Production on the touch-screen piece of tech in China is ramping up, according to Bloomberg, with factories already running 24 hours a day and the operation set to hit its full volume next month. Among the new features included in the hardware will be a high-definition screen, quad-core processor, and support for LTE networks that carry data faster than the iPad 2's 3G speeds.
Apple typically announces new products at its own press events. It has one scheduled for next week at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, but the company has only said that would be an "education announcement," with an expected focus on the iTunes University program.
Unveiled at CES, the device features an Intel Core i7 processor and is designed to run higher-end PC games. A teaser trailer from Razer shows Project Fiona running games like Firefall and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. According to the company, the tablet runs "many" PC games natively, eliminating the need for developers to port games.
To make up for the lack of a mouse and keyboard, Project Fiona features a built-in controller-like interface. Dual handles on either side of the tablet are equipped with both buttons and analog sticks, as well force feedback. Other control options include built-in accelerometers and a touch-screen interface for its 10.1-inch, 1280 x 800 display. Audio-wise, the tablet supports Dolby 7.1 surround sound. It'll be powered by a Core-i7 Ivy Bridge CPU and support Windows 8.
"The user interface we have designed for Project Fiona allows all existing PC games to be played right out of the box and also provides game developers new opportunities as they develop next-gen games on a highly intuitive platform," CEO Min-Liang Tan said in a statement.
Hardware is estimated at around $1000. No release date or final price has been announced.
[Wired.uk]
[PCworld]