First noticed by reader BenAmirault, the lack of home button on the iPad shown in the invitation has been the primary focus of attention. While many leapt to the conclusion that Apple may be getting rid of the home button (Steve Jobs famously didn’t like buttons at all), others quickly pointed out that the iPad could just be in in landscape mode. However, some other clues may prove it’s not that simple…

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In case you’ve been living in the analog world for the past few days, Apple sent out invitations Tuesday to an event to be held next week. And the Internet exploded, right on schedule.

Apple, true to form, has not said anything about what products or services it’ll unveil next week, or if it’ll unveil anything at all. Nonetheless, based on past history, a nonstop cavalcade of rumors, and third-party sources, Apple is all but guaranteed launch the next iPad, aka the iPad 3, at its March 7 event.

That much was effectively confirmed by Apple’s invitation, which shows a picture of a finger reaching out and touching what can only be an iPad screen, along with the words, “We have something you really have to see. And touch.”

That’s all we have to go on, at least officially. That’s when we turned to you, faithful Mashable readers, to see if there were any clues in the invitation that might not be obvious. It wasn’t much to work with, but that one image and those 10 words prompted a frenzy of digital forensic examination the likes of which could only be matched by an entire season of CSI.

SEE ALSO: Forget the iPad 3 — I’d Still Buy an iPad 2

From the wording to the visible apps to the pattern of droplets on the screen, readers extracted clue after clue as to exactly what the iPad 3 might be. Keep in mind that all of this is highly speculative, that Apple could have easily Photoshopped the image extensively, and the company is notorious for its misdirection over rumors.

Still, the invite is real, and it really came from Apple. Here’s what our readers were able to extract. Feel free to share any more theories in the comments.

More About: apple, ipad, ipad 3, itv, tablets, trending

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A selection of Allview devices.

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BARCELONA: Although most manufacturers were focused on smartphones at this year’s Mobile World Congress – and we’ve seen some amazing ones, such as the HTC One X or the LG Optimus 4X HD – there was no shortage of tablets in Barcelona.

The problem with tablets, of course, is that they all look the same, so some manufacturers tried to ruffle things a little bit. Fujitsu showed a waterproof tablet, for example, while LG introduce an smartphone/tablet hybrid called the Optimus Vu, featuring a 5-inch screen with an unusual 4:3 aspect ratio.

However, this year’s conference – perhaps more than ever – showed that, when it comes to smartphones and tablets, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. With most major manufacturers having access to similar technology, such as Nvidia’s Tegra 3 chip, it’s the software and the apps that make the difference.

There’s another interesting point that I’ve argued during the conversations with the journalists and the developers at the MWC – the simplicity of today’s smartphones and tablets may be a good thing, as it makes manufacturers focus on the details. Having a device that’s just a little lighter than the others, or is slightly better built makes a difference, which ultimately results in very polished, almost perfect smartphones and tablets.

We’ve created a gallery of the tablets we’ve encountered at the Mobile World Congress this year. Now that the iPad 3 is around the corner, we’ll soon find how well these stack up to the current king of the tablet market.

More About: fujitsu, Mobile World Congress, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Tablet, tablets, tegra 3, ViewSonic

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Have you ever looked out the window while flying 30,000 feet in the air and wondered where the heck you were? Well, with FlightTrack Pro, an app that works in airplane mode, you are able to pull up a map of your location and see where you are, how fast you are going and how high above ground you really are. On the flip side, if you want to make sure your loved one lands safely, you can track specific flights and get push notifications and information about where they are and when they land. The app also has the capability to notify the flyer of gate changes, flight delays and advance weather forecasts of your destination.

Cost: $9.99

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In a sea of free iPhone apps, a few paid options stand out from the crowd. With everyday conveniences based on where you are and what you’re doing, here’s a handful that will get you going. Don’t worry, sometimes it’s OK to splurge just a little.

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, gianlucabartoli.

More About: apps, features, iphone, Mobile, Tech

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The sound-free video, above, leaked on the Japanese forum AppVV.com, appears to show a 4S being put through its paces. The BrowserMark number is significant as it’s roughly double the number you’ll get on an iPhone 4 running iOS 5 — meaning the iPhone 4S will browse the web at twice the speed of its predecessor.

