50% chance of Apple "Newton" launch

MID at WWDC?

9 June 2008 9:46 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

It's not just the blog world that's awash with rumour and speculation before today's Apple worldwide developer conference, thought to be the event that will see the launch of the 3G iPhone, but Wall Street too.

An Apple event - and subsequent announcements and launches - has a big affect on Apple's share price, so analysts chime in with their predictions of what may be debuted.

One Wall Street analyst says there's a 50-50 chance that Apple will introduce new form factor multi-touch devices at the event.

"We believe there is a 50% chance that a new form factor will be introduced, marking Apple's entrance into the emerging 'MID' or mobile internet device market", American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu has written in a report to clients.

"Our sources indicate 4-inch and 7-inch touchscreen devices beyond prototype stage that are a cross between a Mac and iPod touch."

Wu also predicts two new models of the iPhone, including a 3G version, for $399 to $499, will a "revised" 2.5G version that will sell for $50 to $100 less.