(Credit:
CNET)

Apple has reportedly already tagged LCD suppliers for an iPad mini, with an eye toward launching the tablet in the second half of the year.

This latest scuttlebut comes courtesy of Taiwan news outlet Liberty Times (English translation).

Citing the usual vague “market rumors” but also a report from Japanese securities firm Macquarie, the Liberty Times said the iPad mini could start shipping by the end of the third quarter with a goal of 6 million units.

That 6 million is the same number projected last month by Chinese online portal Netease.

LG and Au Optronics have already passed Apple’s certification tests to provide the tablet’s LCD panel. Both have been working to ship the panels for actual production of the diminutive iPad, according to the report.

… [Read more]

Related Links:
iPad to once again dominate tablets this year
Who wants an iPad Mini? About one buyer in two
iPad mini may be in the pipeline, says analyst
Microsoft aims to make iPad an underdog with Windows 8
Latest iPad mini rumor puts price at $ 200 with 8GB storage

This week, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Katheleen Sebelius announced awards to 26 innovative projects that will meet the Affordable Care Act’s triple aim of high–quality care, cost savings, and better population health. (Source: American Academy of Neurology)

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon ultrabook.

(Credit:
Lenovo)

If you’re looking for “new and exciting” regarding Lenovo’s newest ThinkPad laptops, you’ll have to hone in on the small details. For instance, Lenovo’s latest lineup of third-generation Intel Core i-series processor ThinkPads have adopted the more modern raised keyboards that have been seen on models such as the ThinkPad Edge and X1.

Lenovo ThinkPads: T, W, L, X, and X1 (photos)

1-2 of 17
Scroll Left
Scroll Right

… [Read more]

Related Links:
Intel Ivy Bridge chip imminent, quad-core first
HP announces Envy ultrabooks, ‘sleekbooks,’ business-targeted EliteBook Folio
Intel’s Ivy Bridge waits on Windows 8
HP ultrabook prices sink, widening gap with MacBook Air
Ivy Bridge, the ultrabook edition, due by Computex

On Tuesday, the Senate voted on the future of Stafford Loan interest rates. The rates for subsidized loans are currently at 3.4%, but without action from the government, will jump to 6.8% come July 1, 2012. A majority of 60 votes were needed to pass the bill which would lower these rates, unfortunately, the votes were split 52/45.

(Credit:
Screenshot by Tim Hornyak/CNET)

There are many ways I can think of to have fun with a laser, especially one described as “the world’s brightest laser you can legally own.” Popping balloons isn’t one of them, but YouTube tinkerer WorldScott’s stunt is interesting anyway.

In a bid for a record, he lined up 100 red balloons in front of a Spyder III Krypton and fired away.

As seen in the vid below, it took a while for the 750-1,000mW laser, fired through a focusing lens, to pop each balloon, but it eventually did the trick.

The green beam left a trail of red balloon fragments in its wake. Fortunately it wasn’t powerful enough to penetrate the far wall.

Related stories

• LaserSaber: A real ‘Star Wars’ lightsaber at last?
• Lucas backs off wicked ‘lightsaber’ lawsuit

“If confirmed, this will have been the most balloons in a single-file line consecutively popped from end-on with a single fixed visible laser beam to date,” he says.

Hong Kong-based Wicked Lasers, which prompted an aborted action by Lucasfilm for its lightsaber-like Spy… [Read more]

Related Links:
LaserSaber: A real ‘Star Wars’ lightsaber at last?
See the light on laser weapons, think tank urges
Northrop Grumman fires up latest laser weapon
AT-AT computer walks on the wild side
When Steve Jobs went Ghostbusters on IBM

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology are working to manufacture a smart phone attachment that works when used in conjunction with what they call sensory vapour technology. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

(Credit:
Apple)

Foxconn chief Terry Gou let slip that his company is getting ready to start producing an Apple television.

According to China Daily, Gou today held a news conference in Shanghai about his company’s plans for the future. During that conversation, he mentioned that Foxconn is currently preparing its facilities to start producing Apple’s long-rumored television, though “development or manufacturing has yet to begin,” according to China Daily.

Gou’s comments are notable for coming from a prominent executive who might have knowledge of Apple’s plans. The vast majority of reports surrounding the development of the television have come from unidentified sources and analysts who claim to have knowledge of Apple’s plans. For its part, Apple has stayed tight-lipped on any possibility that it might be working on a television.

Related stories

• iTunes creator working on Apple TV, report says
• Apple TV set may not launch until 2014, says analyst
• … [Read more]
  
  Related Links:
  Apple, Foxconn to share cost of improving factory conditions
  Could Foxconn’s factory in Brazil be a model for Apple production?
  Workers threaten to jump off roof in Foxconn protest
  iPhone 5 rumor roundup
  Labor activists call on Apple to stop squeezing suppliers
  
  

The Food and Drug Administration said that Truvada, created by Gilead Sciences, appears to be safe and effective in healthy people for preventing the virus that leads to Aids. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Clearwire, often seen in the industry as the odd duck of the wireless providers, may actually be on the unlikely path to offering a globally compatible device.

At least that’s what CEO Erik Prusch believes. With major carriers in China, India, and Europe supporting the same spectrum band and variant of LTE, it’s possible that a phone running on Clearwire can hop on to international networks with little fuss.

The advent of LTE was supposed to bring a universal standard to carriers. But the wide variety of technology standards and different spectrums has left the carriers as fragmented as ever. Despite running on similar spectrum, Verizon Wireless and AT&T LTE phones don’t run on each other’s networks.

It’s interesting that Clearwire, of all carriers, would become the standard bearer for compatibility around the world. Just a few months ago, its variant of LTE — known as TDD-LTE — was seen the one left out in the cold, with every other U.S. carrier supporting another variant, called FDD-LTE.

More CTIA 2012 stories

• Wide range of new smartphones kick off CTIA day 1
• Virgin Mobile’s unveils two mobile hotspots (photos)
• Cadillac launches CUE iPad app
• … [Read more]
  
  Related Links:
  Why Clearwire needs Sprint now more than ever
  Qualcomm offers support for Clearwire-billed LTE
  Sprint plans to bring WiMax to Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile
  LG Optimus 4X HD shows up at CTIA
  AT&T or Verizon: Which offers the best deal on 4G iPad data?
  
  

This week, many student nationwide are rejoicing in their college decisions, having just sent their deposits to their chosen colleges. Simultaneously, parents everywhere are worrying about how to pay the upcoming tuition bill. If you’re one of these parents, you may be weighing the pros and cons of tapping your 401k for those funds.