Rob- more like appleinsider has all the juicy RUMORS!!!... not detals

Rumors of Apple tablets and the ruturn of the newton have been around since... well the newton. And that "artist redition" is pretty much just an iphone on its side. I'd expect apple to come up with something a little more distinct for such a huge step in their product line.

Honestly the way Apple is treating third parties at the moment, and the RASH of manufacturing defects in iPhone, iPod touches, iPod classics, and even iPod nanos is keeping me far away from Apple.

When rumors of a new PC or Linux portable device surface, the discussion typically focuses around hardware performance and software functionality. In contrast, new Apple device rumors seem to lean towards physical aesthetics and interface "gizmocity." Clearly these are two different cultures.

AppleInsider is notorious for reckless rumor mongering ("I read it on AppleInsider. Wink. Nod.") and will speculate from anything. There's an entire cottage industry of fantasy hardware rendered with great care in continuous stream non-stop.

There have been convincing rumors with photos of Apple tablets since I paid any attention in 2003. The iTablet has been the guessed "big news" in dog-and-pony shows Steve Jobs orchestrates every quarter at least 10 events.

The ModBook vaporware got plenty of press in January dutifully reported on major Apple sites and I was astonished following the days, then weeks after, how incredibly little interest was expressed in forums. Far more dismissal as niche or outright ridicule of tablet computing without keyboard pointless. Then gleefully concluding what a bomb Tablet PC's became and are seen as interface failures.

Do a Google on ModBook and notice the active interest comes from tablet users and sites, not Mac community. Mac tablet will be uphill battle, with sales potential a fraction of tablet/UMPC numbers at launch and gamble of acceptance by user audience hardly guaranteed, unless tablet switchers even register.

iPhone can't even save a file: a computer it is not. Doubled in size won't make one either. OQO knows better. Maybe 2010 worth even dreaming about such hardware at any price, much less cost of goods vs profits driving everything. 10 million iTablets sold won't be projected per year unless delusional. $2,000 sub-tablets remain the reality check. AT&T won't be hidden subsidizing cash cow making any $600 feasible, without two year contracts.

Ink, blades and contracts are the gravy, not printers, razors and phones. The iPhone was analyzed by experts costing $250 to manufacture. Add sales and warranty support and net profit is 1/2 the 10% carrier two year contract cut, with zero costs. iTunes Store profits makes cutting-edge iPods affordable. Other than screen input, only imagination connect tablets.

Apple will watch Dell's tablet mass-market gamble closely. Expect for MacWorld (or sooner) instead sub-12" laptop, two pounds, multi-touch pinch trackpad and maybe swiveling ports allowing tapered edges. Rumors less dazzling, but reasonable odds happening. If not this cycle, next is assured.

I agree this rumor from AppleInsider is pretty worthless. I have no doubt Apple will continue to beef up the iPhone's software to add more PDA-type functionality, but there's no compelling reason for them to roll out a whole new device for it.