TechBytes: iPhone Update

April 6, 2010— -- Apple has turned its attention back to the iPhone. Fresh off a strong opening weekend for the iPad, Apple has sent out invitations to an iPhone event this Thursday. The company will give a sneak peak of the next generation of software to power the smartphone. That will give developers time to create new features for their apps. The software updates have been released with new iPhones in the summer for the past two years.

Microsoft is planning to introduce a new line of cell phones next week. The software giant is said to have been more involved in developing the hardware for the new phones that feature social-networking capabilities aimed at younger users. The phones will be available later this month through Verizon Wireless.

Hewlett-Packard is looking to steal some of Apple's thunder. It has released a video of its upcoming Slate computer, focusing on things the iPad doesn't offer. The tablet computer features a built-in camera, USB port to plug in other devices and a slot to view video and photos from a memory card. The HP Slate is expected to be available this summer.

There's a new video game for people who can't get enough of vampires. "City of Eternals" is the world's first massively multi-player online game set in the world of modern vampires. All it takes to play is a computer and a Facebook account.

"This offers a much more in-depth, richer game experience than we're seeing on Facebook right now," GameDaily's Libe Goad said. "You can actually chat with people in game, so if you see another character, right-click on the character.

"You see their little Facebook icon pop up and you can actually message them and get to know them. It's taking social networking that we know on Facebook and taking it to the next level."

You can play the game for free at cityofeternals.com.