News Leak Reveals 10-inch Glass Panel for Apple Tablet

[Michael Essany]

For months, trying to find any and all information about a forthcoming Apple tablet was more difficult than pulling teeth. Now that the arrival of such a device is all but a foregone conclusion, news leaks are revealing more and more info about the mysterious tablet on a surprisingly regular basis.

The news out of Taiwain today, in fact, reveals that Taiwanese panel maker Innolux is providing Apple with touch panels for the tablet. According to Digitimes, "sources from Apple's component suppliers" are cited. Contributing parties to the report suggest that Apple is eager to strengthen the glass of the 10-inch panel for the tablet, a factor that has apparently delayed the launch of the much-hyped device.

Foxconn's optical glass processing subsidiary G-Tech Optoelectronics will provide a glass strengthening process for the device, while Taiwan-based optical film maker Wah Hong Industrial has also reportedly landed component orders.

From concept to execution, the Apple tablet has been a long-awaited product offering out of Cupertino that seems to have encountered one hitch after another in the long journey that finally appears to be almost over.

Apple is expected to announce the tablet PC in January of 2010 with mass shipments to start in March or April, based on analysis of the shipping schedules of Apple's upstream component partners. Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) will be the manufacturer of the tablet, the sources added.

Of course, the "big reveal" of the Apple tablet (exact name still pending) will likely take place next month, but estimates as to when the product will begin shipping are less clear. Most expect shipments to begin in late March or early April. Last week, speculation surfaced that Apple's trademark of the names "iSlate" and "Magic Slate" could reveal possible name considerations by Apple of the tablet device.

Image via WebCrunch

[Peemcgee]

grr i want this

[Channan]

Can't wait til January!

On a side note, I'm glad you guys aren't writing about AT&T not selling iPhones online to certain NY ZIP codes, since many people don't know how to read an entire article and will just assume AT&T's doing it because they can't handle the iPhone in NY.

[JesusAyllon]

dude i want the tablet soo much i have over $2000 for it

[tudtran]

10 inch? That's too small. I was hoping for at least a 13 inch.

[silentassassin12]

Can't wait til January!

On a side note, I'm glad you guys aren't writing about AT&T not selling iPhones online to certain NY ZIP codes, since many people don't know how to read an entire article and will just assume AT&T's doing it because they can't handle the iPhone in NY.

i was in NYC for the summer and its turrible if you have an iphone...every other person sitting next to you has one and it makes the 3g soooooo slow it wasnt worth having on. i would sell my iphone if i lived in NYC, way to many people eating up the internet

[Vandam500]

10 inch? That's too small. I was hoping for at least a 13 inch.

It's nearly 3 times bigger then the iPhone screen. I think its a good size! Not too big but not too small Can't wait to using apps from the Appstore on this!

[mikerlx]

Hold on a minute, this article mentions a 10 inch screen so how we don't know its actually for a apple netbook? it may not be a tablet at all????? I can't wait til the annoucement next month to clear all these rumors with some facts. We still only have a photoshop pic of a mythical device that never even existed....

[Poseidon79]

If it was a netbook it would be a 10" LED screen.. not a 10" glass panel touch screen.

[Jahooba]

This sounds pretty freakin' cool, but I think I would LOVE to have a new iPod Touch with a 5" or 6" screen. I don't have much use for a tablet because whatever it could possibly do, my desktop could do better and faster, but a mini-computer in my pocket is a powerful and convenient tool.

I could see this really catching on with professionals though, especially if it comes with a stylus. I could see nurses checking charts over wi-fi, and artists creating amazing drawings in Photoshop with this.

Hell, OK maybe I do want one!

[ddonuts4]

...and if its $1000 theyll get about 10 people to buy it.

[Melech518]

I will be one of the 10

[rhekt]

yeah im on board with being one of those ten. do we have an eighth?

[senas8]

yeah im on board with being one of those ten. do we have an eighth?

#8 Do we have a 7th?

[tdawg3000]

I will as well pay 1K for it!

[steve-z17]

#8 Do we have a 7th?

#6! Do we have a Fifth?

[devteamtools]

#5! howbout a fourth?

ps, apple should call it the itablet not islate. islate sounds ugly

[Channan]

I want to be #1. So we'll skip ahead for me. Now go back to 4th. :]

[rhekt]

^^lmao chris you rascal