Almost 35 years later, a toy that sold millions of copies world wide is finally available in the new digitized and fully electronic version for modern generation. Introducing Rubik’s Touch Cube.

This incredible device has no moving parts, and features touch sensitive tiles with built in sensors and accelerometers. These tiles detect the touch and lights quickly follow the swipe of the finger, emulating a twist or a turn of the face. Rubik’s cube flawlessly detects and performs the movements to completely mimic the original cube. The build in processor knows the exact number of turns needed to solve the touch cube at any given instant, but can also assist those in need with a hint or a simple solution! You can undo a move as well.

Touch cube can even sound like a real thing (this cube comes with original and digital sound effects built in). Rubik’s cube comes with a charging station, but once placed to recharge, it automatically solves itself (if you’ve given up) and dazzles the audience with an incredible light display.

The cube itself is a little larger and heavier than its older brother. Some tiles have special icons, double clicking which will perform a desired action. There are a few drawbacks as well. Touch Cube is a little too sensitive and frequently slides where it shouldn’t. Sliding the line will only work on the side facing up, making it at times awkward to solve. It is definitely designed for an average user in mind, rather than a tactical, strategic player who turns the sides without even looking at them.

Rubik’s Cube will be available sometime in October, for about $150 at Amazon and Best Buy. Despite its popularity, Touch cube is unlikely to make it to the top of the Christmas shopping list. It still requires some fine tuning and price is definitely way too high for an average consumer.

For avid book readers and those who do lots of traveling, ebooks have become quite popular. You can always carry thousands of books without the hassle of heavy luggage. In the world of ebooks and readers, there are currently two prominent devices that exist. So, let us begin: Amazon Kindle vs. Sony Reader.

Amazon Kindle 2 has become more slick and sophisticated with its new look. The new version also offers a prolonged battery life, faster refresher screen and more friendly navigation controls, making it easier to switch pages. Amazon has surely done a lot of improvements from its original version Kindle 1 to the new Kindle 2 (and the newest Kindle DX).

The Sony Reader is obviously the biggest competitor of the Amazon Kindle. Sony introduced its e-book Reader on September 2006. It uses an electronic paper display which is viewable in direct sunlight, requires no power to sustain a static image and can be viewed in portrait or landscape orientation. Moreover, the Reader has versions of touch screen and non-touch screen design, a feature which is highly appreciated by its customers.

Now let us go to Amazon Kindle vs. Sony Reader – LCD Display. Comparing the screens of the 2 gadgets, Kindle 2 can show up to 16 shades of gray as opposed to Sony Reader which has only 8. One can see the difference in the fonts and displaying images. If you were to compare the 2 displays, fonts appear smoother on the Kindle than on the Sony Reader. Moreover, it has the choice of 6 font sizes as opposed to the Sony Reader which has only 4.

In terms of audio and speakers, the Sony Reader has a music player and JPEG viewer which the Amazon Kindle 2 doesn’t have. But the Kindle has speakers which the Sony Reader doesn’t have as well; The Amazon Kindle 2 has the text to speech feature that allows the device to read the book for you.

In downloading ebooks, you need the special ebook Library software for you to get books from the Sony store. This is very inconvenient for those who don’t have Windows PCs because the software only works with Windows. Using the eBook Library of the Reader, you can acquire certain contents of the books through it. You can even read the books that are stored in your Reader with your computer, a feature that only the Reader has.

Another major difference is wireless capability. The Kindle 2 doesn’t have Wi-Fi, however, it uses Sprint’s EVDO wireless data network to download ebooks. The Reader on the other hand does and uses a USB port to an Internet-enabled PC for connection. In addition, the Kindle has basic web browser that enables you access text-centric sites including Wikipedia and Google. This is one area that Kindle 2 dominates.

Amazon has redesigned its Kindle to meet the needs of its users. In this Amazon Kindle vs. Sony Reader review, one can see some of the major differences between the two ebook readers.

This review is meant to inform prospective buyers on the major differences between the two competing devices. As with any product, it is essential to review and evaluate each gadget to help you decide which suits your needs best. It really pays off to research first because it can save you a lot of resources and disappointments.

In conclusion, I must say that the Amazon Kindle is better than the Sony Reader. It has a more improved design and specs. So, in this Death Match: Amazon Kindle vs. Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle has truly thumped Sony Reader.

