Tech Trends: Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s Flagship Product, Google Inc (GOOG)’s Petition, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)’s Top Investors

Microsoft investors want Ford CEO Mulally to replace Ballmer (Tech2)
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) recently made headlines when its current CEO, Steve Ballmer, announced that he would be retiring from the helm of the company within the next 12 months. The debate on who will be filling his shoes next year has placed former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop as the clear favourite in the race. A new report by Reuters, however, shows that not all the voices in the company agree with the idea of Elop heading the company. At least three of the company’s top investors are now pushing for the board to consider candidates like current Ford CEO Alan Mulally as well as Computer Sciences CEO Mike Lawrie. Mulally’s track record seems solid. In the past, the executive was instrumental in successfully changing the work culture in Ford and kick start flagging brands like Taurus.

Apple’s next big thing may be lower-priced iPhone (TBO)
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s much-anticipated update to its line-up of iPhones may leave the impression that the technology pioneer’s focus has shifted to making more affordable products than engineering innovative breakthroughs. In keeping with its tight-lipped ways, Apple Inc. hasn’t disclosed what’s on the agenda for the coming-out party scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. PDT Tuesday at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters. But this is the time of year that Apple typically shows off the latest generation of its iPhone, a device that has reshaped the way people use computers since its debut in 2007. Apple took the wraps off the iPhone 5, the current model, last September.

Google releases Nexus 7 with LTE, costs $350 (Gearburn)
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) announced today that its Nexus 7 32 GB tablet with LTE is now available through the Google Play store. The Nexus 7 was released at the end of last year followed by a newer version a few months ago. The same way many people were upset about the lack of fast LTE connectivity with the cheap Nexus 4 smartphone, the Nexus 7 tablet is now expected to fill the void. The Nexus 7 LTE-ready tablet is available through the Google Play Store for US$350 (R3 500) and will carry a T-mobile SIM. Although this offer is available in the US (and a few other expected countries), there’s still no word of it going global as far as we know.