The Mac rumour sites have been buzzing about the idea of a MID (Mobile Internet Device) that could be considered an ultramobile Mac or large iPhone, especially since it was apparently "confirmed" by Hannes Schwaderer from Intel Germany. The interesting twist was that it would have an Intel Atom processor (iPhone kommt mit größerem Display und Intel Atom) instead of the iPhone's ARM chip.
However, ZDNet.de has followed up yesterday's story with a disclaimer from Intel that says, roughly (when translated by Babelfish):
Intel disclaimed of yesterday the statements of managing director Hannes Schwaderer about future iPhone models, quoted in the ZDNet report. Schwaderer made only general remarks possible mobile Internet DEVICE (MIDs) and did not speculate upon future iPhone models. Apple iPhone was only called as example of small Internet entrance devices in this connection. "Intel knows nothing about future products of other manufacturers and can therefore about it also nothing say", said press spokesman Mike Cato opposite ZDNet.de.
PC users have had pocket-sized and tablet style devices for two decades, and now Macs are based on PC technology, there's clearly nothing to stop Apple from doing the same sort of thing. However, it still suffers from continuing embarrassment over the Newton (1993), which was overhyped by Apple CEO John Sculley, and flopped horribly.
Current Apple CEO Steve Jobs killed the eMate, a robust and extremely cute education machine based on Newton software, and has generally rubbished the idea. But on previous form, this could easily be taken to indicate that that's exactly what Jobs is planning....
