Apple Fuels Buzz Over Tablet Computer

Apple on Monday ratcheted up the public relations buzz surrounding the launch of a new product, widely expected to be a tablet-sized computer, this month.

It sent out a press invitation via email, inviting journalists to “come see our latest creation”. Whilst far from explicit, as is Apple’s wont, the invitation was the strongest confirmation yet of what has been the company’s most anticipated new product since the launch of the iPhone three years ago.

The invitation was decorated with bright paint-like splotches, suggesting colour may be an important feature of the new product. Apple typically drops such hints, last year using musical notes to indicate that new audio players were on the way.

One of the likely possibilities is that the tablet computer would allow users to read books and magazines, like existing electronic readers, but in colour.

The Kindle and other leading e-readers rely on E -Ink and are in black and white.

Read More: By Joseph Menn, Financial Times