The Apple tablet rumors are coming so thick and fast now that the big surprise would be for Apple not to announce one. The austere and reliable Financial Times has just thrown into the game with an article which confirms a September release for the new oversized iPod Touch, a timing which ties in nicely to Apples yearly September iPod announcements.
The device will probably have a ten-inch screen and come without a cell connection. Somewhat bizarrely, the FT describes it as being pitched at rejuvenating sales of the multi-song music album. Its all about re-creating the heyday of the album when you would sit around with your friends looking at the artwork, while you listened to the music, a source told the FT. How will this happen? Liner notes and artwork on the big 10-inch screen.
This attempt to turn back the business clock for the music industry is codenamed Cocktail, and will tempt consumers to buy albums rather than just picking the songs they like. Unfortunately, it seems to have escaped the music execs that people bought albums because it was the only way to get the tracks you wanted, unlike today where you can pick and choose, discarding the chaff.
The article also mentions book publishers, who have been in talks with Apple. This sounds great, and if Apple can manage the battery life issues then a color, hi-res screen could be a Kindle Killer. The FT ends with a statement that is indisputably true, given a high-resolution, 10-inch screen: Its going to be fabulous for watching movies.
Apple joins forces with record labels [Financial Times]
Paywall avoiding link to full article [Google]
Photo: nDevilTV/Flickr
Posted under Gadget Reviews
This post was written by publisher on July 27, 2009
