That 120,000 number is mostly a guess, but is also probably right: Using sampling, they subtracted Apple's typical daily online sales (about 16,500) from its Friday online sales. The sampling's too small to be exact, but they also took a look at what model those customers were going for—and it turns out they probably haven't read our lovely poetry, the fools. Purchasing was split almost exactly among the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models, although nearly 70% opted for the Wi-Fi-only model (possibly because the launch of the 3G model is a bit farther off). Like I said, it's an unconfirmed estimate, but those are extremely strong numbers for a new-category product like the iPad. [CNN via Electronista]

RIP PMA
Pentax is the latest manufacturer to bail from PMA, joining Canon and Leica who have also announced that they will not be attending the gigantic photography trade show this year. It could be in protest of the show's relocation from Las Vegas to Anaheim, though you'd think they'd take the vacation anywhere they could get it. [Electronista]

iPreorder
Charge your MacBooks, grab your sleeping bags, and make your peanut butter and jellys—iPad preorder time is drawing nigh. According to the website AppAdvice, "a reliable source of ours familiar with the matter" claims that preorders for the tablet will start next Thursday, February 25. Though the source says the initial preorders will be limited to Wi-Fi models, I'm sure that won't stop the foam that's already accumulating at the corners of the fanboys' mouths. [AppAdvice]

MobileMeep
Apple has quietly rolled out a number of improvements for MobileMe, specifically enhancing its accessibility from the iPhone and iPod Touch. In the main, the improvements come by way of new set-up links in the Contacts, Mail, and Calendars sections, as well as the ability to use the Find My iPhone feature from another iPhone instead of just a computer. So thieves should take note: MobileMe and its phone-finding abilities are now actually mobile. [Yahoo!]

Got My Eye-On Chromium
A new build of Chromium OS, dubbed Flow, features a few important updates: improved battery life, better automatic updating, and full support for machines running NVIDIA Ion. So if you've got a rig running on Ion and your eye on Chromium, now's your chance to tinker away. [Engadget]

Photoshop Strikes Back
Photoshop turned 20 today, and while it's not old enough to legally drink it can still seamlessly blend our world with those of Star Wars, as seen in these unsettlingly realistic images of Star Wars characters, vehicles, and villains hanging around out on Earth. Might be time to enlist in the Imperial Academy, just to be safe. [This Blog Rules]

Lasers, Baby
We see Photoshop's (re)touches everyday without even realizing it—in print ads, book covers, billboards and the rest—but those of us who spend countless hours on the internet see things that wear their Photoshopped status as a badge of honor on a daily basis. The latest in a long line of unabashedly unrealistic memes is Babies With Laser Eyes. Sure in the real world babies are cute and cuddly and adorable, even when they're poopy and crying. But in Photoshop world, all babies are potentially deadly robots whose eyes can scorch anything with a single glance. I like Photoshop world. [Babies With Laser Eyes]

A September launch would mean we're less than two months away, so it's fair to see pre-ordering options start to pop up. Check out some of our other Snow Leopard stories for more info. [MacRumors]

Remember, this is a limited-time offer, and it only applies to Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional—not Windows 7 Ultimate, which may be what you've been running in Beta or RC.

These retailers are also supposed to begin selling Vista systems tonight that will come with a free Windows 7 upgrade on October 22. In other words, buy it right now, use it right now, and upgrade in a few months for free. Just do yourself a favor and ask first, before plunking down cash, because though most manufacturers and retailers are on board (and why not?), some PC models may not come with the free upgrade.

The online retailers participating in Microsoft's pre-order Win 7 disc sale starting at midnight Eastern tonight are:
• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Costco
• Fry's Electronics
• Office Depot
• Office Max
• Sam's Club
• Staples
• Tiger Direct
• Walmart
• NewEgg
• Nebraska Furniture Mart (What the?)

In Canada, you can hit:
• Staples
• Future Shop
• Best Buy
• London Drugs
• Amazon
• The Source

And in Japan, the pre-order is available at:
• Yodobashi Camera
• Amazon
• Yamada Denki
• Bic Camera
• and "all small partners" (whatever that means)

Microsoft's own online store is also offering the pre-sale. If by some reason you go and the offer is sold out, we have something you can try. Go to the Microsoft store, click the OS version you want to buy, and click "Buy." Log in with your Windows Live ID (Microsoft Store, Hotmail, Messenger, Xbox LIVE, Zune or Passport accounts all apply) and enter this promo code:

WIN7PIFKYW2ZR0EDTEMG

Then follow the steps to complete the transaction.

The thing is, this code may not be of much help. Microsoft tells us that it lets 300 people get software through Sunday or Monday, even if the public allotment sells out. But we're also told there are a lot of copies out there for the discounted pre-sale. So please try to buy it first without using the code, leaving the 300 slots free to people who didn't act as fast as your PC-lovin' self. You can always copy it and quickly use it if you get rejected. But I don't think you're going to get rejected, especially not tonight.

If that's not wondrously clear, I apologize, though it's certainly not my fault. The good news is, you don't need a special code to get the special price. Not now at least.

Don't forget to read Windows 7 Pricing: The Full Story, and Windows 7: Cheaper Than Vista and Every Other Windows OS. And let us know down in comments if the pre-order process was smooth—or nightmarish.

As you may already know, there will be two separate lines on June 19th: one at 7 am and one at 8 am. The only way you are getting in to the earliest line is if you pre-ordered from AT&T. Everyone else could be stuck for hours, or even come up empty handed. You can also pre-order now from Apple and get the phone shipped to you on launch day. I mean, if you are committed to getting something at launch, it makes sense to pre-order—but I'm willing to bet that a lot of people skip that option for some reason. Consider this a final heads up—although it is already too late for that early line at the AT&T stores.

