Talk about last minute. Thanks to Engadget’s source, these images, while still smelling a bit fishy, seem to show what could be the real Apple tablet. Albeit, covered with some kind of hideous security device that could only pass for descent design in the PC world. Still, the amount of effort that went into editing this image to discard any identifying information is somewhat convincing.

At this point, yes, an Apple tablet is all but a given. If Apple doesn’t make the announcement on Wednesday the faithful (and the shareholders) are likely to torch the village. But one thing we still don’t know is what the tablet will be called. Well, a recent, fairly innocuous press release about an iPhone crossword app seems fairly certain the tablet will be called the iPad.

Word around the web is that Steve Jobs has been heard saying he considers the rumored Apple tablet to be the most important thing he’s ever done. And considering that this is coming from the man who helped bring you the Mac, the MacBook and the iPod, then this is just one more reason why we’re all impatiently waiting for Wednesday’s announcements.

Some people aren’t too bothered for next week’s Apple event. Some are obsessively reading each and every rumor, unable to sleep in anticipation of what might emerge from the keynote. Other, however, put their opinions onto paper. Or rather, Photoshop. Let’s take a look at a couple of concept drawings put together.

The January 27th Apple event promises to bring some fascinating and drool-worthy announcements for Apply fanboys world wide, especially when it comes to the rumored iTablet. However, as is common with Steve Jobs, there is anticipation of that famous “one more thing” to put us even further at the edge of our seat. Considering this has been the first Apple event in a while and the hype surrounding it is greater than usual, in my opinion, the chance of “one more thing” is quite likely.

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.

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.

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.

Judging from the slew of Apple rumors centered around a possible Apple Tablet, it certainly appears as if one may actually exist in this coming year. Perhaps the most telling of these rumors is how Apple has reportedly scheduled a media event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010. While Apple has declined to comment, they may have rented the building for a couple of days.