Apple’s breakthrough achievement in the tech world is a result of its ground breaking platform in the form of iPhone and iPad which were launched in the past few years.

Considering how successful Apple’s latest iPhone 4S and iPad 2 have been in the past year, there’s no looking back for the Cupertino giant who is speculated to come up with a third-generation iPad and a sixth version of the iPhone sometime in 2012.

For every tech enthusiast, iPhone 5 and iPad 3 are the most desirable devices to get hold of. Although Apple fans have long made peace with the company’s tight-lipped attitude when it concerns upcoming products, there’s no stopping the rumor mill from frequently churning out reports on the two devices. Speculation may be fun, but some of the rumors may seem far-fetched.

Even as the protests against Apple’s workers mistreatment practice are surging incessantly, there are still thousands of Chinese job seekers who are lining up in front of the gates of Foxconn, the company’s major product manufacturer in China, hoping that they will be hired to work on iPhone 5 production.

M.I.C Gadget reported, thousands of hopefuls lined up, Monday, throughout the day outside a labor agency in Zhengzhou, China, hoping Foxconn can hire them. The lines stretched over 200 meters along the road.

To achieve the goal of doubling the size of its Zhengzhou campus, Foxconn plans to recruit an additional 100,000 employees. According to the job advertisement posted by the Zhengzhou government, the basic salary at Zhengzhou factory is 1650 yuan (US$261). After the appraisal, the salary would be increased to 2400 – 3200 yuan (US$379-$506). More attractively, the workers don’t need to pay additional money for dormitory and food.

Rumors have been circulating for months about the next-generation iPad. Now they’re really ramping up. Wednesday saw the release of its supposed specs, and when it could arrive.

It’s still unknown when the next-generation iPad could be unveiled. Speculations about a February or March announcement date have been making the rounds throughout the web for some time now. This is also in line with the company’s product launch cycle.

Upgrades, system migration, support headaches — IT folks are probably dreading the next major Windows rollout. Yet Windows 8, which is scheduled to move to the beta stage in late February and will likely launch in the fall, does offer several compelling new features for both IT and end users.

The latest rumour and speculation surrounding the forthcoming Xbox 360 successor – whatever it may be called…

Since it now seems unlikely we’ll see a PlayStation 4 announcement this year, the eyes of the incurably attention-deficit games industry have now flicked back toward the next Xbox. So what are Microsoft’s plans for the console that people are (erroneously, yet conveniently) calling Xbox 720?

If you’ve managed to fall behind on all the latest speculation, here’s a round-up of the key stories.

If you feel you’re gonna need to go back to a diet of instant ramen coincidentally after next month’s international launch of Sony’s PlayStation Vita, Sony has good news for gamers on the go looking to save.

A Sony rep confirms with Shacknews that digitally distributed releases of applicable Vita software in North America should enjoy lower pricing compared to the physical game catridge versions:

“I can confirm that there will be a discount on the downloadable PS Vita titles from PSN. Exact details have not yet been revealed, but be on the lookout for an announcement in the very near future.”