Twitter ablaze with tweets about Apple tablet

Computerworld - As Apple tablet day finally dawns, the Twittersphere is abuzz with chatter about the new device.

Apple is slated to unveil the long-awaited tablet at 1 p.m. today.

As Apple keeps mum about the tablet, user curiosity has exploded online. And people are flocking to the Twitter micro-blogging site to look for any tidbits about Apple's device and to offer their own thoughts about potential tablet features and price points.

"Flight ready to take off. When I will land it will be in an entirely new & wonderful world full of magic & joy," wrote one Twitterer this morning.

"Waiting for the new phenomenon called iTablet/iSlate, " wrote another. "Woot!! iTablet today!!!!," posted another Twitterer.

The word iTablet is listed as one of the top 10 searches on Twitter this morning.

The Apple event in San Francisco event today is expected to showcase a new 10-in. or 7-in. tablet. Apple CEO Steve Jobs said only that the firm plans to unveil a "major new product."

Twitter heated up even more when Jason Calacanis, founder of tech site Engadget, began posting tweets Tuesday night about the Apple tablet, saying that he had been given a device to test before the official release.

"Yes, it's true... I've been beta testing the Apple tablet for the past two weeks and it's amazing," tweeted Calacanis. He also called it the "most amazing device ever."

Sharon Gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technologies, and desktop and laptop chips for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at @sgaudin, send e-mail to sgaudin@computerworld.com or subscribe to Sharon's RSS feed .

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