 thing.

Update 1/1/10: MacRumors has uncovered another “buried” Apple trademark, this time for the term “iGuide.” MacRumors’ Arnold Kim thinks that the iGuide name could be related to the Apple tablet. However, I would just chalk this up as another one of those just-in-case-we-want-to-use-it trademark filings.

Meanwhile, Fox News’ Clayton Morris has “confirmed” Apple’s January event. Morris claims to have spoken with a source inside Apple that has confirmed the rumored January event. Also, saying that the event will focus on the mobility space.

Hans Wu, reporting for DigiTimes:

The sources said OmniVision has secured 5-megapixel CIS orders for the next-generation iPhone model, which will hit shelves sometime during the second half of 2010.

It’s hard to tell how credible DigiTimes’ sources are, they’ve been hit and miss in the past, but a 5 megapixel camera sounds very intriguing.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has been moving forward with their plan to offer monthly television subscriptions through iTunes. Peter Kafka of All Things Digital first wrote about such a service back in November.

The service would give subscribers access to some TV shows from a selection of networks for a monthly fee. The Wall Street Journal is unaware as to whether or not any networks have signed on, but CBS and Disney are said to be interested in the service. Apple could have a hard time convincing other networks to sign on. Some versions of the deal would see Apple paying media companies $2-4 a month per subscriber to larger networks like CBS or ABC and $1-2 a month per subscriber to smaller networks. The Wall Street Journal says that even with those prices (which are often higher than what cable companies pay), News Corp., Viacom, Discovery, and Turner Broadcasting are “opposed to or leaning away from signing on, at least to Apple’s initial proposals.”

Early versions of the offer included access to advertising-free shows from top cable and broadcast networks for $30 a month. This echoes Peter Kafka’s report from November and, in my opinion, is an incredibly reasonable price (assuming users had access to a decent assortment of television shows).

Aside from the above offer there isn’t any indication as to whether or not this service would include advertising. I’m inclined to say that it wouldn’t but I’m not sure if Apple would be able to convince networks to sign on without it.

Previously:
11/7/09: $30 Per Month for iTunes TV Shows

Gizmodo has revealed that Palm is scheduling an invitation-only press event during CES. It will be held on Thursday, January 7, 2010, at 11am.

Gizmodo’s Jason Chen says that an update to the Pre is a safe bet. I agree, the Pre was announced at this year’s CES and I doubt Palm would go more than a year without announcing a new flagship handset. That is, unless they’re following in Apple’s footsteps. Apple announced the original iPhone at MacWorld 2007 but it wasn’t available until June 29. Apple didn’t announce their followup handset, the iPhone 3G, until June 9 of 2008. Apple took nearly a year and a half to announce their next handset.

Just speaking of Palm’s flagship handset, the Pre was announced at CES last year. But, the device wasn’t available until June. Palm announced their first modern handset early, just like Apple, I wonder if they’re going to wait until late spring to announce their followup, just like Apple did.

If Palm was to announce a new handset, there is also the question of whether or not it will be on Sprint. There have been some rumblings of a webOS device coming to Verizon. Engadget found an FCC filing for a Palm Pixi destined for Verizon’s network (with Wi-Fi no less). Feeding more fuel to the fire, a Phone Arena tipster (and a “trusted” one at that) sent them a document revealing that Verizon has already started training personnel on webOS.

It’s safe to say that any Palm device coming to Verizon would be a boon for Palm, but, if true, I’m certain Sprint won’t be too happy about it.

Previously:
10/18/09: Verizon to Get Palm Pre ‘Early Next Year’
9/9/09: The Palm Pixi
5/19/09: Palm Pre to Release on June 6 for $199.99

Update 1/13/10: Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus Coming to Verizon

In a report on the release of “Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes – Encore,” Joystiq casually mentioned that Apple had dropped support for iPod click wheel games.

Rather than being a simple touchscreen-enabled port of the original click wheel game, the iPhone Song Summoner contains both Song Summoner and Song Summoner 2, which was never released due to Apple ending support for click wheel games.

Previously released iPod click wheel games are still available in the iTunes Store but the end of support should come as no surprise. It’s clear that moving forward, Apple will be focusing on games for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Song Summoner mining iPhone playlists this week.

MacRumor’s Arnold Kim reports that Apple has gained control of the “TabletMac” trademark. Axiotron originally owned the trademark and used it to sell their Modbook product.

Transfer in ownership doesn’t implicitly mean that they will be releasing a tablet, it’s entirely possible that they are doing so to avoid confusion with Apple’s own trademarks.

Another recent tablet rumor comes from Diggnation co-host Alex Albrecht. During episode 231 (the relevant bits start at roughly the 24 minute mark) of Diggnation Kevin Rose asked guest John Hodgman if he knew anything about the tablet. Hodgman replied: “you think they’d tell me?”

Shortly after that exchange Kevin revealed that Alex had heard something about the tablet. After some convincing, Alex eventually conceded: “I was shocked at how cheap the price point is going to be.”

Alex declined to elaborate but just based on Kevin’s track record (which is hit and miss) there’s no way of knowing how credible Alex’s information is.