The site does not explain how the phone was obtained ahead of launch. So how do we know it really is an iPhone 4S? Because Siri appears to be baked right into the OS — note the preferences screen that allows you to select English (in Australian, British or American dialects), French or German. Also note the options to have Siri talk back and to activate the service when you lift the phone to your ear.

Want to learn more about Siri? We have its history, and an interview with the app’s co-creator, here.

[Via Macrumors]

More About: apple, iPhone 4S, siri, Video

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Samsung’s redesigned 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab is thinner and lighter than an iPad 2. But can it compete against the Apple juggernaut?

The numbers are all there for the specmeisters, with this reworked Galaxy Tab rocking a slightly larger touchscreen over the iPad 2, higher resolution, a 1GHz dual core processor and lighter 595g weight compared to the 601g of the iPad 2 Wi-Fi. But the most important number of all is its price. Unlike Samsung’s overpriced predecessor, the 16GB Wi-Fi Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will cost exactly the same as the iPad 2 Wi-Fi 16GB: $499. Bam!

The first Galaxy Tab didn’t fare too well. In fact, the day of the iPad 2′s rollout, even Samsung’s Executive VP of its mobile division Lee Don-Joo admitted its shortcomings: “We will have to improve the parts that are inadequate… Apple made [the iPad 2] very thin… The 10-inch (tablet) was to be priced higher than the 7-inch (tablet) but we will have to think that over,” he said.

We didn’t care much for the first Samsung Galaxy Tab, either. When we got our hands on it earlier this year in Barcelona, it was flimsy, felt cheap, and we thought its much-ballyhooed Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) interface was confusing and buggy. And, the device got uncomfortably hot in one corner.

While this thinner, redesigned model reportedly felt much better in all respects, it’s still missing one key number, and that is the hoard of software Apple offers for the iPad 2, more than 60,000 apps specifically created for the platform. But that impressive number also includes the fart apps, too. Even so, Apple has a huge head start.

Meanwhile, Samsung introduced another contender it calls the Galaxy Tab 8.9, a little more than an inch smaller than its big brother. It includes the same 1GHz dual-core processor, and looks just about the same as the 10.1-inch model, as you’ll see in the gallery below.

Both of Samsung’s new tabs beat the iPad 2 easily in the camera spec department, with a 3-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel up front, both shooting 1080p video. In what could be the clincher for many users, the Samsung tablets boast another capability lacking in the iPad 2: Adobe Flash playback.

Want to try one? You’ll have to wait until June 8 for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 Wi-Fi, priced at $499 for the 16GB version and $599 for 32 gigs. Samsung was not as specific with the release date for the Galaxy Tab 8.9 Wi-Fi, which it said would be available in “early summer” at $469 for 16GB and $569 for 32 gigs.

So is the Galaxy Tab 10.1 an iPad 2 killer? I don’t think so, but it’s a lot closer to being competitive than Samsung’s first attempt. Tell us in the comments if you agree.

Here’s a gallery featuring both new Samsung Galaxy Tabs:

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, 2-shot

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 — Front

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 — 3/4 angle

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 — Back

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 — Side View

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 — Front

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 — Back

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 — Side View

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 — Two-shot

More About: 8.9, iPad 2 Killer, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, tablet pcs

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Whether you want built-in headphones, pockets perfect for your iPod or even clothing capable of making calls, we’ve found fashionable options for you.

Take a look through our gallery of 10 such items of connected clothing and let us know which ones you’d consider wearing in the comments below.

1. iTee

Said to be “perfect for men and women with a digital lifestyle,” the “iTee” from Aussie co iClothing boasts a pouch for your ‘Pad. Would you wear it?

Cost: Approx $60

2. Rusty Wired Series Swept Away

Rusty’s “Wired Series” boasts built-in machine washable earphones. The “Swept Away” hoodie is pretty in pink.

