There has been a lot of buzz lately over the imminent Apple Tablet. Most of this has been largely speculation or has been based on anonymous sources.

But now we have been hearing from sources that could possibly bring much more credence to all the speculations happening so far.

Kaifu Lee, the ex-President of Google China in a recent post on the Chinese microblogging site Sina talks about the Apple Tablet as a bigger version of the iPhone. He writes (Google Translated):

"Apple in January plans to launch an Apple Tablet, priced at $1000 U.S. dollars below. According to informed friend said that this Tablet looks like a large iPhone, there are 10.1-inch multi-touch screen, and amazing user interface, 3D graphics, virtual keyboard, video conferencing, e-books, Internet this and other functions. Steve Jobs will launch the product in January. The most striking: Apple expected the first year of output at close to 10 million!"

There is some interesting piece of information here. However, if you wondering why an ex-Google President's statements should carry so much signficance, here's why. Firstly, Kaifu Lee has worked in the Apple R&D team for close to six years in the 1990s, which could mean close connections with a lot of top level R&D executives. Also he is presently in a business relationship with Foxconn, the Taiwan based iPhone manufacturer. Having held distinguished positions, it is unlikely that Mr.Lee would be otherwise feeding fodder to rumor mills. 

However, it is to be seen if Apple indeed launches the Tablet at the rumored $1000 price tag at the "Big" event on January 26, 2010. What do you make of it? Will you be going for the Tablet, which looks like a large iPhone at this price? We would love to hear your opinion. 

Wish you all a very Happy New Year!

[via Sina, Gadget Mix]