Apple Plans Big Announcement Tomorrow

PHILADELPHIA - Apple plans to introduce a big new product on Wednesday, and there are two hot rumors on the Web.

Rumor number one is that Apple will launch a new device called the iPad. Rumor number two is that Apple will launch a new iPhone for Verizon that runs on a 4G network.

Right now, the betting odds seem to be on the iPad.

The iPad is reportedly a 10-inch touch-sensitive version of a tablet computer that is a wireless version of the iPod, with video and e-book features like the Kindle.

In addition to the touch screen, it will run the Mac OS X operating system, and allow users to download applications through the iPhone App Store.

Web geeks who track the use of wireless devices near Apple headquarters in California say 50 such devices have been spotted on wireless networks there.

The iPad (or iSlate) would cost between $600 and $1,000, according to reports. And that doesn’t include monthly service fees.

Where things get interesting is that Verizon is rumored to be one of the companies providing network connectivity for the iPad.

That concept ties into rumor number two: that the iPhone is coming to Verizon customers.

Apple and Verizon have reportedly been in talks since April about bringing a CDMA version of the iPhone to Verizon customers sometime in 2010.

Read A Cool FoxNews Analysis Of Apple Vs. AT&T Vs. Verizon

There are also persistent Internet rumors that Apple chief Steve Jobs will use the Wednesday event to announce a change to Apple’s deal with AT&T as the exclusive service provider for the iPhone.

The press conference on Wednesday starts at 1 p.m. Eastern Time and we will have video links to the event.

In September 2009, Apple also promised a big announcement, which underwhelmed Apple geeks.

The big announcement was that Apple was targeting Flip and other video-camera vendors by adding free video cameras to its Nano products.