Google Wants Faster Web With Page Speed Service

Google has launched a service that grabs your website, translates it for optimum performance, and then spits it back out at unknowing web surfers.

Thursday Google engineering manager Ram Ramani announced the launch of its new Page Speed Service which promises to speed up page loads. The launch follows Google's Page Speed browser extension released two years ago and the Page Speed Online API released earlier this year. Google also released an Apache module last year that automatically rewrote web pages to make viewing faster.

Apple ''Leaks'' Image of iPod Touch with 3G

Apple "accidentally" uploaded an image of an iPod Touch with 3G connectivity.

It's like clockwork: the closer we get to a supposed Apple launch date, the more "leaked" materials consumers and press uncover, building hype. We've seen plenty since the beginning of the year regarding the next iPhone and iPod Touch release, and today is no exception.

SanDisk Intros SSD for Retail Consumers

SanDisk is now offering its Ultra SSD to consumers through Newegg.

Previously SanDisk offered its Ultra SSD to the business sector, but on Tuesday the company revealed that it's now offering the drive to consumers. Unfortunately, it's not packed with the SandForce SF-2200 controller or a SATA 6 Gbps interface, so don't expect blazing fast speeds in the 500 MB/s realm. But considering its price, the Ultra SSD offers a cheap way to replace the standard HDD and boost performance without having to sell body parts on the black market.

Microsoft Exec Bets Dilbert-creator $1000 He'll Like WP7

Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.

Microsoft has a lot riding on Windows Phone 7 and the company is certainly devoting a lot of time and attention to the mobile OS. Redmond is also sinking an awful lot of cash into WP7. However, it seems at least one executive is personally prepared to put his money where his mouth is. Winrumors reports that Brandon Watson, Senior Director of Windows Phone 7 development at Microsoft, has reached out to Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, with a proposal.

Apple to Release Lion on USB in August

Lion is coming to a USB stick near you.

Apple this week launched the newest version of its OS X operating system, Lion. The software debuted in Apple's Mac App Store and has already racked up a million downloads. However, downloading is not your only option; Apple is also releasing the new iteration of its OS on USB stick next month.

Costing $69, it's a full $40 more than the $29 users are paying for the download. Why is Apple selling the OS on USB and charging more than double the price? We can't say for sure, but we're betting it's got something to do with the fact that OS X Lion is a rather hefty download (almost 4GB) and not everyone has the speed or bandwidth to download it. Still, that doesn't completely excuse charging so much extra (Apple does need to cover costs for materials, shipping, handling, etc., but it can't be that much). Considering the month between digital and USB release, it would seem Apple is doing its best to push people towards the Mac App Store.