Topping tech headlines on Tuesday, Samsung announced a new Chromebook and Chromebox, both of which coincide with Google's updates to Chrome OS.
The Chromebook concept is familiar: an ultraportable notebook running Chrome OS, but the Chromebox is new. It's a mini PC running the Chrome OS for people who want some screen flexibility in their Chrome OS experience.
In other news, the Samsung Galaxy S III made its debut overseas, but there's still no word on when the coveted smartphone will hit U.S. stores. The latest release in the Galaxy lineup is now on sale in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, Samsung said. The company plans to kick off a World Tour to show off the Galaxy S III as it's launched around the globe, but to start, the company has several pop-up stores in London.Meanwhile, Apple released the schedule and official app for its upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). The main event will be the opening keynote, which is scheduled for June 11 at 10 a.m. Pacific. The speaker lineup was not posted, but CEO Tim Cook will likely be on stage.
In other Apple news, new leaked images have surfaced on the Web purportedly showing the next-generation iPhone set to be released later this year. The images, obtained by Engadget from the "historically reliable" repair firm uBreakiFix, appear to show an iPhone that is taller and thinner than the iPhone 4S.
Also topping headlines on Tuesday:
- Sprint Shuttering Nextel Network by June 2013: Though the current line of Nextel push-to-talk cell phones will be extinct by next summer, the walkie-talkie-like service will live on.
- Report: Facebook Looking to Buy Face.com: Israeli startup Face.com hit the Web in 2007, tying itself to Facebook through its Photo Tagger application.
- Analyst: Buying Opera Would Be 'Stupid' for Facebook: While some industry experts are saying Opera Software is a perfect match for Facebook, at least one analyst thinks such an acquisition would not be a smart move for the social network.
- iPad Prototype With Two Dock Connectors Sold on eBay: One lucky bidder over the long Memorial Day weekend bought a rare prototype of the first-generation iPad on eBay for $10,200.
- Bitly Redesign Enhances Bundles, Bitmarks, Bewilderment: Like its cartoon pufferfish mascot, link-shortening service Bitly has expanded, now offering a bookmark feature and social media integration.
- Blizzard Addresses Diablo III Balance Issues: Blizzard finally addressed balancing issues within Diablo III, after largely solving issues that kept its customers from enjoying the game.
- U.K. Cookie Tracking Law Goes Into Effect: Over the weekend the so-called "cookie law" went into effect in the region, which requires website owners to ask for permission before installing certain kinds of cookies on users' machines.
- Amazon Video App Added to Xbox 360: Xbove Live Gold subscribers who install the app will be able to access movies and TV epidodes available via Amazon Instant Video on their gaming consoles.
For more from Angela, follow her on Twitter @amoscaritolo.
