Barnes & Noble's next Nook said to launch this spring

. Barnes & Noble's fifth-generation “e-reading device” will reportedly launch this coming spring. Mentioned in passing within a New York Times profile of the struggling bookseller, it is unclear if the device in question will be a new media tablet or a standard eReader. With Barnes & Noble's current-generation color tablet having just been announced this past November, however, a refresh of the company's E Ink-equipped Nook Touch in the spring seems more likely. Barnes & Noble first unveiled the Nook Touch - then referred to as the “all-new Nook” - at a press conference in New York last spring.

Boy Genius Report, Barnes & Noble's next Nook said to launch this spring

Apple hires former Dixons CEO John Browett as Senior VP of Retail

. Apple has hired Dixons Retail chief executive officer John Browett to run its retail business as senior VP of retail. Browett will assume his new position in April and will be responsible for Apple's retail strategy and on expanding Apple's presence around the globe. "Our retail stores are all about customer service, and John shares that commitment like no one else we've met," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "We are thrilled to have him join our team and bring his incredible retail experience to Apple." Browett has been the CEO of Dixons Retail since 2007 and has also served as the CEO of Tesco.

Boy Genius Report, Apple hires former Dixons CEO John Browett as Senior VP of Retail

Former RIM co-CEO Lazaridis says he planned to step down for years

. Former Research In Motion co-CEO and co-Chairman Mike Lazaridis said in a recent interview that he had been planning to step down from his role at the helm of the company for several years.

Boy Genius Report, Former RIM co-CEO Lazaridis says he planned to step down for years

Microsoft is running anti-Google newspaper ads focused on privacy

. Microsoft has started to run anti-Google newspaper ads in a clear effort to sway people from using Google's services. On Monday, Google announced that it was combining its individual privacy policies to make privacy “more intuitive” for its users. The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee was worried that Google was actually collecting more information under its new rules, but Google responded to those claims and said it was not actually collecting more data. Microsoft isn't convinced.

Boy Genius Report, Microsoft is running anti-Google newspaper ads focused on privacy

iPhone 4S (CDMA) to be launched by China Telecom in February or March

The iPhone 4S has been available in China since late last month. That said, you can only officially get it in Apple stores or from China Unicom, which has always been the only carrier to sell the iPhone in China. At first it was a simple matter of network tech used. One of the other big Chinese carriers is China Mobile, which uses TD-SCDMA for its 3G network, a standard that isn't used anywhere else in the world and, needless to say, no iPhone has supported so far.

Unwired View, iPhone 4S (CDMA) to be launched by China Telecom in February or March

Confirmed: Samsung Galaxy S III will not be at Mobile World Congress, separate event to follow

Though many assumed that the Samsung Galaxy S III would be unveiled at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, we can hang up any hopes of that happening. The event seemed like the logical place to host a coming out party for the successor to the Galaxy S II, the flagship handset revealed at the global trade show a little over a year ago, but uncertainty arose after Samsung executives suggested they were still reviewing the possibility. Samsung has confirmed in a statement released to TechRadar that we will have to wait for a separate event to get our first official glimpse at the GS3.

Android Phone, Confirmed: Samsung Galaxy S III will not be at Mobile World Congress, separate event to follow

JVC introduces their first iPod and iPhone Nightstand Speaker

You know what. This is actually totally makes sense at least to me. Here you re ladies and gentlemen JVC's first 2x30W Speaker for iPod and iPhone, the N-BX3 that is in fact designed to replace your actual nightstand. Available in both black and white, the N-BX3 weight 20kg for a size of 500x300x110mm and offers all the comfort that can be found in other iPhone/iPod speaker dock with an FM tuner and SRS StudioSound HD for a bit less of 40,000 Yen.



Akihabara News, JVC introduces their first iPod and iPhone Nightstand Speaker