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Thu, 19 Nov 2009 Apple tablet not until second half of 2010?

Rumours point to a delay; Apple said to be waiting for OLED screens

Karen Haslam

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Reports indicate that the rumoured Apple tablet may not launch until the second half of 2010.

Taiwan’s DigiTimes claims that Apple is waiting for OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screens to become available.

Apple plans to launch a model using a 9.7in OLED panel from LG Display, according to the DigiTimes source.

Apple already has a contract in place with LG to supply OLED panels, said the source.

DigiTimes also claims that a number of companies are involved in the manufacturer of the rumoured device. Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), Quanta Computer and Pegatron Technology are all said to be part of the manufacturing team building two Apple tablets.

The reports notes that one tablet will have a 10.6in TFT LCD panel while the other will have a 9.7in OLED panel.

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However, the high price of the component hints at a high price for the Apple tablet. "Since 9.7in OLED panels are currently priced at about $500 and panel costs normally account for about 30 per cent of the device's total cost, Apple's 9.7in OLED tablet PC is expected to have a cost of about US$1,500-1,700 (based on today's prices)," according to the DigiTimes source.

However, OLED screens offer vastly superior contrast to traditional displays because they do not require a backlight, and can switch off pixels to display black areas, rather than shining constant light. They also draw far less power than traditional displays.

OLED displays are a nascent technology, used on very few devices. The only other devices we are aware of that uses an OLED display are a Samsung Mobile Phone and the Sony XEL-1 Organic Panel television display. This HD-TV comprises an 11in screen and costs $2,499. Although the device is on sale very few are seen in the wild (understandably so, given the small screen and high retail price).

Macworld UK's editor-in-chief Mark Hattersley has used Sony's Organic Panel display and told us: "You can certainly notice the difference. I tested the Sony Organic Panel display at the IFA show last year and afterwards the image on every other high-definition television - no matter how large or expensive - looked gray and washed out. It would be fantastic to see Apple implement OLED screens in its iPhone and the rumoured tablet. I think it's only a matter of time before this technology arrives in the mainstream, it's just a case of waiting for the cost to come down".

It is thought that the Apple tablet will come in several different versions, featuring a 9-12in screen, a variety of internet connections from WiFi to 3G, and a webcam for video conferencing. Apple is also expected to launch a whole new digital format for delivering traditional media such as books and magazines: think Amazon Kindle but better.

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Comments received


vader said on Thu, 19 Nov 2009

i read a report saying that oled was rubbish outdoors, wasn't much more power efficient and was too expensive...

dom said on Thu, 19 Nov 2009

Enough of the tablet 'news' already. This is another rumour story based on Digitimes speculation. I used to be interested in the possibility of an Apple tablet, but now I'm just sick of all the speculation which has been going on for years... Can we please reduce the rumours on MacWorld and replace them with hard facts.

Mark Hattersley said on Thu, 19 Nov 2009

@vader

Interesting. I've only tested one indoors so couldn't comment other than to say the Sony TV looked stunning and that's no exaggeration. It made every other TV at IFA (of which there were about tumpty billion) look naff in comparison.

I doubt Apple would consider it if that's the case. Especially given the high cost involved.

Mark Hattersley said on Thu, 19 Nov 2009

@vader

I can vouch for the too expensive bit though. Two and half grand for an 11 inch telly?

It's mostly a tech-demo though so Sony can get away with laughable pricing because they didn't really intend to sell any really... but I'm not sure if Apple could slap the speculated extra £300-£400 on the price of the Tablet so comfortably.

It's looking less and less like a netbook as we go, isn't it.

Robert Bromfield said on Thu, 19 Nov 2009

I agree with dom Apple must be sick to death with the speculation i know i am, wouldn't want one anyway

Baskaran said on Fri, 20 Nov 2009

OLEDs offer contrast ratios that are far better than the current LCD technology. There is presently no camera technology that could produce such vivid images to match what can be shown on a OLED screen. Even the new LED back light based LCDs look very primitive comparing with a OLED screen.

dave said on Fri, 20 Nov 2009

enough with the tablet rumours.
aggree totaly with dom and rob.
Either get somthing solid or quit reporting it!! want a tablet pc....get the archos tablet...its not a mac but hey.....its a tablet. If the tablet was so immenent wouldnt that crowd that convert your laptop into a tablet be dropping their prices!!

vader said on Fri, 20 Nov 2009

it was here, sorry it's a link to a rumour site but the article is very interesting about oled:

www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/09/14/from_oled_to_tegra_five_myths_of_the_zune_hd.html

Jon said on Fri, 20 Nov 2009

What, like slashed in half?

www.powerbookmedic.com/wordpress/2009/10/29/modbook-tablet-mac-prices-slashed-in-half

If you don't want to read Apple stories don't come to Macworld or click on stories called "Apple tablet not until second half of 2010". It's pretty lame to ask Macworld of all people not to be writing stories about the Apple Tablet.

Mark Hattersley said on Fri, 20 Nov 2009

@vader

I did a quick Bing search* and found this response

www.oled-a.org/press_details.cfm?ID=32a.org/press_details.cfm?ID=32

Basically they called it uninformed BS. Mind you it's from the OLED Association so they might be slightly biased. I guess we'll have to wait and see. It's worth noting though. Some LCD screen suffer in bright light too. I find the PSP practically unusable in sunlight.

*I rather foolishly agreed to use it for a week.

Kurt said on Fri, 20 Nov 2009

I too agree with Dom! Enough of the tablet speculation! Let's stick to tips, guides, and straight forward news.

Kolokols said on Sat, 21 Nov 2009

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