Rumors of an Apple-made internet tablet have been circulating the internet for years, but the latest round of rumors are spurred by Verizon Wireless pushing its LTE 4G network launch from later in 2010 to the first quarter of next year. Verizon is looking to slowly deploy its 4G LTE networks in the early part of the year and expand that to about 20-30 markets in the second half of the year.

The rumor comes at a time when AT&T’s CEO publicly admits that the carrier’s exclusivity with the iPhone in the USA will be coming to an end in the future, though he didn’t elaborate. That, coupled with what looks to be Cupertino’s dissatisfaction with the carrier for delaying vital features in its latest iPhone 3GS release in the USA, which includes MMS for picture, audio, and video messaging, as well as a reasonable tethering option. AT&T’s frequency of dropped calls, network outages, and slow data speed may be cause for concern as well as tech reporters and industry analysts have raised the issue that AT&T’s sub-par service may jeopardize the Apple brand. As such, the natural progression of the Apple rumor mill points to the firm wanting to work with other carriers, in which Verizon’s name is brought up.

According to inside sources, the cause for Verizon to shiftto 4G earlier is due to one internet device, and not a PC card or USB modem, though neither the manufacturer nor the identity of the device were revealed.

It’d be interesting to see some hybrid EVDO (3G) and LTE (4G) devices as Verizon Wireless shifts to its next generation wireless data network, though globe trotters may look forward to a GSM/CDMA/LTE combination for world roaming. Though much of the world may be shifting to 4G, varying frequencies and different 4G radios may cause greater disparity across the globe than 3G, of which many continents usually standardize on a few bands. This confusion should lead to some interesting ways devices are marketed, so buyer beware when a retailer tries to say that the device will be ready for global roaming without disclosing what bands and in what countries the device will be able to operate in.

At this time, there is not much information about an internet tablet from Apple, except that the Cupertino firm is still exploring new markets and product categories. Apple has vehemently denied its intentions into entering a “low cost” netbook market, stating that the firm is not capable of delivering quality hardware and innovation in that price range ($300-$500) to satisfy customer needs.

Regardless of the Apple rumors, taking a look at some of the HTC 2010 devices, we wonder if any of those may be gutted and readied with an LTE chipset in time for Verizon Wireless’ launch party.

(via: Engadget Mobile)