Apple fuel speculation before Macworld trade show

Apple has been fuelling rumours of exciting new products to be unveiled at its forthcoming Macworld trade show.

The company website has featured daily proclamations encouraging Mac users to expect dazzling launches.

Unconfirmed reports circulating late last year suggested that Apple is working on a new flat-panel version of the iMac.

The company is used to pre-show hype but does not usually become so proactive in disseminating it itself.

Its online proclamations have included an invitation to "count on being blown away" and of developments "beyond the rumour sites".

Last year's high profile unveilings included the iPod - an MP3 player boasting capacity for 1000 songs and a ten hour battery.

The five-day San Francisco show starts on January 7.

Any new products should be unveiled during chief executive Steve Job's opening speech.