The long-rumored and highly anticipated Apple tablet computer, which has worn many names from the iPad to the iTablet to the iSlate, is set to become a reality on January 27th at an Apple event. While Apple has kept to their "mum's the word" motto as it comes to any new product announcement, the impending release of the Apple tablet becomes almost certain.
The newest tidbit of evidence? Mobile analytics firm Flurry is tracking 200 apps across 50 Apple devices running an unreleased version of the iPhone OS. The apps coincide with those widely expected to be released on the tablet.
What will the Apple tablet do?
While the actual features of the table are under lock and key, it is widely expected that the Apple tablet will run most iPhone apps while functioning as an MP3 player, a video player and an eBook reader. Among the many rumors are whisperings of a front-side camera that would facilitate video conferencing, though these are the same rumors that were presented about the iPhone 3GS before its release.
But perhaps the most important aspect of the Apple tablet will be the the web browser. The rise of cloud computing has given us access to free word processors, spreadsheets and presentation software through web-based application suites like Google Docs. As cloud computing continues, the full power of the computer can be unleashed through the word processor, which means the Apple Tablet very well could replace our laptops, though the lack of a physical keyboard could present an ergonomic nightmare.
Perhaps one of the most interesting rumors (or should I say fantasies?) is of dock connectors that would allow the Apple tablet to be positioned like a monitor. Add on a wireless keyboard and the multi-touch navigation, and you might truly have something that can be a full-service home computer. Check out a picture of what this might look like on SlashGear.
Do we really need an iPhone-based tablet computer?
While there has been plenty of hype surrounding the release of a tablet computer based on the iPhone OS, do we really need an Apple tablet? Certainly, Apple has its work cut out for it if it wants to take the upcoming iSlate/iTablet/iPad from a gadget coveted by techno-geeks to something that can be embraced by the mainstream user.
With the rising popularity of eBooks, a tablet computer that could run iPhone apps, be a web browser, play music, access the web and be a great eBook reader certainly shows some promise, but what could really set the upcoming tablet over the edge is the ability to do for movies what the iPod did for music. In this way, Apple's tablet computer could become a quite capable portable entertainment system.
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