The iSlate Cometh. Rumormill on Apple's Tablet Computer Starts to Really Heat Up.

Let the blogosphere ignite! While 2009 ended fairly quietly for Apple, 2010 is sure to begin with tremendous excitement for the much-rumored tablet-based computer from Apple. No one except the good folks in Cupertino really know the truth, but every one seems to have an opinion, idea, thought or just plain gossip to share.

So...what do we think we know? Well, the LA Times and MacRumors.Com have done some serious sleuthing to try and piece things together. What we "know" is that the name of this device is the "iSlate" and that it is expected to be a combination computer, book reader, iPod, Internet device in the form of a traditional tablet-style computer. Also, we know that Apple has reserved the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco in late January (presumably for the announcement, but could also be for a big team meeting). Finally, we know that Apple's stock is going through the roof. For better or worse, the folks on Wall Street usually know something the rest of us don't when it comes to money issues. Beyond that...it is anyones guess.

So, what does the launch of a tablet-computer mean to the market? Well, potentially nothing at all. Not to be a downer, but tablet PCs have been around for a while with only limited success among general consumers. Throw in the likelihood that an Apple machine will cost ~$1000 and this device may only amount to a few percentage points in market share for Apple. Great to see, but far from the iconic device that the iPod has become (billions and billions served) and the popular iPhone.

Of course, the opposite could also be true. Just as the Netbook market was created from virtually nothing to a major portion of the market, the iSlate could also become another iconic device. This is not as far-fetched as it sounds given that Netbooks are already under pressure from "tweener" devices (e.g. more computing power, but low cost) as well as, devices like the Amazon Kindle (perhaps the first fully accepted "tablet" computer...if only for books).

One thing I do know is that whatever Apple does, we will all benefit. Regardless of what you think of the success of Apple's iPhone, iTunes, or the iPod, one indisputable fact is that they each changed consumer expectations and experience for the better by showing the market what could be done when solid design work combined with great execution and vision. While not everything Apple does wins, they can still move the market in incredible ways through their design and delivery. It is always possible that Apple could still strike out, but even a solid double will go a long way here.

Thoughts?