Did an NYT editor let the 'Slate' slip?

It sounds like an off-the-cuff reference to the increasing rumors about a forthcoming Apple handheld - as opposed to some sort of inside information allowed to slip. Somehow I doubt Apple would let a newspaper company in on the latest and greatest, considering the Gray Lady's penchant for leaks and such...

The grammar in that phrase is fine. Thanks for playing.

Well, based on trademark searches in the US and Canada, we know what it WON'T be called: iPad, iSlate or iTablet. However, "Apple Pad", "Apple Slate" and "Apple Tablet" are not yet trademarked in the US.

If a tablet is coming soon, then you figure Apple would have trademarked the name by now. May the one with the most time to kill and best trademark search-fu find what it is to be named...

FYI a simple whois search reveals that the domain name "islate.com" is managed by a company called markmonitor.com
They manage brands for many companies.
They just so happen to also manage the domains apple.com, itunes.com. mac.com, me.com ...
Could be a coincidence, or could be juicy info for a good rumor.

Of course, MarkMonitor manages brands for hundreds of companies.

I sure hope that Stevie J. doesn't call for Mr. Keller's head following this speculative gaffe... I think that Apple would be wise to continue to use the NYT as a shining example of the content that can be read on their upcoming 'Slate', just as they featured it during the announcement of the iPhone.

I still believe that the NYT is by far the best general news source out there, print or otherwise. I'm not a regular reader of the newspaper, but every time I read one of their articles, I learn far more about the world around me than I expected to. Plus, I must admit, I like Mr. Keller because he went to the same small liberal arts school as me! (chirp chirp)

The NYT hasn't got anything right for thirty years. I doubt they know anymore than anyone else.

Or rather, refers to "editor."

It's correct because "an" modifies "editor".

Body Language analysis :-)
If you observe the video, you will notice that the speaker brushes his chins with his hands (sort of thinking expression), immediately after talking about 'Apple Slate'. Looks to me like he was thinking 'Oops, shouldn't have talked about this'.
If it was simply that he was using a different name for the already discussed rumor, he wouldn't have been concerned.
I don't know whether this is a good analysis, or just my wishful thinking.

I like the name Slate too. It's simple and metaphorical, which is very Apple. However, it seems to me like it might have been an off-hand comment about what he hopes will roll out in the future. They've been getting touch-related patents right and left lately, so whatever the tablet turns out to be, I'm sure it will be as revolutionary as the iPhone was when it came out. Imagine if the display on it could switch from eink (for newspapers, ebooks, etc) to full-color multitouch (for games, regular apps, etc). Now I'd be first in line to get that!