What is Apple going to announce at WWDC? iOS 6, a TV SDK, Retina Macs

Plenty has been said about Apple's WWDC 2012 conference, which takes place starting on Monday next week, but if you haven't been furiously digging and following along, here are our best guesses based on what we've heard from our sources, what other sites have reported, and common sense. iOS 6 for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. We've covered this at length, but this is a sure thing - iOS 6 is coming next week, and most likely will be available for developers to start getting apps ready for the fall. Look for a redesigned Maps app with 3D maps and no Larry Page, Facebook integration, a refreshed UI, possible widget support, enhancements for enterprises including new mail, calendar and contact features, and much more. The Apple TV If Apple makes a TV-related announcement, which we reported they will, this might be a game changer. Apple has dabbled with the company's current TV offering, and it's not doing too bad - the Apple TV sold more than 2.7 million units this year so far. If Apple announces something TV-related though, it's going to be big. Steve Jobs I've cracked it, licked it, kicked it huge. Again, if Apple makes a TV announcement, we don't know if an actual TV will be shown or just the operating system and SDK support, but this could easily be the biggest announcement from the WWDC 2012 keynote. Retina computers This isn't confirmed, but it seems that Apple is finally ready to start adding Retina display-equipped Mac computers to the company's lineup. New MacBook Pros In addition to the MacBook Pro getting a Retina display, it's likely that the MacBook Pro will get aired out with a thinner case, no optical drive, fewer ports (ethernet and FireWire), and more. New Mac Pro A popular assumption has been that Apple will simply get rid of the company's most powerful computer, simply because most people tend to purchase an iMac over a Mac Pro at this point and the current iMac's are incredibly fast. Speculation aside, it is now being reported that Apple will finally refresh the Mac Pro instead of killing it off. New iMac If Apple is going to update its aging Mac Pro, the company might not want to leave the iMac in the dust either. Recent reports have suggested that the iMac could be due for a facelift, making the computer much thinner and lighter, and possibly getting rid of the optical drive in the process. A Retina display for the iMac is rumored as well. We're totally in.   Maybe Tim Cook was right when he said Apple “was just getting started” a few months earlier this year during the new iPad introduction event.

Microsoft debuts on{X} for Android, promises to 'automate your life'

Well, we can't exactly say we saw this one coming. Microsoft has today taken the wraps off a rather ambitious project dubbed on{X}, which is available exclusively for Android smartphones initially (support for more platforms is planned), and offers a range of tools that promise to help "automate your life." Developed by the company's R&D Center in Israel, the service consists of a website and an app, the former of which lets you select from a variety of scripts (or "recipes," as Microsoft calls them), while the latter executes them on your phone. The kicker is that anyone can create their own recipes and share them with others, and they can take all of the capabilities of a smartphone into account - performing an action when you arrive at a specific location, for instance, or setting reminders based on the weather forecast (all the actual processing is handled on the phone). Much like Kinect, Microsoft is hoping that folks will take the platform and run with it, developing new features that it hasn't even thought of.

PC Koubou Librage BTO SL540aA8 Slim Desktop PC

Here’s the newest member to PC Koubou’s slim desktop PC line-up, the Librage BTO SL540aA8. This BTO (Build To Order) system comes with a 3.0GHz AMD A8-3870K APU (4-core) processor, an AMD A75 chipset, a Radeon HD 6550D graphics card, a 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 500GB hard drive, a DVD Super Multi Drive and runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS (Standard Configuration). Price is set at 49,980 Yen (about $625). [Product Page]

AOC AMI2252W0M-GP3R 21.5-Inch Full HD Monitor

AOC will launch a new Full HD monitor in Japan called the AMI2252W0M-GP3R. Featuring an IPS panel, this new 21.5-inch LED-backlight monitor provides 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, 20,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 5ms response time and 178/178 degree viewing angles. In addition, it also comes with two built-in 2W speakers and features DVI, D-Sub and HDMI connectors. The AMI2252W0M-GP3R will go on sale from February 25th for 14,800 Yen (about $185). [AOC]

