Apple tablet computer expected on January 27

Apple on Monday invited journalists to attend a "special event" in San Francisco on January 27 expected to be the unveiling of a long-awaited tablet computer.

"Come See Our Latest Creation," said the invitation from the company behind the Macintosh computer, the iPod and the iPhone.

The Cupertino, California-based Apple did not supply any further details about the invitation-only event to be held at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco.

Silicon Valley has been buzzing for months with rumors that Apple plans to release a color, touchscreen tablet computer that could browse the Web, display video and also serve as an electronic book and newspaper reader.

Apple routinely refuses to comment on products ahead of their release and true to form, the company has ignored the rumors about an iTablet, letting anticipation and speculation build.

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