www.apple.com/ipod/start

What’s next from Apple? According to various reports, the California-based company plans to come out later this year with a portable tablet-sized computer that can surf the Web and may also serve as an electronic book reader.

London’s Financial Times was the latest publication on Monday to report on the long-rumored device from the company behind the iconic Macintosh computer, the iPod and the iPhone.

The FT story follows reports in Silicon Valley technology blogs that Apple was developing a new touch-screen computer described by some as a large-screen iPod Touch.

Apple was hoping to offer the tablet computer in time for the Christmas shopping season, according to the newspaper, which said the device would have a screen that may measure up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) diagonally.

It would be able to connect to the Internet like the iPod Touch, allowing access to Apple’s online stores, but probably would not have phone capability.

“It’s going to be fabulous for watching movies,” an unidentified entertainment executive told the FT.

The newspaper said book publishers have also been in talks with Apple about offering books on the new device, which could emerge as a potential rival to Amazon’s popular Kindle electronic reader.

Apple, the FT said, is simultaneously working with the four largest record labels — EMI, Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music Group — on a project codenamed “Cocktail” aimed at stimulating digital sales of albums.

An iPod Touch is displayed at an Apple store in April 2009 in San Francisco, California. According to various reports, Apple plans to come out later this year with a portable tablet-sized computer that can surf the Web and may also serve as an electronic book reader. (AFP/Getty Images/File/Justin Sullivan)

Album sales have fallen sharply as consumers opt for purchases of individual songs from online stores like Apple’s iTunes.

“Cocktail” would offer interactive features, such as lyric sheets, photos and videos with music album downloads.

“It’s 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,” an unidentified executive told the newspaper.

The FT did not reveal any details about the price of the planned tablet computer.

Apple is traditionally highly secretive about projects under development, revealing them only at launch and guarding zealously against leaks.

The new Motorola Droid, using Verizon Wireless, has been getting rave reviews–matching, and even surpassing in some cases, the iPhone’s features, spec for spec. Other Apple alternatives in this category include the Palm Pre and the HTC Touch Pro2.

But Apple’s cachet doesn’t stop at the iPhone, and consumers will definitely want to start taking note of the other Steve Jobs creations loved ones may be drooling over. The new models come with more features and lower price tags. The latest iPod nano not only plays music and videos, but records video as well. The iPod touch, at $200, is the cheapest way to get access to the App Store’s many, many apps and games, which look more impressive with each iteration.

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BURLINGAME, Calif. — Buyers love to shop when the choosing is good. And for gadget shopping this holiday season–with more smart phones, videogame consoles, e-readers and notebooks–the choosing is very, very good.

Smart phones will be big this year, as the technology has become more pervasive and the devices smarter and sleeker. The latest iPhone model, the 3GS, is an obvious top contender. But thanks to the competition finally getting serious this year, it’s not the winner by default, and those who don’t want to deal with an AT&T plan will be giving thanks.

Price wars among videogame consoles should make shoppers happy. Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have all made big price cuts to their respective systems, and may do so again in the coming months, meaning that console you’ve been putting off buying because of the cost is now within reach.

Post a CommentNintendo’s Wii ($200) will continue to outsell the competition because of its mainstream appeal, says Jesse Divnich, director of analyst services at Electronic Entertainment Design and Research. But gamers can now pick up an Xbox 360 starting at $200 or a PlayStation 3, which comes with a built-in Blu-ray player, for $300.

There’s also more choice in the e-reader and notebook categories. Amazon has the Kindle 2 ($260) and the big-screen Kindle DX ($490) at 9.7 inches. But there’s also Barnes and Noble’s impressive-looking new e-reader, the Nook ($260), which features a multi-touch color screen and wireless capability. Meanwhile, notebooks and netbooks continue to get smaller, cheaper and faster, with great offerings from Dell, Asus, Samsung and HP.

Looking for something more traditional that even non-gamers and the gadget-fearful can enjoy? The ultimate significant-other gift this year will be the single-serve coffee maker, says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at consumer research firm NPD Group.

Consumers shopping for gadget geeks and early adopters may want to keep an eye out for news on a tablet computer from Apple or Microsoft, though release dates remain elusive. In typical form, Apple won’t breathe a word about the existence or development of a tablet. Microsoft’s own supposed tablet, the Courier, is also the stuff of rumors, though Gizmodo reportedly was leaked documents regarding its interface.

The Internet will continue to be the first line of shopping this year, says NPD’s Cohen. Not only will persistent Web research yield more information, but potential new deals as well. Savvy shoppers will do well to use their gadgets (smart phones and laptops) to keep on top of their holiday gadget shopping.