Apple readies new device

This week has some new devices announced. Valve is in the hardware business and Apple confirmed rumors!

To start off, the launch date and price of the Nintendo Wii U may have been leaked! The next-gen console is rumored to launch Nov. 11 with three different bundles. These bundles had no other details other than the prices of $249, $299 and $349. Nintendo will officially reveal more details for the console on Sept. 13.

Popular PC gaming service Steam has posted job offerings for a hardware development team.  Steam said it was, “frustrated by the lack of innovation in the computer hardware space, so we’re jumping in.” No other details were given.

Wal-Mart this week tested out a new App called “Scan & Go.” This App would allow a customer to scan items in store with an iPhone and then pay at the self-check-out register instead of having to scan the items there. Best Buy, Target and Lowe’s are working with an App development company to create the same product. This would save these companies millions of dollars.

 Acer, a popular PC and tablet maker, is now interested in making Windows 8 and Android phones.  It reported that six phones are in the works.

Leaked images and video have surfaced about the upcoming BlackBerry 10 phone-- the London.  This phone is not expected to arrive until 2013, but it has a full touch screen, removable battery, dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB memory and an 8-megapixel camera.

Google has half-way announced that a 3G model of the popular tablet the Nexus 7 is coming in about six weeks.  Asus is reported to already have revamped the production of the devices.

Apple finally announced the event for a new device.  The new device will be revealed Sept. 12. I say “new” device because it is expected that the iPhone 5 will be revealed, but also new iPods and possibly the iPad Mini.

 A Vietnamese tech site might have its hands on the new standard earphones for future iPhones.  These fit in your ear the same but have speakers on the side of the earbud.  It could also be that this is a third-party accessory, but we will find out next week.

 Nokia also showed off the new Nokia Lumia 920 and 820 phones. The Lumia 920 looks like the Lumia 900 that launched a few months ago but now in better colors.  It has a better HD display, Windows Phone 8 OS, a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor, NFC, wireless charging and an 8-megapixel rear camera that has some interesting features.               

The camera can take clear images during low light or while your hand is shaking. It also has augmented reality in the camera. When you hold the camera up to a building, it will tell you what building it is. It can also tell you if some of your friends are inside the structure.

The Lumia 820 is a mid-range phone. It does most of the things the 920 does but not as well.

The question of the week is, “Do you like the standard earbuds that come with an Apple device?” E-mail your answers to smsetser@valdosta.edu or post a comment on www.vsuspectech.blogspot.com