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News about the existence (or nonexistence) of the Apple Tablet keeps popping up. The latest rumors point to a late 2010 date. I don’t know if the Apple Tablet will be a reality, but one reason Apple may not be in a hurry is that it already has a tablet computer: it’s called the iPhone. Tablets come in all sizes, and granted the iPhone is a small tablet, but it’s functionality and size provide utility a bigger tablet cannot match.

The rumored Apple Tablet would certainly offer some benefits and conveniences, but the game-changer is mobile and the hand-held ubiquity it provides. The size of iPhone or other smart phones make them a device that is always on and always in reach for almost everyone who uses them. I think Steve Reubel makes an excellent point here, when he says your smartphone – including the iPhone – will become the primary portable computer for most people.

Desktop computers won’t go away for people who need raw speed and ample screen real estate. Laptops will still serve as more convenient versions of desktop units. And yes, a tablet computer will have a niche between laptops and smartphones. However, mobile is definitely the new frontier. And that is why Apple, Google and scores of other companies are placing their bets and resources on this platform.