Leaked photo of new Mac Book Air

Genuine or Fake? 

This Macbook Air, seems to have extra room for batteries and no room at all for a hard drive. There also appear to be "USB plugs on the left and right sides, Mini DisplayPort and an SD card reader on the left, and a power plug on the right." Sadly, the core processor seems not to be any different from that on the current MacBook Air

Let us know what you think in comments.  

Android Tablet predicted to overtake iPad.

Apple's iPad may have the lead now, but this is a marathon and by the looks of it Android may take the lead says an analyst.

The iPad may rule today, but eventually Android tablets will become more popular, while Microsoft will remain a non-factor. So says Gene Munster, Senior Research Analyst at Piper Jaffray. And I think he's absolutely right.

In and interview Business Insider, Munster was asked if Apple will continue to dominate tablets, or whether Android tablets will catch up. He answered:

"I think it will play very much like the iPhone played out. I think for the first year or so, it's going to be advantage, Apple. But I think that as more of the Android tables come out and get optimized, you're going to see some very stiff competition."

As a category, the tablet is undeniably going to be the winning category in mobile computing in the next decade, but as far as the market share win, ultimately we think that Apple won't have the majority of the market share. It will probably be with Android-based tablets.

Munster doesn't expect there to be a wide difference between Apple and Android tablets, with each getting close to 50% market share, and Android beating out Apple by a hair.

As for Microsoft, he essentially sees no future:

"Microsoft is coming from a standing start. Unfortunately, for Microsoft, they've got a lot of work to do if they want to be relevant."

How bad is it for Microsoft? He sees even MeeGo beating it.

Munster is right about Android tablets beating out iPads, because Apple will likely continue with essentially a one-size-fits-all model, while Android tablets will be available in many different sizes, aimed at many different audiences, at many different price points. Niche marketing will win over mass marketing.

Googles stock soars

Google's stock price soared in after hours trade beating analysts estimates 

Google's stock rose 9.1 percent, or US$49.07, to $590 in after-hours trading. That's the highest level the stock has seen since it hit $597.84 during mid-day trading on April 15.

To add to the good news, the company reported its third quarter net income increased 32 percent year-on-year to $2.17 billion, while its revenue rose 23 percent to $7.29 billion. Beating analyst expectations. 


Patrick Pichette, Google's chief financial officer had this to say in a conference call following the announcement:

"We're very pleased with our Q3 results, and it's clear that the digital economy continues to grow rapidly."

Net income was $2.17 billion, a 32 percent increase compared to net income of $1.64 billion a year ago. Earnings per share, excluding the effects of certain one-time costs and stock option compensation costs, were $7.64, as compared to analyst estimates of $6.67.

Google now has $33.4 billion in cash or cash equivalents, many are asking will the companies Growth ever slow?  

No New Skype for Mac users

Unfortunately with the release of Skype 5.0 (for windows) there was not a new version released for Mac OS X.

According to Skype's website there is a new version on the way for Mac users (hopefully it is not to far away)      

Google TV

The Run down on Google TV

What you can do with the recently revealed Google TV in 8 easy point.

1) You can search (across every channel, every app and the web)


2) You can browse the internet (it is not limited like some other devices)


3) Now you can have all those Apps on your smartphone on your TV


4) Your phone can act as a remote


5) Your TV home page lets you see all your favorite shows, most viewed shows etc etc  


6) Dual view is an added feature


7) Record your favorite shows


8) Google boasts Google TV will work with your TV, Satellite, Internet and Cable box


Google TV represents a significant leap forward for the tech giant as they continue to integrate into everyday life. Eventually we think they will simply become part of the background. 

Skype 5.0 delivers new features

The new Skype 5.0 now delivers video conferencing and integration with Facebook.

Popular and preeminent VoIP service Skype has wooed its fair share of people with in the past with its free calling to anyone one in the world, allowing you to ditch your landline. Today, the service is launching its latest update in the hopes of wooing even more customers and keeping the current ones happy. Skype 5.0 features a streamlined interface, Facebok integration, and video conferencing functionality.

Skype is also offering an open beta on its new group video calling feature. Since a large portion of calls using the skype service were video, the logical step was to provide a feature that allowed users to chat with more than just one other person. Anyone who downloads version 5 will have a chance to test out the new functionality for free, though it will be a paid extra down the line.

