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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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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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.

Additionally, it is believed that the production cycle to create the iPad 2 is more efficient. If this is true, there can be anywhere between 400,000 to 600,000 units ready for shipping as early as February 2011.

Also, DigiTime referenced that with the 1st generation iPad that “Apple currently has no plans to stop production… expect shipments to drop significantly after the end of the January as the company begins to digest the inventory across the rest of the first quarter and then launch the iPad 2 in April.”

In the last quarter, Apple reported sales of about 4.19 million units of the 1st generation iPad. Apple is rumored to release the 2nd generation iPad in early April, which will be the one-year anniversary of the 1st generation iPad.

The Galaxy Tab, which can be found at T-Mobile, Sprint, and AT&T. Verizon will soon get their shot at the device. Currently the Galaxy Tab is slightly cheaper than the iPad, but only because the Tabs are attached to 2-year contracts and wireless plans, while iPads usually come with no contracts. The contract is not for everyone but should get the Galaxy Tab some considerable attention during the holidays.

Moving on to the displays, Apple’s iPad boasts a 10-inch display compared to Samsung’s Tab with a much smaller 7-inch display. Some consumers are calling the Tab a stretched out version of their popular Galaxy android phone. The iPad weighs slightly more than the Tab, but that is likely due to the difference in size.
Now with the 3-inch difference in displays, one would believe the iPad would fail in battery life if the two were matched side by side, instead the iPad wins the battle of overall battery life and usability time.

The infamous Flash video debate is something many iPad users have often complained about, but no need to worry with the new Galaxy Tab device because it is fully supported. Though new 3rd party applications have now made flash videos accessible for a small purchase on apple’s app store.

Lastly, we bring up the question about software/applications, and is Android Market ready to compete with Apple. Android developers have been somewhat timid in their approach. With a number of service apps available to users, Android has yet to pull the trigger on the high quality paid apps.

So realistically, which tablet you pick is likely by preference since both devices have both their strong points and weak points.

Happy tablet shopping all!

Utilizing Google’s Android operating system, the Galaxy Tab is being distributed by U.S. wireless giants – Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T. The device is said to support Adobe Flash, something Apple’s iPad had not done in the past.
Aesthetically the iPad is 9.7 inches long while the Tab has a seven-inch screen.

Avi Greengart, an analyst from research firm Current Analysis described the Galaxy Tab as “a very nice tablet,” but pointed out the iPad is “more versatile”.

Early on experts say the price tag for the Tab is too high in comparison to iPad, though pricing has not slowed down sales. Greengart says, “Samsung took a gamble”, “Rather than wait for Google to release a version of Android for tablets, it adapted the platform for this device and worked out multiple distribution points with the carriers.”

Greengart believes Samsung’s aggressiveness has paid off and that the Tab has been a Success.

Target (TGT, Fortune 500) reported on Black Friday that the Kinect was on the top selling items for the national retailer.

“We are thrilled about the consumer response to Kinect, and are working hard with our retail and manufacturing partners to expedite production and shipments of Kinect to restock shelves as fast as possible to keep up with demand,” said Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s interactive entertainment business.

Microsoft projects selling more than 5 million Kinects through the holiday season.

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Social gaming sensation Zynga, developer of FarmVille, revealed that they will be creating a new game that will be just as addicting – City Ville

Zynga announced Wednesday that they will be releasing a beta version of City Ville within the next couple of weeks, available in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.

The game allows the player to create a restaurant and businesses, export products using trains and boats, create schools, and also, clear items to expand their cities. It has a similar feel to the popular SimCity.
Over 225 million gamers play Zynga games each month via Facebook, MySpace, iPad and iPhone apps.

Zynga is one of Silicon Valley’s biggest startup companies in their area, attracting the eyes of several interested investors.

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Apples iPhone and iPad users will finally have an app that allows them to view Flash Videos. Skyfire, will cost $2.99, and will be the first application to receive the green light from Apple for distribution in its App Store.

75% of online videos are encoded in Adobe (ADBE) Flash though Apple CEO Steve jobs says that Flash performs poorly on most mobile devices and eats up battery life. Skyfire has come up with an interesting and innovative solution to getting around Apple’s restriction. When users click on a page that utilizes Flash, Skyfire’s servers will download and convert the file into HTML5 format. Skyfire then provides a link for users to stream the video from its servers.

“We will attack those pesky blue Flash error messages,” said Skyfire’s CEO, Jeffrey Glueck.

But there will be one major website Skyfire will not have any effect on, Hulu, which has already blocked the app from downloading its content. Currently Hulu, the site that hosts TV shows and movies for major studios and networks, is free for home computer users in the U.S.. Mobile users though must pay a $10 subscription to access Hulu Plus.