There’s still nothing official coming out of Cupertino, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning out rumors about an Apple-made tablet computer with a giant multi-touch display. So far, we’ve heard that the tablet might sport a 10.7″ touchscreen, run the iPhone OS, and could end up looking like a big iPhone. Now, fresh speculation suggests that Apple might call their latest gadget the “iSlate” – not too implausible a moniker for a slate-style computer.
A new report from MacRumors confirms that Apple purchased the iSlate.com domain some years ago. The domain has changed hands a number of times over the past several years, but has been registered to corporate domain management firm MarkMonitor since 2007. Apple uses MarkMonitor to register domain names, allowing Apple to hide behind MarkMonitor’s veil of secrecy. But, thanks to a bit of detective work on MacRumors’ part, we have evidence that Apple does indeed own the iSlate.com domain.
Another report from DigiTimes has iPhone manufacturer Foxconn supplying the 10-inch touch panels for the Apple tablet. According to their “sources,” which are usually pretty reliable, Apple has been working with Foxconn subsidiary Innolux “to strengthen the glass of the 10-inch panel for the device and was forced to delay the launch until first-quarter 2010.” Foxconn is also rumored to be the manufacturer of the “iSlate.”
When we will know more about the device? Word on the street has the Apple tablet getting real in early 2010. The consensus among rumor mongers seems to put the launch window in January of next year. If real, we won’t have to wait much longer before Apple drops the tablet the iSlate on the world. If not, Stefan told you so.
Note: The image above is a concept/mockup/not real.