Rumour: News Corp to layoff 550 MySpace employees

<div align="center"><img src="http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/686/myspacemusiclaunch20020.jpg" /></div>News Corporation is rumoured to be considering laying off half of MySpace's workforce, which currently totals 1,100 employees.<br /> While there is no official word on any plans for restructuring, News Corp execs have made no secret of the fact that the company may consider selling its recently rebranded social network, should a suitable buyer make a satisfactory offer in the near future.<br /> <strong>MySpace has been a problem</strong><br /> MySpace's COO Chase Carey said in no uncertain terms last month: "We've been clear that MySpace has been a problem. <br /> "Current losses are not acceptable or sustainable. But we know that we have to work very hard in [the] coming months to get this thing sustainable," he said, adding, "We judge in quarters, not in years."<br /> The reports of impending layoffs come from <a href="http://networkeffect.allthingsd.com/20101231/myspace-mulls-significant-layoffs-with-potential-sale-looming/">All Things Digital</a>, which claims to have multiple sources familiar with the matter informing them that up to 50 per cent of MySpace's 1,100 workforce could be up for the chop in early 2011.<br /> News Corp reportedly gave MySpace employees the last week of December off work to save cash. Not the nicest of Christmas bonuses!<br /> MySpace recently rebranded itself as an entertainment portal that users can use in conjunction with (and easily connecting to) their Facebook accounts.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source.</a>

Rumour: News Corp to layoff 550 MySpace employees

News Corporation is rumoured to be considering laying off half of MySpace's workforce, which currently totals 1,100 employees. While t...

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Rumour: £200 Nintendo 3DS out on 18th March

<P align=center><img src="http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/9054/3dsblue200200.jpg"></P><br /><P>British retailers have claimed that the new Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming console will be released in the UK on 18 March next year.</P><br /><P>Nintendo is, as would be expected, not commenting on the rumours.</P><br /><P>However, as we prepare for the press events in Amsterdam and New York later next month, when we expect to get hands-on time with a number of the launch titles (see full list below this news), one UK retailer has already started taking pre-orders for Nintendo's new console.</P><br /><P><STRONG>£195 3DS pre-orders being taken</STRONG></P><br /><P><a href="http://www.gamegears.co.uk/ds-dsi-c7/ds-dsi-consoles-c47/nintendo-nintendo-3ds-console-black-p2572">GameGears</A> allows users to "register" their interest and is listing the Nintendo 3DS as having an RRP of £199.99 with the e-tailer teasing with a £5 pre-order discount, offering the 3DS to Brits at a price of £194.99</P><br /><P>The console will be available in red, blue and black and GameGears promises free delivery.</P><br /><P>Japanese gamers will be the first to get their hands on 3DS versions of some of the launch titles next week, at Nintendo World 2011, which takes place January 8-10 in a convention center near Tokyo.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Nintendo World 2011</STRONG></P><br /><P>A total of 32 3DS games will be on display. </P><br /><P>One thing that we do know for sure is that the Nintendo 3DS will launch on February 26 in Japan for 25,000 yen. </P><br /><P>This list of games in itself is almost worth a trip to Tokyo for the hardcore Nintendophile. You can see more at the official <a href="http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/nw2011/list/index.html">Nintendo World 2011</A> website.</P><br /><P>The full list of titles is shown below (with playable demos in <STRONG>bold</STRONG>):<BR>* indicates working titles</P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D "The Naked Sample"</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Pro Evolution 3DSoccer</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Street Fighter IV 3D Edition</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Resident Evil Revelations</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Dynasty Warriors Chronicle</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Dead or Alive Dimensions</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Ridge Racer 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Nintendogs + cats</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Kid Icarus: Uprising</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Steel Diver</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Pilotwings Resort</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>AR Games</STRONG></P><br /><P>· <STRONG>Nintendo 3DS Camera</STRONG></P><br /><P>· Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D</P><br /><P>· Super Monkey Ball 3D</P><br /><P>· Kingdom Hearts 3D*</P><br /><P>· Gundam The 3D Battle</P><br /><P>· Tales of the Abyss</P><br /><P>· One Piece Unlimited Cruise SP</P><br /><P>· Cubic Ninja*</P><br /><P>· Puzzle Bobble 3D</P><br /><P>· Pro Baseball Family Stadium 2011</P><br /><P>· Animal Resort*</P><br /><P>· Xevious</P><br /><P>· 3D Bijin Tokei*</P><br /><P>· Starfox 64 3D</P><br /><P>· Paper Mario*</P><br /><P>· Animal Crossing*</P><br /><P>· Mario Kart*</P><br /><P>· Surechigai ("passerby") Mii Hiroba</P>

Rumour: £200 Nintendo 3DS out on 18th March

British retailers have claimed that the new Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming console will be released in the UK on 18 March next year. Nintendo ...

