Hasta La Gadget!

A customer carries a new iPad from one of Apple's 300-plus retail locations. Photo: Bryan Derballa/Wired.com

Multiple publications report that Apple retail outlets are preparing “something big” this weekend in celebration of the 10th anniversary since the opening of the first Apple store, and that might involve a product launch. But it’s more likely nothing.

Apple stores are holding all-hands meetings with retail employees this weekend, according to independent reports from MacStories, Boy Genius Report and Cult of Mac. The 10th anniversary of Apple’s first retail store opening is this Thursday, a few days before the scheduled meeting.

Speculation is running wild that the stores are preparing to install near-field communications technology so that future iPhones can make store transactions wirelessly.

Before you get your hopes up, Wired.com’s best guess is that there will be a whole lot of nothing this weekend in terms of products. Historically, Apple retail employees have been kept in the dark about new products before their public debut, and we don’t see why that strategy would suddenly change for any new product.

Why would anyone trust thousands of retail employees to keep a lid on the release of a new product or service such as NFC?

In the past, Apple stores have launched new versions of Mac OS X, but only after Steve Jobs or another Apple executive has publicly announced a release date. Also, the Worldwide Developers Conference, where Apple traditionally makes these announcements, is set for June 7. Therefore, the chances of Mac OS X Lion being released this weekend are rather slim.

This sounds to us like a mandatory meeting for some internal reorganizations that we probably won’t even notice.

We don’t get excited about any other company’s all-hands meetings, so let’s shut down the hype machine on this one, shall we?

See Also:

• Rumor: Microsoft Poaching Apple Retail Employees
• The Secret to Apple’s Retail Success? Planning, Not Gravity …
• Why Nobody Can Match the iPad’s Price

Last week, we were treated to an earful about Intel’s plans for its future chips — most notably, that it’s committing to 3D transistors across the board. Well, that trickle of information hasn’t run dry just yet — today’s tidbit gives us a peek not into the next-generation of Atom, but the one already in the works to come after that. The new processor, codenamed “Silvermont,” will be a system-on-a-chip and is reportedly slated to ship sometime in 2013. CNET also cites unnamed sources who claim that it will be designed specifically to take advantage of Intel’s 22nm technology and 3D transistors. As it stands, though, they boost the cost of wafers by two to three percent, so here’s hoping that premium comes down before the netbooks of the future hit the market — if we have netbooks in the future.

Next-next-gen Atom will be a system on a chip called ‘Silvermont,’ pack 3D transistors? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 May 2011 14:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The problem with Sirius Satellite Radio? You can listen to hundreds of stations, but only if you tune in live. As it stands, licensing restrictions make it impossible to record Howard Stern asking intrusive questions about people’s sex lives. But that could change with version 2.0 of the platform, which is rumored to be on track for a fall release. According to a CNET report citing the good ole’ “source close to the company,” select programs will be available for on-demand listening for a limited period after their original airing. And, this source says, the new platform could take a cue from Pandora and Slacker with personalized stations that let you skip songs, flag your favorites, and ban the ones that drive you insane. If true, listeners would get a whole lot more value out of that $13 monthly subscription — and SiriusXM might have a greater chance of beating Pandora in the battle for your in-car attention. Until then, you’ll just have to keep listening to Tiger Blood Radio live.

Sirius Satellite 2.0 to include DVR-like features, personalized stations? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remember the ultra-thin Lenovo ThinkPad X1 we detailed just a few hours ago? The document that dished those secrets also mentioned an “X Slate,” which made us wonder if Lenovo’s LePad was finally hitting the states… but This is my next seems to have stumbled across a grander piece of technology than that oft-delayed slate. According to a presumably leaked company presentation, Lenovo’s planning to release an Android 3.0 tablet this July with a giant raft of specs — a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 IPS capacitive multitouch panel, a Tegra 2 processor, up to 64GB of storage, front and rear cameras, a full-size USB 2.0 port, mini-HDMI out, a genuine SD card reader and up to 8 hours of purported battery life in a package about 14mm thick and weighing 1.6 pounds.

What’s more, it will reportedly have an optional dual-digitizer with “true pen support” and an optional keyboard case, possibly aping ASUS’s recent Slate and Transformer tablet input mechanisms by allowing for both simultaneously. There’s also apparently plenty of software support for the business-minded, including IT integration as well as anti-theft and remote wipe options, and all this will apparently start at the competitive price of $499 — assuming these documents are legitimate and still valid. You see, they look a little preliminary for a slate supposedly sampling in just a couple of months, and there are contradictions here and there, such as the mention of a 1080p display in one slide, and some watermarks from 2009 in others. Still, Lenovo, if you’re indeed producing a tablet today, we’re liking its proposed specs — don’t suppose we can get a Tegra T25 chip while you’re at it? Find a few extra renders and plenty of slides at our source link.

Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet leaks out with Honeycomb, IPS screen, optional stylus and keyboard folio? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 17:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Samsung Infuse 4G has yet to make its way to market, but when it does, you might be able to find it at Walmart. Rumor has it that the retail giant has been sending around circulars indicating that the Infuse and its 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display will hit shelves sometime next month. The notices also mention that the device will be sold for $178.88, which would likely be bundled with a two-year AT&T contract. There hasn’t been any confirmation from Samsung, which unveiled the ultra-thin smartphone way back in January, but we’ll let you know as soon as we get word.

[Thanks, John]

Walmart to Sell Samsung Infuse 4G in May for $178.88? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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