Apple tablet computers may be available as soon as September

AppleInsider reports that Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. will be assembling tablet computers for Apple that may appear for sale as early as September.

The report, which was published by the Taipei, Taiwan Apple Daily paper and later carried by Dow Jones, cited unnamed sources in reporting that Wintek Corp. would supply flat panel displays for the device and that its battery would be built by Dynapack International Technology Corp.

According to sources known to AppleInsider, Apple's expected new tablet device which will be equipped with a 10-inch display and integrated 3G wireless service is not anticipated to arrive before early 2010.

That suggests that the report made by the Taipei, Taiwan Apple Daily in regards to Hon Hai may actually reflect the upcoming third generation iPod touch, which could easily be described as a "tablet computer" and is expected to be announced in September when Apple typically announces new revisions the iPod touch.

However, the paper specifically cites the device in its report as having a 10-inch screen along with 3G wireless service and describes it as being an "enlarged iPod", and not just a refresh of the existing iPod touch. The report indicates the model will hit the market in September or October in order to hit the Christmas holiday season, but notes that reports in the "foreign media" are not expecting it to arrive until the first quarter of next year.