The new order that Apple made was delivering camera and its next update to every iPod, according to an Asian claiming, but it isn’t specified yet which model would get the update. As to the case of the video capabilities for iPhone 3GS (take near-HD video, excellent basic editing software) customers were totally satisfied, that is the reason why Apple has decided to add camera to its line of iPods.

The massive Apple’s order of camera modules reveals them at a price of in the $10.00 range, and because of the size of the order, these cameras could be released only for one thing – the iPod. The fact is that the cover case of these iPods does not show any hole that normally would fit a camera mode. But for this matter Apple has posted for jobs through which engineers develop cameras for both iPods and iPhones. At the same time “Macrumors” displayed two images that show the cases that are presumed to be created for the future iPod Touch and iPod Nano.

Introducing a camera in the iPod touch reflects the next logical step for Apple inc., however there isn’t’ any information to reveal the fact that Nano and Classic iPods might have pretty soon this video feature ready. Although Apple didn’t turn video on the iPhone 3G, its users were enabling it through unlaunched applications from Qik, Ustream and others. Maybe Nano could follow the same route.

Adding a camera module at an extra price, might not be such a good move, since the software that is working already on the iPhone is ready to go. The price equals the high end Flip Mino HD, and Flip is ready to take better video, though it doesn’t have uploading to YouTube and on-device editing. Not to mention that it doesn’t support Internet browsing, email and other apps that are available for the iPod Touch.

But somehow this introduction of a camera is seen as an important impact on the Internet photo and video markets. Quadrupling of YouTube uploads have been added together with the addition of video in the iPhone 3GS; including a camera in the iPhones was a smart thing to do in that the unit became one of the most favored cameraphones on Flickr. The fact that the iPod Nano has an interface and processor concerns, allows iPod Nano to have a still camera, but at the same time it could present the risk of disrupting entry-level compact cameras. Including video on iPod Touch may affect the sales of pocket camcorders such as Flip Ultra HD (that have the same price) which as mentioned before lack on-device editing and Internet sharing.

At Macworld Expo, Apple debuted with a system presented by its iWork.com in the shape of an iDisk module that facilitates file sharing and this revised feature appears on the new facelift of MobileMe web applications. The iDisk for MobileMe is a WebDAV-based file share available on me.com website from where the subscribers can access or lift it as a volume on their desktop. The configuration for iDisk support is automatically activated the moment a user sets up his MobileMe account in System Preferences. Another way is for the user to set up the MobileMe on Control Panel existing in Widows, whereas for those that are in Mac OS X he ca sync the iDisk locally in order for his files to be available even when the system is off from the internet connections.

The files uploaded to iDisk are of a private nature to the user of MobileMe and they can be part of two special folders: Web (it means that the documents copied here including sites of iWeb app are hosted by MobileMe web service) and Public (meaning that the files copied here are available via http://public.me.com/user). In the latter folder subscriber has the option to choose what he wants to allow access to, having also the possibility to activate a password for selecting the sharing.

The “Share Files” feature uses the system Apple debuted in iWork.com, allowing users to choose a file from the iDisk web interface and share it. It presents a link that the user can manually email to others, or one can access the email directly in the sharing configuration sheet and introduce a short message. This feature enables the subscriber to set a period of time for the validity of the link and also with a possibility to assign password protection. For those who are selected to be part of the sharing process, the feature will appear to them in a shape of a received email with a link to download. If the files are not shared they will be displayed in a new section of “Shared Files” feature in order to be traceable as currently shared files. The user has the choice to click the “Sharing Options” button to be able to resend the file to new users, to extend the validity period, to change the password, but also to stop the process of sharing.

Other changes are presented by an updated version of iDisk icon of a volume with a cloud on it, in order to match better to the iDisck icon existing in the Finder. The user silhouette is transformed in a gear icon to define the Account pane, this new icon resembling the one used by System Preferences or iPhone’s Settings. There are future Apple plans that show an expanding of iDisk feature for iPhone users allowing them to access their iDisk files and to share files with other iPhone users via the Public folder option. The same thing goes for iWork documents or video files that are too big to be sent through emails. iDisk proves to be a system that enables users to have quicker access to files and their sharing.

The new Xserve’s configuration incorporates a 2.26GHz Xeon processor, 3 GB of 1066MHz DDR3 memory, and one 160GB, 7,200 rpm SATA hard drive. The expansion slots are 16x PCI Express 2.0; one slot accommodates 6.6” cards, and the other one 9.25”. The 2GB Ethernet ports and the SuperDrive are standard, 2 ports FireWire, one port DB-9 serial, and 3 ports high-speed USB 2.0.

The upgrades include 2 Xeon processors at 2.26GHz, 2.66GHz or 2.93GHz, up to 12GB of 1066MHz DDR3 RAM on single-processor models, a second power supply, a variety of controllers for Ethernet and Fiber Channel. There is an optional RAID card which has been upgraded with a processor that moves faster and a capacity of 512MB of RAM, this RAID being particular only to 2009 Xserve.

As to architectural improvements, this new Xserve uses Intel’s processors of the Xeon 5500 Series, a code that is named Nehalem (allows DIMM installations in sets of one, two or three), each processor consists of 8MB of L3 cache which is shared among the four cores of the processor.

