Sources: Apple will release larger iPad in 2012 under heat from Kindle

To cope with increasing market competition including the 7-inch Kindle Fire from Amazon and the launch of large-size smartphones from handset vendors, Apple has been persuaded to develop and is likely to launch a 7.85-inch iPad prior to Q4 of 2012 -- in addition to the new iPad scheduled to be released at the end of the first quarter -- according to supply chain sources cited by the Taiwan technology and manufacturing news site DigiTimes.

Global shipments of tablet PCs are expected to reach 60 million units in 2011, of which 70% will be Apple's iPads, notes DigiTimes.

Link: Apple to launch 7.85-inch iPad in 2012, say sources (digitimes.com)

Elastic electrical cabling a short span to more advanced automation, robotics designs

Popular Science is reporting that Japanese Spandex-maker Asahi Kasei Fibers has developed what is being billed as the world’s first elastic electrical cable. Dubbed Roboden, the stretchable cord/conductive connector is already available in form of USB cables and standard power cords, which definitely serve to reduce multi-cord clutter while providing that extra bit of reach needed to find the wall socket -- but that's not all. As forecasted by PopSci.com, Roboden may soon enable new generations of electronics-embedded textiles and robotic skins.

The technology's real upside is predicted to be in the realm of automated machinery and robotics, where connecting cables routinely must be as long as a machine's maximum range of motion to allow for unrestricted operation. This engenders a lot of slack cord. With Roboden, the cord stretches when the robot/machine moves and pulls taut when the machine relaxes the tension, keeping extra cord from getting in the way.

And when the day comes to start sheathing humanoid robots in soft, skin-like coverings, stretchable electronics and chips will no doubt figure among the front-running technologies to make you say...yikes.

VIDEO: Elastic electric/data/USB cables developed by Japanese Spandex maker