Financial firm Goldman Sachs has said today that Apple’s second-generation iPad tablet will include a camera and a mini-USB port.
The device will also be lighter than the current iteration.
Apple may also be planning a smaller device, most likely at 7-inches.
If accurate, the device will fall in line with other new tablets, such as the RIM PlayBook and Samsung’s Tab, both of which have cameras, USB ports and 7-inch diagonal screens.
Goldman’s analysts also say Apple should have no problem fending off new tablets but next summer the real “battle” will begin, when tablets with Android 3.0 are hitting the market.
The new iPad should be released in the Spring of 2011, likely around the one-year anniversary of the launch of the original.
Result for: year anniversary
Microsoft has confirmed this week that it expects Windows 7 to ship before the end of 2009, in time for the holiday season.
Previously, it was believed the company would ship the new operating system around the three-year anniversary of Vista (in early 2010), but Windows VP Bill Veghte has now admitted different. Veghte also notes that Windows Server 2008 R2 will ship at the same time.
The news comes one week after Microsoft made available the Windows 7 Release Candidate. A few notable PC builders, such as Acer, have even been publicly stated they believe a final version of Windows 7 will be available in October.
Veghte also says that Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, when used together, will “deliver significant cost savings and productivity gains with features such as DirectAccess and BranchCache. Microsoft is making sure to tell businesses—now more than ever—about how the new versions of its software can help save them money in the long run.”
Result for: year anniversary
Last week marked the one year anniversary of Hulu’s public debut. Its launch seemed to mark a milestone. It was the first major network owned online video service run by people who seemed to “get it.”
Over the last year Hulu has grown significantly. On his blog, CEO Jason Kilar pointed out that the number of videos available has grown from 12,000 to 40,000 in that time.
The number of partners providing that content and advertisers sponsoring it has also grown. They’ve gone from 50 to 130 providers and 30 to 175 advertisers.
The real key to all that success has been offering what consumers are asking for The recent decision to remove content from TV.com and block viewers using Boxee media center begs the question of whether that business model’s days are numbered at Hulu.
It seems clear that Kilar and his staff are committed to tearing down the barriers to online video delivery, but as we saw last month, ultimately their entertainment industry masters have the final say.
