Gurman: 2028 for Giant Foldable iPad that Might Run Mac Apps

[Cmaier]

Apple reportedly releasing foldable iPad in 2028, potentially running macOS apps - 9to5Mac

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is aiming to release its first foldable in 2028. Gurman describes it as “something...

9to5mac.com

 

[MacPoulet]

But why? The iPad Pro is heavy enough as it is, and two of them would be like lugging around a MacBook Pro. I guess I’m not clever enough to see the potential of a giant tablet…

 

[theorist9]

And for more foldable rumors, according to Aaron Tilley and Yang Jie of the WSJ (https://www.wsj.com/tech/apple-thin-iphone-foldable-computer-plans-dbb4286c), Apple is working on a 19" MBP with a foldable screen, and also hopes to finally release a foldable phone in 2026 or 2027.

I'm assuming WSJ is more conservative in its rumor reporting, and thus wouldn't release this without solid sourcing. But I don't know WSJ's track record.

[The article is behind a paywall, so here's a summary from MR: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-inch-macbook-detailed-in-new-report.2445494/ ]


My own thinking on foldable phones is that there are essentially two approaches:

1. Enable a very large screen size in a normal slab phone form factor (like the Z Fold).
2. Enable a normal screen size in a very small form factor (like the Z Flip).

I'm assuming Apple will do #1. But I'm hoping they also do #2.

 

[Yoused]

But why?

Indeed. The iPad has no need for folding. Perhaps Apple can convince us what an awesome idea a folding iPad is, if'n they can hire on someone with a Jobs-strength RDF, but I am having a hard time seeing it as more than a goofy gimmick.

If you can fold a screen, you can roll it. To me, that would make more sense: a device that would allow you to make it larger by sliding the frame out, unrolling the screen extension (or pulling it around from inside the base frame). Folding screen are just so much meh.

 

[MacPoulet]

Indeed. The iPad has no need for folding. Perhaps Apple can convince us what an awesome idea a folding iPad is, if'n they can hire on someone with a Jobs-strength RDF, but I am having a hard time seeing it as more than a goofy gimmick.

If you can fold a screen, you can roll it. To me, that would make more sense: a device that would allow you to make it larger by sliding the frame out, unrolling the screen extension (or pulling it around from inside the base frame). Folding screen are just so much meh.

Did you ever watch Earth Final Conflict? They used devices that had pull our (rolling) screens and were much more compact. Would take that over a folding screen any day.

 

[Cmaier]

Did you ever watch Earth Final Conflict? They used devices that had pull our (rolling) screens and were much more compact. Would take that over a folding screen any day.

I’d buy an iTorah.