Last night played home to the Oscars, the biggest even in the film industry’s calendar.

While fans around the world watched to see who was wearing what, who arrived with who and who won what (well done to The Hurt Locker director Kathryn Bigelow, btw), another up-and-coming star made an appearance: the Apple iPad.

As Apple gears up to launch the device in the US on 3 April, it teased audiences by showing the first ad promoting the new product during the Oscars. You can see the 30-second commercial in all its glory below. But the real question remains: when will UK fans get their mitts on one?

Has France Telecom’s Stephane Richard given more details away than he should about Apple’s rumoured tablet device?

Apple is remaining tight-lipped on whether or not the rumours suggesting the launch of a tablet PC later this month are true, but Orange’s parent company may just have let the cat out of the bag.

The video posted below, courtesy of Daily Motion, shows the apparent slip-up.

Rumours are continuing to gather pace that the computing giant will unveil a tablet-style device later this month and these latest comments do nothing to pour cold water on such reports.

A tablet PC from the computing giant that already has design savvy users lusting after its laptops, desktop machines and mobile device is hardly a surprising move. But what is interesting is its - apparent - choice to parter with a mobile provider.

France Telecom’s child Orange has dismissed the comments, according to Paid Content UK, saying that the comments have been taken out of context.

“These responses in no way reflect Orange’s confirmation of the existence of the rumoured device,” Orange said in a statement issued to Paid Content UK. “The spokesperson was merely confirming that he is aware of the speculation surrounding a launch and that Orange would be delighted to have such a product were it ever to be available.”

Before I continue, let me first say that car accidents are no laughing matter. People get hurt or worse and they can be very costly on a number of levels.

On the other hand, they can also give further life to the increasingly litigious society in which we now live. A UK-based law firm, Bott & Co has launched an app for the iPhone that on the face of it is for a very noble cause. It gives those who’ve been hurt in an accident instant access to a personal injury lawyer. Nothing wrong with that at all.

That’s all well and good for those who really need it. But what about all the other people walking around with neck braces they bought from eBay, or crutches they’ve nicked from their local hospital? That is, those who quite frankly take the proverbial, take the attention away from genuine accident victims and result in people like me being overly sceptical and scathing of apps that have done nothing wrong.

The free Car Incident Assistant iPhone app does encourage applicants to enter the details of their accident and their injury there and then, so here’s hoping that factor does discourage those who live in a fantasy world of blame and claim from doing so more often without good reason.

Technology is great but it often has a habit of showing up just how stupid, or in this case crafty, some of its users can be.

It would seem even Apple has days where it changes its mind about things seemingly previously set in stone.

Just last week, its next generation, super speedy iPhone launched, dubbed iPhone 3G S. Notice the space between the 3G and S part of the moniker?

Much as it pained us to do so, we respected this branding in everything we’ve written about the device thus far. But from now on, we’re just going to write iPhone 3GS. It looks neater, makes more sense and all that jazz. What’s more, it also appears that that’s how Apple plans to write it from now on too.

The web is awash with news stories focusing on how Apple has done a - very small, granted - u-turn on this new naming convention, but as yet Apple hasn’t released an official statement. Instead, it just didn’t use the extra spacing when it announced that its new device had sold one million units in just three days.

We first assumed this was just a typo. But then we glimpsed at the historical press releases and announcements about the 3G S, sorry 3GS - over the last week or two - all of which used to have an extra space, but now do not.

Is there a spacing shortage somewhere else, which Apple has kindly donated to, or has it just seen sense?

Apple’s Worldwide Developer conference (WWDC) kicks off on Monday and all eyes will be on the computing giant to see if it serves up the sort of announcements that everyone is hoping for.

There’s speculation aplenty that the company will announce updated iPhone software as well as unveiling the next generation version of the popular handset - or maybe even a couple. There’s talk about a higher end 32GB iPhone as well as a smaller-memory lower end, cheaper flavour too.

