Tomorrow is Apple's quarterly checkup. After almost touching $800 roughly a year ago, Apple needs to take a critical look at corporate structure and products after the current price of under $400. At this price, we investors began to think whether this is a time or buy or sell. Personally, I would like to wait and see how the earnings so tomorrow. If the earnings were bad, then the stock will likely drop again, then I would buy and load up on the stock. However, I am more intrigued by why this drop occurred. Essentially, it was a mini speculative bubble. Apple grew too popular, up to the point where it couldn't sustain it. The simple reason for this is that Apple has not innovated at the rate of the Steve Jobs era. Apple has failed to make any groundbreaking innovations since Jobs' death in 2011. This could be a psychological phenomenon simply because Steve isn't the head of the company anymore, or Tim Cook is not fulfilling the needs of the company. Regardless of this drop, Apple still maintains it's record as one of the fastest growing companies in world history and I am not doubtful that it will rebound to post-Jobs prices in a year or so. This raises the question on whether Apple reaching $1000 per share is a reality, and if it is, what will their next breakthrough be?

I was never always that keen for sports video games. After playing Madden, I started to take a deep interest with both the mechanics of the game and following football. I wanted to buy both NBA and MLB 2k13 so I could familiarize myself in the same way. Dropping $120 on two games that would become obsolete in a few months wasn't very appealing. Luckily, Best Buy had a bundle that included both games for $79.99. I was expecting one disk with both the games on it, but it came with both physical disks. As for gameplay, NBA 2k13 includes some new features like new controls which enable quicker shots and more precise moves. Just like FIFA and Madden, it feels much more fluid and entirely realistic. I have never played the MLB franchise, so I don't have any basis for comparison. MLB 2k13 seems very realistic but feels tedious at times. You would have to be a baseball follower or player to appreciate it. Nevertheless, if you are interested in getting NBA 2k13, an extra $20 for MLB 2k13 is not a bad deal.

When Xbox got the Dawnguard DLC (Downloadable Content) for Skyrim, the first of it's kind, PS3 users where in uproar because they did not receive it at the same time. It looked doubtful if it would ever come to PS3, but luckily a week ago, PSN was graced with the Dragonborn DLC. Dragonborn features a new region called "Solstheim." Solstheim is an autonomous region outside of Skyrim which features different races, guards, and geographical landscapes. Upon downloading the content, you encounter hired assassins which starts your new journey. The new quests are centered on finding out about the mystery of another warrior who claims to be Dragonborn. After the 1.8 patch, the DLC is very smooth and will make you want to start playing Skyrim once again. The Dawnguard DLC was also recently released earlier today. Regardless of which DLC you go for, they are both the Skyrim we all know and love.

It's been a week since the release of possibly the most awaited game if the year, Halo 4. Halo is the foremost franchise in video game history, and gamers had high expectations for this game. We were left with Halo Reach, which in my opinion, was marvelous. We witness Master Chief's return in this game and get to play through his quest to help Cortana. We can confidently say, Halo 4 was the biggest hit in years. Halo is all about story and multiplayer, and the franchise is clearly pioneers of both. The game is very cinematic, almost as if you are watching a movie after completing a key objective. It features the classic Halo interface with new, menacing monsters. The addition of new weapons is phenomenal, it truly makes you want to play for a while. Halo's campaign is not dreary and repetitive at all, new monsters and items give you the motivation to play more.  The multiplayer is nothing shy of perfection, it brings back the elements from the previous Halos, including leveling up and customization of your character. The graphics are unreal, and the maps are perfect for multiplayer because they make it difficult to camp. New game modes such as Regicide were added as well. The only thing I could ask for would be a mode like firefight from Halo Reach, to give non-Live gamers the same experience. Halo 4's sales topped $220 Million the first day, which is another reflection of how big of a hit it was. Halo 4 is the best game in the franchise, and I cannot wait to see how the following Halos can get any more perfect.

Apple announced a myriad of new items, of which include new iPads, an iMac, and a revised Macbook Pro. The heavily rumored iPad Mini was released at a $329 starting price point. Apple is now involved in the 7" tablet market, something analysts said that Apple was lacking in. By releasing the new iPad Mini, Apple is challenging competitors such as the Kindle Fire and Google Nexus 7. The iPad Mini features specs similar to the iPad 2, with a faster processor. Notice that Apple did not include a retina screen, this most likely means that this will appear in the next model. Personally, I believe the iPad has the potential to be a computer replacement. By making the iPad smaller, Apple has changed it's niche. On the previous iPads, you were able to type effortlessly on a beautiful screen. On the iPad Mini, it is shown that you can type with your thumbs. Regardless, the iPad Mini is an excellent luxury if you have $329 to spend, but don't expect it to be a computer replacement. Ultimately, it depends on what you want to do with it, if you want a machine for web browsing and media, it is perfect. For the working person, you may want to invest in the larger iPad. The new 4th generation iPad contains a faster processor which promises to double performance. It has a lightning port and a retina screen, prices starting at $499. The new iMac is simply beautiful. It contains an i5 processor with a minimum of 2.7 GHz and a maximum of 3.2 GHz, all while maintaining possibly the slimmest design a computer can have. The new iMac starts at $1299. The new Macbook Pros are the ultimate marriage of function and design. They feature specs similar to the iMac. Apple also released a line of Macbook Pros with Retina Screens in 13". The specs remain the same for the retina and the non-retina machines, but the retina screen looks stunning on a computer. The 13" Macbook Pro Retina Display starts at $1699. 

