The Mac Lounge forum: Reposted for BMF: A new revolution? Maybe so.

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http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a52c9ec0-7a29-11de-b86f-00144feabdc0.html

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/27/apple-record-labels-reportedly-working-to-spur-album-sales-with/

Given the existing demand for an Apple Tablet, and apparently the record labels' desire to sell more albums, Apple may actually be releasing such a product before Christmas. If so, then I'm going to guess WWAN support will be nonexistent, or somewhat of an afterthought. With rumors running around that Verizon is trying to open LTE services in Q1 of 2010, some people said an Apple Tablet could be launched alongside it and offered with a carrier subsidy, but this report contradicts all of that. Maybe GSM WWAN support will be built-in in order to throw AT&T a bone, I'm not counting on it. After all, if the big labels are seeing a new revolution in digital music, this thing will have to be cheap enough to be within grasp of the many consumers affected by the recession. Adding mobile broadband would also add to the cost.

I think there is some truth to all of these rumors, considering they've been making a lot of rounds lately. Of course the same could have been said for the PowerBook G5, but this is different. This is a new product that could be added to an already strong iPod platform, it's technologically possible (unlike cramming a G5 into a laptop), and PA Semi is available to build the chips for it. With iTunes and its App Store in place, a new tablet could be a very feasible venture for Apple. This could tablet could happen, and with it, new interactive music media. I'm liking the ideas. I was considering picking up a Dell Mini around the September timeframe, but now I know I'll have to wait until after the iPod refresh. A tablet would be a better option. What do you guys think?

-BMF