Cost: $56

3. SCOTTeVEST T-Shirt

A classic tee with a high-tech twist, this boasts a zippered chest pocket for an iPod, iPhone, or similar portable gadget, a “Personal Area Network” for built-in wire management, and two further side seam pockets.

Cost: $25

4. Rusty Wired Series Noise

More from Rusty. This is a cross between a shirt and a hoodie, and includes those cool built-in earphones.

Cost: $62

5. iDress

Another iClothing offering, the iDress is a sateen LBD with a difference. That difference is, as you’ve likely guessed, a pouch for your iPad! iClothing claims it will take you “from the office to the cocktail lounge,” but we’re not sure you’d get that far if the Fashion Police are on patrol.

Cost: Approx $90

6. Koyono Work Premier Made for iPod Coat

Not only does Koyono’s coat have “the perfect number of pockets to manage your gadgets,” but thanks to its “Elektex” smart fabric interface, it boasts integrated five-button iPod controls. The future is now, man.

Cost: $174.95

7. Rusty Wired Series High Voltage Dress

Although in most parts of the world it might be a little chilly to sport this dress, come summer we think this garment, again with built-in, waterproof earphones, will fly off the shelves.

Cost: $44

8. Mohan’s Custom iPad Suit

New York-based custom gentlemen’s tailors Mohan’s offer an iPad pocket option for a more satorial take on gadget-friendly clothing.

Cost: Varies

9. SCOTTeVEST Travel Boxers 2.0

You need not be without your precious phone even when you’re down to just your undies with SCOTTeVEST’s high tech boxers. The front pocket is designed to fit a smartphone while the back pocket will conceal a passport, credit cards and the like.

Cost: $20

10. Cute Circuit M-Dress

The M-Dress is not just a garment, it’s a “functional soft electronics mobile phone.” It accepts a standard SIM card and can make and receive calls. To answer a call the wearer simply lifts a hand to the ear, and to end a call, puts that hand back down. It’s due to be available this year, so it might not be long before you hear the once-unlikely line, “excuse me, my dress is ringing.”

Cost: TBC

More Fashion Resources from Mashable

- 10 Great Geek Tees For Kids
- 6 Slick Ways to Customize Your Kicks Online [PICS]
- 9 Ways to Geek Out Your T-Shirt Collection
- 3 Ways to Design Your Own Clothes Online
- 6 Great Gloves for Touchscreen Gadget Lovers

More About: accessories, clothing, fashion, gadgets, galleries, gallery, List, Lists, tech

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Microsoft is not planning on releasing any further Zune devices. Instead, the company plans to focus on Zune software for smartphones.

Microsoft declined to comment on the future of the Zune players, but in a statement to Bloomberg noted that it remains “committed to supporting our devices in North America.”

Zune launched in November 2006 to much fanfare and hopes that it could beat Apple’s iPod. But sales never came close to reaching the levels of Apple’s best-selling and market changing music and media player.

In 2009, Microsoft decided to separate the Zune team into software and hardware divisions, and attempted to get developers to target the platform. It hasn’t really worked. Zune Marketplace support for the Xbox 360 aside, the Zune brand still has limited appeal outside of North America.

According to Bloomberg, Microsoft will continue to put its Zune features into Windows Phone 7 and in the Zune desktop software for Windows. Microsoft’s Zune Pass remains an economical way to stream and have access to a large array of music, but the fact that it only runs on Windows devices ruins its potential as a true iTunes competitor.

The Zune was never a bad MP3 player. The failure was that the product never managed to differentiate itself as being better or cheaper than the iPod. If anything, the Windows-only requirement made the device more limited.

For that reason, we don’t imagine many users will shed any tears over Zune’s passing.

Share your favorite Zune jokes in the comments.

More About: ipod, media player, microsoft, Windows, zune

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As Japan digs out from its worst earthquake and tsunami in recent history, and engineers scramble to contain the damage at the Fukushima nuclear plant, another crisis is unfolding behind the scenes: massive disruption to the global supply chain.