Previously:
11/22/09: DigiTimes’ Tablet Rumor
10/7/09: Apple Tablet Coming in Q1 2010
8/24/09: Steve Jobs Has Been Focusing on the Tablet

Update 12/28/09: Apple Tablet May be Announced in January

Arnold Kim:

iPhone developer Pandav has informed MacRumors that they have spotted usage records for an unreleased iPhone in their app’s analytics. The app used was iBART, a public transportation guide for the San Francisco train system.

References to iPhone3,1 were first found in iPhone firmware files back in August.

It’s not odd for app developers to find unreleased Apple products in their analytics data. But, I’m a little surprised that Apple is testing the next iPhone so early.

Apple Starts Field Testing Next Generation iPhone (3,1) – Mac Rumors.

Previously:
8/7/09: Latest iPhone OS 3.1 Beta Contains Reference to ‘iProd1,1’

Daryl Deino reporting for the Examiner:

We have heard from an inside source who claims the camera version of the iPod Touch 3G will be released this Spring. The source confirms to us that the iPod Touch 3G with camera had actually been planned for release this past September, but had problems passing quality control. […] The iPod Touch 3G with camera will allegedly have the same camera as the updated iPod Nano, which shoots video, but not still pictures.

There was a lot of evidence that Apple had planned to release an iPod touch with a camera when they refreshed their iPod lineup in September. This latest rumor claims that the iPod touch will get a camera, but only a video camera. I can understand why they put a non-still camera in the iPod nano, but why the iPod touch? The only answer I can come up with is: differentiation.

Apple to release iPod Touch with camera this Spring?.

Previously:
9/13/09: Covino & Rich iPod touch Was Real
9/10/09: The New iPod Lineup

Apple has added a new layer to the App Store approval process. Applications are now being put through a static analysis tool that checks for private API calls.

Gizmodo’s John Herrman gives an informative explanation on the differences between public and private APIs. But, in short, developers aren’t allowed to use private APIs in iPhone applications.

Up until now, Apple hasn’t been enforcing this rule. Now, some applications that had previously been approved are getting flagged for their use of private APIs.

One popular open source framework, Joe Hewitt’s Three20, is a little loose when it comes to private APIs. As a result, developers using the framework (whether they actually make use of private APIs or not) are getting flagged. Some developers have already started working on a branch of the Three20 project that is free of private API calls.

I think it is wise for Apple to use such a tool, but it would help if they used it much earlier in the application approval process, this would allow developers to quickly fix a (hopefully) small oversight in coding which happened to use private APIs.

The only thing we have to worry about now is false positives.

iPhone Apps Have to Be Approved by Robots Now, Too – app store – Gizmodo.

Update 12/17/09: Apple Relaxing Private API Restrictions

DigiTimes claims that Apple has postponed the launch of their tablet device. The rumored deadline of early 2010 has supposedly been pushed back to the second half of 2010. The reason given for the release getting pushed back is due to significant changes to the display components. But, this is what makes me question the rumor:

The sources also indicated that in addition to Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), Quanta Computer and Pegatron Technology are expected to be manufacturing partners for Apple’s two tablet PC models – one of which will have a 10.6-inch TFT LCD panel while the other will have a 9.7-inch OLED panel. However, the sources did not explain how production for the two models would be split between the three makers.

I’ve always taken DigiTimes’ rumors with a grain of salt but when they claim that Apple is going to have two different sized tablets whose display sizes are only one inch apart, I have to throw the whole report out the window.

It’s not crazy to think that Apple has ordered both display sizes but to assume that both of them will make it to market is just dumb.

Apple tablet PC reportedly delayed until 2H10, with OLED model now included.

Update 12/8/09: ‘TabletMac’ Trademark and Apple Tablet Pricing

Update 12/28/09: Apple Tablet May be Announced in January

Update 1/6/10: Apple May Ship Tablet in March

Despite Google’s head of Android development, Andy Rubin denying such rumors, Michael Arrington believes that Google will be building their own branded phone that they will sell directly through retailers.

Arrington says that most of his sources have “unconfirmed information” but he believes that the device is coming. His sources say that it will be coming early next year and will be produced by a major phone manufacturer (maybe LG or Samsung) but will only have Google branding.

Either Andy Rubin is a liar or Michael Arrington is totally wrong, I’m currently leaning towards the latter.

But, it is in Arrington’s followup piece where he could be getting a little closer to something I could believe.

But there may be another way Google will argue that they aren’t “competing with customers” by launching their own device – technically, it may not be a phone.

The Google Phone may be a data only, VoIP driven device. And Google may be lining up at least AT&T to provide those data services for the Google Phone, says one person we spoke with today.

The concept is simple, you just pay for a data plan. Your phone number and voicemail would be provided by Google Voice, while your calls and SMS messages would go over IP. You would no longer pay based on how many minutes you need per month, just a low cost data plan and you’re out the door.

I just don’t know if the US carriers would go for it. They are so concerned with their network, I doubt they would be on board with anything that would bring in less profit and more data usage.

Previously:
10/31/09: Google Has No Android Hardware Plans

Update 11/30/09: Gizmodo’s Mark Wilson is citing a “trusted source who’s seen it with their own eyes, the Google Phone ‘is a certainty.’”

MacRumors’ Eric Slivka:

MacRumors has heard from several sources that Apple is preparing to launch a “Concierge” iPhone application targeted at customers of its retail stores. The application will reportedly provide many of the same functions available through the company’s retail store online reservations system, allowing customers to schedule Genius Bar and One to One appointments from their mobile devices.

