ConsumerIT - For Europe's High Volume PC Retailers, Distributors & Builders

Apple opens its massive wallet and buys Israeli flash memory maker Anobit for $500M, according to Reuters and the Calcalist financial daily.

While no official statement is yet available from the typically secretive Apple, further confirmation comes from an unlikely source-- the twitter account of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natenyahu, who says: "Welcome to Israel, Apple Inc. on your 1st acquisition here. I'm certain that you'll benefit from the fruit of the Israeli knowledge."

In addition to the purchase, Reuters says Apple is going to open an research and development operation in Israel, the first for the company outside the US.

The purchase makes sense for the company-- Apple is probably the biggest flash consumer in the world, using flash not only in mobile devices but also in data centres. Meanwhile Anobit works on solutions enhancing flash chip durability, including memory-signal processing and memory-processing error-correction algorithms.

Go Apple Buys Israel's Anobit for $500M (Reuters)

Go @IsraeliPM on Twitter Welcomes Apple

The iPad 2 might have a camera, but it is a pretty terrible one-- which is why the Disney-branded Sakar AppClix camera might make an interesting purchase for your customers.

It attaches to the tablet via Apple 30-pin port and works with a free Disney Pix app. Specification-wise, it has a 7.1MP camera (with 4X zoom), a microSD card slot and a 1.5" LCD display for photo previews.

The app allows basic editing and the addition of Disney-themed graphics to photos, as well as picture transfer to email and social networks.

Yes it does look rather awkward to use, but this Mickey Mouse shooter might be the closest thing to a proper iPad camera until Apple reveals the iPad 3 has a truly worthy shooter... Either way, it should be a ideal for customers' last minute Christmas stocking stuffing.

Go New Sakar Disney iPad Cameras

Microsoft launches the Mobile Keyboard 500-- a full-size Bluetooth keyboard aiming for use with mobile devices, especially tablets.

It has a comfort curve curve design, encouraging natural posture by placing arms and wrist at a more natural position, and is only 1.6cm thick and 35cm wide (a little wider than the standard notebook). The colour is matte black with a white underside.

It works with any device with Bluetooth connectivity, including most Android tablets and the iPad-- and a driver even provides Apple "Command" button functionality. Power comes through x3 AAA batteries, and a battery status indicator lets users know when power is low.

Go Microsoft Mobile Keyboard 5000

Even customers with the biggest of movie collections will find it difficult to fill up the FilmoScope DX-- a server with a disk capacity expandable to a maximum of 256 terabytes.

The server comes with standard storage of 14TB to store movies and albums as a single collection, and is compatible with DUNE, TWIX, Xtreamer and Popcorn Hour media players as well as players from FilmoScope Lab itself.

FilmoScope also provides DX-series servers with optional built-in 4 or 6 TI multi-zone audio, handling up to x4 audio streams. Multiroom functionality can be either independent (in combination with an 8-12 channel amp) or part of a Russound or Nuvo system.

TI audio functionality also allows for server control via wall panels or iPhone/iPad apps.

Go FilmoScope Labs DX Server