In the last couple of years, whenever Apple calls a press conference, you can almost hear the collective intake of breaths as journalists and gadget fans across the globe wait in anticipation to hear what new wonder they're about to unleash on the world.

So immense is their power to grab our imagination with devices that are a pleasure to look at and a dream to use (for the most part, that is) that even a rumour of a new product will have people writing blogs and PhotoShopping up fake images in rivers months ahead of the supposed unveiling.

The thing is, Apple rumours tend to be true. So much so in fact that it's quite easy to suspect that the company leaks the information on purpose in order to start the rumours and so build anticipation. It won't work for any other company, but it does for Apple.

And so we find ourselves on the eve of the announcement by Apple of a new product, which in all likelihood will be a tablet. (We'll post news of it as soon as we have it so check the site early tomorrow morning!) Tech news giant Endgadget even published pictures of what the device supposedly will look like (view them here).

Now, a tablet that incorporates all handheld devices into one is not a new concept, but few companies have the experience and design-capabilities to make this a workable — and highly popular — reality.

Seeing as we don't really know what Apple has up their sleeves, let's instead dream a little dream about what an all-purpose device would look like. In fact, let me take this opportunity to design the gadget to fill the mother of Christmas stockings — hereafter known as The Device.

What should it be able to do?

Let's start with what The Device should be capable of: I'd like to be able to use it as a portable PC, electronic reader, phone, PDA, music player, handheld gaming console, and a GPS navigation tool.

I'd also like to be able to watch movies/TV shows on it, connect to the internet, read and reply to email, take photos, video call friends and family, and chat with others through instant messaging.

Yes, I know, most mobile devices can already do all of this. But they all have one crucial problem: they're either too big or too small. What I'm talking about here is a device that's not too big to carry around with you with ease, yet extremely powerful and very awesome to interact with.

In terms of interaction, that means a touch-screen will be the only way to go. Fortunately, Apple has proved with the iPhone that there is no excuse anymore for crappy touch-screens.

› So does size matter? You bet! Onto page 2!

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