DigiTimes says the release date has been bumped from March to the second half of 2010 "as the vendor has decided to switch some components and plans to launch a model using a 9.7-inch OLED panel from LG Display." The article also hints at two different models: a 10.6-incher as well as the 9.7-inch with prices ranging from US$1,200-$1,500 for the former and $800-$1,000 for the latter.

However, according to a Fortune report, Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster, one of several analysts who had predicted an early 2010 launch, issued his take on the DigiTimes report in a note to clients Thursday morning:

"Bottom line. At this point we cannot confirm or deny the validity of this report, but believe the exact timing is irrelevant given Street models do not currently reflect the tablet, expectations
for actual units in 2010 are low, and investors focus is more on whether the tablet is real and less on timing. For purposes of sensitivity, assuming the tablet comes out on September 1, we believe Apple would sell around 650,000 units at a $600 ASP in CY10 and would equate to an increase of about 1% to revenue."

(The graphic above -- a mock-up, not a real photo, is courtesy of PC World.)