Toshiba has been implementing multiples measures to restructure and strengthen its discrete, analog, and imaging IC businesses in Japan, and has made the decision to close three of its six chip facilities in the region. Those operations will be consolidated into the three left standing, which will include the transfer of roughly 1,700 workers.

Now is not the time to buy a mechanical hard drive, not unless you absolutely have to. As you know, the recent flooding in Thailand hit the hard drive industry pretty hard (from a technology standpoint -- obviously the biggest tragedy here is the impact it had on people's lives), and even just a 1TB hard drive is going to set you back about $150 street, almost triple what they selling for prior to the flood. Is the shortage really that bad?

Is your Halloween costume full of win? If you're planning to dress up as something totally geeky, -- perhaps you and your significant other will dress up as an iPhone and a Galaxy S II, or a fully functional Nikon DSLR like this guy -- scary, funny, or anything worthy of a larger audience than your local neighborhood provides, Toshiba's giving you a chance to have your mug (and the rest of your costume) plastered on a giant LED screen above Times Square in New York.