Apple Online Stores Down Amids Report of the New iMac

Apple's online stores went down early this morning ahead of rumors that the iMac will be refreshed with Thunderbolt and Sandy Bridge processors. New products are typically launched around 8:30am Eastern / 5:30am Pacific. No word yet from Apple or CEO Steve Jobs

New Apple iMac Revealed

Apple has revealed their new iMac. Based on Apple’s press release, the new iMac is equipped with either quad-core Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processors. The new iMac is the first desktop computer to offer Thunderbolt I/O technology and comes with a FaceTime HD camera, and relies on AMD Radeon HD graphics processors. Apple claims the latest iMac, which starts at $1,199, is "up to 70 percent faster" and has "new graphics that deliver up to three times the performance of the previous generation."

Apple also showcased iMac's "green" features on its press release:

"The iMac meets stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold rating," writes Apple. "iMac features LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iMac uses PVC-free components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, uses highly recyclable materials and features material-efficient system and packaging designs."

A 21.5-inch model and 27-inch model are available in several different configurations. The new computer is available via Apple.com, Apple stores, and Apple resellers.

Verizon LG Versa Cell Phone

The Verizon LG Versa VX9600 cell phone was like a Voyager but a lot smaller. It has a leather casing that adds an extra touch of class to it that was a nice change.

The Verizon LG Versa VX9600 cell phone features a 3-inch touchscreen display and 2-megapixel autofocus camera with flash. The LG Versa also comes with EV-DO Rev. A connectivity, Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR support, 2.5mm headphone jack, ambient light and proximity sensor, and microSD card support of up to 16G in capacity. The LG Versa also comes with a detachable QWERTY keyboard if the virtual onscreen one isn’t up to par. It’s a nice added accessory you wouldn’t normally find in a typical touchscreen phone though it would have been more enticing if it came with WiFi connectivity.

Get an LG VX9600 Versa Touch Screen Cell Phone, Black (Verizon Wireless) CDMA Only. - No Contract Required.

Verizon LG Versa Features:

- Detachable QWERTY Keypad
- 2.0 Megapixel Camera with Auto Focus, Flash & Picture/Video Editing
- HTML Web Browser
- Bluetooth® Stereo Support for Listening to Music*
- microSD™ Removable Memory
- Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4/T4
- V CAST Music with Rhapsody® (subscription, wireless and PC downloads)
- V CAST Videos
- TTY Compatible
- Meets FCC SAR limit. Manufacturer’s highest FCC reported SAR 1.38 W/kg at ear, 0.764 W/kg on body. Actual SAR may vary.
- For more information on Radio Frequency Emissions, see About Us — Wireless Issues.

Verizon LG Versa Specifications:

- Frequency: 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS, 800 MHz CDMA
- Data Transmission: EV–DO Rev. A
- Dimensions: 4.17″ (H) x 2.07″ (W) x 0.54″ (D)
- Weight: 3.81 oz.
- Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4/T4
- Meets FCC SAR limit. Manufacturer’s highest FCC reported SAR 1.38 W/kg at ear, 0.764 W/kg on body
- LCD: 262K Color TFT, 480×240 Pixels, 3.0″
- External LCD: Monochrome OLED, 56×120 Pixels, 0.94″ (only available on the QWERTY keypad attachment)
- Handset Usage Time: Up to 290 Minutes OR
- Handset Standby Time: Up to 430 Hours
- 2.5mm Headset Jack Capable

Get an LG VX9600 Versa Touch Screen Cell Phone, Black (Verizon Wireless) CDMA Only. - No Contract Required.

Ipod Touch faster Than iPhone 3G

Apple seems to improve the processing speed of the iPod Touchin order to help it go after the portable-game market.

The applications processor inside the second-generation iPod Touchunveiled in September is actually running faster than the processor inside the iPhone 3G, which runs at the same speed that the original iPhone and iPod Touchused. The new iPod Touch's ARM-based processor is running at 532MHz, while the iPhone 3G's processor runs at 412MHz.

A game developer also noticed a huge difference in 3D-rendering speed as a result of the speed bump. As we remember fondly from our "megahertz madness" days of the Intel-AMD competition in the PC, processor speed is not the only measure of performance, but it is an important one.

With the arrival of the App Store, Apple has been marketing the latest iPod Touchas a gaming device in its latest round of commercials, almost completely ignoring the fact that it's a music and video player as well.

It looks like Apple has room to boost the clock speed of the processor to 620MHz, according to ARM's specifications, but that requires striking a balance between performance and battery life.