The invitation, was sent to members of the media around 11 a.m. Eastern Time, featured a device that seemingly looked like a giant iPad with the number “2” in the center.

Since the initial release of iPad tablet, many competitors have worked with Google’s Android operating system to develop tablet devices. There has been no further indication of what the new iPad will physically look like but many technology bloggers believe the new devices will host new features like a front-facing camera, a feature current competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Motorola Xoom already have.

With a 1280×800, 10.1-inch screen, the Xoom, as indicated my Motorola, will have 3G connectivity as well as boasting Google’s version of Android operating system. Plans of distribution include Verizon Wireless. Motorola’s tablet will support 1080p HD, Adobe Flash 10.1, and claims a 10-hour battery life. Front and rear camera with LED flash accompanies the Xoom.

The main concern currently is the number of applications that will be available for the Xoom with apple currently offering more than 60,000 apps developed for the iPad. Either way, the new tablet will join the likes of the Galaxy Tab and Playbook in an attempt to challenge the iPad as the top tablet on the market.

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Facebookers beware – the social network giant wants your mobile phone number and personal address.

Why your mobile number? Facebook claims that having a users cell phone number can help its developers create better programs, games, and social widgets – all of which will make a users Facebook experience that much better.

Some examples of how providing cell phone number and personal address could be useful includes a travel app that will text message a user when their flight has been delayed, or sending an item you bought online to the address you’ve provided on Facebook.

Facebook is moving towards making their user’s lives more convenient, but the announcement of requesting users cell phone number and personal address has been causing great controversy. Many critics have claimed Facebook is not taking into consideration of its user’s privacy, however, they do have settings that allow users to block their personal information.

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In addition to the big announcement this past Tuesday that Verizon will begin to carry the iPhone, iPad users will also be able to connect their device through the Verizon network.

Before the announcement of the iPad to Verizon capability, iPad users who wanted to connect to Verizon’s network were buying external Verizon MiFi devices that allowed them to the internet since Wi-Fi wasn’t available yet.

Apple iPad users will be able to connect directly to Verizon’s 3G network. Additionally, there has been talk about being able to connect to the 4G LTE network.

Unfortunately, a date has not been set on when iPads will be equipped with Verizon chips – only time will tell.

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Verizon wireless finally announced what most consumers already knew, that the company would begin carrying a version of the iPhone 4 due out on Feb. 10. For the first time in iPhone history, U.S. phone buyers will have a choice of carriers for the very first time. Apple Inc. debuted the iPhone in 2007 exclusively for AT&T’s network in the U.S.

Chief operating officer for Verizon Communications, Lowell McAdam, made the announcement with Apple COO Tim Cook in New York. The Apple COO called it “the beginning of a great relationship between Verizon and Apple.”

The press release was issued by Verizon at 11:11 a.m. on January 11, 2011.

Verizon customers can pre-order the iPhone on Feb.3. Depending on the selected model the phone will retail between $200 or $300 with a minimum two-year contract. Phones can be purchased on Apple, Verizon and other online stores.

For the initial stages Verizon will use the carrier’s current 3G network. This means that Verizon iPhone will offer a much slower data rate than the existing 3G-upgraded network from AT&T.

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Rumors have been flying all around the internet that the social networking giant, Facebook.com, will be shutting down on March 15 due to CEO Mark Zuckerberg wanting “his old life back,” and to “put an end to all the madness.”

Larry Yu, Facebook’s Director of Corporate Communications “the answer is no, so please help us put an end to this silliness.”

Additionally, Yu mentioned that “We didn’t get the memo about shutting down and there’s lots to do, so we’ll just keep cranking away like always.”

The rumors began just days after it was announced that the latest value of Facebook.com was estimated to be $50 billion.

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Samsung Galaxy S smartphones reportedly sold 10 million units worldwide. According to mashable.com, Samsung sold 2 million in South Korea, 2.5 million in Europe, and 4 million in North America. The Google run Android operating system is catching up with usual frontrunner Apple with its iOS operating system.

Holding onto 28.6 percent of the overall market, Apple’s operating systems still holds a slight margin over Android with 25.8 percent. Rim’s Blackberry operating system has shown continual declines dropping to 26.1 percent from 33.9 percent in June.

Recent smartphone purchases over the last 6 months have shown 40.8 percent of consumers purchasing Android devices, 26.9 percent bought iPhones, and 19.2 percent blackberry devices.

HP SimpleSave 750GB 2.5” USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive –

Amazon – $99

Reviews on this super quick USB 3.0 portable hard drive say that the device will deliver speeds up to 3x faster than the older USB 2.0 portable drives. For less than $100 this could be a steal of a deal to back up all your beloved music, pictures, and movies.

Eye-Fi Explore X2 8GB WIFI SD Card – Amazon – $79

Simply put, this could possibly be the easiest way to upload your pictures from your digital camera on-the-go. By virtue of being able to connect to a local WiFi hotspot, the Explore X2 Wifi SD Card can upload your photos to your computer and web virtually instantly and wirelessly. This is especially useful when you don’t have spare SD cards or you are worried about running out of space. You’ll likely never have that problem again.

Kodak Zi8 Pocket 1080p HD Video Camera – Amazon – $99

It’s hard to beat a video camera that shoots 1080p HD video, fits in your pocket, and can be found at various stores online for less than $99. With a host of nice features like 5-megapixel still image capture, expandable memory, electronic image stabilization, face detection, and even an external microphone port for serious viral video making patrons. A lot of bang for the buck for this tech friendly device!

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Walmart: $50 gift card with purchase of a 16 GB iPhone 4 or 8 GB iPhone 3GS

Walmart stores are carrying the iPhones available until Christmas day while supplies last. Walmart is offering a $50 gift card with purchase of a 16 GB iPhone 4, or 8 GB iPhone 3GS, the deals require the standard two-year contract with AT&T.

Sam’s Club: $147 for a 16 GB iPhone 4 , or $47 for a 8GB iPhone 3GS

Though the stores are both owned by the same parent company, this deal only applies to those with a Sam’s Club membership. If you don’t have a membership, but are looking to buy an iPhone, the deal could be worth buying an annual membership. Sam’s Club is offering $52 off the 16GB iPhone 4 and 8GB iPhone 3GS. The deal is valid with a two-year contract with AT&T until midnight on the 24th of December.

Amazon: $205 8GB ipod Touch and a $25 gift card

Amazon is offering a double deal of sorts. You can purchase the 8 GB iPod Touch and save $20 immediately, and pocket a $25 gift card to use at a later date.

Apple Store: Refurbished iPads

For those of you not afraid of purchasing refurbished technology, you can save yourself $70 at Apple’s online store on a 16GB ipad. 16 GB and 32 GB iPads also have a $100 discount available. All refurbished ipad models come with a new outer shell, battery and same warranty as a new iPad.

“There’s a lot of interest in tablets, a greater degree of interest and faster adoption than I’ve seen in any other product …,” Alves told Reuters in an interview. “I can’t think of anything that’s moved this quickly.”

Specifically, businesses are looking to replace existing notebooks for employees who only need to view documents, but do not have to create them. When asked whether Sprint would carry the Blackberry Playbook Alves responded, “There is interest (in PlayBook), but until there’s more information available and they have the opportunity to try the product, it’s a little early to tell.”

Alves predicts as many as 12 new tablets to be unveiled at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in January.

“We expect to have a broad portfolio of tablets in 2011,” the Sprint executive said.

Sprint is planning a restructuring of its network in 2011 which will include shutting down their older Nextel network.