A fantastic idea for an application, I just wonder how Apple will deal with the inevitable increase in missed appointments. I can imagine someone scheduling an appointment, fixing the problem themselves, and then neglecting to cancel the appointment.

Retail Roundup: Apple to Release ‘Concierge’ iPhone Application? Nashua, NH Store Opening? – Mac Rumors.

TechCrunch’s MG Siegler is reporting that Google will be holding a special Chrome OS event this Thursday.

The event will be held at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, CA. They will be giving a complete overview of the new OS and detailing its launch plans.

MG Siegler regarding the release of Chrome OS:

Google had been planning to release at least part of Chrome OS this week. That still may be the case at this event, but it looks for now that the more complete launch will in fact take place next year. And if they are holding this event now with a “complete overview,” progress is clearly being made, so you can probably expect that launch to be early next year.

Chrome OS has been highly anticipated since its announcement in July. I personally am interested in the idea of the browser being the main focus (and maybe the only focus) of the OS. I don’t think I’ll ever use the OS for any serious computing but am interested to see how the release affects the software industry.

Google Holding Chrome OS Event Thursday. Complete Overview And Launch Plans To Be Revealed..

Previously:
7/8/09: Google Announces a Linux Distro and the World Goes Mad

Update 11/24/09: Chrome OS Should Be Built on Anroid

Peter Kafka is reporting that Apple has been pitching a $30 per month subscription model for TV shows through iTunes. This isn’t just some anonymous tipster telling him this, Kafka claims to have heard the information from multiple sources.

Kafka’s sources say that Apple hopes to launch the service early next year, the first partner to join in the endeavor would likely be Disney. Not only has Disney been willing to experiment with Apple’s services but Steve Jobs is also Disney’s largest single shareholder.

There isn’t much information on how this service would actually work, but it seems that it would be $30 per month for any participating partners content. New episodes would likely be downloaded the way season passes are now, but I wonder if the files would have a 30 day shelf life like iTunes movie rentals do.

Whatever the terms I’m sure I would jump in immediately, I’m not currently a cable subscriber and watch most of my TV shows on Hulu but would love to get more content on my HDTV through my Apple TV.

Apple iTunes Pitch: TV for $30 Per Month | Peter Kafka | MediaMemo | AllThingsD.

Update 12/10/09: “Analysts” told AppleInsider that the recent purchase of NBC by Comcast could hinder an iTunes subscription service. Colin Dixon, an analyst at Diffusion Group also believes this to be the case. From Reinhardt Krause‘s report:

If Apple or others come to a Comcast-controlled NBC looking to cut content deals, they could be out of luck, Dixon says.

“They’ll just say no,” he said.

Update 12/27/09: iTunes Monthly TV Subscriptions Coming

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Asher Moses claims in a recent piece that Apple has been in discussion with media companies about including their content on the device.

It is understood that Apple has been in direct talks with Australian media companies to launch a new app for the tablet that would allow them to distribute their content in digital form and charge for it.

Moses also mentions that Apple has sent device specifications to Australian media companies, but none of them were willing to talk about the device on the record.

The tablet is tipped to be a larger version of the iPhone. It is small enough to carry in a handbag but too big to fit in a pocket.

It doesn’t sound to me like Moses knows any more information than we already do. The note about the size of the device is interesting, but it could just be based off of previous rumors and speculation.

Apple shops tablet around Australia.

Update 12/8/09: ‘TabletMac’ Trademark and Apple Tablet Pricing

Update 12/28/09: Apple Tablet May be Announced in January

Update 1/6/10: Apple May Ship Tablet in March

An Applesana forum poster has found references to a MacBookPro6_1 and MacBookPro6_2. Current MacBook Pros are 5,5.

9 to 5 Mac has also heard that Apple Store Geniuses are being trained on new quad-core MacBook Pros with delivery of the machines expected at the same time the newly announced quad-core iMacs ship in November.

Since Apple uses notebook components in the iMac, they usually keep the MacBook Pro at parity with the iMac. Therefore, it is likely that if the MacBook Pro is to receive quad-core processors next month, it will be Core i5 and/or Core i7 processors.

I do find it a little odd that Apple would justify changing the version of the MacBook Pro from 5,5 to 6,1. A version change like that would usually mean something a little more significant than the addition of quad-core processors.

MacBook Pros to receive new Quad-core processors in coming weeks? | 9 to 5 Mac.

Update 10/27/09: Gizmodo has heard from Apple that “the holiday lineup is set.” Originally Gizmodo had said that there wasn’t going to be any new Apple products this year, but was later corrected by Apple with the new quote. It’s hard to tell what the change actually means but I think it’s safe to say there won’t be any new products announced and available from Apple this year.

SlashGear and Tinhte.com have managed to acquire images of an unannounced Android device from Dell. The device is called the Dell Streak and will feature a 5-inch 800×480 touchscreen, Android 2.0, Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, and a 5 megapixel camera.

I’m still not sure whether or not handheld devices is the way Dell should be going. But then again, they don’t seem to be doing too well with the rest of their products.

Tinhte.com has published a video of the device in action to their YouTube account.

