Two Apple tablet models?

A slew of details have emerged on Apple's rumored tablet device, according to an anonymous source. Claiming to have sat on meetings regarding the product, the source says that it will indeed use a 10-inch touchscreen, and in many respects resemble an oversized iPhone. This extends to the presence of a Home button, and a black resin backing.

Critically the source suggests that the tablet will come in two editions, one with a webcam, and another for educational markets. Although the device is described as somewhere in between an iPhone and a MacBook, prices are expected to fall between $700 and $900, or roughly twice the cost of a normal Windows- or Linux-based netbook. Compensating may be the ability to use the tablet as a secondary display or controller for Macs.

Backing previous reports, the source claims the tablet has been under development for four to six years. A prototype was finally built towards the end of 2008; Apple's average time to market after an initial prototype is said to be six to nine months, which may position the tablet for a release in September, or at least during the holiday season. Some analysts have called for an early 2010 timeframe.

Apple recently shot a promotional video for an unknown product in the small California town of Truckee, which could support a 2009 launch.

by MacNN Staff