Jan 11

Is an Apple Tablet on the Way? Orange Exec Says ‘Oui’

Posted in: Apple, Media Players, tablets, Today's Chili, videos


Perhaps caught off guard, an executive of international carrier Orange said in a French TV interview that an Apple tablet will debut soon.

In the video above, Stéphane Richard, who is set to be Orange’s CEO, responds “Yes” when French media asks whether the rumors are true that an Apple tablet will debut soon. The interviewer then asks Richard whether the tablet will be available for Orange customers, to which the executive replies, “Of course.”

Rumors have run wild that Apple will introduce its much anticipated 10-inch touchscreen tablet in a special event later this month. The Wall Street Journal, who has accurately leaked Apple news in the past (including Steve Jobs’ liver transplant) claims the event will be held Jan. 27. The WSJ added that the tablet would be announced this month and begin shipping in March.

Richard’s statement could have been a slip, but it’s also likely that he’s aware the news about the tablet has already leaked — perhaps at Apple’s request. Last week, John Martellaro, a former senior marketing manager at Apple, confessed that Apple sometimes intentionally leaks secrets to WSJ. The purpose? To gauge reaction of the market to certain details such as price, or to panic a competitor, among other sneaky reasons. Very interesting, and a controlled leak to WSJ seems to be what’s happened with the rumored Apple tablet.

Update 3:30 p.m. PDT: Orange’s PR claims Richard’s statements do not “confirm” an Apple tablet and that he was merely saying “Yes” to acknowledge speculation surrounding the tablet. Still, that doesn’t explain why he said “Of course” when asked whether the tablet would be available for Orange customers (such a guarantee could not be independently made by Richard, as it would rely on Apple’s agreement to share the tablet with Orange). Also, it’s worth noting Orange previously acknowledged the existence of the iPhone prior to its launch.

Via SlashGear

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