Apple confirms January 27 event

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 19 January 2010 06:41

Opinion and Analysis

Apple's definitely announcing something later this month - but what? Presumably it's the long-expected tablet...

Speculation has been rife that Apple would announce its near-mythical tablet computer on or around January 27 ever since someone spotted an anonymous booking covering that date at one of Apple's favoured launch venues.

Lo and behold, Apple has invited the media to an event at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, just across the street from the Moscone Center (home of Macworld Expo, which this year runs from February 11 to 13).

The invitation itself - "Come see our latest creation" - gives practically no clues about what's being revealed.

The graphic design involves splashes of colour, which doesn't add much either.

My guess? It is the iTablet/iSlate, and Apple will be promoting its ability to display electronic versions of books and magazines in full colour, unlike most of the existing ebook readers such as the Kindle.

I don't expect for a minute that will be the product's only function, although a number of publishers have reportedly been negotiating with Apple to put their content on the new device, presumably with sales through a new section of the iTunes Store.

What's in it for publishers - and for owners, come to that? Please read on.