Finally video conferencing has been added to many peoples pleasure. The video conferencing feature offers a few viewing options. One is the typical side-by-side screen with participants lined up in equal sizes. Then there's the more interesting dynamic view, which increases the size of the person doing most of the talking at any given moment.

The group video screen also prominently displays the relevant controls along the bottom, as well as a meter that measures call quality. Automatic call recovery is another new feature that helps users quickly reconnect calls that are interrupted due to Internet connection problems.

Last but not least, Skype now has Facebook integrated seamlessly into the interface. A tab along the top of the screen will take you into your news feed, where you can update your status as well as start Skype calls with various contacts.

Windows Phone 7 could rival Apple's iOS 4

The long running debate Windows vs. Mac has come to the mobile market, with the release of the new Windows Phone 7

                                              

But maybe not quite yet

What we know about Windows Phone 7:

-Its multitouch functions don't require a stylus, only certain models have phones have virtual keyboard instead of a physical one.

-There is no copy-and-paste feature in the initial release.

-It doesn't support Flash or multitasking for third-party apps. 

-What's more, it employs a new framework for creating apps that means existing Windows Mobile apps have to be rewritten for the new operating system.

Over the 3 years the iPhone has been out it has evolved immensely and without a doubt Windows Mobile 7 will as well (starting with copy and paste coming next year) its our bet that Windows will (over time) iron out problems and the current short fallings and create an mobile OS that rivals that on the iPhone. 

Watch this space there is certainly going to be some interesting developments to come.   

Are CEO's utilizing Social Media?

A recent study has revealed that 64% of CEO's do not use social media to communicate with the public and other stake holders.

                                                                (Weber Shandwick)

Among the CEOs profiled, 93% have been reaching out to people outside their companies in traditional ways. Most have been quoted in news and business publications, while 40% have talked to audiences directly at public events. 

So why are CEO's not taking advantage of social media? 

"There are several reasons why CEOs are not more social," Leslie Gaines-Ross, Weber Shandwick's chief reputation strategist and online reputation expert, said in a statement. "Time is better spent with customers and employees, their reputations are at an all-time low among the general public, the return on investment has not yet been proven, legal counsel tends to caution against it, and anything that smacks of 'celebrity CEO' is a no-win."

"It's not surprising that CEOs are less inclined to participate in social media given the perceived risk and time commitment required to engage in two-way conversations," Chris Perry, president of Weber Shandwick Digital Communications, said in a statement. "What's surprising, however, is how few CEOs are using social technologies as mediums to share information and company perspective. These are potentially powerful tools for real-time communication."

The full study can be viewed at Weber Shandwick's website: http://bit.ly/c30SJw 

PC users think twice about considering an iPad

Are you a PC user? Most likely you have considered an iPad according to a recent study.

Only a small number of companies can disrupt an entire industry with a single product launch. But Apple, whose history is filled with such moments, has done it again with its iPad tablet.

Apple's iPad has shaken the computer industry leading many consumers to think twice about buying a new personal computer two market-research firms reported on Wednesday.

That hesitation was one reason worldwide shipments of new PCs stumbled in the third quarter, growing more slowly than research firms IDC and Gartner Inc had anticipated.

The other big factor was consumers' dreary outlook on the economy, especially in the US and Europe, which has led them to pinch pennies more, pay off debts and spend less on PCs and some other kinds of electronics.

What do we all think of Ping?

Apple's attempt at a social media site has been running for a few months now and has millions of users, but what is it actually good for? 

Ping lets you follow people (including artists), establish a "circle of friends," post comments, check out custom song and album charts, and even find over 17,000 concert listings (which you can of course let people know your attending). What's more, Ping is also making the jump to the iPhone and iPod touch. 


But do we really need all of this?


Is Apple simply trying to jump on the band wagon of the likes of Facebook, Myspace and Twitter? 


The answer is uncertian, Ping is built on a closed platform so you cannot link it to your Facebook or Twitter account so it is limited in this respect. However for the music lovers out there I can imagine Ping has its uses, for example it gives you much greater access to new music, artists, concerts and a whole lot of other information.


We can make up our mind on Ping so we want your help. 


Leave comments with your thoughts and opinions and lets continue this discussion!