Apple has sent out e-mail invites for a high-profile media event to be held Jan. 27 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco. The cryptic e-mail invites sent to journalists read: “Come See Our Latest Creation.”
The Web has been abuzz with rumors about an event that would take place on either Jan. 26 or Jan. 27. While there’s no official confirmation that the occasion will feature an unveiling of the mythical device, Apple in recent weeks has at least confirmed the existence of the tablet, as well as minor specs.
On Jan. 4, just prior to kick off of the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple would announce a 10- to 11-inch touchscreen device in the near future.
Adding fuel to the fire, reports surfaced today that Apple is in talks with HarperCollins to distribute eBooks on the tablet. There was no word on whether Apple would sell such content via its existing iTunes store or via a separate eBook store.
The release of an Apple tablet would turn up the pressure on a number of device manufacturers that recently unveiled their own tablets at CES. HP, Dell and Lenovo all showed off their tablets at the show.
Richard Doherty, director of technology consulting firm Envisioneering Group, told the Journal that a rumored $1,000 price tag could include a subscription to a nationwide Wi-Fi wireless service such as those run by AT&T and Verizon Wireless, which provide Internet access at thousands of hot spots such as airports, hotels and restaurants.
Doherty added that he doesn’t expect the device will come with 3G connectivity, citing AT&T’s current woes in supporting the iPhone.