Engadget has learned that Roku will soon be updating their streaming box. The new model will be called the “Roku XR” and will look nearly identical to the current model.

The device will gain 802.11n, a USB port, and will be losing the dedicated reset button. No word on pricing or availability but Engadget’s Darren Murph thinks we’ll know more before Christmas.

I’ve been considering the purchase of a Roku streaming box. The amount of time between receiving a Netflix disc in the mail and sending it back is growing. I don’t use Netflix streaming very often but I think if I had the Roku box I would take advantage of it more. I spend $15 a month on Netflix and would like to feel like I get my money’s worth. But, with word that Roku will be updating the box soon, I’ll certainly wait to hear all the details before making any purchasing decisions.

Roku XR adds 802.11n, USB port and a longing for something more.

Update 10/27/09: The Roku HD-XR has been officially announced (PDF). The device has 802.11n and the rumored USB port is for “future use.” The XR is available now for $129.99. Roku also announced the Roku SD, it will cost $79 and will only have standard definition outputs and 802.11g.

In a few weeks Roku will be launching their new Channel Store which will allow users to view content from additional providers.

Update 11/23/09: Macworld’s Dan Frakes reports that Roku will announce the Roku Channel Store on Monday. The store will have ten initial channels, including: blip.tv, Facebook Photos, Flickr, Mediafly, Pandora, Revision3, TWiT.TV, etc.

Something I missed from late last week. Om Malik regarding an interview with Mozilla CEO John Lilly at the Play conference:

…he hinted that the company was going to launch a brand new application for the iPhone, though he declined to reveal any details. “Mozilla will release an app to the iPhone App Store in the next few weeks,” Lilly said. “It’ll surprise people.”

Malik speculates that it could have something to do with Weave. Weave is Mozilla’s sync service which is currently a work in progress at Mozilla Labs. That seems likely to me, I definitely wouldn’t guess a browser, as some others have.

Apple has approved some browser-like applications for the App Store, but all of them use WebKit as their rendering engine. The likelihood that Mozilla would build a browser built on WebKit and not on their Fennec mobile rendering engine is essentially zero. I would also be stunned if Apple ever approved an application that used a third-party rendering engine.

Coming Soon: A Mozilla App for the iPhone.

John Gruber one-upped Dan Lyons’ tease from yesterday morning by detailing the announcements that Gruber claims will be coming later today.

Redesigned MacBooks, redesigned iMacs, an updated Mac mini (including one that ships with OS X Server), a multi-touch “Magic Mouse,” and a multi-touch trackpad were mentioned.

Many of this we’ve all heard before, what’s new is the Mac mini with OS X Server and the multi-touch trackpad that Gruber claims is targeted for desktop Macs.

A Mac mini with OS X Server is a brilliant idea, I’ve seen countless web pages detailing their process of turning the Mac mini into a home server — this is a logical step for Apple to take with the product.

But, the multi-touch trackpad for desktop Macs isn’t something anyone has really talked about. When Apple initially launched new notebooks with multi-touch gestures early last year, I wondered how Apple would bring the feature to desktop Macs. When the multi-touch mouse was first rumored I thought that a mouse would be a perfect way of bringing those gestures to desktops without having to add another peripheral. But, it seems that I was wrong, Apple is going to bring a trackpad to desktop Macs and I’m assuming that it will be used for notebook-like gestures, but I’m almost certain it will be used for much more than that.

Engadget has also found a couple of FCC filings for “a pair of 802.11 a/b/g/n 3×3 access points.” It sounds to me like we might get some new routers too.

What I find odd is that it isn’t like Apple to announce two redesigned computers and two new products without some sort of event. I’m not saying that they can’t, I just find it odd. Apple isn’t one to just push out a press release when they release a redesigned product. Dan Lyons’ tease mentioned that “the people we care about are being briefed in advance,” so maybe Apple is trying something new here, or maybe they didn’t have time to plan an event in time for the holiday shopping season.

Previously:
10/5/09: Mouse, iMac, and Other Apple Hardware
9/30/09: Updated iMac and Mac mini Coming in October
8/29/09: MacBook Redesign in the Works
8/8/09: Upcoming iMacs to Release with ‘Compelling New Features’

Update 10/20/09: An AppleInsider forum poster has listed (what he claims to be) the products that will be announced today.

MC207LL/A – K84 BEST BTR- USA
MC238LL/A – MAC MINI 2.26/2x1GB/160/SD/AP/BT-USA
MC239LL/A- MAC MINI 2.53/2x2GB/320GB/SD/AP/BT-USA
MC340LL/A – AIRPORT EXTREME (SIM DUALBAND) – USA
MC343LL/A – TIME CAPSULE 1TB (SIM DUALBAND) -USA
MC344LL/A – TIME CAPSULE 2TB (SIM DUALBAND) – USA
MC408LL/A – MAC MINI 2.53/2x2GB/1TB/NO ODD/AP-BT-USA
MC413LL/A – IMAC 21.5″/3.06/2x2GB/1TB/4670-256MB-USA
MC434LL/A – APPLE VESA MOUNT ADAPTER
MC461LL/A – MACBOOK 60W MAGSAFE POWER ADAPTER – USA

Looks like we’ll be getting a few new Mac minis, an AirPort Extreme, a couple of Time Capsules, a 21.5-inch iMac, and MacRumors has received “unconfirmed word that the ‘MC207LL/A’ product is a MacBook running at 2.26 GHz with a 250 GB hard drive and 2GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM.”

