Cringely comes to the party very late: over a year ago, Register chum andeWeek columnist Matthew Rothenberg suggested Apple would launch a "device that superficially resembles a large iPod with an 8in diagonal screen, lacks a keyboard, packs USB and FireWire ports, and runs Mac OS X along with a variety of multimedia goodies". The launch window was Macworld Expo San Francisco 2003. Matt's prediction may finally come true next month.
The device is believed to be a mobile, wireless display that communicates with a desktop unit. You can use the LCD either as a desktop display, or as a portable terminal. A touch-screen and Mac OS X's Newton-derived Inkwell technology eliminates the need for a keyboard as you check your email, or listen to music streamed from iTunes running on the base unit.