Hasta La Gadget!

When the Apple Store went down this morning, it didn’t take long for people to speculate about what we would see when the store came back online. When it did come back, Apple had quietly unveiled a new product: the Magic Trackpad, a wireless, touch-sensitive aluminum and glass trackpad that responds to multi-touch gestures and can be paired with your Mac via Bluetooth. The Magic Trackpad works both in addition to a standard mouse and as a replacement for one, and is available now for $69 USD at the Apple Store.

Apple also updated the iMac and Mac Pro lineup, beefing up both desktop systems with new processors and graphics. The iMac saw its old Intel Core 2 Duo processors replaces with Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors and discrete graphics from ATI. The new Core i3 iMacs start at $1199 and the Core i5 iMacs start at $1999, and the Core i7 is an upgrade option you can purchase at additional cost. The new Mac Pro is available with up to 12 cores in it thanks to Intel’s new 6-core server-class Xeon processors. Both new Macs are available with up to 512GB solid-state hard drives in them alongside or as replacements to standard physical hard drives.  

Finally, if you need a display for that new 12-core Mac Pro or a second display for your Core i5 iMac, Apple also released a 27-inch LED Cinema Display for $999 that includes a 3-port powered USB 2.0 hub, built-in iSight camera, built-in speakers and microphone, and even a MagSafe connector that allows you to charge your Macbook or Macbook Pro by plugging it into the display. Check out our full coverage of Apple’s new releases at PCMag.com! 

Gadget-maker Griffin Technology and fabric designer Chilewich Sultan have already partnered on some attractive, tactile iPhone and iPod cases, and today they’re expanding that partnership with a new case. Called the Elan Form Chilewich for iPod Touch, it’s based on the existing iPhone 3GS case. You can find it in three colors: turquoise (shown), aluminum, and gravel.

The Elan Form Chilewich begins with an impact-resistant Griffin polycarbonate shell. Chilewich’s Mini Basketweave woven fabric shell is then wrapped around it, resulting in a case that’s both attractive and durable. Surprisingly for a fabric case, it’s easy to keep clean and will last the life of your player. You can order it at Griffin’s site for $39.99.

Why should iPhones get all the cool cases? Speck is offering two fitted ArtsProjekt cases for the iPhone Touch.

In case you’ve never heard of the creatively spelled group, ArtsProjekt is a global platform featuring products designed by high-profile independent artists, designers, and brands. It’s meant to merge cutting-edge art with made-to-order products. It’s also a unit of Zazzle.com.

The two new designs are printed on fabric and then fused to a Speck hard-shell Fitted case. The design shown here is called “Mother Nature.” The other design is called “The Vamp” (or the “Red Ribbon,” as it’s listed on the press release) and has a more of a dreamy goth look.

Both cases are limited edition and sell for $39.95. You’ll find them exclusively at Apple Stores.

Hayao Miyazaki is an animation genius–some (many, really) would no doubt argue that he is the animation genius of his generation, the guiding force behind such films as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away.

He is, however, not much of a technology enthusiast. Mizaki doesn’t own a computer or a fax machine or a DVD player. He also rarely watches television. And as for an iPad, forget about it.

Speaking with Neppuu magazine, the animator had some less than complementary things to say about Apple’s wildly popular tablet–which he referred to as a “game machine-type thing.” He told the reporter, “For me, there is no feeling of admiration or no excitement whatsoever,” going on to call the device “disgusting.”

He also went on to compare the swipe gestures used to control the device to–well, let’s just say it’s something that teenagers tend to do…a lot…when they’re alone. Um, we’ll let Gizmodo take it from here.