Gadget sales still up
Technology experts say sales of hi-tech electronic gizmos such as the iPhone are beating the recession thanks to a broadening appeal that extends beyond the traditional market of men and teenage boys, reports WalesOnline.
Sales of mobile phones, satnavs, and games consoles such as PlayStation 3 and Wii, will help push technology sales past the £50 billion (R660 billion) mark by the end of 2010, according to market analysts Mintel.
The research says that between 2004 and 2008, annual sales of technology rose almost 13%, by £6.2 billion (R81.9 billion), to reach £49 billion (R647.2 billion) in 2008, and consumers are now even sacrificing nights out and leisure activities to continue to get their “gadget fix”.
INQ intros mini social mobiles
INQ has introduced two handsets to its range, the INQ Mini and the INQ Chat, both labelled by the company as "affordable social mobiles", states Pocket-lint.
The INQ Chat has a BlackBerry-style qwerty keyboard, which the company says was much-requested by consumers and operators. It has an e-mail client with free push Gmail, along with access to Facebook, Skype, IM and Twitter.
The INQ Mini has a more 'slimline' design, but still packs in Twitter, Facebook, Skype, IM and access to Imap or Web-based e-mail services. It has a 2.2-inch display and 2-megapixel camera.
Industry awaits Apple tablet
Like the iPhone before it, rumors of an Apple tablet computer have long been the talk of Mac addicts and technology insiders, writes New York Daily News.
The buzz has only increased in recent weeks and, according to a new report, the computer industry is bracing for the debut of the device - which could be imminent.
An Apple tablet - a slick multimedia computer with a 10-inch touch-screen - could be announced as early as September for a November release and the competition is waiting for it with baited breath, Barron's reported Monday
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