Apple Trademarks 'TabletMac' -- Is it a Sign?

December rolls in and with it it brings the latest piece of gossip about Apple's supposed plans for a Mac tablet.

We've heard little or nothing about Apple's tablet in the last few weeks. Ever since Digitimes reported that the device had been delayed well into 2010 and a more expensive OLED version had been added to the mix, all had been relatively quiet on the iPad front. Until today.

Apple has taken control of the TabletMac trademark, a moniker previously owned by a company called Axiotron. MacRumors reports that a couple of years ago, Axiotron developed an aftermarket modification for the MacBook that converted the Apple laptop into a tablet. The mod involved removing the keyboard and display of a regular MacBook and adding a Wacom pen-based screen.

At the time, the company referred to the device as the TabletMac and filed for a trademark for the name. However, sometime in the last year, the trademark for TabletMac was transferred to Apple.

Axiotron still sells the TabletMac (now branded the Axiotron ModBook), and so far, it's a bit of a mystery as to what Apple plans to do with the name. Sure, the Cupertino-based company could develop a tablet and call it the TabletMac but it's not exactly a catchy name. It's also not the only name they have trademarked; don't forget, MacPad (with just one 'd') is always a possibility!

If you're interested in a ModBook, you can pick one up for $699 here.