Names doing the rounds on the rumour mill for the beefier version of the iPhone include the iPhone Video. If this proves to be true, it may well sum up what the device is capable of, but it’s hardly a name that’s going to set the world alight is it?

Moving onto bigger devices such as Apple Macs, the company’s Snow Leopard operating system is also likely to get a bit of time in the spotlight as it’s due for full release later this year.

I’m not a very good friend am I? I missed a friend’s birthday yesterday. And that friend has brought a lot of good things not just to my life, but to the lives of many others around the world too.

That all sounds a bit too gushing so I’ll stop there and get straight to the point. Yesterday, Steve Jobs (yes he of Apple fame) turned 54.

Together with Steve Wozniak (and a host of other bright sparks since), Jobs has served up more than a big chunk of tasty Apple pie to a nation hungry for something other than the PC. And once you’ve had a bite of said Apple, it’s very hard to go back.

I had used a PC since I was at school. I knew all the shortcuts and life was good. Then, during my secondment to sister title iGIZMO last year I started using a Mac every day. Now I flit between a Mac and a PC. The best of both worlds some might say.

That said, I’d like to publicly apologise to Steve for not sending him a card. The thing is, I rarely buy stamps these days and the thought of visiting a post office and queuing for eons (although us Brits have turned queuing into an art form) made me feel a bit queasy.

I don’t have access to fax machine and e-card websites just make me want to inflict pain. I would have sent you a simple email message, had Entourage not had a few ‘moments’ in the last few days. On the latter point, don’t worry, I sent a report to Apple on the issue so at least you’ll know I was thinking about you on your birthday even if I didn’t express my feelings directly to you on the day.

There’s always next year too Steve. I’m guessing you’re not on Facebook or Twitter, but if you email me your number, perhaps I’ll try a Happy Birthday text next year instead?

First of all, I’m still deeply in love with the iPhone 3G. It’s as nice to look at as the original, but it has a little more between its ears which is very pleasing indeed.

Keen to ensure the first gen device doesn’t feel too unloved, I decided to jazz it up a little by turning it into a light saber. I’m a big kid at heart and I am having a lot of fun with my new found toy. Granted, this is not a business application, but all business peeps need to relax now and again. What better way to do so than with a light saber?

Had difficultly filming myself enjoying Luke Skywalker-esque fun, so here’s a reconstruction of the event courteousy of a You Tuber.

Fighting Darf Vader is thirsty work so if you need a drink after all that light sabering, developers are one step ahead of you!

This is probably going to be one of the shortest blog posts I ever write, but I just wanted to share my excitement.

As you all know, the iPhone 3G launches today (well, a few hours ago to be precise as stores opened at 8.02am) and I have a briefing with O2 later today where I’ll get the chance to play with the new device and check out the new features.

In a nutshell, I can’t wait. I’ll be posting more information, another in-depth blog and some pics as soon as I’ve had a chance to get to know the handset a little better.

So, what are your thoughts on launch day, then? Worth the build up or a bit of an anti climax?

Another month, another product launch to keep me entertained/busy/excited/bemused/annoyed etc…

But the product we’re all waiting for this month is different. Some are hoping it will be in a league of its own. It hardly needs any introduction, but the product in question is, of course, the new iPhone (iPhone 3G to be precise). It’s going to hit our shores on July 11th and I’m already counting down the day, hours and minutes. My brain keeps losing track though so I won’t show up my poor maths skills by publishing the exact number!

Are you excited or nonchalant about the new arrival and, more importantly, will you be getting one?

So, the iPhone will be here in just a couple of weeks.

Call me fickle but I was a little disappointed when the iPhone 3G was first announced. There was such a build up and I found the announcement itself a tad of an anti-climax. But I’m the first to admit that I’m wrong and I will happily admit that is the case with the second gen iPhone.

It kinda looks the same (except for the sexy black little number it’s now donning) and has the same old camera specs, but it’s got 3G, is business friendly and, best of all, it