Apple is mum on its plans, though reports have leaked about a possible 10-inch slate device headed toward a late January unveiling. It's unclear what, if anything, Apple has in store, though most observers believe it will build off the iPod Touch, offering access to iTunes Store content.

Apple's tablet would take its place among a handful of competing gadgets that are seeking to reshape the way consumers interact with the Web.

The concept of tablets isn't new. They've been around in different forms for almost two decades, led by the deceased Apple Newton and more recent developments in tablet PCs, which have been modest sellers.

But in the wake of Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch, which perform like minitablets, manufacturers see a new opportunity to breathe life into the category. Aided by advances in touch technology, lightweight operating systems and robust mobile processors, manufacturers can create a very versatile big-screen device built for cruising the Web, watching videos or even live TV, and reading digital books and magazines. Think of it like aspects of a smart phone, netbook and e-reader all rolled into one.