Tablet rumors continue to flourish without the slightest sign of let up. The newest speculation is focused on Steve Jobs and his drive to finish the rumored tablet in time for early 2010.

What's intriguing about these latest rumors is not only the personal touch of involving Jobs in the process, but the host of unverifiable specifics. According to sources described in the Wall Street Journal as "people familiar with the matter," Jobs has been focusing on the tablet with an intensity he hasn't shown since the iPhone got ready to debut. In what can't possibly count as news, Jobs is described as controlling and micromanaging the project, though this is rather like speculating that the sun is rumored to be somewhat hottish.

We are then treated to accounts of how poor battery life and no internal memory bogged down the development cycle, while previous rumors held that Jobs has repeatedly scrapped the project to redirect it. Other issues that allegedly plagued development included Apple's early wish to run the tablet on Intel x86 and the subsequent switch to ARM as is used in the iPod touch and iPhone. The latter move has the success of previous touch devices backing it, as well as delivering better battery life.

With NVIDIA's general mobile manager Mike Rayfield hinting at possible media pad created by an unnamed company and using NVIDIA's Tegra chip, as well as the rumor early this year of Apple purchasing 10-inch touch screens from Wintek, bits and pieces that are somewhat convincing are starting to fall into place.

While previous rumors were too good to be true and built up expectations, the proliferation of online voices and media have stoked the tablet anticipation pretty high this time around. The success of both the iPod and the iPhone have proven that Apple can deliver an impressive handheld touchscreen computer. Is the final culmination of the tablet dream about to come to fruition? Stay tuned to find out...