Google Self-Promotes; IBM Unveils World’s Fastest Microprocessor; Firefox Gets Mobile, Web Updates

Topping tech headlines Tuesday, Google began self-promoting its Nexus 7 tablet via an ad on its landing page, IBM unveiled a new mainframe computer running on the world’s fastest microprocessor, and Mozilla released dual Firefox updates for its Web and mobile browsers.

Topping Tuesday’s tech headlines, Google turned its search page into a billboard for its Nexus 7.

In a rare advertising appearance, the tablet can be seen peeking through the minimalist background, under the tagline “The playground is open,” with a link to the Google Play store where the device is on sale starting at $199. The Asus-built Google device is not the first to be promoted on the search engine’s landing page. Previous advertising includes the Nexus S, Google+, and the Droid smartphone.

Meanwhile, IBM on Tuesday unwrapped its newest line of mainframe computers – the “most powerful and technologically advanced ever,” according to the company. The zEnterprise EC12 server runs on a 5.5GHz microprocessor, which IBM touts as the fastest chip in the world. More than $1 billion of the computer manufacturer’s money was poured into research and development of the mainframe, which is meant to help large corporation users quickly and securely sift through loads of data.

In other news, Mozilla released updates to its desktop and Android Web browser versions of Firefox. The latest mobile version now supports tablets, and sports a new design that makes Internet browsing faster and easier, with a personalized start screen and Flash support for certain devices. The desktop update to Firefox 15 reduces memory usage, turning the browser into a speedier, smoother, and more responsive option.

Also making headlines Tuesday:

• Samsung Releases All-in-One PC Troika: Samsung introduced a trio of new All-in-One PCs, optimized for Windows 8.
• Facebook and CNN Team Up to Offer Real-Time Election Trending Site: With the U.S. election now in full swing, CNN and Facebook have teamed up to offer a data visualization tool that tracks social media trends in real-time.
• Lexmark to Exit Inkjet Printer Business: Lexmark announced on Tuesday that its decision to restructure the company will mean an exit from the inkjet hardware manufacturing business.
• LG Announces Quad-Core Optimus G Smartphone With LTE: LG Electronics on Tuesday announced a new flagship smartphone, dubbed the Optimus G, which boasts 4G LTE and a quad-core processor.
• Did T-Mobile Leak iPhone 5 Release Date?: A leaked T-Mobile memo preps employees to start “selling against the iPhone” on Sept. 21 – the date widely rumored as the day Apple will launch its new iPhone.
• Samsung Slaps Earth Tones on Galaxy S III: Just in time for fall, Samsung has several new mineral and gemstone-themed colors for its flagship Galaxy S III.
• Kindle-Only E-Book Downloads, Purchases Top 100 Million: Kindle owners have been busy, purchasing, downloading, or borrowing titles more than 100 million times.
• Samsung Unveils Drive Link App for Galaxy S III: Samsung this week released its Drive Link in-car smartphone app, currently available only on the Galaxy S III.
• Microsoft Releases SkyDrive Android App: Microsoft Tuesday made good on an earlier promise and released its first official SkyDrive cloud storage app for Android devices.
• After the Floods, Western Digital Regains Hard Drive Top Spot: Since falling from the top of the hard drive market thanks to the Thai floods, Western Digital reclaimed its lead over Seagate in the second quarter of 2012.
• Garmin Forerunner Watch a Jogger’s Delight: Garmin on Tuesday released the Forerunner 10, its latest running watch that can track your exercise while cheering you on.
• As Isaac Looms, Can Consumer Tech Help Avert Disaster in a Post-Katrina World?: Unlike in 2005, today we have GPS-equipped smartphones, social media-driven relief efforts, and cloud-based disaster solutions … but if the Big One hits will it matter?

By Stephanie Mlot, PCMag