Making Headlines

Rumors of what Apple's new touch-screen computer will look like and do are a dime a dozen. But for the moment they are all just that: rumors.

That being said, no matter what kind of cutting-edge programming engineers are including, why is the entertainment industry betting the farm on it?

According to reports, the rumored tablet Mac is expected to have up to a 10-inch, finger-controlled screen, like a large-form iPod Touch.

Like the iPod, some say it will be able to connect to the Internet, probably using WiFi. It could also potentially leverage Verizon's 3G service.

AT&T, however, announced today that its customers - that is, just about every U.S. iPhone user - will have access to free WiFi at Barnes & Noble retailers.

With the iPhone, iPod Touch and this new rumored device, Barnes & Noble could position itself as the go-to store for high-speed digital shopping, experts say.

If anything, the Barnes & Noble deal could have a big impact on the retail chain, whose executives seemed proud to have lost less money than expected of late.

Fast and easy WiFi access is a nice touch, but still, this is all still a lot of speculation, and how is Apple's portable computer going to help the music industry?

Even if labels are working on interactive booklets and liner notes that come bundled with full album purchases, are Apple's computer upgrades going to make that big a difference?

Follow the link to continue reading this article in the Los Angeles Times ...