Yes We Can: Have the Jesus Tablet Soon! But What's in the Package?

The noisy kerfuffle that broke out yesterday over whether a France Telecom exec did or did not confirm in an interview whether there is or is not an Apple tablet computer coming soon would be comical if it were not so–how shall I put it delicately?–inane.

But that’s going to be the way it is for the next few weeks until Apple (AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs finally unveils what everyone in Silicon Valley pretty much knows he has been cooking up for a while now.

Which is, of course, the iSlate. Or iPad. Or the iWhatever.

There’s the planned Apple event on Jan. 27, of course, as well as a steady stream of decent reporting by many that this is exactly what’s coming.

The Wall Street Journal, for example, reported last week that Apple plans to ship the tablet in March and that it will feature either a 10-inch or 11-inch touchscreen. The paper also cited analysts who estimate the tablet will cost $1,000 and may include a built-in wireless plan.

Other than that, there is not much more new detailed information out there.

And, as it turned out, what the exec from France Telecom, which owns the Orange mobile service there, actually meant got lost in translation.

Along with doing a John the Baptist, he seems to have said that the device will include wireless and a Webcam.

But not so fast! Orange PR told paidContent that the exec’s remarks were “a few comments taken out of context, then interpreted into English.”

As paidContent further wrote:

“A full statement emailed to us has further back-tracking: ‘These responses in no way reflect Orange’s confirmation of the existence of the rumoured device. The spokesperson was merely confirming that he is aware of the speculation surrounding a launch and that Orange would be delighted to have such a product were it ever to be available.’”

Well, that clears it up!

Actually, it would be great to see more information about what is and what is not in the new device over the next days before we all get to see it, as well as much more on exactly which entertainment, wireless, publishing and other partners are involved.

That’s a lot of folks, so concentrating on finding out what’s in the package instead of wondering if Christmas for Apple fanboys is coming would be a good idea about now.

In other words: Yes, you geeks, Steve Jobs will be Santa Claus soon.

Now let’s find out whether what he’s bringing will be naughty or nice, innovative or not so much.

Until then, here is the video of that tongue-tied dude from France making a mess of it (you have to know French to understand):