The blogosphere recently exploded as Apple announced a new media event. Techies are expecting the rumored iPhone 5 to make an appearance. The event will kick off at 10AM with an address from Apple CEO, Tim Cook. Recent rumors say that the screen will be 0.5 inches larger, adding a larger interface which avid texters may find inconvenient. The new iPhone campaign suggests that Apple will call the phone the "iPhone 5." Unlike the iPhone 4S, the iPhone 5 will feature a radically different design. The phone is set to be released nine days after the event, but pre-orders will be taken the day of the event. As for the iPad Mini, Apple is likely to introduce it in a separate event sometime in October. 

At the time of the IPO, investors were ecstatic about Facebook going public.  The IPO price was roughly $38, and is currently valued at $19.15. The stock tanked the first day on the market and is consistently falling. Why? Facebook is a social network, created for the purpose of social interaction. Simply said, Facebook is not a revenue based business model. Majority of Facebook's revenue comes from advertising, which users are starting to avoid by using the mobile applications. Facebook stock is not done declining though. The company is likely to truly hit rock bottom in a few weeks. Selling now would be advised, and then waiting for the stock to plummet entirely would be a smart time to buy. Right before Facebook unveils mobile ads or an e-commerce program with strict regulations, the stock will be sure to increase. Social media is never really a safe and secure investment though, so timing your actions is vital if you want to maximize your profit. 

Tech rivals Apple and Samsung went to court over patent issues between their trademark phones. The case was based around the infringement of the following patents: Enlarging items by tapping the screen, Bounce Back feature, Single and Multi-touch, Ornamental design (white/black), Rounded square icons on the interface, and the industrial design of the tablet computer. Apple has been known for the lucrative OS and design of the iPhone and has loyal customers. However, at the same time, Samsung devices are known for their swift interfaces and ergonomic feel. This raises the question: Who actually pioneered the smartphone? The court, on August 24, found themselves in favor of Apple, resulting in upholding the Apple design patents. The main point of the verdict are:

• Jury finds Samsung guilty of infringement of Apple Utility and Design Patents
• Upholding Apple Trade Dress '983
• No Apple infringement of Samsung
• Samsung pays $1.05B in Damages to Apple

But what does this reveal about the companies? Apple stock will continue to climb and business will boom, as expected. 1.05B is a lot of money but will make a small dent to Samsung. In terms of the future of smartphones and tablets, this case is just another example stating that Apple is not to be trifled with. This does, however, encourage the companies to create more original products, so we should see a new face of the smartphone from tech giants like Samsung, and possibly more iPhone rivals.

Finding good movies on Netflix Instant can be a daunting task. Wired Catalyst presents a list of the best and brightest movies out there. Whether you are looking for a good sci-fi movie or an intense thriller, Netflix has it all. Most of these movies are extremely underrated, so don't be hesitant if you haven't heard some of these titles before.

10) Trespass (R) - A gritty but entertaining movie. Give it a shot when you feel in the mood for a good story
9) The Killers (PG-13) - A very lighthearted movie, gives a good laugh and pretty entertaining 
8) Kickass (R) - Offers more than your average superhero movie, a twist on a number of classics
7) The Double (PG-13) - Thrilling story, features Topher Grace for all you "That 70s Show" fans
6)  Immortals (R) - One of the better Ancient Greek movies out there   
5) Limitless (PG-13) - Lets face it, everyone loves Bradley Cooper 
4) From Paris with Love (R) - Great cast, excellent story
3)Captain America (PG-13), Thor (PG-13), Iron Man 2 (PG-13); I put these all together because they are excellent superhero       movies and all deserve a high spot on this list 
2) The Next Three Days (PG-13) - I wasn't expecting to be this impressed by a movie, this movie has everything
1)  Daybreakers (R) - Creepy yet amazing, it's in a genre of its own

