Apple Tablet Rumours

Rumors of a touchscreen tablet from Apple are gaining momentum -- again.
Three independent sources close to Apple told TechCrunch that a large-screen iPod Touch is slated for a Fall of 2009 release.
The device will feature a 7- or 9-inch screen, sources told TechCrunch. One of the sources even claims holding a prototype of the tablet.
The first rumor of a Mac tablet surfaced in July at MacDailyNews. But that rumor was slightly different: Rather than describing the rumored device as a larger iPod Touch, the source said the Mac tablet would have a MacBook screen, an optical drive and run a full version of Mac OS X. The source said this device would launch October. Clearly this was an inaccurate report.
Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney said a Mac touchscreen tablet would be a logical step, since all Apple would have to do is blow up the screen of an iPod Touch and slightly tweak the software.
As always, we should take rumors with a grain of salt. But this time around -- with TechCrunch's Michael Arrington citing three sources -- the fabled device has more hope.
TechCrunch did not have details on pricing for the rumored device. But we estimate the device, if real, would cost around $700 to $800 -- positioning it in between the low-end MacBook ($999) and the iPod Touch ($230).