iPad case refresh a possibility

So while the world is abuzz with the very real possibility of the iPad mini being announced and introduced to the world later this month, here we are with the possibility of what could be a refresh of the iPad case, where it will purportedly feature the new Lightning port as well as a chance of better hardware specifications, although at the end of the day, everything else might just be cosmetic changes, and that’s that. Of course, this is but a rumor as at press time, and should be treated with a grain of salt just like any other rumor, at least until the official Apple event has gone by before we can deny or substantiate anything.

What do you think, will Apple introduce an iPad case refresh, or will they top that up with better specifications to boot, or will the iPad remain just as it is, where a hardware and cosmetic refresh is on the cards only next year? After all, the iPad does not really need any improvements at this point in time to catch up with anyone, considering how they are the market leader where tablets are concerned.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Urban Outfitters to ditch cash registers for iPads, Apple seeks iPad Smart Cover patent,

Android 4.2, Nexus 4 phone, Nexus 10 tablet on the menu at Google October 29 event

Google will be holding an event this coming October 29th, and it does seem as though the Internet search giant has plenty in store for the masses then. So far, what we have heard on the street include the latest version of its Android operating system, which has been dubbed as Android 4.2 without any dessert suffix to go along with it, although there are sources that claim Key Lime Pie will be given the pass this time around, with Android 4.2+ being the preferred moniker. Heck, Google might even still stick to Jelly Bean for all we know.

Apart from that, there are whispers that Google will take the opportunity to introduce the Samsung Nexus 10 tablet (which was originally reported to arrive in 2013) as well as LG’s Nexus 4 smartphone, in addition to an updated version of the Nexus 7 tablet which has and will receive far more serious competition in its segment, including the Amazon Kindle Fire HD and the yet unreleased 7.85” iPad mini. Do you think that Google will be able to wow the masses this October 29th?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Google sends out invites to Android event for the 29th of October, Google+ app update supports iPhone 5 now, delivers new Android widgets,

Seagate Backup Plus brings USB 3.0 speed, sociability to new Macbooks

DNP Seagate Backup Plus spices up Mac offerings with USB 30

When Seagate launched its PC/Mac Backup Plus offering that could safeguard not only your folders but your Facebook or Twitter content, too, it seemed like a nice idea. But conspicuously missing from the Mac side of that equation was a USB 3.0 port to hustle transfers along at a much less pedestrian 5 Gbps — likely because until recently, no Macs directly supported it. Now, Seagate has launched a USB 3.0 version of the device for those shiny new Macbook Pro Retina and Air models that pack it, while offering the option to upgrade to Thunderbolt or FireWire 800 “as the need presents itself.” Prices go from $110 for the 500GB model up to $180 for the 3TB version — check the PR after the break to see the entire range.

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Nexus 4 could come in 16GB flavor after all

There are reasonable rumors (if there was ever such a thing, of course) to believe that LG’s Nexus 4 smartphone will come in a 16GB flavor, considering how 8GB on a high end smartphone these days is rather unbecoming, as it certainly does not befit the status of a flagship device. After all, we need all the storage space possible since the HD display would be put to best use if you were to watch high quality encoded movies on it, right? That would definitely be one of the main draws, and a reasonably reliable source of industry leaks shared over Twitter some of the LG Nexus 4’s specifications, citing a 16GB version in tow.

Surely 16GB of storage space would not come across as a typo, considering how the figures are very far apart on the keyboard itself, unless it was a slip of the mind that the fingers unwittingly carried through. All should be revealed in due time at Google’s Nexus event that is set for October 29th though, so let us keep our eyes peeled and fingers crossed.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Google sends out invites to Android event for the 29th of October, LG Nexus 4 name “confirmed” in latest batch of photos,

Gamers could be future 007 recruits

So your mom has been on your back about spending too much time on the Xbox 360 or PS3 in the basement compared to socializing in order to look for a girlfriend? Tell her that you are busy trying to gain employment in the MI6, Britain’s intelligence agency. It seems that they and other British intelligence agencies are hoping to make full use of the Xbox generation’s talents under their apprentice cyberspies program.

