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Toshiba takes on network-attached storage at IFA 2012 with Canvio Cloud Storage-- an external HDD allowing users to save and access data not only via PCs, but also internet-connected mobile devices.

A number of Canvio Link apps (PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Toshiba Smart TVs) allow users to upload files before accessing them remotely. The company says installation is easy, being a 3-step process.

Since it does not really involve a cloud-based service (despite the name), the Canvio Cloud Storage does not need a separate subscription for remote data access.

The Canvio Cloud Storage will be available from October 2012 with either 2 or 3TB of storage.

Go Toshiba Canvio Cloud Storage

Lenovo unveils a portfolio of Windows 8-ready laptops and All-in-One (AIO) PCs at IFA 2012-- the IdeaPad U510 ultrabook, the IdeaPad Y and Z series laptops and the IdeaCentre A and B Series AIO desktops.

All carry either 3rd generation Intel Core processors or AMD A-series processors and offer consumers with "a variety of style, color and performance options."

A successor to the IdeaPad U410, the U510 is a 15-inch ultrabook with an Intel Core i7 processor and up to 1TB of HDD storage (with optional 32GB SSD cache). It has an integrated DVD reader/writer (or Blu-ray drive), is 21mm thick and weighs around 2.2kg.

The IdeaPad Y series (Y400 and Y500) laptops on show at IFA are "mobile gaming and multimedia powerhouses" according to the company. Both feature what Lenovo calls an "UltraBay"-- an interchangeable bay allowing users to swap between dual graphics capability, increased storage space or additional cooling.

It is official-- the next big Apple launch event will happen on September 12 2012, at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco.

The location is significant, seeing it is where Apple tends to launch new products. What product this time? The invitation image says "it's almost here," on top of a giant "12" with a shadow reading... 5. What else?

Maybe some were expecting a glimpse of the legendary (as in like a unicorn) Apple TV set, or a smaller iPad mini, or... something entirely new?

Then again recent rumours suggest Apple does not want to dilute media attention (or free marketing) from the iPhone 5-- meaning any non-iPhone devices will get a separate launch event on a later date.

What will the iPhone 5 look like? Maybe just like an iPhone 4, but sharper eyed IFA 2012 visitors might have seen an interesting beast within the jungle of smaller, more obscure stands... an iPhone 5 cover mockup from to an unnamed device cover maker.

First spotted by GSM Israel, the supposed "new" iPhone has an elongated 4-inch screen, shrunken dock connector, repositioned headphone jack and a 2-tone colour back.

Either way, knowing Apple the only way to actually know on what will be shown on the September 12 is... to actually follow the event. Mark the date on your calendar, if you must.

Go Apple Sets September 12 Event (Reuters)

Go iPhone 5 Mockup (GSM Israel)

While IFA 2012 is full of tablets and hybrid devices, vendors did not wholly forget the humble laptop-- HP launches the TouchSmart Ultrabook series, all running on Windows 8.

As the name suggests TouchSmart ultrabooks carry carry multitouch displays, making them ideal for use with the latest Windows version.

The series currently has two different offerings-- the 14-inch Envy TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 and the more premium 15.6-inch Spectre XT TouchSmart.

The Envy model carries the "latest" Intel processors (with optional AMD graphics), SSD storage, Beats Audio and a backlit keyboard. It is 23mm thick and HP claims battery life is up to 8 hours.

Meanwhile the Spectre XT is 17.9mm thick and has an IPS multitouch display, an all-metal design, glass touchpad and tilted speakers. It is also the first HP notebook with Thunderbolt connectivity, as well as a number familiar HP technologies such as CoolSense, Imagepad and ProtectSmart.

The two laptops join the HP take on the notebook-tablet hybrid, the Envy x2, and will be available from Q4 2012.

Go HP Unveils Multitouch Hybrid PC and Ultrabooks