Apple’s online store has been down for a couple of hours now and there are still no signs of changes (on the store page or on individual product pages).

Update 10/20/09: Apple Updates MacBook with LED-Backlight, Glass Trackpad, 7 Hour Battery

Update 10/20/09: Apple Introduces Magic Mouse

Update 10/20/09: Apple Unveils New iMac with 21.5 and 27-inch 16:9 Displays

Update 10/20/09: Apple Updates Mac mini, Offers Server Model

Update 11/6/09: Apple Magic Mouse

Hardmac is citing sources that claim that Apple is currently testing Intel’s latest Xeon processor, known as Gulftown, for their upcoming Mac Pro refresh which might come early next year.

The processor sports 6-cores with a total of 12 threads for each CPU alongside 12MB of shared cache.

Hardmac also claims that the new Mac Pro will feature 10Gb ethernet and will support 16GB RAM modules which would bring its total RAM capacity up to 128GB.

If true, the extra RAM and CPU horsepower will likely be well received by video professionals who are ready to take advantage of that kind of speed, not to mention the ability to quickly move large files around with 10Gb ethernet.

Hardmac.com : Le “Macbidouille” in English – Future Mac Pro: Apple to Enjoy Short-Term Exclusive Use of Future Xeon CPU?.

Gizmodo managed to uncover some details and images of the upcoming Barnes & Noble e-book reader. The e-reader is set to be released next week at a special event in New York City and has been under development for years.

The device runs Android and has a layout that is  like no other e-reader on the market. It will have a 6-inch e-ink display up above with a multitouch LCD display below.

The device seems to have 3G although there is some question as to which carrier will be used for its network access. There is no word on pricing but the device is said to be targeted at a price point below that of the Kindle’s.

There wasn’t any mention in Gizmodo’s article as to whether or not this device would have a web browser. I would love to see a web browser in this device, I don’t find myself wanting to read books all that often but the ability to read longer form articles from the web on an e-ink display would certainly cut down on the eye strain.

Exclusive: First Photos of Barnes & Noble’s Double Screen E-Reader – Barnes and Nobles reader – Gizmodo.

Update 10/19/09: The Wall Street Journal (redirected through Google to get past their pay wall) reports that the Barnes and Noble e-book reader will be announced tomorrow. The device will be named “Nook” and will cost $259.

Update 10/22/09: Barnes and Noble ‘nook’

Update 12/10/09: Barnes & Noble nook Reviews Start Pouring In

Update 12/20/09: Barnes & Noble Sending $100 Gift Certificates to nook Pre-Orderers

9 to 5 Mac was recently sent a note by an AT&T spokesman regarding an article on their website that claimed that iPhone tethering would be coming in 2009.

Just reading again – where did anyone promise tethering by [end of year]? Where did you see that? We promised MMS by end of summer and ended up being a few days late for that…

Tethering has been available in other countries since iPhone firmware 3.0 was released back in June. There have been ways of enabling it here but none of them officially supported by AT&T and Apple. And, you would have to pass on updating to firmware 3.1.

There is still a glimmer of hope that this was just a nitpicking AT&T employee simply pointing out that a time frame hasn’t officially been announced, but it’s probably safe to say that tethering is a 2010 thing.

By the way, for those of you lucky enough to purchase Netshare before it was pulled from the App Store: it still works.

AT&T: Tethering is probably going to be a 2010 thing | 9 to 5 Mac.

Previously:
7/1//09: Appmodo Still Claims $55 as Tethering Price
6/25/09: Enable Tethering and MMS Using MobileSafari

Update 11/14/09: AT&T on iPhone Tethering and Verizon Ads

Seth Weintraub, of 9 to 5 Mac, has received a tip that Apple is developing an FM Tuner application for the iPhone and iPod touch. The application is said to be able to run in the background, just like iPod.app, and will offer functionality similar to that in the new iPod nano.

The iPhone 3GS along with the second and third generation iPod touch have been able to receive FM radio signals but the feature has yet to be supported in software.

Weintraub’s source says that the hold up is due to the integration between the radio app and the iTunes Store. While listening to a song you would be able to tap a button that brought you to the song listed in iTunes, then you are just one tap away from purchasing the song.

Weintraub also mentions that the iPhone 3GS and current iPod touch supports 802.11n in hardware which could also be turned on in the future. But, I haven’t been able to confirm that the iPhone 3GS’ hardware supports such functionality. The only references I’ve found to the iPhone 3GS having support for 802.11n were in rumors before the devices launch.

In-house Radio.app in the works for iPhone and iPod touch | 9 to 5 Mac.

Previously:
4/9/09: iPhone 3,1 Parts Shipping, 802.11n, Video Editing, and More

Update 1/4/10: 802.11n Coming to the iPhone

DigiTimes is reporting that Foxconn Electronics will be Apple’s manufacturing partner on the upcoming tablet. They claim that the device will hit the market in the first quarter of 2010 and will have a focus on e-book reading.

The sources indicated they believe the tablet PC features will focus more on e-book functionality rather than music, and that based on Apple’s marketing strategy, long battery life, quick Internet connectivity and an easy-to-use user interface will be key features of the device.