Google unveiled the Nexus 7 Tablet earlier this week, and they have experienced rave results thus far. Being an Apple fanboy, I don't look very fondly at android tablets. This device has changed my entire perspective of Android tablets. At it's modest $199 price tag, you cannot go wrong with it. Google play is this tablet's version of iTunes. It offers a myriad of songs, ebooks, movies, and other forms of entertainment. Equipped with the Quad Core Tegra 3 Processor, this device is lightning fast. Google manages to create lucrative products and attracts a wide audience with it's superior browser, Chrome. The device contains all the key components of an android tablet, but combines the lovely Google interface and certain Apple iOS elements such as an accelerometer and a gyroscope. This device is available at the same price point as tablets such as the Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet. Google seems to be marketing this as a full fledge tablet, as opposed to the Nook and Kindle which are marketed as innovative ereaders. The question remains: Can any tablet overrun the iPad? The price, the trusted Google brand name, and the smooth iOS-like features make this tablet unbeatable. It will be interesting to see Apple's reaction to the tablet, as rumors stir about a 7" iPad. 

Tim Cook and Apple took the stage on 10am to greet the many developers, enthusiasts, and fanboys. I sat in school, equipped with my white iPad and white iPhone 4S, waiting anxiously to see the new releases. There was much speculation about the new line of Macbooks. Near 1PM, the news about the Macbook Air and Pro was released. The Macbook Air features a $100 price cut and a significantly faster processor. Starting at just $999, this notebook is sure to satisfy all demands. The Macbook Pro is now an astounding .71 inches and faster processors with intense graphics. Apple added a retina screen to the popular laptop, jerking up the starting price to $2199. The faster, thinner Macbook Pros are also available at their usual $1199 price point without the Retina screen. The new pro seems like a hybrid between the previous Macbook pro and the Macbook air, aesthetically. In addition to the new computer line, iOS 6 was released (more on that soon), and Siri has been upgraded and integrated to include better responses. Siri will also now be featured on the latest iPad. Stay tuned with WWDC 12' on Wired Catalyst.  

Facebook launched its IPO earlier last week under the name FB. Due to a lot of speculation, people thought the stock would go through the roof within the first couple of hours of trading. Sadly, many people (myself included) were heartbroken to see the mere $0.80 rise at the first day in the market. This leaves everyone thinking, is FB another dud like MySpace? Personally, I think Facebook has potential, if it diversifies and expands its revenue sources. Right now, Facebook is relying on the classic ad generated revenue model, which won't get them far if they want to see that stock touch the hundreds. Regardless, consider the number of Facebook users. If each user bought just one stock to make a statement, we would see the stock rise significantly. It is interesting to note that the LinkedIn stock is doing much better. Social media has generated a lot of buzz both in the job market and now the stock market. The limited success of the FB stock at its launch is making me question future of social media corporations.

Cloud computing is a ubiquitous trend, and provides a convenient (sometimes free) method of file storage. For those not familiar with the "Cloud," cloud storage is a web based file storage system, allowing you to upload and access files online. Dropbox is the main cloud contender, but Google is starting to get into the cloud game with Google Drive. Google Drive is an online storage that will compete with Dropbox and SkyDrive. Users will receive a free 5GB of storage, and upon upgrading to premium, you can obtain up to 100GB. It will be available for Mac and PC, not to mention android and iOS devices. Google Docs is integrated into the Drive, making it a one-stop-shop. The most amazing part is the application of OCR or Optical Character Recognition, meaning, you can scan a paper or upload a photo, and it allows you to search for text. Google is a pioneer is every division of technology, and the fact that they entered the Cloud market proves the versatility of the company.

Google has been known to have lucrative and innovative designs. Google pushes the envelope with their new product, Project Glass. As part of this project, Google is unveiling glasses that basically superimpose a screen in your vision. Google posted a video of the glasses in action on the official Google+ page. The glasses reveal an “augmented reality.”  The wearer has the ability to play music, get directions, do status updates and even take pictures or video chat. Simply by looking in a direction, you have access to an interface similar to the dashboard of your computer. The glasses have a unique design; however some may call it too unique. Regardless, with technology this advanced, I wouldn’t be too picky about design. Google still has a way to go before releasing these. These glasses raise a question, is the future leading towards social extinction, or social enhancement? This idea of computing seemed futuristic until now. It leaves me thinking; what will be the innovations of the next generation?

Apple has recently released the info on their new OS, creatively named "Mountain Lion." Mountain Lion is a significant improvement over the OS X Lion that came out last summer, it includes features like notifications, game center, AirPlay, iCloud, and more. Similar to OS X Lion, it seems like Apple is trying to make their computers feel like iOS (Apple's mobile OS). Apple mentions on their website, "Inspired by iPad, Re-designed for Mac." Considering this OS includes AirPlay and iCloud, it seems to target customers with multiple Apple devices. The OS is scheduled to come out during summer, however, developers are able to get a sneak peak and download a BETA version. I will be looking forward to this OS, and will expect more from it than I did with OS X Lion.