Smarthouse is reporting that allegedly, Apple are working on a tablet-based Mac which will serve as a platform for applications specifically designed to exploit the tablet format (like home automation software that controls lighting etc). The article also mentions that it’s rumoured that it would also function as a fully-fledged computer, but that’s not so clear. Especially with Apple looking more towards embedded devices (think iTV), it’s not clear whether this would be a functioning ‘computer’ or not (if it ever does come to fruition).

Apple’s normal strategy is not to try and face the dominant product head on, but to take a slightly different angle at the target market (in their recent ads, aiming consumer Macs squarely at the home market, for example, citing they’re better for “life stuff”). If the buzz about this integrating with other Apple devices, like the iTV perhaps, is true then this would seem fairly credible.

In fact, this trend of Apple going for embedded devices and consumer electronics (the iPhone, the iTV) seems to be an attempt by Apple to move from being an obscure computer company in the eyes of the public to a household name in electronics (but no so much mainstream computing). The iPod drove that movement and Apple are apparently now capitalising further on the consumer electronics market.

If I were sceptical, I would say that Apple have realised they may well have lost the battle for personal computers and are aiming in other directions.

[via OSNews]