DigiTimes also quotes a source saying that the device will have a 10.6-inch display, which is very close to the 10.7-inch display mentioned in iLounge’s “Ten New Details on the Apple Tablet.”

Foxconn said to be tapped to make Apple tablet PC, shipments expected to begin in 1Q10.

Previously:
9/17/09: Another Report on the Apple Tablet
8/24/09: Steve Jobs Has Been Focusing on the Tablet
8/13/09: Brian Lam Talks to Insider About Apple Tablet

Update 12/8/09: ‘TabletMac’ Trademark and Apple Tablet Pricing

Update 12/28/09: Apple Tablet May be Announced in January

Update 1/6/10: Apple May Ship Tablet in March

John Gruber, of Daring Fireball, has made his “if-I-were-a-betting-man wagers” for upcoming Apple hardware. He believes there will be a new iMac, MacBook, keyboard, mouse, and a speed-bump/price-cut on the Mac mini.

Gruber had previously predicted Blu-ray was coming to the iMac but now believes that it has been taken out. I’m not sure what has been going on at Apple lately. With the missing iPod touch camera and now the (supposed) missing Blu-ray drive in the iMac, Apple has really been dropping the ball in terms of new features.

He also thinks that rumors of the new mouse having “some sort of integrated touchpad dingus to replace the scroller ball are sounding good.”

Mac4Ever (Google Translated) was the first to describe updates to the Mighty Mouse, saying that it will be “100% touch.” Meanwhile, Engadget has managed to find actual filings for the new keyboard and mouse on the FCC’s website. I’ve often wondered how Apple would translate all of their multi-touch gestures to the desktop realm and this seems to be the perfect solution. And, I really hope that Apple gets rid of that god-awful scroll ball, it only lasts a week or so before it gets too gunked up to work.

In the above Mac4Ever report, they also mention a new Apple remote. I had glossed over this rumor when I first reported saw it but with everything else seeming to come together I have to reconsider. Mac4Ever says that the new remote is aluminum but they don’t know what product it is associated with. The Boy Genius Report had previously posted a product mockup image of a touch-based remote to be released for the Apple TV. I don’t know if these two rumors are related but they are worth mentioning none the less.

Previously:
9/30/09: Updated iMac and Mac mini Coming in October
8/8/09: Upcoming iMacs to Release with ‘Compelling New Features’
6/30/09: Cheaper iMacs May Be Coming This Fall

Update 10/7/09: Interestingly, Microsoft has also been working on multi-touch mice and a video demo of their prototypes can be seen on Engadget’s Viddler account.

Also, TechCrunch reports that Man & Machine has been granted the trademark for “Mighty Mouse.” This could mean that Apple’s upcoming multi-touch mouse won’t be called the “Mighty Mouse.” Honestly, I’d rather Apple bring back the “Apple Pro Mouse” name anyway.

Update 10/17/09: AppleInsider has received word that Intel’s Core i7 quad-core processors may be in the next iMac update. The article notes that they haven’t been able to confirm this rumor with 100% certainty but with pricing of this chip the way it is, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was at least a build to order option.

Update 10/20/09: Mac mini with OS X Server and Multi-Touch Trackpad for Desktop Macs

Update 10/20/09: Apple Updates MacBook with LED-Backlight, Glass Trackpad, 7 Hour Battery

Update 10/20/09: Apple Introduces Magic Mouse

Update 10/20/09: Apple Unveils New iMac with 21.5 and 27-inch 16:9 Displays

Update 10/20/09: Apple Updates Mac mini, Offers Server Model

Update 10/20/09: AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule, and Remote

Update 11/6/09: Apple Magic Mouse

Kasper Jade reports for AppleInsider that Apple has issued an advisory to retail stores stating that all existing iMac and Mac mini SKUs will be discontinued.

There have been several rumors in the past few months indicating that the iMac would be refreshed but this latest report all but confirms it. A couple of AppleInsider reports that I had written about previously rumored “compelling new features,” price cuts, and an “industrial design overhaul” for the iMac.

Last week Kasper Jade also reported that the new iMac designs are already being manufactured, and have been so for a couple of weeks. In the AppleInsider report Jade also writes that the upcoming iMac will “take design cues from the Cupertino-based company’s relatively new LED-lit Cinema Display offerings.”

Meanwhile Mac4Ever (Google Translated) has received a number of tips that suggest the inclusion of an SD card slot, the use of quad-core processors, and the possibility of Xeon processors. Although the inclusion of an SD card slot seems logical, I would suggest taking Mac4Ever’s rumors with grain of salt, they don’t exactly have the most fantastic track record in terms of breaking news about new macs.

Because of the stock constraints, the new iMac and Mac mini models will likely be released sometime in October.

Previously:
8/8/09: Upcoming iMacs to Release with ‘Compelling New Features’
6/30/09: Cheaper iMacs May Be Coming This Fall

Update 9/30/09: Some further indications that the Mac mini and iMac will be seeing a refresh, possibly before October 9:

• The shipping window for the low-end Mac mini has changed from the usual “Within 24hrs” to “1-3 business days.”
• TUAW has received a tip from an Apple Store employee claiming that his store only has 4 iMacs in stock.
• Another TUAW tipster ordered a Mac mini on September 18 and today received an email saying that the machine wouldn’t ship until October 9.

