According to a report released by analytic tracking company Flurry, Apple Tablets have been roaming the company’s Cupertino campus, and others have left the campus. The strange discoveries are that the devices found on the campus are running iPhone OS 3.2, not 4.0 – their evidence is that the devices are testing iPhone apps, but the devices don’t identify as iPhones.

Flurry reports, “Using Flurry Analytics, the company identified approximately 50 devices that match the characteristics of Apple’s rumored tablet device. Because Flurry could reliably “place” these devices geographically on Apple’s Cupertino campus, we have a fair level of confidence that we are observing a group of pre-release tablets in testing. Testing of this device increased dramatically in January, with observed signs of life as early as October of last year. Apple appears to be going through its cycle of testing and polish, which is expected from any hardware or software company as it nears launch.”

The report also points out the numerous ways the device was being used – namely games, “Historically, tablet devices have been considered substitutes for anything where workers use clipboards, note pads or day runners,” the report said. “In more industrial settings, they could be used for inventory management, taking purchase orders or data entry. However, there was a surprising dearth of applications that support these use cases. Instead, the largest category was games.”

Whether any of this truthfully points to a tablet, we don’t know for certain. This report produces more questions though: Why would the tablets run iPhone OS 3.2? Why not the rumored compatible 4.0? One thing is certain…the puzzle pieces fit together, so indeed we will see a tablet at Apple’s Wednesday event.

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HotHardware is reporting that on Wednesday, Apple will end AT&T’s chokehold on the iPhone. We all know that “an inside source” is another way of saying, “Rumor” – which means not credible, and it may be link-baiting… but it is pretty intriguing.

According to an inside source close to the going-ons involved in all of this, a new tablet of some sort may not be the only thing on deck for next Wednesday though. We have been led to believe by an inside source that AT&T will lose their iPhone exclusivity on the same day, though it’s not yet clear what other carrier (or carriers) will be stepping in to also carry the phone. For anyone who has followed the saga, you may notice that you haven’t seen AT&T fighting to extend their original exclusive agreement of late. In fact, they have spent most of their time fighting Verizon’s negative ad campaign. via HotHardware

The Apple Tablet to be introduced this coming Wednesday, allegedly, is rumored to work on two carriers – Verizon and AT&T, so it does make some sense that it is a possibility for Apple to unlock the iPhone. That would be a pretty big BOOM!, and “one last thing.” The blogs and internet have been frothing with rumors of the tablet having a data plan attached to it, via AT&T or Verizon – doesn’t make much sense to have an iPhone with AT&T and a tablet plan with Verizon…so you see where this may be going.

Whatever the outcome, we can guarantee that Jobs will inspire and delight with this and many other announcements come Wednesday. Keep checking back in the next few days, we are working on polishing a series of entries on Apple’s Big Picture and why a lot of pundits fail to see it.

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Hoo-Boy, it’s gettin’ hot in here! Again, from Apple Insider, Mike Abramsky with RBC Capital Markets, the corporate and investment banking division of the Royal Bank of Canada has projected that Apple could gain $3 billion in revenue from the tablet – a “base case” scenario…

“Anticipation for an Apple Tablet (expected Jan 27) resembles that of Moses bringing down the 10 Commandments,” Abramsky wrote. “Despite high expectations, we believe Apple plans to redefine portable computing — as the Mac redefined the PC — by ‘creating’ desire for a new converged portable device with innovative touch/gestures — with iTunes content. A ‘Hit’ could provide a possible new growth engine for Apple.

In the three case scenario Abramsky projects, Apple Insider reports,”On the low end, as a ‘niche’ product, he said the tablet would have an $800 average selling price and sell 1 million units. That would earn Apple $777 million, and amount to 12 cents of incremental GAAP EPS. On the other hand, priced at $500, the product would be a “hit,” selling 10 million units. With 29 percent gross margin, it would mean an additional $4.2 billion in revenue for Apple, amounting to 42 cents EPS.”…Full story here…

Don’t know about you folks, but DAMN this is getting sweet! We’re as giddy as a group of school girls with brand new patent-leather shoes…

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I don’t know about you, but I have to really regulate myself when I’m in iTunes. So much so that I made a pact that I’d not buy anything unless I have an Apple iTunes gift card, whether it be from someone as a gift or if I buy one myself. Otherwise I’d download so many iPhone apps and music that, no matter my good intentions on the apps, I probably won’t use to their fullest potential. Now iTunes has helped me in this matter.

iTunes Wish lists tot he rescue! When you’re looking at something to purchase, just click on the arrow on the far right of the “Buy” button. Not long ago, you could only do this with songs and albums. Luckily, Apple has now made it an option for iPhone apps.

To see your wish list, go the Home page in iTunes, and on the right column, under “Quick Links,” you’ll find “My Wish List.” I have about 32 things in there now, 19 are albums and 13 are iPhone apps. If I look at the entire wish list, I understand why wish list is a great buffer for my purchases. Total cost of those 32 items? $258.59 total!

