Apple's Major Product Announcement January 26th (update)

[Michael Essany]

Yesterday on Modmyi we covered hints about a January release of an Apple tablet. Today we are gathering even more intriguing details.

This could be the moment of truth for Apple as the mythical tablet device may finally be introduced to a rabid consumer base longing for such a product. This holiday weekend, people are buzzing and ramping up wild speculation about the possibility of the tablet being unveiled on January 26th.

According to the latest news emanating from Cupertino, Apple will hold a media event in San Francisco on January 26th to make what is being called a "major product announcement." PC World is reporting that Apple may reveal the tablet at the Yerba Buena Arts Center, the very location where Steve Jobs took the stage for Apple's last major media event in September.

There are other rumors to back up this story. Business Insider reports that Apple will demonstrate the tablet in January. Business Insider also says that Apple has told select developers to get ready, saying their apps will run fine if they've been designed for full-screen resolution. The New York Times reports, via an unnamed senior Apple employee, that Steve Jobs is "extremely happy" with the device. No one's saying the device will launch next month -- March seems more likely -- but it'll be the first time Apple actually comes clean with its plans.

Indeed, that's a lot of information to chew on. But this report marks the first occasion where we now have some concrete evidence to base our speculation of a forthcoming tablet upon. As it stands, we can point to a major media event, clues from Apple about a huge product release, and an assortment of sources claiming that Steve Jobs is finally happy with the prototype tablet - something we have not heard before.

So will January 26th be D-Day for the Apple tablet? I'm banking on it. But while a tablet may finally come down the pike, no one knows for sure how the device will look and function, let alone what it will cost. If anything can rival the number of rumors circulated about when an Apple tablet would launch, it's the number of theories presented about the specs of the yet-to-be released device.

For some perspective on how ridiculous the rumor mill has become, think of all the Apple tablet coverage you've read over the past half year, then try to tell someone at your next holiday dinner party what the device will be. You really can't: reports about the device's capabilities and design have been all over the map.

Image via PC World

[iLaw-One]

Can't it come any sooner??

[gcastro723]

what a way to ring in the new year for Apple

[Poseidon79]

*Drool*

[realjaja]

Wonder if it comes in black or white. LOL

[thinknoffcenter]

I got my $1000 set aside already for this baby.....can't wait!!!

[rhekt]

waaahWAAwaahWAAAAAAAHhh!!!! *jazz_horn*

[tma]

Cool!! but a tablet pc should include a real os such as mac os doesnt ?

[Melech518]

I have a $1600 giftcard reserved for this and the 4th gen iPhone

[mikerlx]

still rumor I want the facts got 4 weeks til the annoucement

[southfrisco]

All they say is it is a device. Nothing about a tablet. By all accounts it could be a netbook with a swivel touchscreen monitor.

You want an e-reader? Make the next iPhone bigger, in line with the HTC HD2 and there you go. You have a bigger screen for movies, books, games and still small enough to use as a phone and fit in a coat pocket.

[Kruejl]

Blah, I'm not very excited about a tablet especially if it doesn't run a full version of Snow Leopard.

[sziklassy]

If it is coming out now, it is about a month too late IMO. I would have pushed for an Xmas release...

[thevmax]

If it is coming out now, it is about a month too late IMO. I would have pushed for an Xmas release...

I agree. It would have been great marketing to come out before xmas!

---even though I don't want/need a tablet.

[supreme-livin]

so this then a new phone in summer
put me down for both lol

[tudtran]

Apple should of try to push this before Christmas. Everybody is gonna be broke after the holiday. Plus I think people will try to recover with their tax returns next year.

[steve-z17]

I've got money put away for this! The sooner the better!!

[[email protected]]

Could apple also anounce the iPhones new service provider????? Hopefully VERIZON!!!!