State regulators today approved this state's largest solar farm as iPhone maker Apple said it would double the size of the project.

The N.C. Utilities Commission gave the go-ahead for the Cupertino, Calif.-based technology company to start generating operating the 20-megawatt solar farm at its huge data complex in Maiden. The center supports the company’s iCloud online data storage system and its SIRI voice-recognition software.

Apple said today it would expand the project by adding 20 more megawatts on 100 acres on the site in Catawba County for a total of 40 megawatts. The state's biggest solar farms to date have maxed out at 5 megawatts.

Apple's solar modules will maximize solar energy by aligning with the sun's rays throughout the day. The array will track the sun as it moves across the sky by rotating on a north-south axis.

The solar project will be built in phases and is expected to start generating power in October and completed by December.

Apple is also planning a 4.8-megawatt fuel cell facility, the nation's largest, at the site. That request is still pending with the Utilities Commission.

Mobile gaming on the iPhone and iPad is big business. Gameloft has launched N.O.V.A. 3 which appears to have all the elements of a blockbuster bit.

Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance carries a premium price of $9.99. The action-adventure game features 10 levels of play, impressive cinematic graphics, and new 12-player battles in 6 multiplayer modes.

Check it out on iTunes.
 

A teen from one of the poorest areas of China is now suffering from renal deficiency after selling a kidney. According to the story, the sum for the teen amounted to about $3,500 which he used to purchase an iPhone and iPad.

Five people have been charged and the case has highlighted concerns over increasing consumerism in China.

Don't get too excited over this design concept, but it does bridge a gap between a tablet and laptop that many consumers desire. It is certainly not a new idea. Several computer makers have rolled out similar hybrids, but none have really got any traction. Should Apple build something like it?

Long lines are expected at Apple Stores, but shoppers may be able to find a new iPad with much less hassle at one of several alternative retailers. A reconnaissance call before storming your local big box might save time and help shoppers navigate around disappointment.

We've got a list of 8 retailers selling the iPad.

How good is the new iPad? Is it worth replacing an iPad 2?

How does it compare to Android tablets?

See what others have to say in this review roundup.

Availability: Pre-orders begin today. On sale March 16.

Price: Retains pricing for the iPad 2. The iPad 2 will soldier on starting at $399.
The new iPad:
$499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model
$599 for the 32GB Wi-Fi model
$699 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model
$629 for the 16GB 4G model
$729 for the 32GB 4G model
$829 for the 64GB 4G model

Appearance & dimensions: It looks familiar. Comes in black or white. It is 9.4mm thick and weighs 1.5 pounds -slightly beefier than the iPad 2's 8.8mm and 1.35 pounds.

Processor: Powered by a A5X dual-core. No specifics on speed yet.

Display: The resolution is bumped to retina display specifications at 2048 x 1536 pixels

Connectivity: 3G, HSPA+ for up to 21Mbps, dual-carrier HSDPA for up to 42Mbps and LTE for up to 72Mbps.

Camera: Rear-facing 5MP iSight camera with the optics system from the iPhone 4S. HD video recording now in 1080p resolution.  Built-in stabilization, auto-exposure, auto-focus, auto-face detection, and AF-lock. Facetime camera on the front.

Battery: Retains the same battery life as the iPad 2. Up to 10 hours of browsing over Wi-Fi and 9 hours over 4G.

Extras:
A new button at the bottom of the keyboard adds voice dictation.

iPhoto for the iPad edits photos, adds effects, and share images device-to-device.

iWork and GarageBand get updates.

Watch this with the proverbial grain of salt, but it does appear credible. Look below the video for the roundup of what to expects from Apple's March 7 announcement. Be careful,the soundtrack may spawn flashes of dialog free scenes from 80s movies.

Magician Simon Pierro gives an entertaining demo of some new iPad tricks.

Apple may also have a lower cost option in its iPad lineup planned. Apple is holding an event on March 7 that is all but official to be focused on the iPad 3.

According DigiTimes, in addition to a new iPad, Apple will reportedly launch an 8GB version of the iPad 2. If DigiTimes is right, the move would help position Apple to compete with lower priced tablets from competitors.

Can Apple get the cost of an iPad low enough to compete directly with Amazon's Kindle Fire and the Nook Tablet from Barnes & Noble?