Apple Expected to Announce Tablet Computer This Month

Rumors are spreading across the Internet that the long-awaited Apple tablet could be announced later this month.

According to the Financial Times, Apple rented a stage at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco for late January and is expected to make a major product announcement on Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Touch-screen computing is quickly becoming a new hype. Microsoft included touch-screen support with its latest Windows 7 operating system. Many handheld devices such as e-readers, portable media players, and phones are also beginning to include touch-screen technology.

Google China president Kai-Fu Lee wrote a blog post also saying the tablet will be revealed this month, according to PC World. The post adds that the tablet will resemble a large iPhone, have a 10.1-inch multitouch screen, and will use a virtual keyboard.

The Apple tablet is expected to be called the iTablet or the iSlate—going off of registered trademarks—although the final name is still uncertain.

The tablet was expected to be announced last September, but those eager for the news were left waiting and wondering. New reports say it could ship in the first quarter of 2010.

The function of the device is still unknown, although it is expected to be akin to a touch-screen MacBook. Some are speculating it will be closer to a juiced-up, large iPod Touch with some PC functions. Some say it will be more of an advanced e-reader that can play media. Regardless, it gives everyone something to look forward to.

There are several concept images floating around the Web—none of which are official. The price is expected to be between $500 and $800.

For those who simply cannot wait, there are currently tablet computers available that run the Mac OS, which are also relatively affordable. The modbook from Axiotron has a touch-screen that can be manipulated though the use of a stylus pen.

Still, Apple could have some tricks up its sleeve for the tablet that may be worth the wait.