The technology world is an unforgiving battleground for brands that fail to catch hold. Windows 8, Microsoft's highly touted operating system seems to be one of those brands that didn't quite take off as expected.

Even as Microsoft pursues a re-branding based around the new Windows design, the word on the street is that Windows 8 will be getting an "update" later this year. Read that as an attempt to fix problems that have been frustrating both consumers and device manufacturers. Tami Reller, head of Microsoft's Windows division, was blunt in telling the Associated Press, "Are there things that we can do to improve the experience? Absolutely. There is a learning curve and we can work to address that."Continue reading...

The announcement from Xinhua, China's state news agency, was almost gleefully self-congratulatory: "Apple sees global profit decline as China sales lose momentum." Despite CEO Tim Cook's declaration that it was Apple's "best quarter ever," Xinhua's report focused squarely on the slowed growth and the brand's struggles. The unspoken theme of the China state coverage: "We did it, everyone!"

Was the weeks of Apple criticism dished out by China's news agencies what slowed sales? Apple better hope it was. The alternative is far, far harder to fix.

After a couple of weeks of being criticized for discriminatory repair policies, Apple issued a formal apology to China. The damage was done though, with the original criticisms branching off to include charges of porn distribution through iTunes to a general spanking as an ostentatious luxury item that college students were taking high-interest loans with rates up to 47 percent to buy "fancy electronic products." But in state media reports on the phenomenon, the only brand name mentioned was Apple's iPhone. A month after the licking put on Apple, China's state media proclaimed victory, noting a survey—the results of which can certainly be called questionable—that found 59.9 percent of respondents said their opinions of Apple had "gone down." But other results said otherwise.Continue reading...

Sony’s tablets have had some pretty funky designs, such as the dual-screen, clamshell-like P Tablet and the S Tablet’s asymmetry, but its newest—the Xperia Z—introduced Monday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, looks a lot more conventional: a black rectangle.

Sony contends it’s not just another 10.1-inch tablet. This one is said to be lighter (1.09 pounds) and thinner (6.9mm) than all the rest and will retail for $499 for 16GB and $599 for 32GB (about the same as an iPad) when it hits store shelves this spring, according to CNET. Sony is pushing one point that does seem to make it significantly different from the rest, though. This baby can go underwater! Continue reading...

Guns. Cars. Explosions. Heat. That just about sums up Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto III, which is being released on Saturday. What's so special about this version is that it's a 10th anniversary edition — and bring Grand Theft Auto to iPad and Android-based tablets.Continue reading...

The wait is over, the mystery has been solved, and the question What the #@$% is TabCo? has been answered.  Apparently TabCo is actually Fusion Garage, and its highly-anticipated tablet is called Grid10. This morning, Fusion Garage CEO Chandrasekar Rathakrishnan revealed his company’s new product, their mission to differentiate, and their discontent with Apple's de facto monopoly on innovation in electronics.

Fusion Garage, founded in 2008, is known for having severed ties with TechCrunch over the CrunchPad and the failed JooJoo tablet, but now they’re back with a vengeance. They’ve developed a tablet, smartphone, and completely new operating system--all under the brand name Grid.

What makes the Grid OS different? Based on the Android, Grid OS seeks to change the user experience to a simpler, more intuitive, and more social interaction. The interface appears as a grid, and everything from web browsing to volume control has been rethought. The Grid OS will support apps from its upcoming Grid Shop as well as Android apps. Fusion Garage also stands up to another tech giant, Google, by choosing Bing as their search engine, offering a “chromeless browsing experience." Continue reading...

Unveiling its first suite of products designed by Lady Gaga wasn't the only trick up Polaroid's sleeve at CES this week.

The reviving photography brand quietly slipped a prototype tablet onto the show floor, as Android Central spotted and tested (above).

Running on Android 2.2 (aka Froyo), it's more square-shaped than US tablets and so may be intended for international markets, the blog contends.

Motorola is teasing its plans for CES next month with a video, above, that aims to build buzz for its tablets with the original buzz-maker: a bumblebee. It's a none-too-subtle allusion to Motorola's integration of the new Android OS, Honeycomb — and a little jab at Apple's iPad and Samsung's Galaxy Tab.

EBay changes its listing fees to increase sales. [Reuters]

Starting February, Chanel will raise handbag prices by $100. [Madison Avenue Spy]

Prince Charles stars in a new campaign to help Britain's wool industry. [WWD]

Toyota temporarily stops sale and construction of 8 models post-recall. [NY Times]

Thanks to General Motors, Saab enters Spyker's hands. [NY Times]

Book publishers continue to talk with Apple over Tablet e-books. [WSJ]Continue reading...