iPhone News Updated

Piper Jaffray predicts ultra mobile Apple computer

With the recession showing little sign of relenting and progressively more hardware manufacturers hurriedly clambering aboard the budget Netbook bandwagon in an effort to attract pennywise consumers, is it any wonder that rumours of Apple’s imminent participation in the ultra mobile market just won’t go away?

Although still unconfirmed by the Cupertino-based technology and gadget specialist, speculation regarding the unveiling of an Apple Netbook-esque device continues to find traction with industry watchers, such as market researcher Piper Jaffray.

More pointedly, analyst Gene Munster has relayed to Piper Jaffray clients that a number of indicators have led the company to believe Apple is preparing its own answer to the hugely popular Netbook market.

“Between indications from our component contacts in Asia, recent patents relating to multi-touch sensitivity for more complex computing devices, comments from [Apple CEO] Tim Cook on the April 22nd conference call, and Apple’s acquisition of P.A. Semi along with other recent chip-related hires, it is increasingly clear that Apple is investing more in its mobile computing franchise,” said Munster.

In terms of any such ultra mobile device that Apple may have up its sleeve, Munster offered that a touch-screen tablet with up to a 10-inch display could be on its way during the first half of 2010.

He also added that the tablet will be indicative of Apple’s repeated insistence that it has no intention of falling in stride with the Netbook sector by producing a “cheap” mini notebook that offers a substandard computing experience to its customer base.

That drive to avoid producing a conventional Web-centric Netbook is likely to see Apple’s device carrying a price of up to $700 USD, according to Munster, which will certainly place the hardware at least $200 USD above the highest of current Netbook prices.

Other factors the analyst expects to see in Apple’s device, include a proprietary Apple processing unit, 3G connectivity, either a customised version of Mac OS X or a new “hybrid” operating system optimised for the touch-based interface, and support for the Safari browser, Apple Mail and hugely popular App Store.

[Thanks: http://www.thetechherald.com]

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