The Plastic Logic e-reader.
[Image courtesy of Plastic Logic]

In recent days, we’ve found out more about the upcoming Plastic Logic e-book reader as well as receiving another report about an Apple tablet computer that could challenge both e-book readers, including Amazon’s Kindle, and netbook computers.

Plastic Logic, the new e-book reader expected to debut in early 2010, announced that AT&T will provide mobile wireless connectivity for the device, which boasts a touch screen—which neither the Kindle 2 nor Kindle DX have.

While the Plastic Logic announcement mentions books as among the content that will be downloadable to the device, the emphasis is on content for “mobile business professionals.” The reader promises to “connect its users with their desired business and professional newspapers, books, periodicals and magazine content and will support the document formats business users need, including PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents.” However, the company also recently announced that the newly upgraded Barnes and Noble e-book site would provide content for the Plastic Logic reader.

Meantime, the rumor mill over a possible Apple tablet computer has accelerated with a report from the Financial Times that Apple may be planning a 10-inch tablet-style computer for launch as soon as September. The report also says new iPods—which have often been announced in September in recent years—and new extras added to album downloads from Apple’s iTunes store could accompany the launch of the tablet.

The report is light on details on the device, which was also rumored in a recent Wired report that had it launching in October, with an $800 price tag and a 9.7-inch screen. Both reports suggest the device might resemble a jumbo iPod Touch—which is essentially an iPhone without the phone, camera, or cellular-network connection.