“From what I understand, Apple’s going to be offering customers the option to get their iPads engraved just before the Holidays roll around,” the source said.

It’s unclear wether or not Apple will ask some money for this service, although it is highly likely it will be free to make the iPad even more attractive.

Source: Erictric.com

This is a very weird decision as the update was also free for the iPod touch. The website claims they are 100% sure about the claims. It’s still a rumor though and in my opinion not true. Back in March the Software License Agreement stated that future updates would be free. At least till the next major update. Another post, by The Next Web, explains that the update will be free. So don’t worry, your money is save and you can still enjoy using multitasking and creating folders when the update comes out this fall.

The employee, who just attended a gathering, added he hoped the users of the device like to learn. It seems it will be a challenge to control the tablet. The employee doesn’t give any further details, so it remains unclear if he meant the general interface of the device or that he meant the text input on the tablet.

If the rumors is true, then this would mean the controls would be much different then the controls of Mac OS X or of the iPhone. Not very surprising since a new device might bring a totally new way to control it, to the market as well. On the other hand it seems a bit awkward that Apple will launch a device with a hard to understand interface, since Apple is THE company who which understands that a user friendly system is better then a high-end hardware device.

Source: Cult of Mac

“If the rumors are true, the tablet will be able to do basically everything a gadget could possibly do. It’s an e-reader, a gaming device, and a music player. You can watch TV and movies on it and surf the Internet (or so we’ve heard). And it will have thousands of third-party apps available for it … or maybe it will run Mac OS X. That’s all still unknown.”

The reports also talks about things we’ve heard before. The device will have a price point ranging from $600 to $1000, have an integrated webcam and there will be multiple models with and without 3G connectivity. Below is another positive reaction from one of the analysts:

“The Tablet will be awesome, and my guess is that it will be an instant hit for people who loved Kindles and people who want netbooks,” said David Wertheimer, executive director of Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center. Wertheimer said he finds it hard to comprehend how the tablet will replace all other on-the-go tech products. “But then again, what I can’t imagine, Steve Jobs often can,” he added.

Some people are less excited:

“What we’ve found in the past with these multi-function devices is that they’re better for ad-hoc purposes, like quick and dirty tasks,” said Zeus Kerravala, an analyst with Yankee Group. “They’re not for any prolonged, high-performance use.”

Another analyst, Laura DiDio with ITIC, provided supposed specifics on the hardware. The device will sport  high-end graphics card, according to Laura. The stunning resolution that will be offered will be greater then the iPhone and iPod touch. There will probably also be several different models. The 3G-enabled version would be tied to a contract with a wireless carrier such as AT&T. The model with a Webcam will allow simple mobile video conferencing, suggesting the tablet would have an education edition geared towards schools.

“Any time Steve Jobs gets on stage, the expectations are incredibly high, but they are especially lofty for the tablet,” the report said. “Analysts and investors are saying that this device could revolutionize the handheld world in the same way the the iPhone changed the smartphone market.”

Personally, if I read these reports, I get very very very excited. If this fills a supposed void between the iPhone and a low-end MacBook then the Apple Tablet could really be device that enables you to do games, watch videos, listen to music, use the internet and even chat with people around the world with the webcam. It practically becomes a devices that can do everything, anytime, anywhere.

Are you getting excited as well?

Source: CNNMoney.com

ZD Net’s Mary-Jo Foley said she has received several tips that the Windows Maker is working on a tablet device of their own. It is part of something known as “Alchemy Ventures”. Foley said she finds it likely Microsoft will wait to show off the hardware until after Apple reveals their own much rumored tablet device.

“No word on whether Microsoft will field a Microsoft-branded Surface/Tablet combo or rely on one or more hardware partners to produce multiple designs.”

Most recent rumors suggest Apple is working on a 9,6″ touch device with a launch date of somewhere in early 2010. Foley continued by pointing out that Microsoft is a software and services company, not a hardware company. They most likely return to those things after at least one more Zune. There’s also a part about “Pink”. Codename for Microsoft’s iPhone competitor. The device is probably going to run Windows Mobile 7. The new Windows Mobile edition is going to launch late 2010, but Microsoft will most likely show off “Pink”  at the Consumer Electronics show in January.

What do you think about these developments? I think it is a good thing, because this might speed things up a little. Apple wants to be revolutionary with every new product they put on the market. And since the rumors about a possible iTablet started spreading in 2002, with 2009 being the busiest year when it comes to iTablet rumors and Steve Jobs back at his throne, the chance to see a iTablet soon is very high. With competitors like Microsoft, we will most likely see other big companies to build their own tablet computer as well. That will quickly drop prices and then we no longer have a desktop or laptop age, but a tablet computer age.

Give your opinion. What do you think about these developments?