Plextor M3P SSDs

Links International has released a new line of SSDs from Plextor called the M3P. Coming in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB sizes, these slim 2.5-inch SSDs (7mm thick) are equipped with 24nm MLC NAND Flash memory chips, a SATA 6.0 Gbps interface, a Marvell 88SS9174 controller, a MTBF of 1.5 million hours, TRIM support and capable of delivering read/write speeds of up to 535/350 MB/s (128GB Model), 540/420 MB/s (256GB Model) and 535/450 MB/s (512GB Model), respectively. The 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models are priced at 19,800 Yen (about $248), 38,800 Yen (about $485) and 59,800 Yen (about $748), respectively. [Product Page]

A-Data DashDrive UV100 USB Flash Drives

Here we have a new line of USB flash drives from A-Data, the DashDrive UV100. Available in three different storage capacities: 4GB, 8GB and 16GB, these extremely compact flash drives feature a capless design, a USB 2.0 connection interface and a strap hole which makes the drive easy to carry on a lanyard or keychain. Unfortunately, there’s no word on pricing yet. [A-Data]

Teclast A15 Android Tablet

Teclast is proud to bring you their newest Android tablet, the A15. Specs-wise, the device sports a 9.0-inch 1280 x 800 capacitive multi-touch display, a 1.2GHz RK2918 processor, a GC800 GPU, a 1GB DDR3 RAM, an 8GB of storage, a microSD card slot, a front-facing camera, 1080p Full HD video playback support, WiFi, OTG function and runs on Android 4.0 OS. The A15 is available now for 999 Yuan (about $118). [Teclast]

Intel Atom D2550 Cedar View-based Processor Unveiled

Word has it that Intel will launch the Intel Atom D2550 processor on February 26, 2012. This Cedar View-based CPU supports the Hyper-Threading technology with the TDP remaining at 10W. The Intel Atom D2550 also features a 1.86GHz clock speed, a 512KB of L2 cache on each of the two cores and an integrated GPU with clock speed of 640MHz. No word on pricing at this time. [VR-Zone]

Securifi Almond Wi-Fi Router

The Securifi Almond is not an ordinary Wi-Fi router because it has a built-in 2.8-inch (320 x 240) touchscreen display that provides easy access to settings and info on the device itself. Priced at only $69.99, the device provides only a pair of LAN ports and supports a single-band N-router, so it won’t work on the 5Ghz spectrum. The Securifi Almond Wi-Fi router will be released in March 2012. [Gear Patrol]

Plustek OpticFilm 120 Film Scanner

Plustek is ready to release a new film scanner namely the OpticFilm 120. The desktop film scanner features an automatic film advance mechanism, high-quality scanner optics and newly designed film holders. It can handle both 35mm and medium-format negatives and transparencies up to a frame size of 6cm x 12cm. The Plustek OpticFilm 120 is equipped with the latest software from LaserSoft Imaging: SilverFast Ai Studio 8 with a built-in IT8 calibration and a matching IT8 target. No word on pricing at this time. [PhotographyBLOG]

Transcend SSD500 Solid State Drive Shipped

Transcend has started selling the SSD500 2.5-inch solid state drive in Europe. The storage device uses the SLC (single-level cell) NAND Flash memory, offering up to 100,000 erase/write cycles with read/write speeds of up to 260/230MB/s. The Transcend SSD500 also supports a SATA 3.0 Gbps interface. Available in a 16GB, a 32GB, or a 64GB of storage space, the Transcend SSD500 retails for 164.01 Euro ($220), 314.07 Euro ($422) and 596.89 Euro ($801), respectively. [PCLaunches]

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1-inch Tablet

Samsung has announced the availability of the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1-inch tablet. Powered by the Google Android 4.0 operating system, the gadget features a 10.1-inch WXGA PLS TFT display with a 1280×800 pixel resolution, a 1GHz dual-core processor, a 1GB of RAM, a 3MP rear-facing digital camera and a front-facing camera for video calls. The tablet supports a 720p HD video recording and a full HD video playback. Additional specs include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HSPA+ support, A-GPS, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB) and a 7000mAh rechargeable battery. The Wi-Fi model is priced at 399 Euros ($536), while the Wi-Fi+3G version is priced at 499 Euros ($670). [SamsungHub]