One of the most interesting things about the beginning period of any year is looking forward to what might happen for the next twelve months.

While electronics have been a solid prospect with buyers in previous years some are looking at the current economic conditions and wondering how they will fare for 2012

Without wanting to jinx anything things don’t look like they will be as bad as people think with electronics remaining on many people’s wish lists for the next twelve months.

Outside of that, what else is likely to happen in 2012?

Here are 10 events and trends I think we will see in 2012:

Prediction#1 High definition and high resolution gadgets will continue to gain in popularity

The high definition TV or a HD camcorder used to be outside of many people’s price range but that has changed.

It is now possible to find a HDTV in the sub US five hundred dollar mark and high definition camcorder for around US$200.

It goes without saying that more and more will be buying high definition 1080i TVs, HD camcorders and high resolution cameras in the coming months as even more mid-ranged products go high res.

Prediction#2 Digital TV will take off

The world is currently in the midst of a digital television revolution.

The DTV process started in 2003 and the first wave of countries converted is expected to finish the process between 2012 and 2013.

As a result, 2012 is an important year for many countries.

The US shifted from NTSC to ATSC US in February, with other countries being at around the half-way point of their DTV conversion.

Not everybody knows the ins and outs of the digital TV standards yet… ATSC, DVB-T and other digital TV standards around the world are a mystery to many.

However, people are actively searching for the televisions Digital TV tuners and DTV peripheral devices and will continue to do so in 2012.

Prediction#3 Projectors will gain in popularity

It used to be that you wouldn’t see a projector in anybody’s house, but technological and manufacturing developments have changed all that.

You can now get a multimedia projector or a LCD projector for less than 300 dollars US and there are several pico projectors on the market which will fit in peoples’ pockets.

Home projector and projector home theater will continue to be popular through 2012 as projector gets more coverage and consumers make their nests more comfortable.

Prediction#4 Blue Ray will get closer towards the mainstream.

The big news on the high definition disc last year was the format wars between Blue Ray and HD.

And even though HD had conceded defeat early in 2008 at CES Blue Ray hasn’t really made that much of a splash in the market outside of getting titles and players ready to ship to the populous.

2012 will be the year when almost everybody makes the shift to blue ray.

Prediction#5 Cell Phones will continue to grow steadily in developing markets.

Outside of the release of big-name cell phones like the 3G iPhone and the HTC G1 (the first phone with Google’s long-touted android OS) the cell phone market in the developed world hasn’t grown that much and doesn’t look like doing so.

Analysts say this is largely because mobile phone markets there have reached saturation point and most people will only be looking for replacement cell phones now.

That’s not the case in developing nations though where cell phones are no where near as commonly seen. In China cell phones are one of the hot ticket items with no contract cell phones being the most popular.

The popularity of the prepaid phone will continue through 2012 and in the foreseeable future.

Most customers wanting to buy no contract cell phones are looking for phones that give them high degrees of freedom and networks don’t tend to have the data support and features that companies like AT&T and Orange do.

The GSM phone and GSM in general is likely to reign supreme as a result.

There will be a new level of importance being placed on the international phone as well, largely because of the wider market.

The quad band phone and quad band telecommunication device will be an almost essential item for anybody looking for a cell phone wholesale company or China cellphones wholesale source because they want to start a mobile phone business.

Prediction#6 Netbooks with 3G connection capabilities will become popular items.

The trend which started with the Asus Eeee for low powered low specd laptop computers suited to surfing the internet and sending emails has taken off.

Now people have realized that notebook computers don’t have to come from a brand name supplier and they are actually seeking out cheaper models.

As a result there is going to be an explosion of 3G netbooks this year. Especially since the rise of Linux has reduced dependency on punishment happy Microsoft.

Which leads me to….

Prediction#7 Linux will gain ground as an operating system

With China electronics manufacturers making many of the entry-level netbooks they will be looking for ways to reduce cost levels without causing any legal difficulties.

As Linux is open source it doesn’t give them the same level of problems as Microsoft or Macintosh.

And as Linux systems become easier to use more people will make the shift, lessening Microsoft’s hold on operating systems.

Prediction#8 WiFi standard 802.11N will finally be released

While Wifi has been gaining popularity like nobody’s business the technology has been less quick to develop.

Manufacturers have been making devices to the G standard since 2003 and have been looking for an improvement.

