“A source tells us a system integration engineer friend of his at Apple has been ramping up his travels back and forth between China lately, broadcasting word of his travels over the Internet. There’s even a few weeks scheduled during the Christmas holiday season.”

So it becomes more clear that Apple is planning to launch the 3G-enabled multi-touch tablet device soon en probably in the first quarter of 2010. Other rumors before already suggested there will be a production 300,000 to 400,000 units, and Apple contacted The New York Times and Australian media companies to persuade them to bring their print media to the tablet computer in an interactive digital version.

Source: BusinessInsider

Foxconn and Apple made headlines when a man committed suicide after he was questioned about a missing iPhone 4G prototype. Foxconn has been a manufacturer, among a couple of other manufactures, of Apple products for some time now.The company also produces the iPhone and iPod touch for Apple.

Digitimes further reports about the release of the tablet computer. It is set to be launched in the first quarter of 2010 and is indeed created to be some sort of an e-reader. Earlier rumors also stated a early 2010 release of the device. The screen will be 10,6 inches and probably comes from the company Innolux Display.

“The sources indicated they believe the tablet PC features will focus more on e-book functionality rather than music, and that based on Apple’s marketing strategy, long battery life, quick Internet connectivity and an easy-to-use user interface will be key features of the device,”

As Apple prepares to launch the tablet computer very soon, other companies are working hard to announce a tablet computer of their own. Microsoft has already shown concept art about the “Courier” and hardware maker HP is expected to debut their own tablet-style touchscreen device soon after, in the second quarter of 2010.