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Microsoft Gets New Look

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We're all familiar with the Microsoft logo, right? Not any more-- the company introduces the 5th major change in logo in its history.

Microsoft logoSince 1987 the Microsoft logo consisted of a simple solid, boldfaced and italicised logotype. The 2012 logo uses a more lighter non-bold, non-italic logotype (Segoe, font fans) and incorporates the familiar multicolour Windows symbol.

The intention of the new logo to "signal the heritage but also signal the future-— a newness and freshness," Microsoft brand strategy GM Jeff Hansent tells the Seattle Times. It will appear not only on Microsoft products, but also on the company website and Microsoft Stores around the world.

A lot hinges on this holiday season for Microsoft-- it will not only launch Windows 8, but also Windows RT, the Surface tablet, the latest Office iteration and Windows Phone 8.

Go Microsoft Unveils New Look

Go Microsoft Gets a New Logo for the First Time Since 1987 (The Seattle Times)

Apple vs. Samsung: Apple Triumphant

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The verdict is finally in... After months of legal sparring across multiple nations, Apple throws a final sucker punch and leaves Samsung reeling as it convinces a US jury its Korean rival is guilty of all accusations of design infringement.

Apple winsAnd what a sucker punch-- the San Jose court rules Samsung has to give the biggest company in the world (by market value) no less than $1.05 billion in damages, not to mention the possibility of outright bans of key Samsung devices in the US.

The US court also waves the Samsung countersuit away, deciding Samsung will not get any damages. According to the Wall Street Journal, the jury of 9 deliberated for only 21 hours announcing the verdict.

Samsung Win 8 Tablet at IFA 2012

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"Ready to be smart?" Samsung asks in a Facebook with the picture of a mysterious device it will reveal at IFA 2012-- a tablet-laptop hybrid running on Windows 8.

samsung tableWhat exactly will this Samsung offering be? Most probably (if not certainly) it is a finalised version of the Series 5 tablet prototype first seen at Computex 2012.

The Computex prototype is similar to other hybrid devices from the likes of Acer and Asus-- a transforming tablet with an 11-inch display and an attachable keyboard. It also has a slot for a stylus together with front- and rear-facing cameras.

We should learn much more once we head to Berlin for IFA 2012 next week.

Go Samsung Notebook Facebook Post

Sony Makes Optical Drives No More

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The Japan Times reports Sony is out of the PC optical drive business-- blaming "fierce competition" for the closing of wholly owned subsidiary Sony Optiarc.

Sony HQThe CD and DVD drive maker will stop operations from March 2013 before Sony liquidates all unit assets. According to sources most of around 400 employees will be taking early retirement.

Formed as a joint venture with NEC in 2006, Optiarc was turned into a full Sony subsidiary in 2008.

The Optiarc closing comes as part of a company-wide restructuring of money-losing Sony divisions following the huge fiscal 2011 and 2012 losses. Sony losses in Q2 2012 alone total $312 million as operating profits decline by -77% Y-o-Y.

Sony hopes to slash its total global workforce by 10000 (or 6%) by March 2013, in a move to boost efficiency while improving profits.

Go Sony to Pull Plug on Optical Disc Drives (The Japan Times)

The Keyboard You Can Wash

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The name "Logitech Washable Keyboard K310" leaves very little to the imagination-- here is a spill-resistant, washable keyboard Logitech says users can submerge in up to 28cm of water.

washable keyboardThe USB cable has to stay dry (and preferably not connected to a PC) of course.

Drainage holes provide easy drying while the the laser printed, UV coated key characters should not fade away in the wash. The company also claims the keyboard can take "a pounding" with full-size keys lasting up to 5 million keystrokes.

Completing the keyboard package are F-keys, number pad and a collection of media shortcut keys.

Go Logitech Washable Keyboard K310

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