Everybody wants to run Apple. It’s an appealing idea, as it’s so easy to see it as “one man’s” company, one that exists only to fulfill his vision of what the next big thing should be. And while there’s always money to be made in trashing Apple, too many wanna-be-Steves think that what the company really needs to do is follow what the rest of the computing world is doing. This brings us to the Apple netbook.

Bill Synder over at PCWorld has written an article bashing the usefulness of Apple’s rumored “iSlate” as a business device, even before the product has been seen, let alone announced. As my colleague Bill Stiteler tweeted, “… that’s some good old-fashioned Mac hate …” And since Mr. Snyder finds it acceptable to tear apart the usefulness of a device that’s still just a rumor, I feel comfortable in refuting his claims with some indefensible beliefs of my own.

It was almost common knowledge that Apple had something planned for the 27th of January but finally, nine days before the date, they have confirmed it by sending out the usual invitations. There’s always a little piece of text on the invitations that, while not necessarily giving a hint, certainly make you think. On the invitation for this event, it reads: “Come see our latest creation.”

Rumors of an Apple tablet have been around in one form or another for well over a year now. Are you tired of the speculation? So is Valleywag. The difference between you and them is they’re willing to pay to prove the tablet’s existence once and for all. Pay quite a bit, actually, although their definition of “proof” may vary from yours. No shaky Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster or UFO footage, please, they want quality video…or the device itself.

Over the course of CES, TG Daily came upon a rather interesting rumor after talking to various vendors. As it goes, some companies were trying to get 10 inch screens to use with their products but were met with months and months of struggle thanks to Apple. Apparently, our favorite Cupertino company has pre-ordered so many 10 inch LCD and OLED screens that the Asian manufacturers aren’t able to supply other companies with what they need.

French site Mac4Ever has released a report claiming that the rumored January 27th event Apple will also see the announcement of the iPhone OS 4.0 Beta. This updated version of the software development kit (SDK) will supposedly also include tools for developing on Apple’s new tablet device, which is rumored to have a larger screen than the iPhone and iPod Touch.

According to people who were briefed on the rumored Apple event coming up later this month, Apple does plan to announce a tablet later this month. This device would come in a 10 to 11 inch form factor, and is apparently slated to be shipped in March. Furthermore, the sources revealed the device is currently being created in two different materials. Whether they will both be produced and marketed or if Apple is simply deciding on a final one remains to be seen.

From the latest reports and rumors flying around, it’s possible to make this conclusion. If various sources can be trusted, Apple should release a touch-screen tablet device on January 27th. Of course, this is still simply a collection of rumors, but it’s not just a single rumor that keeps making the rounds—there are quite a few in circulation, and each has a level of plausibility.

iTouch, MacBook touch, the Apple Tablet…it’s been called a lot of names, all except perhaps a currently available product, but there’s reason to believe Apple may have decided on a name for our much wanted device. Sounds like we might be calling it the TabletMac…well maybe. A company called Axiotron had been marketing a device called a TabletMac, and this trademarked term has transferred hands from Axiotron to Apple.

Another day, another rumor about the “impending” Apple Tablet. Today, the internet was on fire with talk about a leaked picture of what could be the SIM card tray for the rumored Apple Tablet. And if that wasn’t quite enough to get you to stop yawning, Bill Keller, executive editor at the New York Times, made a not-so-off-the-record speech about the New York Times‘ web presence. In that speech, he made reference to an Apple Tablet as if he knows something we don’t know. I’m not convinced