The LOM (Lights-Out management) allows access on a secure network, an administrator could connect to LOM having a full control, but lacks shell access to Mac OS X Server and the functionality of KVM-over-IP. The performance while testing has revealed a Turbo Boost that enables the processor to disconnect idle cores, a technology hyper-threading that determines a core to execute two threads at the same time. Since one core presents itself as two virtual cores, it means that Mac OS X Server treats the 8-core Xserve as one with 16 cores, hence running faster the applications.

Compared to a 2008-model Xserve, it presents similarities in that it is oversubscribed beyond its processing capacity. As to the power, 2009 Xserve uses 25% less power whrn it is idle, and 10% less power at peak load. A feature that has always existed in Xserve is that of occupying two different worlds: data center and video editing, a duality that compromises both of the audiences, due to the included Nvidia GeForce GT120 video card which its 256 MB of video RAM is half of its desktop counterpart. The Mini DisplayPort connector prevents data center operators as it requires an adapter necessary to attach to a KVM switch.

The optional SSD is incorporated inside the Xserve itself and offers great performance for random read operations (booting an OS or launching apps), envisioned as a server without moving parts. AppleCare Premium Service and Support Plan offers a three-year warranty uplift valid only for Apple-branded SATA disks. In its previous generations, Xserve proved to be prominent because it incorporated all you might need in the box with the purchase itself, but with Apple not including video adapters it proves now to be not so prominent. The combination of enhanced performance with improved power and efficient heating determines Xserve 2009 to be a mandatory upgrade over previous models.

Apple has always been opened to new innovations that can render their devices originality and therefore uniqueness. And how can this be done if not through exploring various possibilities that emerge on the area of inventions?! It is the case with the patent for the non-visual control of a multi-touch device. Apple patent develops a non visual control of device in that it relates to the option that enables an iPhone, iPod user to navigate an electronic device’s menu without having a visual display. By using of a multi-touch user interface component this proves to be possible. In this way the user can listen to music, initiate phone conversations, send and receive electronic messages, at the same time being able to use a multi-touch input panel in an eyes-free manner. The system releases the user from any other buttons, or cues or prompts, the only possibility to control is using any type of audio information, in this way the user being able to navigate quickly and mentally map the device’s menu system.

Apple describes the background of invention, saying that in the era of ever faster processors, more portable devices trying to use the most sophisticated technology, it is no wonder that inventions come up to revolutionize systems that are also in their own growth and innovative emerging. This new device is a portable package that includes processing power combined with a single multi-touch display screen. This screen incorporates a transparent touch panel and visual display component and responding to a touch action it generates a signal that can be taken over by other components of the electronic device. The user sees a display which has the same space hosting different virtual buttons at different times, with a dynamic way of navigating through menu system.

Even if the shape, location and size of virtual buttons are changing the user will be able to feel only the smooth surface of the multi-touch display screen. For instance when a user is prevented temporarily or permanently from visualizing he can use this non visual control device in order his attention not to be distracted; it is perfect also for those riding a motor vehicle, or for those who keep the device in a pocket, etc. there are some electronic devices that static touchable feedback (as it is the case with Braille tactile form of reading) with audible instructions in order to help the people who are visually impaired to use different devices. The point is that the audible instructions are often inefficient and can render the feeling of frustration. There is this situation that occurs while listening to a long list of options for in the end to be able to decide which option one chooses, and this is really annoying. This is exactly what the non visual control device is offering, and the inventor of this device, Ashwin Sunder, surely must be proud of himself.

Palm Pre customers have commented via Web forums and tech blogs that the new smart phones offer them the disillusion of falling apart from their joints. Some say that the screens have cracked; others complained that the two sides present a gap and problems while sliding. Due to the warranty terms many of the Palm Pre fans have returned the device two times already, hoping that the third time would bring them more luck.

The editor of PreCentral.net, Dieter Bohn, has declared that following all the given complaints, is obvious that there is something wrong either with the functioning or with the design of the unit. At this point it’s still uncertain the number of Palm Pre customers who are having troubles with the device’s hardware, but one thing is certain: the ones having problems are more than the ones that don’t.

Analyst of this issue say that actually the problems revealed on online forums are treated in an anecdotal note, therefore one can not take them too serious for solid evidence. But Bohn is still worried that they might actually face a poor build quality at a larger set of Palm Pre phones. One of the customers has declared that his third Palm Pre in the last two weeks presents a large gap on the left side of the device, in fact that large that he can actually see the innards; also the two sides make a squeak noise while pushing. Other customer complaints of the squeaking noise while typing and of the thing that if slide the screen down a little bit too hard, the phone instantly turns off.

The representatives from Palm didn’t have an immediate reply when ABCNews.com approached them in this matter, but the principal analyst with Charter Equity Research declared that the online comments do not represent enough prove to be considered as data points. Palm agrees that there are flaws here and there that need to be taken care of, but the company’s success mostly depend on webOS, the new OS of the company that allows the users to keep several applications open instantly and incorporates information from various mobile applications. The sell of the new Palm Pres doesn’t show an impressive figure compared to that of iPhone 3GS, but it outran the company expectations.

An independent analyst sees this matter as a usual aspect for Palm Pre, since the company is known to come with good hardware but it has some issues when it comes to new released products. His advice for the customers is to refrain themselves from buying the new device at least for a few weeks and then to buy new designs that come with the past flaws already fixed.

The Palm Pre fans do not complain at all, they say that their device is working properly, no sliding issues, no squeaking noises… So it seems that in this tough time of competition with constant new devices emerging on the consumers market, phone users need to be satisfied, and the more they are, the harder it is.