Signs are good that 2012 will see the release of the WLAN 802.11N standard, with the standards group releasing and signing off on drafts all the way through last year.

Improvements people think the new standard will make include the end of interference from devices like microwaves and a wider reception from more aerials.

Prediction#9 Solid state drive computers will appear

Flash storage prices have been falling faster than Motorola share values in the last couple of years.

As a result there are lots of USB storage and external storage devices that could store the contents of your computer and have room for seconds selling at very reasonable prices (compared to what they were previously).

While the price of SSD isn’t at a low enough position for everyone to have a laptop holding a SSD, they should start to appear.

Prediction#10 People will be on the look out for solar powered gadgets and green gadgets

The electronic world will go even greener in 2012.

No we’re not talking about the occasional solar powered calculator or torch this will be a stronger shift towards things currently known as green gadgets.

There can be no doubts there have been leaps and bounds in solar technology with solar panels turning up on everything from bags to the windows of buildings.

In fact a solar charger and solar battery for cell phones and smaller gadgets has gone from being a rarity to being rather common place and the number of devices that use solar power or solar energy to keep going has increased tenfold.

Solar lights are even turning up in gardens at Christmas now.

Gadgets powered by other forms of alternative energy, like dynamo-powered gadgets, and electronic appliances made with other materials, like the wooden cell phone and iPod re-encased in wood, are turning up.

People are looking for these devices too and you can bet that many solar lights and clean green gadgets will be appearing on many people’s wish list for at least the next year.

So there you go. 10 things which are likely to happen in the electronics world.

What is the point of having a CPU meter gadget? Do people really find use for this gadget or is it just one more additive that Windows should have avoided while trying to promote its Vista brand? Well, there is not a straight forward yes or no answer to this question.

The concept different strokes for different folks can be applied here as it all depends on the user and how much tasks he/she is doing on the system. For those persons who are constantly on their computers, doing a million tasks at once, constantly using up their RAM and CPU capacity, then this gadget would prove very beneficial. As with many inventions in life, the CPU gadget was brought about to make our lives easier, so why not take advantage of it?

The indispensable purpose of this meter gadget is to determine how much of a computer’s RAM and CPU are being used by the user where all in all, he or she would be able to tell when space is needed on their personal computer. As these handy gadgets are found on every Windows Vista Home and Premium system, they are not only easy and simple to read with the basic screen display (which displays usage in terms of percentage) but also are useful in tracking down causes of several problems on a PC such as when a browser or application freezes!

Now for those individuals who find that the CPU gadget their computer has is too simple and incapable of providing an effective live reading of all their processor cores to their liking, then acquiring more complex gadgets off the internet would be the answer. Please take note that these are acquired through free downloads and only on rare occasions will persons be selling these gadgets unless it is truly sophisticated and ‘divine’. Such complex meter gadgets show individual core usage (such as eight core and quad core), core and system temperatures (to avoid the PC from over-heating) and RAM usage.

But when will a person need all these fanciness? Well, suppose you need to be constantly tracking your system’s resources as you have a variety of programs open and hence are multitasking for long hours daily, where even when you’re not personally using your PC, these programs are still running; then the ability for your personal computer to withstand all of this will become a concern to you especially if there are signs of continuous slowness and cases where programs are freezing. The only solution to this problem would be to have a meter gadget, e.g. say the CPU meter gadget version 1.2.2 that supports multiple CPUs and displays each core results separately and accurately.

But then again, for those persons who seldom use their personal computers in this regard and would prefer to have a simple CPU gadget such as the one all Vistas have and have no idea where to find it on your computer, then, locate the Windows side bar which is a little icon usually found on the right side of the Menu Bar (that has the start button) and click open where of the many gadgets shown, CPU meter will be one of them. Click and explore!

One of the most important developments in smartphone evolution is the growing support for both wide area 3G cellular networks and local Wi-Fi hotspots. This provides tremendous flexibility to users, and potentially significant cost savings to the enterprise. There are five cost-saving reasons why enterprises should take a serious look at promoting the use of Wi-Fi on smartphones:

1. Wi-Fi can offload 3G data use. Picking up the tab for users’ 3G cellular plans can be a significant expense. Using Wi-Fi when it’s available – especially with the explosive growth of free Wi-Fi – can offload megabytes from users’ 3G plans, reducing the costs to the enterprise while supporting users on their preferred mobility platform.