As relatively unimportant as it may seem, Japan’s factories are the lifeline for electronics companies the world over. Some 20% of all semiconductors and 40% of all flash memory chips sold in the world’s smartphones, tablets, cameras and computers are made in Japan. Manufacturers are facing a drastic reduction in supply, which could have significant knock-on effects in earnings, employment — and the global economy as a whole.

So which companies and products are most at risk? Here’s what we know so far:

Toshiba makes NAND Flash memory chips used in the iPhone, iPad and a string of tablets launching this year. Prices of the 32GB NAND chip jumped nearly 20% in component markets Monday. Toshiba says it is examining damage to its plant, and has no date set for reopening. Toshiba President Norio Sasaki has more important things on his mind at the moment: Prime Minister Naoto Kan has ordered him to help with efforts to stop radiation leaking from the Fukushima plant, according to reports.

Most affected products: The iPad 2 and similar tablets.

Sony, the nation’s largest consumer electronics exporter, shut down six factories last week and another two this week. One of those factories took a direct hit from the tsunami. The plants are all involved in making Blu-ray discs, magnetic heads, PlayStation 3s and lithium-ion batteries. The company makes about 10% of the world’s laptop batteries. The factories are likely to remain shut for at least the next two weeks.

Most affected products: Blu-ray DVDs, PlayStations, PC laptops.

Texas Instruments lost two of its plants making wafers and DLP chips. A spokesperson told Reuters it would take until July for them to come back online.

Most affected products: DLP TVs, video projectors.

Hitachi has six manufacturing facilities in the quake-struck north of Japan, all of them now closed, all of them now being inspected.

Most affected products: Plasma TVs, LCD TVs, camcorders and DVD players.

More About: electronics, japan, quake, technology, tsunami

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HP CEO Leo Apotheker has a clear message for his competitors in the mobile and tablet space: we’re in this market to win.

Earlier today, HP’s new chief executive revealed the company’s new strategy to a group of analysts and members of the press. His keynote can be summed up in five words: cloud, cloud and more cloud. HP intends to provide cloud-based tools, software and connected devices that will power enterprise and dominate the consumer market.

Central to HP’s consumer play is its 2010 acquisition of Palm, which gave the PC giant access to Palm’s webOS mobile operating system and the Pre line of smartphones.

HP dominates the PC business, selling two PCs and two printers every second — by far the most in the industry, according to Apotheker. Now it intends to dominate the smartphone and tablet businesses too.

“We just announced our new devices, the TouchPad and the [Pre] smartphones,” Apotheker says. “Going forward, we don’t intend to play in the junior league in this business.”

HP has an uphill battle to becoming a player in the mobile market. Apple leads the pack with the iPhone and the iPad, but Google, Microsoft and RIM are all making big moves in this space. Confirming previous rumors, HP said the TouchPad will come out this June.

Will you wait for a TouchPad? Does HP stand a chance of grabbing some mobile market share? Let us know what you think, in the comments.

More About: HP, hp touchpad, palm, Palm Pre, PCs, pre, printers, Touchpad, webOS

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After months of beta testing, Microsoft has finally released the final version of Internet Explorer 9 to the masses.

Microsoft debuted the new browser at a launch event at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. Dean Hachamovitch, the corporate vice president of Internet Explorer, told the story of how Microsoft built IE9 from scratch.

Microsoft launched the IE9 beta last year to generally positive reviews. Last month, Microsoft unveiled the IE9 release candidate. In total, the IE9 Beta and release code have already been downloaded more than 40 million times.

IE9 is not just an update to IE8, but a complete rebuild of Microsoft’s popular but maligned browser. It boasts radical speed and graphics improvements, thanks to its increased adherence to web standards and use of hardware acceleration. On stage, Hachamovitch touted its advanced support for HTML5 and its UI improvements. Everything from the back button to the taskbar has been revamped.

Microsoft is also touting IE9′s security features. Hachamovitch outlined the company’s take on privacy earlier this year at CES. IE9 includes tracking protection (its implementation of the “Do Not Track” list) and stronger filters against malware.

The final version of Internet Explorer 9 will be available for download at midnight ET/9:00 PM PT at BeautyoftheWeb.com.

More About: IE9, internet explorer, Internet Explorer 9, microsoft

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