In fact, up to 100 18-year-olds will be shortlisted and handed the chance to train for a career in the secret services, where their main job would be to counter the threat of cyberwarfare and Internet criminals. The scheme was recently announced by Foreign Secretary William Hague, with GCHQ, the electronic communications agency, being the main focal point, although other agencies such as the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, and the Security Service, MI5 will also be potential employers. Which console player do you think will fare the best?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: MountMe X-Me keeps your consoles in place, Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 New Trailer,

Cassette tape makes a return to the data storage scene

Many years ago, when it came to making backup of your computer data and hard disks came in sizes of 4MB (while costing hundreds of dollars), a far cheaper way for organizations to ensure their digital data remains preserved would be to used cassette tape recorders. These might be slow and clunky, but they had two main advantages – they’re far cheaper compared to hard disks, and had a whole lot more storage space. IBM and Fujifilm has taken a second look at data storage cassettes and decided to develop working prototypes, and such data storage cassettes are said to be able to hold up to 35TB of data each, and are up to 200 times more efficient compared to standard hard drives.

These prototypes, despite holding up to 35TB of data, measure extremely small. We’re talking about dimensions of just 10cm x 10cm x 2cm! Large data centers seem to be the best bet when it comes to looking out for customers of such a data storage device, and the average home consumer might just want to consider this to perform weekly or monthly backups of their work.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: A software bug helped Deep Blue psych Kasparov out , IBM’s Mira computer gears up to create an entire universe,

Sony Nexus X fake confirmed

Just last week, we did question the authenticity of the Sony Nexus X, wondering whether it could be a red herring or not, and it seems that the entire Nexus X is as real as a unicorn or a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. In fact, the person behind the slew of fake Sony Nexus X images revealed everything about the process, sharing the reasons behind his work on the Nexus X, the timeline of events as well as notable blogs that shared such “news” and handsets that he received inspiration from, with most of the parts of the Xperia TL and Xperia ion forming the base for the Nexus X.

He also mentioned, “I wanted Google and Sony to see how much of a demand there is in the market for a premium Nexus experience from a manufacturer like Sony” which just goes to show that deep down inside, he is rooting for Sony as a smartphone manufacturer. Hopefully Sony and the folks at Google do take note on the kind of impact that such a hoax created! We do wonder now whether folks will lobby for a campaign so that the Nexus X will be turned into reality.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Sony C650X Odin spotted on candid camera?, Sony Yuga camera might be a 13-megapixel shooter,

Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center 2.0 update for its Touch Mouse

A company is only as good as the kind of promises that it keeps, and Microsoft knows it. This is why when they did vow for their very own Touch Mouse to receive Windows 8 support, and not only down the road but in time for the operating system’s release date, there must have been at least some pressure in the software and driver department at Redmond, Washington, to cough something up in due time. Having said that, the Mouse and Keyboard Center 2.0 is up and running with under a week from its deadline.

Basically, Mouse and Keyboard Center 2.0 will empower the Microsoft Touch Mouse to let folks who do not use a computing machine that has no touchscreen display to enjoy the wonders of multi-touch swipes where doing so will bring up Windows 8′s Charm bar, in addition to switching between active apps as well as invoke Semantic Zoom. At least you need not purchase a Microsoft Surface tablet to experience such refinements in the operating system, and the missus will have another $500 more to spend on toys this Christmas.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Windows 8 Pro sold by Walmart for $70, Major Windows 8 update released,

Unlace makes short work of nasty, tangled up cables

Don’t you just hate it when the ordinary lines of cables and wires at the back of your computing setup tend to get all tangled up in a mess, never mind that when you first placed them together, they were in their very own lines without crossing over to one another? I guess when dusk falls and the lights are turned off, these cables start performing the horizontal tango. Well, here is an idea that might just kiss goodbye to a tangled up mess – the Kickstarter project known as Unlace.

Just half a grand short of their $10,000 goal with 25 days to go, it is more or less a surety, where the Unlace has been described as “a colorful, rubbery, twistable lace for untangling knotty problems with cords, cables, or any other loose end driving you mad.“ Made out of reusable silicone shoelace, it comes in two flavors (and a rainbow of colors) – 5” and 10” for small cords and burly cables, respectively. These are fully reusable and has a silky matte silicone finish with the texture of a shoelace.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: The Bräuler Modular Growler System helps ensure your beer stays fresh and crisp by injecting CO2 into it, The Dock+ looks like a pretty sturdy dock for the iPhone 5,

Xigmatek Apache III CPU Cooler

Xigmatek Apache III CPU Cooler

The Xigmatek Apache III CPU cooler is designed for Intel Socket LGA 775/ 1155/ 1156 and AMD FM2/FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2 CPUs. Measuring 110mm x 52mm and weighing 265 grams, the cooling fan features a radial fin design, an aluminum base, aluminum fins and a 92 mm PWM fan operating at 1,200 to 2,500 RPM (20 dBA sound output). Priced at AU$9.48 (around US$9.78), the Xigmatek Apache III CPU cooler is currently available for pre-order in Australia. [techPowerUp]