2. Wi-Fi can eliminate exorbitant 3G international roaming fees. International travelers who use their smartphones abroad can easily rack up hundreds and even thousands of dollars in 3G network roaming fees on a single business trip. These fees can run as much as $10 per megabyte. Wi-Fi support in the smartphone lets users access the Internet and enterprise network services much more affordably.

3. Wi-Fi access can improve application performance. The bandwidth available on a network access connection can significantly affect application performance, particularly with those involving voice and video. In addition, high latency can destroy usability in voice and video applications, causing frustration and costly mistakes. Wi-Fi delivers higher throughput and lower latency than 3G. In addition, with certain 3G plans, bandwidth decreases as users exceed predefined monthly download limits.

4. Wi-Fi often provides coverage where 3G doesn’t. When 3G signals are weak or unavailable in some locations, smartphone users can often maintain access to data services using nearby Wi-Fi hotspots. And Wi-Fi helps users reduce their download volumes and provides high-performance connections if they should exceed their monthly limits.

5. Wi-Fi gives smartphone users in-flight access. A number of airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi, enabling business travelers to make productive use of their time aloft -updating their personal calendars, attending WebEx meetings, checking email, and staying in touch via instant messaging. This is an important capability for smartphone users, particularly in the U.S. where FCC regulations prohibit in-flight cellular network use.

Smartphones have become indispensible for mobile workers, whether running from one meeting to another or needing to travel in order to meet customers, partners or colleagues. At times, an employee may choose to only carry a smartphone, relying on connectivity to stay in touch and up-to-date.

Enterprises often invest in mobility management solutions that provide access to multiple services in hotspot locations all over the world. A service that’s easy for the user to switch between WiFi and 3G connections, along with links to an online hotspot finder showing available connections, can improve employee productivity and connection time. Simple and seamless access to connections will also reduce helpdesk calls. And because mobile workers often carry a laptop along with a smartphone, connection complexity increases depending on the variety of devices allowed by the enterprise.

3G connections are not always available or sometimes run slow. Wi-Fi access can provide a combination of performance and economy, and ultimately saves money for the enterprise.

Any gadget geek dreams of being able to surf the web, send mails, watch a movie, or browse through photographs with the touch of a finger. iPad is a magical and revolutionary product which makes all these, and more, possible beyond the wildest of your imagination.

The unique feature of iPad is its ability to work in any orientation, which gives it the exceptional ability to carry out functions, which cannot be carried out on any other device. iPadNews is your most trusted source to get all the information that you wanted about this wonderful gadget, including a host of iPad tricks. For instance, you can be privy to information on the latest tricks like turning your Wi-Fi iPad into an iPad3G, making playlists on your iPad, or even knowing how to dismantle and rebuild your favorite gadget so that you get an inside-out view of this amazing device.

The site also gives valuable tips on how to buy an iPad and a lot of such related information. If you believe in style, then you can select suitable accessories for your dream gadget. The eco-friendly case by Proporta is a slick product made from bamboo, recycled leather, and hessian. You can also select the tight skin Gelaskin, which comes in a wide range of colors and designs. These cool covers are funky, as well as traditional, and give your favorite product extra protection from scratches and scuffs.

The ProClip Holder and the solar charger are amongst the most popular iPad accessories. Another mind-blowing product is the iPad Tablet, which operates at incredible speed, with a highly responsive screen. Even the graphically loaded pages are displayed in a moment, eliminating the frustrating feeling that one experiences due to typing lag, completely. However, as is the case with any iPad release, iPad hacks are at work and have released a new jailbreak for the product within days of its launch. The program called Spirit allows you to jailbreak without the help of a computer connection.

The section on iPad wallpapers reviews the device with all its pros and cons. The reviews on wallpapers section talk about HTML rendering issues and lack of international support, stereo sound, and no-flash indication. You can also get detailed information on many iPad games like Super Mario World games, Iron Man2 or War machine, Dizzypad HD Leap Frog Game and BioDefense HD, Real Time Strategy game.

For a casual user, iPad is a great device to be used in lieu of a net book. For those who do a lot of work online and are dependent on the laptop to a considerable extent, this latest gizmo is a much better option to get your work done faster and better. It is an entirely new experience to change the size of the multitouch screen. The maps look quite real, mailboxes can be viewed, and messages can be opened simultaneously.