For those of you that have been living under a rock for the past 3 months, here is an update of some very important happenings in the tech world. I assume most of these are being tackled more in-depth by Wired, Techcrunch, BoingBoing, or other large online publishing companies, so go check them out for more info.

Not in any particular order of importance… just the most fresh first.

1. Apple releases the new iPad: This is a big deal because this is the first successful tablet PC* on the market. Apple is known for their excellent design in hardware and software. If you like the iPhone, then you’ll like the iPad. This is an excellent product for consumption of media and not made of the hardcore PC gamer or developer. (*Apple products are PCs, don’t let them fool you)
   1. Why does this matter?: This matters because there will be a new consumer product category available for mass consumption. The tablet PC has been around for awhile but no design has allowed it to be used by a typical user. The UI of the iPad OS is incredible and slick. I really like Apple products but I was hesitant about the iPad because I had the mind set that I could buy a powerful PC for the price of an iPad. Once I realized that the iPad was made for eBooks, Magazines, simple email, and other simple fuctions, then I understood the power of this tablet. A new App market is emerging from the iPad that will create more over-night millionaires and really cool products.
   2. What is going to come of this?: Well, a large table market! There are a few competitors releasing their products very soon, like JooJoo and iTablet. We will see a range of Operating Systems from a Windows touch OS to many Linux touch OS’s. There is a producer taking advatage of the Google Android OS on the tablet. I’m excited to see a Ubuntu version of the OS or even a Jolicloud OS!
2. D.C. Federal Court overturns ruling on FCC regulations: On Tuesday, April 6th 2010, a D.C. Federal Appeals Court overturned a ruling that gave the FCC the power to regulate Internet Service Providers like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon from limiting the content that flows through the tubes. This ruling really put a dark cloud over Net Neutrality.
   1. Why Does this matter?: This means Comcast can decrease the download rate for certain IPs. They can limit download/upload rates to Hulu and make it near impossible to view the content. Anyone remember the 56k day? Yea, it’s going to get real ugly. Providers like Comcast will soon begin to limit the access to websites and increase the bandwidth to their own products. Say bye to streaming content… and say hello to new partnerships that will regulate pricing across the board.
   2. What is going to come of this?: Hopefully, nothing. The FCC has a few options left before these Internet Service Providers have complete control over the content. First, FCC can appeal this to the Supreme Court because it could, possibly, be unconstitutional to limit free speech or freedom of the press… somewhere there is something unconstitutional. Second, the FCC is planning on declaring the broadband as a Title II service. This means that the FCC will have the regulatory powers over the ISPs and can recommit the Net Neutrality policies, but right now broadband is a Title I service and the PCC has limited control over the service.
3. HTML5: Don’t be scared of the new HTML5 markup language. It’s basically going to simplify coding and decrease the need of 3rd party applications like Flash. By introducing this new library of tags, we can actually embed a movie that plays with less than half the processing power.
   1. Why does this matter?: It a next step to “Web 3.0″ and equal interaction across any OS and language. Currently, products like the Apple iPad and iPhone do not play Flash video. This video is restricted on these machines because of the energy needed to use the application. With HTML5, videos and games can be plays through a compatible browser easily and quickly.
   2. What is going to come of this?: Well, Flash is going to have to come up with better solutions. I mean, they have some of the best software out there to create great programs and applications through Flash, but the processors and battery life has become very important thanks to portability needs. Plus, we are going to see really fun interactive websites!