(Mock-up from the folks at Slashgear.com)

Rumors continue to swirl about Apple’s tablet announcement next week. Out of everything we’ve seen so far, this one really takes the cake. Some interesting speculation and some that really doesn’t surprise us in the least.

The Street is reporting that Apple’s tablet will include a dock, wireless by Verizon (along with a $200 subsidy), wireless chips by Qualcomm, 2-year data plan around $60/month, and an unsubsidized price of around $800 (around $600 with 2-year contract).

Some of that is not surprising, especially all the specs about Verizon. I wouldn’t call that a rumor as pure speculation now (simply applying Verizon’s current data plans to Apple’s new product). Nothing all that interesting. The dock, the article speculates, will enable keyboard and mouse functionality if folks aren’t happy with the on-screen typing and touch-screen.

Rumors have been flying about Apple and Verizon getting cozy, but most folks have pointed that to be a possible iPhone transition to Verizon in late 2010 or 2011. So, we’re not really sure what to make of this set of revelations.

Is it rumor along the lines of pigs flying or is some really good prognosticating with some good references (in the form of wireless analysts)?

You decide. We’ve dealt with analysts enough to know that some of them love to just WAG it and others really do spend time to educated WAG it. Okay, there are some really good ones out there, but take it with a grain of salt. That’s all we’re trying to say.

Link to original article on thestreet.com here.

Update: I thought about this and I’m going to call garbage on the inclusion of a dock. Seriously? Apple? Not making you buy a dock for $99.99 for their tablet? Does that seem likely to you? Not me.

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