The E63, based on the E71, already dropped in Europe, so we expected it'd be making its way to North American shores at some point. In addition to the Wi-Fi, 3.5mm audio jack, and cloud storage we already knew it had, the E63 is also packing a 2 MP camera, Bluetooth, 3G, an FM radio (probably a receiver, not a transmitter, though that's not all that common either), and a memory card slot. Amazon doesn't provide a release date, but this is a good sign that the E63 is soon to see an American release. [Amazon, thanks Ron!]

Features

12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor: This Nikon D90 camera body features a DX-format CMOS image sensor that provides the highest level of performance. Its integrated A/D converter enables selection between 12-bit and 14-bit conversions. The sensor design supports the broad light sensitivity range of ISO 200 to ISO 3200, and features refined high-ISO noise reduction.

3.0" LCD monitor: A high-resolution, super-density, 920,000-dot LCD monitor makes critical image review possible. This monitor also allows ultra-wide, 170-degree viewing in all directions.

Live view: You’ll also have a live preview of your subject, giving you point-and-shoot feel with the quality of a DSLR.

11-area AF: The sensor module offers an 11-area AF that ensures consistently fast and precise focus lock under varying shooting conditions. The wide area AF system gives greater compositional freedom when shooting sports and action.

4.5fps continuous shooting: Capture fast action and fleeting expressions. The D90 can shoot up to 4.5 frames per second.

Scene Recognition System: This system recognizes subject and scene conditions prior to capturing the shot. Enjoy improved subject tracking and subject identification for rapid and accurate focus area selection. Highlight analysis optimizes auto exposure by providing more accurate control. Light source inference studies both subject and pattern to achieve optimal white balance.

HD movie mode: Capture your surroundings in cinematic quality. The D90 features the D-Movie mode, which shoots HD movie with sound at 24fps.

D-Lighting enhancement: This technology compensates for underexposed images or insufficient flash by automatically adding light and detail to selected shots where needed, without affecting properly exposed areas.

In-camera editing menu: The in-camera editing features include Nikon D-lighting (that adds light and detail to selected shots only where needed), red-eye correction, image trimming, image overlay, monochrome black and white, sepia and cyanotype along with skylight, warm tone and custom color filter effects.

Lens included: You'll be ready to go in no time with the included 5.8x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.

Fusing 12.3-megapixel image quality inherited from the award-winning D300 with groundbreaking features, including Live View and a cinematic-quality 24-fps D-Movie Mode, the Nikon D90 exceeds the demands of passionate photographers. Outfit includes the 5.8x, AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED lens with VR image stabilization and legendary NIKKOR optical quality.

ENGINEERED FOR ARTISTRY. UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL.

• 12.3-effective megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor
• 5.8x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens included
• D-Movie Mode — Cinematic 24fps HD with sound
• One-button Live View
• Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames per second
• 12.3-effective megapixel DX-format CMOS imaging sensor
• 5.8x AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens included
• Continuous shooting as fast as 4.5 frames-per-second
• D-Movie Mode — Cinematic 24fps HD with sound
• Low noise ISO sensitivity from 200 to 3200
• 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot color LCD monitor
• Built-in image sensor cleaning
• 11-point AF system with Face Priority
• One-button Live View
• Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System
• Comprehensive exposure control
• Auto Active D-lighting
• Shutter precision and durability
• In-Camera Image Editing
• GPS geo-tagging

[Circuit City]

If pre-ordering this is anything like pre-ordering anything else at EB, you'll hand them five bucks and they'll try and get you to pre-order the Halo 3 Zune Strategy Guide as well. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Gamestop - Thanks Marco!]

Fuck lines. And let us know if you have any good pre-ordering alternatives. – Mark Wilson

Update: Looks like they sold out.
Update: Looks like they screwed us.
Wii Pre-Order [Radioshack]

Preorder Page [EBGames via Zunedose]

We doubt it's necessary to pre-order a Wii now that there's going to be two million Wii units available on launch day, but if you live in Sweaty Crack, North Dakota, where there's only going to be five units, we suppose it's good to reserve one.

GameStop and EB Games stores will begin accepting limited pre-orders for the Nintendo Wii console on Friday, October 13, on a first come, first served basis. Due to extremely limited supplu, we expect to reach our limit very quickly, most likely in minutes. We will not accept additional pre-orders at that time. To avoid an unnecessary trip we strongly recommend you call your local store to determine availability. A $50 reservation deposit is required, which can be funded with cash, credit or trade. As we cannot control production and shipping issues by the manufacturer, a reservation deposit does not guarantee receipt of a system available to purchase at launch. Reservations/Purchases are limited to 1 per household.

We're planning on just waltzing in and grabbing one on launch day. – Jason Chen

Breaking: GameStop (Finally) Announces Wii Pre-Orders [Kotaku - Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

PREORDER PS3 ON LIKSANG.COM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NO MONEY DOWN!!

You can choose between a US or Japanese PS3, and your credit card won't be charged until they ship out your PlayStation. Throw a few PS3 games in the basket as well, but be aware the order for games can be changed or cancelled depending on their availability at launch.

Do it for Jose. – Jason Chen

No Money Down Special Pre-Orders for Sony PlayStation 3 and 20+ PlayStation 3 Launch Titles [Lik-Sang - Thanks Jose!]

But that's not all! You also get a karaoke game, a racing game, and Warhawk, a fighting game. Lucky you, Europe! Not only do you get socialized medicine and more vacation, you also get PS3s for more than a nice Fiat Cinquecento.

Sony's PlayStation 3 goes on sale [BBC]

Product Page [SonyStyle]