Is Tablet Computer Apple's Next Big Thing?

By Rex Crum

Figuring out what Apple Inc. (AAPL) has in store for its next big product launch has become as popular a game as gathering to pick fantasy football drafts every fall.

And with holiday shopping season approaching, speculation is growing about what will be the next must-have device that Apple hopes will wow consumers and lead to a boom in sales.

Since the company only recently has upgraded the iPhone, and revamps its Mac PC models throughout the year, it follows that something involving the iPod could be next. And Apple historically holds an event in September or ...

source:WSJ

Apple teams with record labels for ‘Cocktail project’; readying tablet-sized computer!

According to Financial Times' Sunday reports, Apple has teamed up with four record labels - EMI, Sony Music, Warner Music and Vivendi's Universal Music Group - for a project called 'Cocktail,' with the aim of increasing digital sales of albums.

Citing unnamed sources-in-the-know Apple's 'Cocktail' project with the record companies - which is likely to be launched in September - would offer interactive features with music downloads, bundled with a new interactive booklet and sleeve notes.

Though neither Apple nor the four record companies were available for further elaboration on the proposed 'Cocktail' project, it is believed that the move it will essentially bring about a change in the buying trends on the Apple iTunes store.

Meanwhile, Apple is also readying its much-hyped portable tablet-sized computer for Christmas season release. The Financial Times' report said that the new Apple device might be launched alongside the fresh content deals - including those that would help fuel the sales of CD-length music.

The forthcoming touch-sensitive Apple tablet will have an up to 10-inch-diagonally screen, and will connect to the Internet like the iPod Touch. Though the tablet would likely lack phone capability, it still will have access to Apple's online stores.

In addition, if book publishers' talks with Apple work out and they are allowed to offer their services on the tablet, there could be more competition coming Amazon Kindle's way!

Rumor: Apple to team with Verizon for tablet computer

Apple will have a tablet computer available in time for the holidays, but has not yet decided on a sales model.

According to a published rumor by Scott Moritz of The Street, the device, a larger version of the iPod touch, “will have a 9 or 10-in. screen and may have a keyboard.

The device will be subsidized by Verizon, Moritz writes, but “Apple and Verizon ‘won’t be as tightly integrated’ as Apple’s iPhone exclusivity deal with AT&T.’

I don’t know about that keyboard, but the wireless deal makes a bit more sense. As ZDNet senior editor Sam Diaz wrote earlier, “Apple can’t seriously be ‘very happy’ with AT&T.” (In my opinion, Apple isn’t happy until it strikes deals with all four major U.S. carriers.)

The other factor is attaching a data plan to the tablet. A ton of people are psyched about the possibility of an iTablet, but a lot fewer people are jazzed about computers subsidized by two-year cellular contracts.

And how subsidized are we talking here? Just how low of a price must an iTablet have to be compelling enough for someone to sign on the dotted line? $800 seems awfully expensive to me.