A weeks left until iPhone OS 4.0, but questions loom – will it power the iSlate?

Looks like some iPhone developers are already testing their apps against an upcoming iPhone OS 4.0 build. Even though the 4.0 update could be formally announced within two weeks, we’re still wondering whether iPhone OS 4.0 is just for iPhones or a rumored Apple tablet as well.

iPhone OS 4.0, a major iPhone software revision expected to support Apple’s iSlate tablet, is imminent, claims a developer who broke the news to CNET on condition of anonymity. Rick Broida, the author of the report, says he received an email from a prominent iPhone developer alleging Apple is testing certain third-party iPhone apps against a rumored iPhone OS 4.0 build.

Although Broida’s piece lacks the message in its entirety, he did cite the following snippet:

Just wanted to give you a heads up that we’ve submitted an updated app for the new iPhone OS 4.0 software.

According to high-profile media outlets (FoxNews, Financial Times) with deeply entrenched sources inside Cupertino, Apple has leased the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco for a January 26 special media event on all things mobile. The chatter amongst the tech press indicates that Apple might announce its mythical tablet at the event. Reuters speculated that the device will be clad in an aluminum casing while a France Télécom executive said on TV that the gizmo will feature a webcam and 3G circuitry.

A number of trade publications have corroborated those reports, quoting market sources who say Apple is gearing up for a January manufacturing ramp-up to meet a Q1 2010 launch timeframe. The most solid piece of iSlate evidence came yesterday when Apple’s legal team sent a cease and desist letter demanding that Gawker take down its Apple Tablet Scavenger Hunt contest.

This post is sponsored by Apple iPhone repair specialist:
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