Apple Prepping iPhone OS 4.0 Beta? SDK to Include Tablet 'Simulator' Tools?

In a brief report [Google translation], French site Mac4Ever claims that Apple's special media event now reportedly scheduled for January 27th will see both the introduction of the company's much-rumored tablet device and the launch of beta versions of iPhone OS 4.0 and the associated Software Development Kit for developers.

According to the report, the SDK will include a "simulator" to assist developers in adapting their existing App Store applications to support the tablet's screen resolution. The deployment of tools for supporting multiple screen resolutions could also pave the way for a higher-resolution iPhone in the future.

Several of our sources give us two pieces of information concerning the famous Apple tablet: In late January, in addition to its tablet, Cupertino should have a beta of iPhone OS 4, accompanied by an SDK. Our informants also tell us of a "simulator" specifically adapted for the tablet. Evidently, the major novelty of the SDK therefore concerns the interface, making it easier for developers to adapt to different screen resolutions. The new iPhone could also benefit from a higher pixel density.

Mac4Ever is careful to note, however, that the information should be taken with a grain of salt, suggesting that it is not entirely confident in the claims. The site has, however, been remarkably accurate recently, nailing several of the details of Apple's new iMac models and peripherals nearly a month before their release.

Other rumors published by Mac4Ever at that same time that have yet to come to fruition relate to Apple's plans for its iLife and iWork suites, as well as a claim that Apple's tablet will be "far different" than concepts floating around the Internet have depicted. The tantalizing hint may have received additional support in recent weeks after a source reported that users would be "very surprised how [they] interact with the new tablet."

Reports of the fourth-generation iPhone and updated operating systems in the wild have also begun appearing over the past few weeks, with hints of unreleased iPhone hardware and software appearing in App Store analytics data.