Apple announcement next week: no Apple tablet computer

I first saw the announcement on MacRumors, but by now it’s hit just about every other site that covers any sort of tech news. Normally I wouldn’t bother mentioning this (even though I am something of an Apple fanboy), but I figured this would be a good chance to go out on a limb and make me look like I have my finger on Apple’s pulse by making a few predictions. Or one, at least.
So, here it is: no Apple tablet announcement. To be clear, this isn’t fact; it’s my opinion. I’m yet to see what the rest of the world thinks is going to happen on the 9th, but I’m doubtful that we’ll see anything other than iPod announcements. Graphic aside, this is around Apple’s normal (annual?) time to make an iPod announcement and it just doesn’t feel like the right time for them to be making any computer announcements, be it notebook, desktop, or otherwise.

So, allow me to say it again: no Apple tablet. But I still think they have one they’re working on and will be announcing it. The question is, when? I previously said there’d be an Apple tablet and pegged MacWorld as its release, and I’m still standing by that until I see any reason to think otherwise. I’m not sure Apple will hold back on the notebook refreshes until then (and even think it’s an outside possibility they’ll announce them next week), but I think they’re holding their big surprise until MacWorld where Steve can get on stage and wow everyone with what a tablet computer is supposed to be.

So, new iPods next week, maybe new notebooks (I’m thinking September 16th for those), but definitely no Apple tablet. (Let’s see how long it takes for this prediction to come back and bite me.)