We first brought you the Parallels Desktop 8 announcement last week, and although the creators of the desktop virtualization software - Parallels Inc. - has already stated the eight edition will be arriving on September 4th, it is now available as an upgrade for those running Parallels Desktop 7.
The tablet computing space is one of the most hotly contested industries at the moment, with the success of the iPad proving just how lucrative that particular marketplace can be for companies. Since the launch of the iPad, we've seen many contenders to the throne that have come in all shapes and sizes, running varying operating systems and priced at different points, but nothing has really come close to dominating the space like the iPad has over the last three generations.
When it comes to music discovery, services like Last.fm and Pandora was often the first that come to mind. They are very popular in countries like the U.S., Canada or Europe, but suffer outside them because of the strict licensing rules that they have to follow. Users from outside these countries have to resort to methods like using proxies or VPNs to access and enjoy them.
The tablet market has, up until recently, been pretty one dimensional, but now it's emerging into a battle fought on several different fronts. The original iPad first arrived in 2010, and having tried to emulate its success by essentially emulating its design, competitors have taken revised approaches. As well as the smaller tablet (see Google-ASUS Nexus 7), there's now a Microsoft-lead push for so-called hybrid devices - tablets which can also double up as notebooks and ultrabooks with attachable keyboards.
IFA 2012 has brought plenty of new devices to the fold from many of the key manufacturers, and although we're heard little from HTC thus far, the "quietly brilliant" company has come through with a new, if somewhat mediocre smartphone.
As we edge ever-closer to the announcement of the next-gen Apple smartphone, the shock value and general interest in leaked hardware has naturally died down, since the form factor of the device - dubbed the iPhone 5 - appears to be a done deal. That said, when some high-quality images surface comparing old and new, it's certainly worth taking a look, and Shenzhen-based parts company via NoWhereWlse.fr has some high-quality images which allegedly show the front plate of the sixth-gen device.
Been trying to keep abreast of all things IFA from afar? Had to make do with reading all about Samsung's new announcements via someone else's text-based updates, laden with their own opinions? Fear not, for now you can form your own by watching the entire Samsung event from IFA in the comfort of your own home!
The accessories market for Apple's iOS devices is amongst, if not the biggest accessories market for mobile devices. Speakers, charging docks or cases etc. for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad is a multi-million dollar market! Today we came across a brand new LifeProof case for the iPad which we will be discussing right after the break.
The consumer technology industry is ever-changing and we have seen companies make some radical and rather risky decisions in the past in an attempt to get ahead of the game, sometimes you just have to sit back in amazement and rub your eyes a few times to make sure that what you are actually reading is accurate and not some kind of on-screen word play trickery. For me, this is one of those times, as reports are suggesting that Dr. Dre's Beats company has its eye on some serious expansion in the near future and could be set to launch an all out marketplace assault on the world’s most valuable company, Apple.
Despite having something of a terrible last couple of weeks what with the San Jose court case, today's press regarding Samsung has been all positive thanks to the company doing what it does best - talking new gadgets. As well as the Galaxy Note II and the ATIV S Windows Phone 8 smartphone, which we discussed in an earlier post, the Korean outfit has also showcased a couple of new tablets, and here, we give them the once-over.

