With January 27th and Apple’s expected tablet release date approaching, the rumors are flying in interesting new directions.
First, sources close to Time Inc. have informed MediaMemo that “Apple has only recently started” sharing details about its forthcoming device, and even those discussions have minimal details. Most of the talks between Time and Apple reportedly took place within the last few weeks.
As a result, Time Inc. isn’t expected to have anything to present at next week’s tablet unveiling. The source was quoted as stating that Time remains “intensely interested” in the device.
“But for now, Time Inc. executives are thinking about this stuff in a bit of vacuum, because they don’t know exactly what Steve Jobs has up his sleeve,” the report said. “Tease that out a bit and you can tell the story of most media companies: They’re excited to start taking advantage of the tablet–as soon as they find out what it is, exactly.”
In December, Time Inc. released a video demonstrating how users might read Sports Illustrated on a tablet-like device. Some members of the press were also allowed to test working demos of the concept.
In an interesting development, a new note Wednesday from UBS Investment Research cited industry checks in forecasting that the Apple tablet will be powered by a processor designed by P.A. Semi and built by Samsung. Analyst Maynard Um said it would likely be a complex system on a chip design.
Per AppleInsider, Um pegged Hon Hai Precision Co. as the manufacturer for the tablet, and said LG Display will likely supply most of the screens, with AUO being a second source.
Other parts noted by UBS were:
– Connectors from Chen Uei and Hon Hai.
– Wintek, Sintek and TPK as touch suppliers.
– Batteries from Simplo and Dynapack.
– NAND flash memory from Samsung.
– Broadcom to provide a “combo” chip for connectivity.
The note said the tablet is expected to hit the market at some point in the first half of 2010.
“Key will be timing and price points, in order to asses how material it could be for suppliers,” Um wrote. “In addition, how convincing the device will be could generate debate as per whether the tablet device category could be revived and help overall demand.”
Apple purchased chip designer P.A. Semi for US$278 million in 2008. The company specialized in sophisticated low-power designs.
Finally, Publishers Marketplace has said that “secret” negotiations are taking place between Apple and “nearly all (and most likely all) of the six largest trade publishers” in the U.S. The talks are reportedly underway in New York as Apple preps to unveil its tablet next week.
Those involved said that it’s possible a deal may not be reached in time for the January 27th event. It also noted that publishers could be “seeking greater control over pricing and supply of digital material.”
The rumors follow a report from earlier this week that Apple was in talks with publisher HarperCollins to sell e-books on the tablet, with a business model that would follow that of the existing App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch. Typical bestseller releases could cost about US$9.99, and Apple would give publishers 70% of the revenue, while keeping a 30% share for itself.
It’s speculation at this point, but it’ll be resolved in a week over at the Yerba Buena.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available and let us know what you think in the comments.
One reply on “Rumor: Additional Tablet Supplier/Content Details Surface”
I think it would be just super if apple didn’t release a tablet. It would if Apple had leaked all this information just to screw with people. They paid Foxconn to have some low level functionary lie. They bribed the NY times guy to “slip up” and mention it early. I would die laughing if this was just the most elaborate prank ever.