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Apple Tablet 2.0 Already in the Works, Sources Imply

One of the least credible rumors we’ve heard all week, but here it goes

Feb 2, 2010 14:35 GMT  ·  By
If the rumor does prove accurate, we hope the new Apple tablet looks more like this
   If the rumor does prove accurate, we hope the new Apple tablet looks more like this

Just when we thought we were finally off tablet rumors (since we already have one confirmed by Apple), TechCrunch goes and cites second-hand sources as saying Apple is hard at work on the iPad’s successor. The next-gen device, allegedly boasting a 15-inch screen, is said to be built around an Atom processor, and running a version of Mac OS X, rather than the iPhone OS employed by the current tablet.

Without further ado, here’s TechCrunch claiming it has heard Apple is working on a second, larger tablet more akin to a Mac (via MacRumors):

“But the information we're hearing is that Apple is thinking much larger for another version of the product, maybe all the way up to the 15.4″ size that it currently uses for one version of the MacBook Pro. If you think that would be way too big for an iPad, we're also hearing that this other tablet would be quite a bit different from the one revealed last week. Namely, it could run a version of OS X much closer to the traditional version that runs on Macs.”

Softpedia note

Apple’s iPad isn’t even out yet, and the media is already thirsty for more tablet speculation. It may just be that there’s no more room for such rumors, given the criticism Apple’s iPad is getting, let alone believe the Mac maker is going to make an XXL tablet with OS X running on Atom. It has its own chip now – the A4. A 15-inch device running OS X without a physical keyboard would only serve designers, and Apple isn’t targeting small crowds with its devices (which reminds us: when is Apple going to discontinue the Apple TV already?).

Plus, Apple may have failed to innovate this time around. Many believe Apple’s iPad announcement was not much of a surprise (Softpedia included), while no one is particularly sold on the features. Before the iPad was released, the entire tech industry was certain it would be a hit. Minutes after its introduction, it became the best subject for critically skilled writers. It still is. So, how good of a device should this iPad Maxi be, in order to escape the wrath of the tech industry? Too good, we’d say. The rumor may be partially true, nonetheless, but, in its current form, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.