Update 10/3/09: Kasper Jade, of AppleInsider, Believes that Apple will announce updated MacBooks alongside the new iMac and Mac mini.

Meanwhile Sam Oliver is reporting that shipping times for the MacBook, Mac mini, and iMac been changed on the online Apple Store for Resellers. The wait times for these macs are much longer than the “1-3 business days” that usually appears on the Apple Store for Resellers.

Update 10/3/09: AppleInsider | Apple ads hint at thinner iMacs, lighter MacBooks, cheaper Mac minis

Update 10/20/09: Mac mini with OS X Server and Multi-Touch Trackpad for Desktop Macs

Update 10/20/09: Apple Updates MacBook with LED-Backlight, Glass Trackpad, 7 Hour Battery

Update 10/20/09: Apple Unveils New iMac with 21.5 and 27-inch 16:9 Displays

Update 10/20/09: Apple Updates Mac mini, Offers Server Model

Steve Chuang, reporting for The Taiwan Economic News, says that Apple will launch their tablet in February with Taiwanese suppliers beginning to deliver parts in December.

The tablet PC features a 9.6-inch screen, finger-touch function and built-in HSPDA (high speed download packet access) module, and adopts a P.A. SEMI processor chip and long lasting battery pack, selling for between US$799 and US$999.

Steve Chuang goes on to say that DynaPack will supply up to 300,000 batteries a month for the tablet while Wintek will supply touchscreens for the device.

There isn’t a lot of new information with this report, other than the inclusion of what suppliers will be making parts for the device.

Taiwanese Suppliers Tap Apple`s Supply Chain of Tablet PCs | CENS.com – The Taiwan Economic News.

Previously:
8/24/09: Steve Jobs Has Been Focusing on the Tablet
8/13/09: Brian Lam Talks to Insider About Apple Tablet
7/25/09: Apple Tablet May Come in Early 2010

Update 10/4/09: Jeremy Horwitz of iLounge reveals “Ten New Details on the Apple Tablet.” The most interesting of which are:

• The latest prototype has a 10.7-inch screen.
• The tablet runs iPhoneOS.
• There will be two versions, one with 3G and one without.
• Apple is currently planning to announce it on or before January 19, 2010 with a release date in May or June.

Brian Lam, of Gizmodo also reveals some details about the tablets potential as an e-book reader.

Update 10/7/09: Brad Stone, of the New York Times, reports that, not only has Apple been working on the tablet since 2003, but Steve Jobs has questioned “what [tablets] were good for besides surfing the Web in the bathroom.”

Update 10/7/09: Apple Tablet Coming in Q1 2010

Update 12/8/09: ‘TabletMac’ Trademark and Apple Tablet Pricing

Update 12/28/09: Apple Tablet May be Announced in January

Update 1/6/10: Apple May Ship Tablet in March

Eric Savitz of Barron’s reports on a note from Wedge Parters predicting new iMacs and MacBooks “in the next several weeks.”

They say that the iMac will get a “thinner, organic design, likely with smoothed or rounded edges.”

Wedge also expects “new, lower price points.”

AppleInsider had published rumors in early August regarding iMacs with “compelling new features,” in late August saying that a MacBook redesign was in the works, and in late June claiming that we would see lower cost iMacs this fall.

It’s hard to say whether or not Wedge Partners has any information that we don’t already know. I believe AppleInsider has a credible sources but it is entirely possible that Wedge Partners is basing their assertion on AppleInsider’s reports.

Apple: New Macs Coming Soon? – Tech Trader Daily – Barrons.com.

Previously:
8/29/09: MacBook Redesign in the Works
8/8/09: Upcoming iMacs to Release with ‘Compelling New Features’
6/30/09: Cheaper iMacs May Be Coming This Fall

Update 9/30/09: Updated iMac and Mac mini Coming in October

Update 10/20/09: Mac mini with OS X Server and Multi-Touch Trackpad for Desktop Macs

Update 10/20/09: Apple Updates MacBook with LED-Backlight, Glass Trackpad, 7 Hour Battery

Update 10/20/09: Apple Unveils New iMac with 21.5 and 27-inch 16:9 Displays

AppleInsider is citing “those claiming knowledge of the matter” who say that a future iPhone software update will enable new AT&T specific features.

These two rumored features are said to be a “collaborative effort between AT&T and Apple based off customer feedback.”

• Overage Alerts would send a push notification to your iPhone when you are in danger of exceeding their monthly anytime minutes.
• New voicemail options would allow a user to  disable the custom voicemail greeting. The same feature would also allow iPhone users to bypass voicemail greetings and other automated instructions when placing calls to AT&T users.

To reiterate, AppleInsider cites sources “claiming knowledge of the matter,” this indicates that AppleInsider is unable to verify whether or not the source would actually have knowledge of the matter, only that they claim to.

AppleInsider | New AT&T specific features rumored for future iPhone update.

The estimated shipping time for the 40GB Apple TV has changed from “Within 24hrs” to “1-2 weeks.” This has lead Gene Munster to speculate that Apple will be making a change to the Apple TV lineup next week.

I have already predicted that Apple would be announcing updates to the Apple TV at next weeks event. I’m expecting the storage sizes to shake up a bit and I’m also expecting a software update for current models.

