My fellow iTWwire-ite Stephen Withers tells us that January 27th is the date, a day later than I predicted.  But in true Apple style, they're still not saying what they're announcing on that date.

Assuming that the central pillar is correct – we really are getting the iPad / iSlate / iTouch (huge-edition), what are we hearing about what it might look like, what it might do?

The first interesting thought to deal with comes from ComputerWorld who are adamant that the first model to be released will only feature a 7" screen, based on projections of power usage and battery designs.  They also discuss the variety of screen technologies that are available to mitigate the problem.

We hear that a country diner at Lake Tahoe was used to film a (secret) commercial - seemingly the first time Apple has worked outside the studio in 20 years.  If it's true of course.

Others speak of secret meetings between Apple and a variety of publishers to bring books, magazines and newspapers to the device.

Most commentators expect the device to run existing iPhone software – there's an App for that!  But having (as rumoured) more processing grunt, the device may also be pitched at the gaming market.

Many (here for instance) raise the fact that Apple bought PA Semi, an expert in complex low-power chip designs, and point to the likelihood of such designs featuring in the tablet.

Finally, there is the "scavenger hunt" saga, to which many point as the greatest evidence thus far of the tablet being released next week.

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On January 13th, Gawker Media announced a $100,000 prize for anyone who could produce incontrovertible proof of the device prior to the official launch.

The lawyers responded by stating in a letter that this was highly illegal and that "The information you are willing to pay for, such as photos of a yet-to-be released product, constitutes Apple trade secrets.  Apple invests substantial time and money in the development of its new products, which remain unannounced and proprietary to Apple."

As many others are suggesting this seems like they're writing in the knowledge of such a product's existence.  If it didn't exist, either the legal letter would never have been written, or it would have been couched in very different language.

There are also many tales of journalists 'conning' information out of third-party executives, for instance the original New York Times announcement in October last year and last weeks revelation from Orange executive Stéphane Richard that it was real and contained a webcam.

Whatever the truth from all these rumours it seems we have less than six days to wait.  Or will one of us be writing the "nothing happened" piece on the 28th?