Yeah…pretty good reasoning to have a buffer.

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Apple Insider reports that Apple is still ironing out data plans for their tablet device – one model for AT&T another for Verizon:

Apple is still ironing out last-minute details with both Verizon and AT&T about supporting its forthcoming tablet, and may offer two different versions designed specifically for each carrier.

With less than a week remaining before Apple’s January 27 event, a report has surfaced claiming that Apple is still in the process of negotiating carrier details with rivals AT&T and Verizon over support for its much-rumored tablet device.

Complicating matters, AT&T and Verizon use differing networks to communicate – AT&T uses the GSM network while Verizon utilizes CDMA. According to Clayton Morris at Fox News, Apple plans on offering two versions of the device, each made to run on one of the network standards.

“According to a source at Verizon, Apple has been in talks with ‘the big red map’ to offer the tablet on its robust CDMA network. Additionally Verizon is in talks with Apple to bring the iPhone to its network by late spring or early summer, but specifics haven’t yet been finalized,” Morris writes.

Read the rest at Apple Insider

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WSJ reported tonight that yes, in fact there is an Apple tablet and created its own Boom! The juiciest are:

The tablet will include a virtual keyboard for text input.

Apple wants to present traditional print content, like newspapers and magazines, “differently” on the device.

The company envisions the device for use reading content both at home and in the classroom.

Game maker Electronic Arts is working with Apple on software to demonstrate the game-playing capabilities of the tablet.

As has been rumored for months, Apple is in negotiations with TV networks for a monthly subscription service. The plan would include a “best of TV” subscription for on-demand access to content. It would offer about four to six shows per channel.

Referring to traditional media companies, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was said to be “supportive of the old guard,” a person who once worked with him told the Journal. Jobs allegedly wants to “help them by giving them new forms of distribution.”

Wow! Photo courtesy of Presentation Zen

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Amazon has now introduced a royalty program for e-book authors that is more inline with what Apple has with its developers and e-books. It used to be 70/30, Amazon getting the former big chunk. Now they have a new program that gives the author 70% – with conditions.

From what Techcrunch has reported, it looks like the requirements are pretty lame:

- The author or publisher-supplied list price must be between $2.99 and $9.99

WTH? We hope that’s wrong, but what a huge gesture if true from Amazon…”You get 70%, but it is only on books under 10 bucks…isn’t that wonderful?” True that the numbers do add up if you have a hit book, but restricting it to this price point seems lame.

Regardless, it smells a lot like a knee-jerk reaction to what’s coming a week from now: the Apple Tablet or Slate. Yes, the mythical e-reader, spreadsheet creator, ipod, TV and Movie capable 10 inch slab of Apple goodness.Apple already has several magazine giants on board and we haven’t even heard about authors. You can bet that authors will jump at the chance to have the deal Apple gives its publishing partners.

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As expected, the New York Times announced this morning that they intend to charge users for its online content. It seems they will follow others who have (or plan to have) this model in place, allowing users to view half of the content, but then charging for the other half.

“Our new business model is designed to provide additional support for The New York Times’ extraordinary, professional journalism,” said Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., chairman of The New York Times Company and publisher of The New York Times. “Our audiences are very loyal and we believe that our readers will pay for our award-winning digital content and services.”

True – people will pay for something they find has enough value to actually pay for it. However, savvy web users would retort that they can go elsewhere and find what they want for free. Both the Washington Street Journal and The New York Times offer valuable journalistic stories, written by bright and talented journalists. We can’t find any reason why this model can’t work…making that a reality and finding success is another story.

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Mashable brought to our attention the newest rumor to date on the iPhone 4.0 OS – Fox News has reported that not only will the tablet be unveiled next week, but along with it? The iPhone 4.0 OS and a new round of iLife 2010 suite.

Their article is pretty intriguing, even if still a rumor. We got a chuckle out of Fox’s Clayton Morris who states in the article: “Today’s Apple invitation is vague as usual, but people love to look for clues in the message. The invite features spray-painted blobs amid vibrant color swatches, which could point to a device that captures “creative” activities. A tablet, perhaps? You bet your bottom dollar. Of course, it could also be a new Apple spray paint can that holds MP3s and unicorn tears. My money remains on the tablet, however.”

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Washington Street Journal has reported that Apple and HarperCollins (home to Neil Gaiman and the Lemony Snicket series) are negotiating a deal for the fabled Tablet or Slate. As you would expect, the deal would give HarperCollins the majority of the profits, while Apple takes an iTunes-sized chunk as they do with iPhone app developers.

The momentum just keeps building and building for next Wednesday’s big unveiling of Apple’s “newest creation.” With Engadget’s report of the New York Times preparing to charge for web content, the discoveries of iPhone OS 4.0 and it being held back, along with so many rumors it feels like the frenzy before the iPhone introduction three years ago.

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