While the industry awaits news of Google’s Nexus One, some more Apple ponderings have hit the wire — including new predictions for the long-awaited tablet.

So add this to the growing rumor pile, folks: Citing unnamed people who were "briefed by the company," The Wall Street Journal asserts that a 10- or 11-inch Apple tablet — in possibly two different exterior finishes — may ship in March for as much as $1,000. Previous rumors pegged a 7-inch and/or a 10-inch version running around $800 or so. (And Piper Jaffrey analyst Gene Munster predicted that the tablet may cost even less, at around $600.) 

Would that $1,000 estimated price be full retail? And could there be any carrier subsidy involved? None of that is clear yet, but one thing’s certain: If the tablet is going to cost a cool grand, it’s going to keep a lot of would-be customers from jumping on the tablet bandwagon.

Another interesting part of this story references analysts who think the device will work with some sort of subscription model to a nationwide Wifi service. Huh? Is that a misprint? Are they talking about 3G? Or maybe those sources meant to say Mifi, WiMAX, or the like. Whatever it is, it’s pretty curious.

Analysts currently believe an Apple tablet will be priced at about $1,000, possibly including a subscription to a nationwide Wi-Fi wireless service. The tablet is expected to be a multimedia device that will let people watch movies and television shows, play games, surf the Internet and read electronic books and newspapers. People briefed by Apple also say that the company believes it could redefine the way consumers interact with a variety of content. Textbooks and newspapers, for example, could be presented differently through color screens, a touch interface, and the integration of live up-to-the-minute information from multiple sources. (WSJ)

Last but not least, even though the industry has circled January 26th in their calendars as the announcement date, the writer of the WSJ article (among other people) believe the event could take place the following day (January 27th) instead.

What hasn’t changed is the focus of the tablet. It’s still expected to be one slick-looking device that serves up vids, flicks, TV programs, games, websites, e-books, and digital newspapers/magazines on the go.

So if the tablet debuts at $1,000 instead of $800, would that keep you from picking it up? Sound off below.

Via: 9to5Mac, Gizmodo, The Wall Street Journal

(Thanks, @_ciro_!)

(EDITED: Added previous price rumors in there. Thanks, cambunton!)