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The great thing about Apple is there is always an interesting rumor floating around about an upcoming gadget or event. As I noted in an earlier post, Apple is rumored to announce a new tablet device based on its popular iPhone format. Now it is rumored that Apple will halt it’s exclusive partnership with AT&T.

A post today on Apple Insider reported that another site, HotHardware.com, has information from an “anonymous inside source” that AT&T will lose their iPhone exclusivity on Wednesday, when Apple is also expected to introduce its long-awaited touchscreen tablet. The article indicate that AT&T may lose it stranglehold on the service for the device, it is also tired of the iPhone being a data-hog and continually causing problems to the cell provider’s network. Since the sources are anonymous, please read the articles yourself and make your own decisions (Apple Insider – HotHardware.com).

Even if all of the rumors are wrong, you have to admit that Steve Jobs and the folks at Apple are always keeping people guessing about what’s next. I know I will be watching the announcements closely.

Today, October 22, 2009, Microsoft officially releases Windows version 7. While it has been out for a while in beta, the official release marks the first major OS release by MS in years.

The company is hoping that this new version will help get rid of the bad taste that many users have fromVista.

The recession has also led businesses to delay spending on PCs and other technologies. Because of those tight budgets and the lack of enthusiasm for Vista, more than 80 percent of new computers installed in offices still run Windows XP, which is now 8 years old, according to Forrester Research. A year from now, Forrester expects most new business PCs to be using Windows 7, but that won’t necessarily translate into a huge boost for the PC industry. Click here for the AP story.

Click here to go the Microsoft’s official Version 7 site.

Barnes & Noble’s has just introduced the “nook,” a new e-book reader to go alongside Amazon’s Kindle and Sony’s Reader. This new device sports a 6 inch E-ink screen and a color touchscreen to navigate content. According to preliminary information, the “nook” weighs 1 ounce more than a Kindle and has a battery life less than that of the Amazon device. However, it does offer the ability to play MP3 files through its built-in speaker.

The one feature that Barnes & Noble’s is touting most, is the ability of “nook” owners to share e-books based purchased. Copies of purchased books can be sent to friends who have installed the “nook” eReader software on their PC, Mac, iPhone, iPod or other selected device.

Read the full article.

Yesterday’s post talked about how technology companies might lead the economy out of the economic recession. And in line with that, Apple computers (APPL) reported higher than expected earnings. Much like IBM and AMD, these better than expected returns are due to higher demand for laptop computers, iPods and iPhones.

Surprisingly, the number of iPhone’s was lower than expected. However, analysts say that is due to the fact that Apple could not keep up with demand for a large portion of the quarter.

Many on Wall Street think that Apple is poised to do even better over the coming year. This is based on the opening of China to the iPhone and anticipated new products such as a netbook and tablet computer

Read analyst’s remarks.

A review of this morning’s headlines indicates that recovery in the technology sector may be underway. After a stellar third-quarter, Google stock prices are soaring again and it looks like the company will be investing in new hires as well as new technology. Read the article.

IBM has also indicated that it sees a bright future on the horizon for technology despite a slump in tech sales. The company reported a 7% drop in sales for July through September, but a 14% increase in profits has made IBM revise its 2009 outlook for the second time. Read the article.

AMD, the chip manufacture, has also announced that sales were better than anticipated. The company produces 20% of the worlds microprocessors. It said that shipments rose due to an increase in the demand for laptop computers. Read the article.

While many pundents have announced that the economic recovery is upon us, and some indicators like those listed in the articles above seem to agree, many Americans are waiting to see it for themselves.  What do you think?

Well its official, “Hotel” is a generic word. It only took six years, two appeals and who knows how many billable attorney hours to determine that.While most people would have easily agreed to the generic nature of the word, Hotels.com felt that the word lost that aspect what “.com” was added. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Court disagreed.

… Hotels.com’s argument was that the word hotel somehow lost its generic nature when it became attached to the “.com” suffix. At that point, it contended, it became identified with a particular company that served as an information source and travel agency. The Federal Circuit didn’t buy it. “The generic term ‘hotels’ did not lose its generic character by placement in the domain name Hotels.com,” the court said.

Click here for the full article.

A recent survey indicated that an economic turnaround could fuel an dramatic increase in life insurance mergers and acquisitions. Click here for full story from Insurance & Financial Advisor.