Apple announces it's updated new 2011 iMac today, featuring next generation quad-core processors, up to three times faster graphics, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a FaceTime HD camera.

The base model 21.5-inch iMac now has a Core i5 and 4GB of RAM. Customers can upgrade to Core i7 processors up to 3.5GHz. With new AMD Radeon HD graphics processors, the new iMac has the most powerful graphics ever in an all-in-one desktop.

iMac is the first desktop computer on the market to include Thunderbolt I/O technology. It enables both DisplayPort and PCI Express devices to run simultaneously through bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to 10Gbps each.

The new iMac features FaceTime HD. The new camera supports HD video calling with HD-enabled Macs and standard resolution calls with iPad 2, iPhone 4, the current generation iPod touch and other Intel-based Macs.

Pricing starts at $1,199 for the 21.5-inch 2.5GHz iMac and $1,699 for 27-inch 2.7GHz iMac model. Shipping within 24 hours.

Apple Announces New iMac With Next Generation Quad-Core Processors, Graphics & Thunderbolt I/O Technology

CUPERTINO, California—May 3, 2011—Apple® today updated its signature all-in-one iMac® with next generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, groundbreaking high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime® HD camera. Starting at $1,199, the new iMac is up to 70 percent faster and new graphics deliver up to three times the performance of the previous generation.*

"Our customers love the iMac's aluminum enclosure, gorgeous display and all-in-one design," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "With next generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, Thunderbolt technology and a FaceTime HD camera, we've made the world's best desktop even better."

The new iMac features quad-core Intel Core i5 processors with an option for customers to choose Core i7 processors up to 3.4 GHz. These next generation processors feature an integrated memory controller for an amazingly responsive experience and a powerful new media engine for high-performance video encoding and decoding. With new AMD Radeon HD graphics processors, the new iMac has the most powerful graphics ever in an all-in-one desktop.

iMac is the first desktop computer on the market to include groundbreaking Thunderbolt I/O technology. The 21.5-inch iMac has a single Thunderbolt port while the 27-inch model features two ports for even greater expansion. Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, Thunderbolt enables expandability never before possible on an all-in-one computer. Featuring two bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to an amazing 10Gbps each, Thunderbolt delivers PCI Express directly to external high performance peripherals such as RAID arrays, and can support FireWire® and USB consumer devices, and Gigabit Ethernet networks via adapters. Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI and VGA displays. Freely available for implementation on systems, cables and devices, Thunderbolt technology is expected to be widely adopted as a new standard for high performance I/O.

iMac includes a built-in FaceTime HD camera and Apple's innovative FaceTime software for crisp, widescreen video calling the whole family can enjoy. The new camera supports high definition video calls between all FaceTime HD-enabled Macs and standard resolution calls with iPad® 2, iPhone® 4, the current generation iPod touch® and other Intel-based Macs. The iMac continues to feature its signature aluminum and glass design, gorgeous IPS LED-backlit high resolution display, SD card slot and comes with Apple's innovative Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad.

Continuing Apple's commitment to the environment, Apple's desktop line is a leader in green design. The iMac meets stringent Energy Star 5.2 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold rating.** iMac features LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iMac uses PVC-free components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, uses highly recyclable materials and features material-efficient system and packaging designs.

Every Mac comes with Mac OS® X Snow Leopard®, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife®, Apple's innovative suite of applications for creating and sharing great photos, movies and music. Snow Leopard builds on more than a decade of innovation and includes the Mac App Store℠ for finding great new apps for your Mac. iLife '11 features iPhoto® with stunning full screen views for browsing, editing and sharing photos; iMovie® with powerful easy-to-use tools to transform home videos into fun theatrical trailers; and GarageBand® with new ways to improve your playing and create great sounding songs.

Pricing & Availability
The new iMac is available through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The 21.5-inch iMac is available in two configurations: one with a 2.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 500GB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,199 (US); and one with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6770M and 1TB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,499 (US). The new 27-inch iMac is available in two models: one with a 2.7 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6770M and 1TB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,699 (US); and one with a 3.1 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, AMD Radeon HD 6970M and 1TB hard drive for a suggested retail price of $1,999 (US).

Configure-to-order options include faster Intel Core i7 processors up to 3.4 GHz, additional hard drive capacity up to 2TB, a 256GB solid state drive, additional DDR3 memory and AppleCare® Protection Plan. Additional technical specifications and configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/imac.

PlayStation Network have resumed some PSN services as promised on Sunday, probably not the way we were expecting. It is confirmed that PSN is back up in Japan, hopefully the UK, the US and other regions will follow shortly. Sony announced that online gameplay for PlayStation 3 and PSP and access to account management features will go live this week. However, other features, such as the downloadable games shop, will not come back online until later this month.

After a major security breach, it seems that Sony is finally managing to contain the situation over at PSN. In addition, Sony is starting its worldwide program called "Welcome Back" and as a part of that program, Sony will give its current users one free month of their premium PSN service called Play Station Network Plus.

In addition, Sony will make certain PlayStation entertainment content free to its users, although that content may vary by region. As for the PSN and Qriocity, we should see them back online this week with improved security.  PSN users are advised to update to a new version of firmware and to change their passwords as soon as possible. Although Sony claims that credit card information wasn't stolen, PSN users are advised to keep a close look on their credit cards.

It seems that PSN will be back soon enough, and we're glad that everything worked out well for Sony and its users.

We mentioned last week regarding rumours of new iMac releases today. As we have expected, Apple online stores went down early this morning for an update. New products are typically launched around 8:30am Eastern / 5:30am Pacific.

The new 2011 iMac is expected to have Sandy Bridge CPUs like the latest MacBook Pros and the new Thunderbolt port. The updated iMac likely also features new GPUs and new storage configuration options. Apple could surprise us with some new storage options and screen sizes. Once Apple stores go online again, we will update you on the new Apple releases.

Updated news: Apple has now releases it's new updated iMac. More information please visit our new post on Apple new iMac.

According to the New York Reuters, Sony Online Entertainment has temporarily shut down its online games service and its Facebook games at 1:30am Pacific time on Monday. It has been reported that Sony Online Entertainment network is too appeared to have been hacked. Users' personal details and about 12,700 credit card numbers have been stolen from the SOE servers.

The Sony Online Entertainment network, used for massively multiplayer online games like EverQuest, Star Wars Galaxies and Matrix Online, has been suspended temporarily, Sony said Monday. Add this to the 77 million accounts that may have been compromised last week, and Sony is responsible for one of the largest recorded data breaches.

On the positive side, Sony has said that the database accessed by the hacker is from 2007. Therefore, most of the credit cards information should have been expired by now.

There is no update on when SOE will be back up yet.