It's looking more and more likely that Apple will release a 10-inch tablet computer in early 2010.

Even if you're sick of Apple tablet rumors, we promise you'll like this one. The latest update comes from a tipster with a solid track record, which reinforces previous reports that Apple will deliver a tablet in early 2010. The tipster also shares details on the rumored product's specifications.

ILounge, an iPod and iPhone blog, cites a source who claims Apple plans to announce a tablet by Jan. 19, 2010. The tipster claims the tablet will measure 10.7 inches (diagonally) and will run the iPhone operating system.

The tablet will sport a higher resolution than the iPhone or iPod Touch screen: "Expect something like 5-6 times the resolution of an iPod Touch or iPhone screen (720p or thereabouts) and 7 times the touchable surface area," writes iLounge.

Also, there will be one version equipped with 3G networking and one without. This would make the 3G model a bigger version of the iPhone, and the non-3G tablet a larger iPod Touch.

This particular report raises the likelihood of an Apple tablet landing in stores soon. ILounge says this is the same source who was spot on when leaking details on the fifth-generation iPod Nano prior to its Sept. 9 launch. That same source was also accurate with its description of the fourth-generation iPod Nano before its release.

ILounge's source also said the tablet would specialize "as a slate-like replacement for books and magazines." Wired.com in previous months has argued that an Apple tablet would pose a serious threat to the Amazon Kindle as well as the Amazon.com e-book store. We speculated that Apple could integrate an e-book section into the iTunes Store, giving it the potential to shake up the publishing industry.

Are you getting overwhelmed by the flurry of tablet news? We don't blame you. Here are the rumors that have been echoed by several publications:

Steve Jobs has had a heavy hand in the tablet's development.

Sources: Wall Street Journal, AppleInsider, Barron's, iLounge

Sources: Wall Street Journal, AppleInsider, Barron's, iLounge The Apple tablet will launch in early 2010.

Sources: AppleInsider, TheLoop, iLounge, Barron's

Sources: AppleInsider, TheLoop, iLounge, Barron's The tablet will look like a larger iPod Touch or iPhone, measuring approximately 10 inches.

Sources: Gizmodo, AppleInsider, Barron's, iLounge, InfoTimes

Sources: Gizmodo, AppleInsider, Barron's, iLounge, InfoTimes The tablet will cost between $700 and $900, positioning it between the iPhone/iPod Touch and Apple's notebooks.

Sources: Gizmodo, InfoTimes, Barron's

Sources: Gizmodo, InfoTimes, Barron's The tablet will come in two versions. Gizmodo's source claims one model will feature a webcam (perhaps for videoconferencing) while the other will focus on education. A camera-equipped tablet would make more sense on the 3G-equipped tablet described by iLounge's source; likewise, a camera-less version of the tablet could be the non-3G tablet mentioned by iLounge's source.

Sources: Gizmodo, iLounge

Have any doubt left in an Apple tablet? We don't. But there's so much here that if the tablet turns out to be a media-fabricated illusion, even David Copperfield would be impressed.

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Photo: Illustration of an imaginary Apple Tablet (vernhart/Flickr)