Kindle Review – Kindle Fire Review, Kindle 4 Review

A forum user at MacRumors yesterday wrote about a China Times article (in Mandarin) that talks about an October release of the Apple iReader Netbook -

Taiwan’s high-tech supply chain companies said Apple will debut its first netbook in October; Apple will pose itself to tackle the Christmas shopping season.

Three corporations – Foxconn, Wintek, Dynapack have received direct orders from Apple. (Wintek will be producing touch screens and providing relevant technologies for Apple.)

Apple will produce screens with about 9.7 inches in diagonal length. Touch screen will be installed.

Apple will not target low-end consumers, avoiding direct competition with Acer, Asus, as well as their less-than-500-dollars netbooks. Apple’s netbook (or a “tablet” as many call it,) will probably be sold at around $800 USD each.

Signs that Apple iReader Netbook will be out in October

1. Apple iReader Netbook TouchScreen Rumors: In March 2009, the Commercial Times had reported that Taiwan-based Wintek would be supplying touch panels for Apple’s new netbook. Digitimes reported this and had further confirmation in May.
2. Apple iReader Netbook Manufacturer Rumors: The China Times article mentioned above has said Foxconn will produce the Apple netbook. This matches the report from Commercial Times on April 20th (via The Inquirer) -
   

   Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) is in the running to land orders for a netbook from Apple, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report citing sources from the component supply chain.

3. Apple iReader Netbook Camera Orders (Perhaps): There are reports (again from DigiTimes) of a “massive” order for 3MP and 5MP cameras from Apple.
4. Apple iReader Netbook Projector Orders (Perhaps): Apple are planning on incorporating projectors into its products. While reports speculate it’s for handsets, it makes more sense to put a projector into an Apple Netbook. Especially if it lets you project movies or books onto a wall or bigger screen.
5. Apple iReader Netbook Specialized Chip: Apple acquired chip-maker PA Semi in April 2008 for $278 million. VentureBeat says the chip design geniuses were split into two teams, one of which designed the chip for Apple’s netbook.

That’s a lot of signs pointing to an Apple reader and netbook being in the works. Its also worth nothing that if Wintek is supplying TouchPanels it probably rules out Pixel Qi’s magic screens.

It makes a lot of sense that Apple would target the holiday season. No point waiting till early 2010 (as analysts have speculated) and letting Netbooks and Kindles gain further momentum.

What does a $800 Apple iReader / Netbook mean for the Kindle?

1. The $299 Kindle 2 won’t face much of a threat. $500 is a big price difference.  
2. Kindle DX at $489 becomes instantly less compelling. Especially compared to a 9.7″ touchscreen.  
3. $800 is still a lot. Neither $350-$400 netbooks nor $300 eReaders will face extinction due to a $800 Apple Netbook, eReader.

Any device over $500 is in trouble. The Apple iReader/Netbook would probably have -

1. A 9.7″ touch-screen.
2. A Projector.
3. A 5 MP camera. 
4. A specialized chip that provides better performance and/or better battery life.  
5. iPhone Apps.  
6. Lots of Sex Appeal.

And our closing snippet – The 9.7″ screen decision for the Apple iReader Netbook is supposedly based on the size of the Kindle DX.

Filed under: apple ibook reader Tagged: | apple ireader, apple netbook