The Chinese State Radio Regulatory Center has approved Apple's iPad with 3G support, suggesting the device will go on sale in the nation soon.

Until recently, only the Wi-Fi version was allowed in the country.

The Regulatory Center, which is part of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, issued the approval last month, says the WSJ. The approval is for an "Apple 'data terminal' that supports 3G mobile technology standard Wideband Code Division Multiple Access."

Apple noted that it plans to offer the 3G model of the tablet in China, but did not give any specific timetable.

The site does note that most products "need multiple approvals from Chinese regulators before they can be sold in the country, including approval for a network access license," so the iPad may still be months away from total approval but on the right track.

Permalink | Comments

---

Apple has announced today that the iOS App Store has hit 10 billion downloads, the latest milestone for the service.

The App Store has over 300,000 apps available.

Apple added that they will be giving the 10 billionth downloader a $10,000 gift card to iTunes.

Seven billion apps were downloaded in 2010, alone.

In the last month, the company has announced that the iPhone 4 will be headed to top U.S. carrier Verizon, breaking an exclusive relationship with AT&T that lasted since 2007.

Apple sold 16 million iPhones in the last quarter.

Permalink | Comments

---

As was done with the 'God of War' collection, and soon with 'ICO/Shadow of the Colossus,' it appears that the classic 'Metal Gear Solid' trilogy will be re-released for the PS3, on Blu-ray and in HD.

The rumor comes via UK's Official PlayStation Magazine, who cites 'insiders.'

Metal Gear Solid 4 was released for the PS3 in 2008 and was met with rave reviews, with many calling it easily the game of the year.

It is unclear how the classic games will be reworked for HD (MGS was made for the PSX in 1998), but the God of War Collection sold very well, and included improved graphics and trophies.

Permalink | Comments

---

Earlier this week it was reported that Sony will officially announce the upcoming PSP2 at an event in Japan on January 27th.

Today, multiple sources are reporting that the event will be called the "PlayStation Meeting."

PS Meetings used to be held annually, but there has not been one since 2005.

In 2005, Ken Kutaragi used the PS Meeting to show off plans for the PlayStation 3.

Sony will also use the event to outline plans for its networked entertainment services to share games, movies and music among handheld products, TVs and other devices.

In February, at the Mobile World Congress, Sony will show off the Sony Ericsson-branded PlayStation smartphone.

Permalink | Comments

---