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I guess the needs of the many are just too much for Apple to ignore. See, Apple ... it's NOT Apple who dictate what the users wants/needs ...it's the users themselves. Yes, People Power!

"Apple has sent out invites for what is widely speculated to be the launch of the iPad mini - a smaller version of its bestselling tablet computer. The digital cards' text reads: "We've got a little more to show you."

Rumours suggest the new model will feature a display that is 7-8 inches (18-20cm) in size. Amazon's Kindle Fire and Asus's Google-branded Nexus 7 have already proved popular with users who want a tablet they can hold with one hand.

But Apple continues to dominate sales, according to research by iHS iSuppli. A study it published in August suggested that Apple shipped 17 million tablets over the April-to-June quarter capturing close to 70% of the market.

The event will take place at California Theatre in San Jose, California. Too small? Apple's former boss, the late Steve Jobs, had previously attacked the idea of releasing a smaller iPad."

Source: BBC

They're targetting iPad pricing ... let me tell you, it does certainly does look good :)

"Microsoft has gone official with pricing on its Surface RT tablets. Most people have been hoping the Microsoft Surface RT tablets would come in at less than Apple’s hugely popular iPad. However, Microsoft’s pricing puts Surface in close competition with comparable third generation iPads and higher than the iPad 2.

The 32GB Windows Surface RT tablet without the Black Touch cover, which also doubles as a keyboard, is $499. That makes it $100 more expensive than the entry-level Apple iPad 2 at $399. The $499 entry price for the Surface RT tablet puts it on par with pricing for the 16GB “New iPad”.

If you want the Touch Cover with its integrated keyboard, that option is $100 when you order, or $119.99 as an add-on later. You can pre-order the 32GB version with the cover for $599."

Source: Dailytech

It's coming and it's gonna be BIG ... or should I say "Mini" haha! Some people said it was pointless ... a bigger version of an iPod. But I think it'll be perfect for me!

"This shows that Apple has plenty of confidence in its new addition to the iPad family despite the fact that the market is already flooded with 7-inch tablets. The iPad Mini hasn't even been announced yet, but Apple is already planning to make over 10 million of them in the fourth quarter of this year.

Source: Dailytech

It's not as "waterproof" as described, but it is "splashproof" ... whatever that means.

"Sony has halted sales of Xperia, its new tablet computer, after discovering that the device may not be water resistant as advertised.

The Xperia tablet was unveiled in August 2012 in Berlin and has been marketed as a "splash-proof" tablet.It has been on sale for just under a month and about 100,000 have been shipped, Sony said.

The company says it will repair any damaged devices and a spokesperson said a manufacturing flaw was to blame. There is no date at the moment for sales to recommence, Sony spokeswoman Noriko Shoji told Reuters news agency."

Source: BBC

As I told everyone already ... Facebook LIKES are totally fake and useless. If you want people to like your page or comments, get real friends to like the!

"Facebook "likes" are being added to webpages even if a user has not clicked a like button, or even visited the page in question, the company has admitted.

A US security researcher found that simply sending a web address to a friend using Facebook's private messaging function would add two likes to that page. Leaving a comment on a story within Facebook also adds to the tally. The site told the BBC that no private information had been exposed.

The revelations coincided with the news that the network has surpassed one billion monthly active monthly users. "Many websites that use Facebook's 'like' or 'recommend' buttons also carry a counter next to them," the site explained.

"This counter reflects the number of times people have clicked those buttons and also the number of times people have shared that page's link on Facebook."

Source: BBC

3D printers ... could this be the answer to everyone's IT needs? or not? I can imagine users printing all sorts of useless stuff LOL!

"Disney is exploring the use of 3D printers to build new kinds of light features into objects. The firm's researchers are working on a range of techniques including "light pipes" and tubes of enclosed air that can be made to glow in controlled ways.

They say that 3D printers can create objects with "micron accuracy" that would otherwise be more complicated and costly to build.

It paves the way for the firm to create new kinds of toys. However, one expert suggested it might be some time before the innovation became cheap enough to use to create mass produced items."

Source: BBC

Mini iPad ... could this be the "killer" gadget? I do like the idea of a smaller 7.85 inches iPad mini.

"Apple is expected to announce the iPad Mini sometime in October. The iPad's "mini me" has started production as Apple attempts to ward off competition with a smaller, cheaper tablet.

Source: Dailytech