Apple appear close to releasing a new 'tablet', half way between an iPhone and a laptop. It will probably have a 10 inch screen and include a slot for a SIM card for internet access.

Reports from Chinese factories suggest it looks like an oversize iPhone and might also be available in 13 and 15 inch versions.

The new project is rumoured to be obsessively micro managed by perfectionist CEO Steve Jobs. It is not clear if the tablet will run an extended version of the cut-down iPhone OS X or the full version of OS X.

Rumours also suggest that ASUS, Dell and MSI are busily working on a new wave of tablet netbooks to compete.