EMILY: I'm Emily Dreyfuss.
KARYNE: And I�m Karyne Levy
EMILY: Welcome to Rumor Has It! The show where we round up the week's
biggest tech rumors.
KARYNE: And vote on what sounds legit, and what seems like it'll never
ever happen.
EMILY: 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.
KARYNE: You're actually burying the lead, Emily. The most important part
of today's show will come at the end: it's finally humiliation time.
EMILY: First up, HTC is said to be working on a Facebook phone,
according to Pocket-Lint, citing a source �close to it.� I refuse to tell you
any more about this rumor, because we�ve heard it a million times.
KARYNE: Don�t be a baby Emily, at least tell us the gist.
EMILY: No, I won�t dignify it.
KARYNE: Fine, the gist is: Uh, it�s the official Facebook phone, running
Android, with a Qualcomm chip, codenamed Opera UL.....nevermind, I can�t
bother.
EMILY: Next up, the Internet was in a panic this week when the Guardian
reported that Apple wouldn't approve Google's Maps for iOS. The Guardian
found that Google employees were quote "not optimistic" that Apple will
approve Google Maps.
KARYNE: But just as quickly as the rumor gained momentum, CNET's
Casey Newton slowed it down, reminding us that every developer who has
ever published anything to the App Store has worried that it wouldn't get
approved because Apple is notorious for changing its rules all the time.
EMILY: And remember that in his apology letter, Apple CEO Tim Cook said
that people SHOULD use alternatives to Apple Maps. He BEGGED them to.
KARYNE: Which is why this rumor is probably bunk. Yes, Apple is trying to
distance itself from Google (that�s how we got in this mess in the first
place), but we think it learned that was a bad idea regarding Maps.
KARYNE: Our next rumor comes from Android Police. Citing an
anonymous tipster, Google Wallet may get a physical card for you to put in
your actual wallet.
Google Wallet is the NFC-enabled pay system that exists on some Android
devices. The card, however, would be designed to be used when NFC isn't
available, as a sort of credit card.
EMILY: So NFC exists to replace credit cards, and then this card exists to
replace NFC because no one accepts it? It�s a chicken and egg conundrum.
MILY: Finally, according to a report from The Verge, Microsoft is working
on an Xbox Surface Tablet. Citing unnamed sources, the report says that
the tablet will have a 7-inch display and will reportedly run on its own
version of Windows as well.
KARYNE: I am FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW THIS IS SO AWESOME.
EMILY: The rumor of a gaming tablet isn't new. Back in June, documents
leaked that Microsoft might be working on a tablet gaming device to work
with a streaming base station. Kind of like Nintendo's Wii U.
KARYNE: This would make sense if it were a tablet that accompanied the
next iteration of the Xbox, the 720 or whatever it'll be called. So you could
start your gaming at home, then take it to go. Like you can do with the PS3
and Vita. If this rumor proves true, but it isn't just a tablet, and has actual
controls, I will die of happiness and I will leave this device to you in my will.
EMILY: We�ll have to cancel Rumor Has It so you can game full time.
KARYNE: So what do you guys think? Is Microsoft working on a tablet-like
gaming device? Don't forget to vote!
EMILY: Let�s see what the CNET Council thinks...(disclaimer)
EMILY: The CNET verdict is... yes, Microsoft is working on an Xbox Surface
gaming tablet. Three editors said yes, one editor said no, and one editor
just said "UGH."
KARYNE: That�s pretty much our show everyone, share your rumors at
rumorhasit@cnet.com or call us at 1-800-750-CNET. And tweet us!
EMILY: Tune in next week for more tech rumors.
[RICK ROLL]
