Offering the latest evidence that Microsoft is moving toward an Apple-like integrated product strategy, on Monday Redmond announced a new collection of keyboards and mice that cater not just to Windows 8's spare aesthetic, but also to the design of Microsoft's upcoming Surface tablets.

Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung last year alleging smartphones and computer tablets made by the world's largest technology company are illegal knockoffs of Apple's popular iPhone and iPad products. Cupertino-based Apple is demanding $2.5 billion in damages, an award that would dwarf the largest patent-related verdict to date.

Apple consumers could see the debut of both the new iPhone and an iPad Mini come September. Citing "sources who have proven accurate in the past," blog site iMore says that Apple will announce the two devices at a special event on Wednesday, September 12.

Windows 8 is due to be released to consumers on October 26. Priced at just $39.99, the upgrade is surprisingly affordable. If you're thinking about upgrading to Microsoft's latest operating system, now might be a great time to start your preparations.

Microsoft has confirmed that Surface tablets will arrive October 26 along with Windows 8. "The next version of our operating system, Windows 8, will be generally available on October 26, 2012.

Why invest in mid-range/ business hotels? Marriott hotel administration is expanding its business and deciding to grow up to 105,000 rooms worldwide by 2014. Their project is to open one hotel in china per month for the next 3 years to a total of 100 properties across 40 Chinese markets. Marriott plans to hire 30,000 employees by the end of 2015 in china. This will be a great stimulus for the Chinese economy.

Using an accounting software system can provide numerous benefits for the hospitality industry specially hotels and restaurant. These benefits can be found in the areas of information management, regulatory compliance, business process automation and real-time reporting.

Many are the different types of accounting software in the hospitality industry. However, hotel managers are always stressed to propose and procure the appropriate technology and software to run their daily operations. This article describes major factors to keep in mind before selecting the right accounting program, such as budget, annual revenue, national or international location, in-house vs outsourced operation, multiple sites and much more.

This paper talks about choosing the right POS system for any given restaurant. In today's market top restaurants in general invest heavily in high technology especially in POS systems. There are numerous amounts of benefits a POS system can offer to the hospitality industry. In a restaurant setting, for instance, a POS system allows the business owner to run his/her restaurant more efficiently. In addition, orders are being taken quicker, customers get their foods and checks quicker, staff can serve more tables simultaneously, servers are prevented from giving free food to friends and family. Reports can be run throughout the day to keep track of items missing, food inventory, incorrect pricing, re-ordering products, and so much more. Fortunately, any small or medium size restaurant can buy and use a POS system for the purpose of growing the business. The rewards of this technology are huge. When buying the POS system, there some factors that must be acknowledged.

Why trust the cloud? This is the one question that almost everyone especially business owners ask. However, more and more hotel owners have realized that using a web based hotel management system is more practical and easier to operate than the traditional Property management system. From a financial point of view, it's more cost effective to rely on the web to accomplish the same work than having to invest thousands of dollars in an IT infrastructure management system where maintenance and support need to be in place. Despite the benefits of using this web system, most people face irrational fears about adopting the cloud computing concept in their own business setting. In order to eliminate this fear and fully understand how it can improve anyone's business, she/he must be educated and properly trained about the pros and cons associated with using the web based management system. The cloud is literally everywhere.

This article talks about how the eco-friendly environment concept is helping the hotelier industry achieve higher revenues and market shares. This whole concept is an ample opportunity for hotels to compete, stay on business and raise awareness to consumers about green resources that can be used to save our planet. People show interest in collaborating with the going green concept and learn more, however businesses need to be more conscious about the environment. For example, The Habitat Suites in Austin Texas is using the largest solar system in the continent to provide power. It is also a toxic free chemical environment and reproduces in own its own fruits and vegetables gardening. Three main factors are impacting the green revolution's hotel industry; cost-competitive advantage, green revenue growth, and green entrepreneurship. Feel free to read more about the article to have a deeper understanding.

This article talks about important lessons hotels can use in their website to improve their traffic and amount of sales in the e-commerce world. E-commerce was meant for the hospitality market, nevertheless, it is an extremely competitive industry and there are countless of other hotels haunting for new ways to attract more customers (with the purpose of increasing sales and revenue), and provide an unforgettable guest experience. E-commerce literally forces hotels' websites and other hospitality related businesses to be improved and present the best internet marketing strategies for future customers. Within this article, one can expect different aspects of marketing strategies that can definitely increase the quality of any hotel's web site. These are as follow, focus on the landing page, focus on the content, have a strong call to action, provide live help, include real guest review, and so much more. Feel free to read and analyze the content and use it toward your career.

Is the cloud right for your business? It is true. Cloud computing is becoming the new computer network strategy for most small businesses and personal use. This innovated idea for cloud is changing the perception for the hospitality network solutions. Despite the fact, that is much faster, less expensive than local network, minimizes the operational cost related to apps, soft-wares, maintenance for new updates and support, cloud computing environment tends to be more reliable and secured for most starting up businesses. The Cloud is the right technology strategy for 2012 and beyond. In addition, businesses using this new network solution can obtain the return on investments within weeks, not months or years. The platform may be based on a monthly fee subscription or pay as you go type, and sometimes there isn't any up-front fee for new starters at all. Sure enough, the cloud is a compelling option for capital budget decisions.

This article describes how hotels are using different ways of technology when servicing guests. For example, some hotels around the world have started to integrate IPads as the newest technology in guest's rooms. This type of amenity brings in more traffic to the hotel which it is an A+ in today's economy. In addition, it also keeps guests connected, entertained and more satisfied during their stay. Moreover, the Royal Mansour hotel in Marrakech has added a cutting edge technology to their rooms by using a touch screen wall that allow guests to control lighting, temperature of the room, create food orders and much more. To keep up with technology demand, the Andaz hotel in 5 avenue new York has created the fastest check- in process without waiting in line and using real person. We can't just live without all the tech toys anymore, they have revolutionize the entire world.