Apple TV – Apple Store U.S..

Previously:
8/31/09: Apple Makes September 9 Event Official
8/30/09: September Apple Event Predictions

Update 9/2/09: Jim Dalrymple writing for The Loop:

The Loop has learned through very reliable sources that an updated Apple TV will definitely not be introduced at next week’s event in San Francisco.

So much for Apple TV updates.

Update 9/8/09: AppleInsider quoting a report by Robert Cihra, Oppenheimer:

While some have wondered whether Apple might ultimately try to integrate traditional cable set-top box (decoding) functionality into its Apple TV product, Mr. Oppenheimer pretty much killed that concept and said that it just doesn’t fit Apple’s business

Update 9/14/09: Apple has discontinued the 40GB Apple TV and dropped the price of the 160GB model to $229. It isn’t exactly a hardware refresh but it’s a step in the right direction.

Update 9/15/09: iTunes LP and Extras Destined for the Apple TV

Kasper Jade of AppleInsider is claiming that Apple’s MacBook is on the verge of a redesign.

People familiar with Cupertino-based company’s plans say the 13-inch portables are presently undergoing an industrial design overhaul that will see them reemerge in the coming months with a slimmer, lighter enclosure and restructured internal architecture to boot.

Ever since Apple repositioned its aluminum MacBooks as MacBook Pros I’ve thought the MacBook felt a little lonely. It’s only natural to assume that Apple would expand their MacBook offerings. Up until now this thought only came from idle speculation but now there is at least someone with a source indicating that it could be true.

Kasper Jade goes on to point out that, with the addition of the tablet and the expansion of the MacBook offerings, Apple will have a top-to-bottom line of products. In the second quarter of next year Apple will offer a device at every major price point and this will undeniably make the lives of PC manufacturers a little more difficult.

AppleInsider | Apple to retain, redesign plastic MacBook family.

Update 9/16/09: Wedge Partners Claims Apple is Redesigning the iMac and MacBook

Update 10/20/09: Mac mini with OS X Server and Multi-Touch Trackpad for Desktop Macs

Update 10/20/09: Apple Updates MacBook with LED-Backlight, Glass Trackpad, 7 Hour Battery

DigiTimes is quoting “market sources” saying:

OmniVision will be the sole supplier of 3.2-megapixel CIS products for new iPod nano, iPod classic and iPod Touch models which will be launched in September, the sources indicated.

DigiTimes reported back in April that Apple had ordered 3.2- and 5-megapixel CMOS sensors from OmniVision. The 3.2-megapixel sensors were used in the iPhone 3GS while the 5-megapixel sensors still haven’t found a home (assuming the rumor in April was true).

It’s has all but been confirmed that Apple will be releasing new iPods at a September media event, most likely to be held on September 9. The addition to the rumor mill with this latest report is that the iPod classic will also gain a camera in its next hardware revision. I had all but given up on the idea that Apple would put any effort into the iPod classic, but it seems they might not be letting it languish after all.

OmniVision becomes sole CIS supplier of new Apple iPod.

Previously:
7/24/09: Whole Slew of Next Generation iPod touch, nano Case Images
7/23/09: Wired Touting iPod touch Camera Rumor
4/5/09: Rumors Say Apple is Ordering 3.2MP and 5MP CMOS Image Sensors

Update 8/30/09: Jacqui Cheng of Ars Technica has been told that iPod stock is getting low and all current SKUs are being discontinued

Update 8/31/09: Apple Makes September 9 Event Official

Update 9/6/09: Engadget has a gallery of iPod nano and iPod touch cases from IFA. And, of course these cases are for the unannounced nano and touch which will feature cameras.

Update 9/10/09: The New iPod Lineup

Update 9/13/09: Covino & Rich iPod touch was Real

John Biggs of CrunchGear has published several images purported to be of the Apple tablet, which they are calling “the iPad.” Their source claims that they are very early screenshots of the tablet. I don’t think that these are real but we won’t know for sure until Apple has enough time to send (or not send) a cease and desist.

I’ve added all of the screenshots to a gallery below just in case they get taken down (which they probably won’t).

The iPad Revealed: Purported screenshots of the Apple tablet OS.

Previously:
8/24/09: Steve Jobs Has Been Focusing on the Tablet
8/13/09: Brian Lam Talks to Insider About Apple Tablet
7/25/09: Apple Tablet May Come in Early 2010

Update 8/26/09: I have several observations after looking through these images again.

• It’s odd that the keyboard would be labeled “Keyboard.”
• All of the fonts look a little off.
• The rounded edges on the boxes containing text doesn’t fit with Apple current design conventions seen on the Apple TV.
• With no video being displayed the playback controls indicate that it is about half way through a video.

This is obviously fake, and not a very good one at that.

Update 8/30/09: Brooke Crothers of CNET claims to have talked to an industry analyst who has seen the Apple tablet and says that “the MacBook Air has some of the aesthetic qualities of the tablet.”

Update 9/17/09: Another Report on the Apple Tablet

Update 10/7/09: Apple Tablet Coming in Q1 2010

Update 12/8/09: ‘TabletMac’ Trademark and Apple Tablet Pricing

Update 12/28/09: Apple Tablet May be Announced in January

Update 1/6/10: Apple May Ship Tablet in March