Will Apple swoop in and 'invent' the hybrid laptop?

KARYNE: Hey, I�m Karyne Levy. ERIC: And I'm Eric Franklin. KARYNE: Welcome to Rumor Has It! The show where we round up the week's biggest tech rumors. ERIC: And vote on what sounds likely and what's probably not true. KARYNE: And remember: you can vote on all the rumors! Keep your eye out for the poll in the interactive player, if you're watching on CNET. ERIC: Up first, according to the WinBETA forums, Windows 8.1 will allow you to bypass its touch-based "Metro" interface, to effectively boot to the desktop. Apparently, one of the reasons Windows 8 isn't selling very well is because the OS currently boots directly to Metro and that's a bit scary for people. Most of us fear change and don't like to be forced to learn something new. KARYNE: It's like when we were supposed to switch to the metric system, because every other country uses it and it's intuitive. But then nobody wanted to learn it. So now we're stuck with inches. ERIC: � KARYNE: Just don't. KARYNE: Next up, not to be outdone by everyone in the universe, Microsoft is now rumored to be working on a smartwatch of its own. The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft has asked suppliers in Asia to ship components for a potential touch- enabled watch device. ERIC: This isn't the first time Microsoft has tried its hand at the smartwatch game. It partnered with Fossil, Swatch, and Suunto to create Smart Personal Objects Technology, or SPOT, watches. SPOT. Innat cute? KARYNE: No, it's not. And neither is this whole smartwatch trend. We've had several rumors, none of them has come true yet, and I already don't care. ERIC: Yeah, but once all us cool kids have one and we're all syncing our watches with our phones and tablets and looking all cool while doing it, then you'll care. KARYNE: Stop knowing me so well. ERIC: That's what she said. Like 3000 years ago...in the bible. Figure it out. KARYNE: Gross. KARYNE: Up next, a patent document that came to light recently shows that Apple might be working on a convertible MacBook/iPad hybrid that could be charged remotely. The application describes a computer display that is removable from its base -- basically a convertible laptop. And what really sets it apart is that this device could be charged wirelessly. [BEAT] And also all the fanboys will lose their minds and have to have one. ERIC: Now, patent applications don't necessarily mean that the product is being worked on. And last year, Tim Cook basically said that computer/tablet hybrids are dumb and will probably make you fat. He didn't actually say the fat part. On the other hand, Apple also said it wouldn't make a smaller iPad, but now we have the iPad Mini. KARYNE: I think Apple will make a laptop hybrid...eventually. Apple would never bypass an opportunity to enter a struggling market and try to do something better. ERIC: Yeah, it's kinda like when I see little kids playing basketball and I just grab the ball and DUNK ON EM AND I'M ALL LIKE: IN YOUR FACE, BILLY!! KARYNE: ...do you really do this? ERIC: no... KARYNE: What do you guys think? Will Apple make a laptop hybrid? Don't forget to vote and leave a comment, and we'll check in with the CNET Council. ERIC: And the Council's verdict is... NO, they do not think an Apple hybrid tablet/laptop is imminent. One editor said he would love for them to do it. KARYNE: That�s our show everyone, share your rumors at rumorhasit@cnet.com or call us at 1-800-750-CNET. And tweet us! Thanks to this week's co-host, Eric. And we'll be off next week because I'm getting MARRIED! ERIC: Tune in next week for more tech rumors.