On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

Acer delays its Windows RT tablet roll out from Q1 to Q2 2013 as it decides to take a close look at the competition instead-- or more specifically, see how the Microsoft Surface will fare on the market.

"Originally we had a very aggressive plan to come out very early next year," Acer President Jim Wong tells Reuters. "But because of Surface... we are much more cautious."

The recent Surface launch was met with mixed (if generally positive) reviews from analysts and the specialist press.

The Acer move is hardly unsurprising, considering the cynicism shown by the company when it comes to the Microsoft take on tablets. Back in August 2012, CEO J.T. Wang declared the Surface will be "negative for the worldwide ecosystem," before imploring to Microsoft to "think it over."

Plenty of other companies have Windows RT devices in the works, including initial Windows RT OEM partners Lenovo, Asus, Samsung and Dell.

Acer is still working on Windows RT devices-- but first it will "watch" how Surface will do. "How is RT accepted by customers, how Microsoft is aggressive on RT and on Surface, we don't know... We want to see," Wong concludes.

Go Acer Delays Windows RT Tablets After Microsoft Moves into Tablets (Reuters)

Head of Apple retail, John Browett, is OUT, just 6 months after the former Dixons CEO was hand-picked by Tim Cook in a very publicised move involving a golden "Hello" of $55 million spread over 5 years.

The company gives no reason behind the ousting of Browett, but back in August the Wall Street Journal reported Browett introduced a "new staffing formula" to Apple Stores-- an unpopular strategy involving the slashing of hourly shifts and staff numbers.

According to IFO Apple Store, Browett felt the stores were "too bloated" with employees and was willing to create a "leaner" operation in the name of boosted profits. It's traditional retail thinking that made Browett a hit in his jobs at Tesco and Dixons Stores Group.

Not even the mighty Google can stand up to the wrath of nature-- the company cancelled its New York October 29 Android event at the face of Hurricane Sandy, before revealing the Nexus 4 smartphone and Nexus 10 tablet on the Official Blog...

The grapevine already revealed what Google had in store for the launch event mind, even if a surprise Nexus 7 update joins the 2 new devices.

The Google trio runs on the latest Android "flavour"-- 4.2, with features such as Photo Sphere (allows users to create 360-degree panoramas), wireless display connectivity (via Miracast), gesture typing and multiple user support.

First revealed is the Nexus 4 smartphone. A collaboration with LG, latest Android flagship is a 4.7-inch device with a 1280 x 720 (320ppi) display, Qualcomm S4 quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, 8MP rear-facing camera and either 16 or 32GB of storage.

Connectivity options include HSPA+ and NFC, while wireless charging also features.

Google also reveals its take on the iPad killer with the Samsung-made Nexus 10-- a full-grown tablet with a monstrous 2560 x 1600 (300ppi) 10-inch display. It carries a 1.7GHz Samsung Exynox dual-core processor, 2GB RAM, front-facing stereo speakers and built-in NFC, as well as a micro-HDMI port.

Not even the mightiest of companies can stand up to the wrath of nature-- at the face of Hurricane Sandy, Google postpones the October 29 Android event, where the search giant was to reveal a device or two. Or so the rumours report, at any rate...

But what does the grapevine actually say? The first leak comes from LG head of mobile product planning (for India) Amit Gujral, who in an interview with IBNLive claims the company will launch the "LG Nexus," also known as the LG Nexus 4.

A 2nd Nexus smartphone-related leak came from no other than Carphone Warehouse. For a brief moment the UK retailer's website revealed details of the Nexus 4, "the new smartphone from Google."

The retailer quickly pulled the posting down-- but the internet never forgets. If the Carphone Warehouse details are correct, the Nexus 4 is an LG made 4.7-inch device with a 1280 x 768 display, Snapdragon S4 processor, 8MP camera, 8GB of storage (with no microSD slot) and the as yet unreleased Android 4.2 (rumour has it called "Key Lime Pie") as OS.