The Most Radical Mac Ever ""

On october 22 Apple launched the all-new Mac Pro. Designed around an innovative unified thermal core, the Mac Pro features the latest Intel Xeon processors with up to 12 cores, dual workstation-class GPUs, six Thunderbolt 2 ports, PCIe-based flash storage and ultra-fast ECC memory. Packing amazing performance in a stunning new design, the all-new Mac Pro starts at $2,999 (US) and will be available in December. “The new Mac Pro is our vision for the future of the pro desktop, everything about it has been reimagined and there has never been anything like it,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. READ MORE

The Story Behind The Blackberry Fall

(Credits: Jon Fingas/Engadget.com)

BlackBerry is in dire straits. The smartphone maker was riding high in market share and profits just a few years ago, but it's now having trouble securing rescue money. It's yet again pinning its hopes on a new CEO who's tasked with saving a struggling industry giant. How did BlackBerry decline so quickly, though? And what might happen to the company when seemingly every option is on the table? As it turns out, BlackBerry's descent into trivial market share figures andsustained losses stems from a mixture of hubris, sluggishness and misplaced effort -- and there's no clear solution in sight. READ MORE

Microsoft looks to sell 16M Windows tablets over holidays

(Credit: CNET)

One of Microsoft's biggest retail goals for holiday 2014 is to sell 16 million Windows tablets, according to alleged Microsoft strategy documents obtained by Paul Thurrott, editor of the Windows SuperSite.

To achieve this goal, the Softies are going to be increasing retail spending, according to Thurrott's report. Last fiscal year (ending June 30, 2013), Microsoft spent $241 million on its retail Windows efforts. This year, that amount will jump to $405 million, according to Thurrott's information. Of that $405 million, $131 million will be spent on incentives and offers, with the remaining $274 million going toward … READ MORE

iPad Air Receiving Positive Reviews

(Credits: Apple Hot News)

The first iPad Air reviews are in from The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, and others. And the reaction is overwhelmingly positive.

Walt Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal says iPad Air is “raising the bar,” calling the redesign a “feat of design and engineering.” He notes the battery test “far exceeded Apple’s claim” and “blew me away.”

Ed Baig of USA Today declares iPad Air the best yet and “better than its already best of breed predecessors, superior still to each and every rival big screen slate that I’ve tested. Apple dominates the tablet apps ecosystem. Its tablet remains the easiest to use.”

Damon Darlin at The New York Times writes, “Compared with the other tablets on the market, Apple still holds the edge.” He highlights many of iPad Air’s key features including size, battery life, processing power, storage, and Wi-Fi with MIMO.

On his blog, David Pogue is impressed with the battery life, speed, and design of iPad Air, stating, “Somehow, Apple was able to put the iPad on such a radical diet without sacrificing any of its features.” READ MORE

Google Maps updated for iOS 7 with new features

(Credits: Michael Grothaus)

Google has updated Google Maps for iOS, adopting iOS 7 design elements and some additional features. While the app has been iOS 7-compatible since the new OS became available, it still featured older iOS 6 elements, most noticeably in the iOS 6-style keyboard.

Version 2.4.3 features the new translucent iOS 7 menu bar as well as the iOS 7-style keyboard. But design tweaks aren't the only change. Google has also introduced a few new features, including the ability to quickly access the map and upcoming departures in transit directions preview and an improved hotel search.

Keep in mind that hotel search results now display sponsored rates and booking links (i.e., ads), but this is Google, after all, and advertising is its bread and butter. READ MORE

Android 4.4 KitKat renewed photo editor

(Credit: Nicolas Roard Google+)

Google revealed many things about Android 4.4 KitKat on the software's launch day, but it glossed over one of the sweetest treats for shutterbugs: a much more advanced photo editor. As the company's Nicolas Roard demonstrates, creatives can now apply effects, filters and adjustments at very precise levels, down to specific color channels and regions. Mobile artists can create presets, and every change is non-destructive -- it takes just a a couple of taps to revert to the original image. The new tool is built into KitKat's Gallery app, so just about any Android device that uses the standard photo browsing interface will reap the rewards. READ MORE

How the iPad Air got thinner, lighter?

(Credit: iFixit)

The iPad 4 was a relatively hefty 1.44 pounds. The Air is an even 1 pound. So, how did Apple do it? A teardown and an analyst help explain.

As iFixit demonstrated in its teardown of the Air on Friday, the device's 33 WHr, two-cell battery is "decidedly less monstrous than the previous iPad's 43 WHr, three-cell behemoth."

The image above shows how the battery dominates the iPad's internal real estate. So cutting back on this one component's size and weight is a big factor in making the Air 28 percent lighter and 20 percent thinner overall.

But Apple took a "holistic approach" to weight loss, said Wayne Lam, an analyst at IHS iSuppli. That means Apple shed the aluminum chassis' bulk too. READ MORE

iPhone 5S/5C KID'S MORE WISHED PHONE FOR HOLIDAYS

(Credit: CNET)

In a survey that asked which gadget was most desired by kids, the 12- to 17-year-old age group showed its conservatism, opting for the tried-and-true. Though it was girls who wanted iPhones far more than boys. READ MORE