Leaked roadmap shows Intel 530 SSDs with SandForce controllers

                      
VR-Zone has once again shared (Chinese) a possible leaked Intel roadmap, this time showing an Intel "530 series" SSD on the horizon. According to the leaked slide, 80GB and 180GB 530 models could appear as soon as Q1 this year. 2.5" and mSATA models should arrive during Q2, 2013. Meanwhile, the wallet-friendly 335 series will be in for a series of "continued product optimizations".

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Rumor: Thinner, lighter next generation iPad coming in March 2013

                                     
The Apple rumor mill seemingly doesn’t take a break for the holidays as we are already hearing rumblings about what Cupertino’s next generation iPad may have in store. Japanese blog Macotakara recently published a story saying the new iPad will be unveiled in March 2013, just five months after the fourth generation slate went on sale.

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China may require real name registration for internet access

(Reuters) - China may require internet users to register with their real names when signing up to network providers, state media said on Tuesday, extending a policy already in force with microblogs in a bid to curb what officials call rumors and vulgarity.

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Acer may release $99 Iconia tablet

                                 
Following recent rumors of an Asus-made $99 Google Nexus 7, Acer is said to be prepping its own 7-inch, $99 tablet offering. The Wall Street Journal claims this information comes a source with "direct knowledge" of the project, but let's keep this one's status set to "rumor" until we ascertain more concrete details.

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Google may be planning $99 Nexus 7 tablet

                                        
Get your salt shakers ready. According to unnamed sources from Shenzhen-based supplier O-Film Tech (via Digitimes), the Google Nexus 7 may be in for a very substantial price drop. Purportedly, the Asus-made tablet could dip as low as $99, making it by far the least expensive device in its class. A tummy tuck may also be in store for the tablet, possibly sporting an even thinner design.

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Amazon's sub-$200 smartphone now rumored for mid-2013, Foxconn scores contract

                                         
Rumors about an Amazon-branded smartphone have been swirling for the better part of a year, and although the company hasn't confirmed anything, a new report suggests that the device is on track for release sometime next year, roughly two quarters behind the previously-speculated late 2012 launch. It's worth noting that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos had already kind of squashed hopes of a holiday release in September when he revealed that new products were on the way, but that they wouldn't be ready until 2013.

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Intel could lower power requirements on Ivy Bridge chips

                                       
We already know that Intel is planning to significantly reduce power consumption on next generation Haswell processors (down to as low as 10 watts) but a new rumor making the rounds this morning says we won’t have to wait that long before we see power requirements drop.

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Next Windows may be free, yearly upgrades, possible 2013 launch

                              
Tired of using the same operating system for years? Microsoft certainly hopes so. The Redmond-based software maker is hoping "Windows Blue" will change how consumers perceive Windows by introducing frequent, periodic upgrades (e.g. annual releases), akin to Apple's aggressive Mac OS X release schedule.

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Microsoft to launch Xbox TV next year, focuses on streaming and casual games

                         
Microsoft has been hard at work making the Xbox 360 more than just a gaming console, adding a host of video options and apps alongside features such as the new SmartGlass and a web browser. According to a report from The Verge, come next year the company will continue to push in that direction, except with a two-SKU strategy that will see the arrival of a lower-priced ‘Xbox TV’ for those interested only in streaming and casual titles, not the core gaming functions.

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Paul Thurott: Windows 8 sales "well below" Microsoft's projections

Despite Microsoft's excitement at selling four million Windows 8 upgrades in four days, well-known industry blogger Paul Thurott says sales of the OS are "well below" Microsoft's internal projections. Get your salt shakers ready, but Thurott cites ones of his "trusted sources" at Microsoft for the tip, although fails to produce any specific numbers. To be fair though and in hindsight, Thurott does seem to have pretty accurate sources.

Despite the lack of numbers though, investors are a curious bunch, so we're likely to see official Windows 8 sales figures in the not-so-distant future. Until then though, anyone interested in watching the Windows 8 drama unfold will have to wade through a variety of anonymous leaks, specious rumors and fuzzy analyses in order to develop their own judgments.

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Google Maps for iOS undergoing "finishing touches" sources claim

iDevice owners who were left disappointed with Apple's foray into mobile mapping may be pleased to hear that rumors of a Google Maps app for iOS are still in style. An anonymous source "with direct knowledge of the matter" has informed the Wall Street Journal that the big G is putting the "finishing touches" on its own native iOS entry. It remains unclear when Google will submit the app for Apple's review, however.

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Microsoft has "no plan" to release DirectX 11.1 for Windows 7

According to a reply from an engineer on Microsoft's Developer Network forum, DirectX 11.1 will be available exclusively for flavors of Windows 8 only. There are apparently no plans to release 11.1 for Windows 7 or Vista. "DirectX 11.1 is part of Windows 8, just like DirectX 11 was part of Windows 7. DirectX 11 was made available for Vista .... but at this point there is no plan for DirectX 11.1 to be made available on Windows 7", the post reads.

Although this information comes from Microsoft employee David Moth, it's important to note that Microsoft itself has not provided an official statement on the matter. Having "no plan" doesn't necessarily ensure it won't happen either -- but so far, it sound too good for Windows 7 users.

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