Sony VAIO VPCJ236FJ All-In-One PC

Sony has once again expanded its line of all-in-one PCs by showing of the VAIO VPCJ236FJ. Available in both white and black color options, this space-saving machine is packed with a 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD display, a 2.20GHz Intel Pentium B960 processor, an Intel HM65 Express Chipset, a 4GB DDR3 RAM, a 1.5TB hard drive, a webcam, a DVD Super Multi Drive, a card reader, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 + HS, two USB 3.0 ports an runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (SP1) OS. The VAIO VPCJ236FJ will go on sale from March 3rd for around 120,000 Yen (about $1,495). [Sony]

I-O Data RHDM-U500HR 500GB Portable Hard Drive

I-O Data is preparing to drop another portable hard drive ‘RHDM-U500HR’ for the mass market. Coming in 500GB capacity, this portable hard drive features a USB 2.0 connection interface, an 8MB of cache buffer, 5400RPM spindle speed, TV recording support and is compatible with Windows 7/Vista OS. The RHDM-U500HR will start shipping from early March for 12,500 Yen (about $156). [I-O Data]

Evergreen DN-68571 13-Port USB 2.0 Hub

Evergreen offers you their newest 13-port USB 2.0 hub, the DN-68571. This plug and play hub is equipped with 13 USB 2.0 ports, an ON/OFF switch button and comes with an AC adapter. The DN-68571 is available now for just 999 Yen (about $12). [Product Page]

Thermalright Silver Arrow SB-E CPU Cooler Goes On Sale In Europe

Thermalright has begun selling their latest CPU cooler ‘Silver Arrow SB-E’ in Europe. Coming in a dual tower design, this high-end CPU cooler has eight 6mm nickel-plated copper heatpipes, a tweaked heatsink and two TY PWM fans (1x 140mm x 1x 150mm). Not only that, it also supports for both Intel (LGA2011, LGA1366, LGA1156, LGA1155, LGA775) and AMD (AM2(+), AM3(+), FM1) processors. The Silver Arrow SB-E retails for 64.99 Euro (about $86). [Product Page]

Cooler Master Elite 372 Mid-Tower PC Case

Cooler Master has unleashed a new mid-tower PC case for the European market. Called the Elite 372, this steel case supports for both micro ATX and ATX motherboards, and features a front-placed I/O panel with 2x USB 2.0, 1x mic and 1x audio ports, three 5.25-inch external drive bays, one 3.5-inch external drive bay, five 3.5-inch internal drive bays, seven expansion slots and can be equipped with up to seven fans. The Elite 372 sells for 39.90 Euro (about $53). [Cooler Master]

Panasonic SC-AP01 AirPlay Speaker

Panasonic today unveiled the new SC-AP01 AirPlay speaker. Measuring 59mm x 430mm x 128mm, the speaker adopts the Nano Bamboo technology to create a high quality sound. This technology enables the speaker to create direct vocal sound that produces a three-dimensional sound fields. The company will launch the SC-AP01 AirPlay speaker on April 20th, 2012. No word on pricing at this time. [Slashgear]

NuForce Air DAC Wireless System

The NuForce Air DAC Wireless System enables you to stream music from your computer or iOS devices to up to four different receivers throughout your home or office. The device doesn’t require any WiFi routers or IP addresses. You just need to plug the wireless transmitter (iTX or uTX) into your computer’s USB port or iOS devices and the radio receiver (Air DAC) in any available sound system. Both the wireless transmitter (iTX or uTX) and radio receiver (Air DAC) operate in the 2.4GHz radio band. The Air DAC uWireless System for computer is available now for $179 (receiver and transmitter bundle). The receiver is also available separately for $149 each, while the transmitter for $59 each. The NuForice iTX Transmitter for iOS devices will be released very soon for $199 (receiver and transmitter bundle). [Product Page]

Docomo Releases Medias Tab N-06D Android Tablet

Docomo has recently released the MEDIAS TAB N-06D 7-inch waterproof tablet. Powered by the Google Android OS, the gadget supports NOTTV. It is a new terrestrial broadcasting service for smartphones and tablets that will begin transmission on April 1, 2012. The Medias Tab N-06D features a 7-inch WXGA display, a dual-core processor, a mobile wallet service, a One-Seg mobile TV tuner and an infra-red data transmission. [Akihabara]