Apple plans to demo its long rumored multimedia tablet device later this month, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal that cites anonymous sources. The WSJ's sources say that Apple plans to ship the product come March but that has not been finalized and may change. The report also speculated that the tablet device will have a 10- to 11-inch touch screen.  One source told the WSJ that Apple was tinkering with two different finishes for the tablet, which might indicate two different versions of the device. It also could mean the company is still deciding between two looks.

According to the report, analysts believe that Apple's device could be priced at around $1,000, but that ticket might include a subscription to a national WiFi service.

Given the rumored timing of the announcement and the obvious appeal of wireless tablets for the healthcare industry, we wonder whether the tablet's launch event will include the unveiling of a product based on Apple's trials with electronic medical records provider Epic Systems. The two companies were working together on a pilot in a Stanford hospital, but details were scarce at the time. Perhaps the companies were testing out the rumored tablet and a new Apple tablet and iPhone-friendly EMR?

All rumors and speculation, but if the WSJ's report is to be believed, we should learn more by the end of the month.

For more on the speculation, read this report from the WSJ