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Rumour: rear-mounted speaker for iPad 2

<P align=center><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/images/iPad%202%20case%20from%20China-200-200.jpg"></P><br /><P>Leaked pictures of iPad 2 cases suggest that the forthcoming new tablet PC from Apple is set to feature both a camera a rear-mounted speaker.</P><br /><P>The latest case image was spotted on retails goods wholesaler <a href="http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/384560919/super_fit_and_durable_silicon_case.html?newId=384560919&pn=1&pt=10&t=12&cids=">Alibaba.com</A> clearly showing a hole in the back of the case where a purported <a href="">iPad 2</A> camera will sit.</P><br /><P><STRONG>One year on</STRONG></P><br /><P>Apple is expected to reveal more about the plans for the iPad 2 in January, a year on from the initial unveiling of the iPad by Steve Jobs.</P><br /><P>The pics of this latest iPad 2 case are from a company called C & T Industry based in Guangdong, China. </P><br /><P>In addition to the hole for a rear-facing camera at the top, the case also sports a speaker grille on the bottom rear side. Ideal for those that don't necessarily like using headphones with their iPads in the comfort of their own home, yet want a better sound reproduction from their tablet.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Flat-backed design</STRONG></P><br /><P>The iPad 2 is also rumoured to feature a completely flat back (in the tradition of the iPhone 4) unlike the iPad's slightly curved rear. </P><br /><P>The new iPad is also rumoured to be 0.12 inches thinner than its predecessor, feature a higher-resolution screen and be capable of FaceTime video chat. </P><br /><P>Additionally, some sources are suggesting the new iPad may have an SD card slot and a dual core processor.</P><br /><P><a href="http://www.techradar.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</A></P>

Rumour: rear-mounted speaker for iPad 2

Leaked pictures of iPad 2 cases suggest that the forthcoming new tablet PC from Apple is set to feature both a camera a rear-mounted speaker...

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Rumour: Beatles to take iTunes into the cloud

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/mac/images/itunes-store-eminem-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Apple is set to make a series of major iTunes-related announcements today, with rumours circulating that <EM>The Beatles' </EM>back catalogue is finally set to arrive on the service.</P><br /><P>Reuters cites unnamed sources claiming that the Fab Four's tunes will finally be arriving on iTunes this week.</P><br /><P><STRONG>EMI about to play ball?</STRONG></P><br /><P>There have been prolonged negotiations between Apple and EMI for years to try to get The Beatles on iTunes. It looks like there might have finally been a breakthrough announcement reached.</P><br /><P>Apple and EMI Group Ltd have both declined to comment on the rumours.</P><br /><P>Apple teased the iTunes announcement on its website earlier this week, with the announcement set for 3pm GMT later today.</P><br /><P>Apple's <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/apple-itunes-announcement-major-update-incoming-908358">message</A> read: "Tomorrow is just another day. That you'll never forget." </P><br /><P>Since launch back in 2003, Apple has sold over 10 billion tunes via its iTunes store. </P><br /><P>The company is also expected to announce some cloud-based element to iTunes later today, following the acquisition of streaming service LaLa back in 2009. </P><br /><P>"There's been a lot of speculation about iTunes.com, with the cloud. I'm not sure if that's ready. It's really more around partnerships, content partnerships, before they can announce anything," claims Kaufman Bros analyst Shaw Wu.</P><br /><P>Stay tuned just after 3pm for the news.</P>

Rumour: Beatles to take iTunes into the cloud

Apple is set to make a series of major iTunes-related announcements today, with rumours circulating that The Beatles' back catalogue is ...

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Rumour: Android Gingerbread arriving next week?

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/images/android_logo_big-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Rumours have surfaced that Android Gingerbread – the eagerly awaited next generation of the popular mobile OS – could be with us in a matter of days. </P><br /><P>Gingerbread was expected to be the tablet-friendly Android 3.0 release, but it's looking increasingly likely to be an incremental upgrade and Android 2.3 for smartphones. </P><br /><P>That wouldn't rule out some tweaks to make Gingerbread run nicely on the slew of Android tablets that are arriving at the moment - including the Samsung Galaxy Tab.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Trusted source</STRONG></P><br /><P>The rumour has surfaced from a 'trusted source' which of course means very little, but it does appear to be backed up by less subtle hints from Google – including a giant Gingerbread man on the company's lawn. </P><br /><P>There are also some tweaks in the latest Google Maps release that suggest that Gingerbread is coming soon. </P><br /><P>So, with Samsung's much-hyped phone launch scheduled for 11 November in New York, the stage is well and truly set for a high profile announcement. </P><br /><P>If Gingerbread is Android 2.3 that would mean that Android 3.0 could well prove to be Honeycomb – a name <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/revealed-android-honeycomb-next-up-from-google-711132">first outed on TechRadar</A> a few weeks ago. </P>

Rumour: Android Gingerbread arriving next week?

Rumours have surfaced that Android Gingerbread – the eagerly awaited next generation of the popular mobile OS – could be with us in a matter...

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Rumour: Google Chrome OS out this month

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/software/operating-systems/images/chrome_os_mockups/Google_Chrome_OS_spyshot-200-200.jpg" /><br /> <b>UPDATE: </b>Google just sent us this response to the below story: "Unfortunately we don't have any additional information on launch dates at this stage." <br /> ---<br /> Google's Chrome Operating system is rumoured to be launching later this month, according to anonymous "component players" in Asia.<br /> We first reported on <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/10-things-to-know-about-google-chrome-os-614370">Google Chrome OS back in November 2009</a>, though Google has remained schtum since that time about its plans to release the new operating system in new consumer devices.<br /> <b>Google-branded Chrome OS device</b><br /> Acer made noises earlier this summer that it was planning on releasing Chrome OS devices in 2010, although the company quickly backtracked on its original statements.<br /> As we rapidly approach the end of 2010, the latest news on Chrome OS comes from <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20101101PD223.html">Digitimes</a> which claims – citing un-named sources in the component industry – that Google will be launching the new operating system later this very month.<br /> The information comes from unnamed "component players," with no official word from Google or any of its planned manufacturing partners as yet.<br /> Google is also rumoured to be releasing a self-branded Chrome OS device.

Rumour: Google Chrome OS out this month

UPDATE: Google just sent us this response to the below story: "Unfortunately we don't have any additional information on launch da...

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