Apple-related rumors may be annoying and tiresome, but at a certain point they usually start converging towards the truth. Lately, we keep hearing that the launch date for this fabled device is the first quarter of 2010 (February, most rumors agree, is very likely), and it's confirmed in the latest rumor coming from Digitimes.
According to their sources, Foxconn Electronics (the company that produces the iPod and the iPhone) will manufacture the device; it'll launch in the first quarter of 2010, and initial shipments will be in the 300,000-400,000 range.
Furthermore, the device will have a 10.6-inch display (negligible change from the 10.7 inches, which is what we heard before), it will be more of an e-book reader than a music-oriented device (quite logical, since iPod and iPhone already fulfill that role quite successfully), and it'll have a long battery life, quick net connection, and an easy to use interface.