Rumours put Apple tablet announcement on 19 January

New internet rumours suggest tech giant Apple will announce the confirmation of its long-awaited tablet device on 19 January, with the gadget to hit shelves in the first half of 2010.

According to a report from a “reliable source” on iLounge.com, which correctly predicted details about the iPhone 3GS, the tablet device is all but confirmed with a final approval awaited from chief executive Steve Jobs.

The site reveals the company has produced at least three different prototypes of the device, with the latest version boasting a 10.7-inch touch screen. It also reportedly runs the iPhone operating system, and looks similar to the iPhone itself.

The gadget will enable reading of full-sized book and magazine pages, with the screen able to produce a resolution five to six times that of the iPod Touch and iPhone devices.

“It is designed to expand the iPhone and iPod touch media concept to its next potential level: as a slate-like replacement for books and magazines, plus all of the media, gaming, app and web functionality of the iPhone and iPod touch,” the iLounge report said.

“It is not meant to compete with netbooks. It’s an iPhone OS media player and light communication device.”

Additionally, Apple has reportedly rehired one of the original members of the Newton development team, a device from the 1990s that became a precursor to the modern PDA.

According to a report in The New York Times, Newton developer Michael Tchao, who left Apple 15 years ago and most recently worked at footwear manufacturer Nike, has been hired ahead of the rumoured tablet launch.

He will reportedly answer to the company’s senior vice president of product marketing, Phil Schiller, and according to a former colleague has “great ideas about tablet computing”, the paper reports.

Tchao reportedly convinced former Apple chief executive John Sculley to include a handwriting recognition system in the Newton, which has fuelled rumours about whether a similar feature could be included in the upcoming tablet.