Hi, I'm Ryan Boswell.

Tablet Predictions

January 26th

As we get under the 12-hour mark for Apple’s press event tomorrow morning, I figured I’d write up my predictions for the fabled Apple Tablet. I’m still not entirely convinced a tablet is what Apple is announcing tomorrow, because there’s been too many leaks around it and it makes me suspicious. But enough of me wants it to be announced and there is enough evidence to where I’m leaning towards a yes. Regardless of what is announced tomorrow, this is what I’d expect to see on the device.

• 10-10.5″ touch display, with not much of a border around the edge (I’m thinking it’ll look like the display on a MacBook Pro)
• Wi-Fi is a given, but possibly 3G/4G connectivity as optional with AT&T, and I’m hoping Verizon, but that’s still a long shot
• Front-facing camera like on the MacBook Pro
• OS will be a variation of the iPhone OS, formatted for a larger device
• I don’t think there will be an Apps store for the device, Apple may have begun to work out the kinks in the App Store approval process, but a second device with a whole new set of dedicated apps would extend Apple too far and I think they realize that
• On the other hand, I do believe there will be built in content-distro app (or app), possibly an updated iTunes, for news/books/magazines/etc…
• Device will have 64GB and 128GB internal solid-state drive options
• Pricing will be just under or right at $1000, possibly replacing the low end MacBook model

One other thing that has been flying around in conjunction with the Tablet rumors is iTunes in the Cloud. Many are saying this is key to the Tablet idea, something more portable than existing devices (but more functional than an iPhone) and constantly connected (Wi-Fi and 3G/4G) so you’ll have access to stream your music library and have purchased/rented content available to you on-demand from your Tablet (and presumably every other Apple device you own). I personally would love this and I’ve been trying to figure out how to get it done using 3rd party services for months (I haven’t gotten it yet, so far my massive media (music, video, and photo) collection is still bound to one computer and what little I can fit on my iPhone to take with me). But I’m hesitant to say it’ll be announced tomorrow. I think a lot of signs are pointing in this direction, but that’ll be further down the road at WWDC with the next version iPhone, which would be a far better device to market this service with.