A number of articles have surfaced about an upcoming product from Apple. More commonly known as the Apple Tablet, last week the ‘The New York Times’ executive editor, Bill Keller may have accidently confirmed the existence of the device in a private speech given to the digital staff. In his speech he states

“I'm hoping we can get the newsroom more actively involved in the challenge of delivering our best journalism in the form of Times Reader, iPhone apps, WAP, or the impending Apple slate, or whatever comes after that.”<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 Potential features of the rumoured ‘Apple Slate’

 It will be a full-featured, tablet-sized computer.

Screen size 10 inches in diagonal.

Wi-Fi allowing to access Apple’s online store.

Speculated price: US$ 800.

 Judging by the expected screen size and rumored capabilities, the Apple tablet will not only be an oversized iPod Touch, ready for prime-time movies and music, but also a direct competitor to Amazon's Kindle if Apple start selling books in the iTunes music store.

Good news for media companies

It is understood that Apple has been in direct talks with Australian media companies to launch a new app for the tablet that would allow them to distribute their content in digital form and charge for it.

Similar talks were under way with Amazon over the Kindle e-book reader but these broke down after the media executives baulked at giving Amazon 70 per cent of the revenue.

By contrast, Apple's model has been to give developers 70 per cent of the revenue and to keep a 30 per cent cut. It is expected a similar deal will be offered to media companies.

Sources:

http://gawker.com/5389636/bill-keller-apple-tablet-impending

http://www.pcworld.com/article/169476/apple_tablet_prototype_is_real_nov_launch_expected_says_report.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/174332/apple_tablet_did_the_new_york_times_spill_the_beans.html

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10383950-37.html

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/15/apple-tablet-pic-leaked-this-is-the-real-one-we-can-feel-it/

http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/apple-shops-tablet-around-australia-20091027-hih9.html