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.

The Apple tablet rumored for announcement January 27th will undoubtedly offer some sort of Apple-esque transformation in the way we use tablets (assuming it even exists). One of the main ways Apple could do this is to alter the way the users input data. There are numerous ways this could be approached, and Macworld has rounded up nine possible techniques, outlining the odds of the approach Apple may take.

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.

Barron’s is reporting that an “analyst” has “… seen first-hand a prototype slate-style computer from Apple.” According to this analyst, the device will retail between $699 and $799, and will launch in November, following an official announcement in September. The device will fulfill a plethora of multimedia functions—from supposedly impressive high-def video playback to gaming.

The Financial Times is reporting that Apple is planning on releasing the long rumored “iTablet” device much sooner than next year as more recent rumors were pinpointing as the release date. No, apparently thanks to EMI, Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music Group, Apple will supposedly be releasing this device sometime around September.