Key Focus: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPad Mini, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s Windows 8, Facebook (FB) Earnings

The past few days have been very dismal for many of the technology industries, both for the software ones and the hardware ones. The share prices for Google fell by 8 percent after an accidental early release of the earnings of the company, which have not been so great. Share prices for Microsoft have also fallen by 2 percent following lower earnings. Facebook will be releasing its earnings for the third fiscal quarter, and Apple will be releasing its new iPad Mini. Apple too, will be releasing the earnings for its fiscal quarter. Plus, both Apple and Microsoft are to release new hardware and software products respectively.

On the 23^rd of October, Apple Inc.(NASDAQ:AAPL) will be launching its new iPad at a special event which can be attended by invitation only. The event will be exclusively held for the launch off the smaller iPad, with a 7.85 inch screen, with a sleeker design, and lowered prices. The new tablet can be priced at anything from $299 to $349. The new tablet can compete with the smaller, cheaper tablets which are flooding the market. It can be a major market push for the company. Apple shares have never been lower. They have come down to their lowest prices on Friday. This is the lowest the shares have been, anytime within the last three months.

Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s release of the Windows 8 Operating System is also huge news, because according to sources, it is going to be a radical change from the previous operating system. According to The Wall Street Journal, it is the most radical change since 1995. Instead of a Menu, there will be a Start Screen, and it will be touch-based. It will almost resemble an application. This new upgrade could be a deal maker or breaker for Microsoft.

Facebook Inc(NASDAQ:FB) will be revealing is third fiscal quarter results on Tuesday, and the lockup of the restricted shares which are held by the employees go out into the market on Thursday. The stocks have been falling for the company. And the prices of the stocks remain expensive, despite the fall.