The "veteran analyst", whom Barron's does not name, claims to have seen a prototype of the tablet. Commenting on the device's playback of hi-def video, the analyst is quoted as saying: "It's better than the average movie experience, when you hold this thing in your hands". The analyst adds that other device manufacturers are holding off on similar products until they see the Apple machine: "It's close enough now to a final design that in Asia, there's no other product in the waiting room or in the bullpen". Frustratingly, he gives no details on the device's spec.
Barron's also gives a passing mention of launch dates, saying the tablet "could be announced in September for release in November". The price, the article speculates, is around $699 to $799. A second source told Barron's the tablet "is all over the supply chain in Asia".
At this point, the tech industry will be surprised if Apple does not announce a tablet in September. As is typical of Apple, however, details of the device are extremely hard to come by.
