The Apple Tablet: Leaked images, rumours and speculation

The Apple Tablet has been at the forefront of tech-news speculation this week with many experts suggesting the device will be officially announced on the 27th January. However, a leaked image of what is alledged to be the 10-inch front panel of the Apple Tablet has been circulating online today adding further weight to the speculation that Apple is planning to bridge the gap between the iPhone and the MacBook with its tablet.

The image was first published by The Mac Observer and shows an upscaled iPhone front panel that measures 10-inches diagonally. According to reports, the image was leaked by a trusted, but anonymous, source.

In other news this week, manufacturers have reported a massive increase in demand for 10.1-inch OLED panels from a buyer that wishes to remain nameless. According to TG Daily, it is now impossible to buy any 10-inch screens right now because Apple has bought out the supplies from all component suppliers in Asia.

In addition to this, Apple shut down the FingerWorks website - a company it bought out in 2005 that developed the advanced touch-screen gesturing used on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Macrumors have suggested that Apple shut the site down as it contained information regarding advanced touch-screen gesturing that the Apple Tablet will use - although, they admit this is only speculation.

In addition to this, France Telecom deputy chief executive, Stephane Richard, confirmed the existence of the Apple Tablet on Monday, but then retracted his statement and denied that he had confirmed anything, according to PCWorld.

In terms of a release date, The Wallstreet Journal reported this week that the Apple Tablet will be officially announced on the 27th January and begin shipping in the second half of March 2010.

The Wall Street Journal described the Apple Tablet as “a multimedia device that will let people watch movies and television shows, play games, surf the internet and read electronic books and newspapers.”

The Wall Street Journal also claimed that Apple “believes it could redefine the way consumers interact with content.”

In terms of price, Trusted Reviews have suggested that the Apple Tablet could cost anywhere in the region of £699 to £729, which means the Tablet would be only marginally cheaper than a MacBook laptop.

Overall, and speculation aside, it is almost certain that Apple will announce something on the 27th January - the venue is apparently even booked. Whether this will be to announce its first attempt at a tablet since the Apple Newton, is anyone’s guess. Nevertheless, there has been a lot of news, speculation, and talk about the Tablet - and as the saying goes, where there’s smoke, there is usually fire...

Watch this space for more news.