Google Hardware coming to your neighborhood

Google has announced its foray into the hardware world with the introduction of the Nexus7, a Google tablet and the NexusQ, a media player that looks like a magic 8-ball. Like Microsoft, Google understands the advantage of having a close synergy with hardware and software. The Nexus7 will feature Google's new version of Android called Jelly Bean. Need to get up to speed on it in time for my Android class at SMU in the fall.

Microsoft goes for the soft touch

It's interesting that Microsoft is coming out with their own tablet, the Surface. One take on this development is that the PC makers who bundle Windows on Intel boxes have been squeezed by low margins and are loathe to innovate. Apple on the other hand controls both the hardware and software, and has every reason to innovate and does it well. Since Microsoft can't rely on the market to generate products that compete with Apple, they've decided to jump in and do it on their own. Rumor has it that when Microsoft looked at using aluminum for their tablet, they found that Apple had locked up the aluminum metals market, and so Microsoft turned to a vaporized Magnesium housing referred to as VaporMg (pronounced vapor mag).