Memorial Day weekend rumor roundup!

By Josh Fruhlinger  Add a new comment

You probably are spending your Memorial Day weekend enjoying the sun or just relaxing on your day off. (If you need some help unplugging -- or vacationing while staying plugged in, I can offer some assistance.) But if what you want to do with your three-day weekend is dwell about some Apple rumors that have gone from "simmer" to "boil vigorously," well, who am I to tell you you're wrong? Here are three rumors for you -- try not to spend more than 24 hours on each.

  • The Apple tablet is totally a real thing, guys! TechCrunch says so! It won't arrive until 2010, so you have months and months of this speculation to hear about until then (won't that be fun). None of the details they've come up with are much different from what you've already heard, or even very detailed -- 7 or 9 or maybe 10-inch screen, multi-touch-specialized UI, OS based on iPhone OS or maybe not, priced between the iPhone and the MacBook, etc. More far out (and more laughable, to me) is the assertion of "how seriously consumers want a device like this. It is the perfect couch computing device and will create a whole new category of computers." Or, you know, everyone will decide that $600 is a little much for something they can't really type on. (Note to couch enthusiasts: laptops work on couches as well!)

  • Daring Fireball's Jon Gruber weaves a magical tale about the new iPhone, based on his secret sources. Again, nothing here is dramatic: faster and better processors and more RAM (though Apple won't be publicizing those specs, just like it doesn't now), more storage (which will be heavily promoted), better camera with video capabilities. Maybe a (slightly) smaller and cheaper iPhone as well. Maybe.

  • AT&T is seriously considering cheaper capped data plans for the iPhone and other smartphones, according to actual AT&T executives. They say it's to gain market share among people who don't want to shell out $30 a month for data (at $20 a month, they save a whopping $120 a year!) but you and I both know that it's all about staving off the collapse of their wireless network.

Follow Josh on Google+

Josh Fruhlinger is ITworld's associate online news editor.

    Add a comment

    Post a comment using one of these accounts
    Or join now
    At least 6 characters

    Note: Comment will appear soon after you have activated your account.
    Obscene/spam comments will be removed and accounts suspended.
    The information you submit is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

    ITworld LIVE

    Mobile & WirelessWhite Papers & Webcasts

    White Paper

    Ten Steps to an Enterprise Mobility Strategy

    Enterprise employees are more mobile, relishing the ability to work productively anywhere, at any time. They may use any means to get connected, often creating financial and security risks for your company. Discover how to get control of your enterprise mobility strategy and ensure mobile worker productivity with these ten steps.

    White Paper

    What You Need to Know About the Costs of Mobility

    Mobile workers want to get connected anywhere, at any time, often at any cost. Enterprise mobility is often a hidden "black" budget in your company. Ensure that your traveling employees are productive everywhere, even while you control cost and security, through an enterprise mobility strategy.

    White Paper

    The 2011 iPass Mobile Enterprise Report

    This industry survey covers trends, recommendations and a policy guide on managing Enterprise Mobility for IT management and CIOs. Get data on employee device liability, as well as smartphone/tablet penetration, budget control and provisioning. Find out how your organization compares, how to ensure mobile worker productivity, and control costs.

    Webcast On Demand

    Managing Enterprise Mobility Costs

    Mobile employees, especially those traveling internationally, were spending time and resources finding and making connections. Roaming costs were out of control. The IT Administrator at The Hay Group tells you how he got more control over these costs, providing management with predictable budgets and insights while ensuring employee productivity.

    Sponsor: iPass

    White Paper

    Digital Transformation: Creating New Business Models Where Digital Meets Physical

    Individuals and businesses alike are embracing the digital revolution. Social networks and digital devices are being used to engage government, businesses and civil society, as well as friends and family.

    See more White Papers | Webcasts

    Ask a question

    Ask a Question