FROM USA Today – http://m.usatoday.com/article/news/2664443

by Julia Ryan, USA TODAY

This week in Tech we took a look at the Hyperloop, new TVs, iPhone rumors and more. Here’s what you need to know about the week in Tech:

1) ‘Hyperloop’: L.A. to San Francisco in 30 minutes?

Yes, you read that right. Tesla CEO Elon Musk wants to implement a revolutionary new “Hyperloop” transportation system that would connect major cities at lightning-fast speeds.

How it works: The Hyperloop would be a series of people-size pods that move through air-free tubes. The pods would move through the tubes with the help of magnets.

Building stage: Musk says the project would take seven to 10 years to complete and would cost $6 billion, a fraction of the price of another proposed high-speed rail system in California.

So, when will it be built? Too early to tell. Musk said he would “publish an open-source design” for the Hyperloop, but if no one starts on the project he will build a prototype himself.

2) Samsung brings dual view feature to OLED TV

We told you last month that massive (and high-priced) OLED TVs were finally arriving in stores. Samsung is following LG’s lead this month with their own 55-inch OLED TV.

But how is it different from LG’s OLED TV?

•Price: Samsung’s TV is priced at $9,000, significantly less than LG’s $15,000 price tag for their TV.

•Multiview feature: Two people can watch two different programs simultaneously on the TV while wearing 3-D glasses and headphones.

•Amphitheater display: The half-inch thick display has a concave shape that “mimics an arena or amphitheater.”

3) Apple expected to show next iPhone on Sept. 10

A new iPhone is almost here! The company is expected to unveil a new version of the iPhone on Sept. 10, ahead of the big holiday sales season.

But don’t get too excited: Analysts tell USA TODAY’s Jefferson Graham that this new iPhone won’t be too radically different from the iPhone 5. The new “iPhone 5S” (that’s just an expected name for now) will most likely have a faster processor, improved camera and more storage.

But there’s much better news for other Apple products. Perhaps next year, analysts expect Apple will unveil a new Apple TV and a smartwatch that would communicate with the iPhone.

4) Remember podcasting? It’s back — and booming

Talk radio is still alive and well, but it’s found a new home online in the form of podcasts. The podcast world has evolved from a small niche offering tech-related talks to a large, diverse community of programs dealing with everything from relationship advice to comedy.

Who: Popular podcasters include Aisha Tyler, host of comedy and lifestyle podcast Girl on Guy; Marc Maron, comedian and host of the WTF podcast; and other recognizable names in the entertainment world including Joan Rivers, Alec Baldwin and Maria Menounos.

What: The most popular categories for podcasts are politics, news and sports, but comedy podcasts are gaining popularity. Podcasts help comedians market their material and fill seats at comedy clubs.

Where: You can download most podcasts directly from iTunes, or you can download an app that streams podcasts directly to your phone. Popular podcast apps include TuneIn Radio, SoundCloud, Stitcher and iHeartRadio.

5) Here’s what’s new with ‘Call of Duty’ multiplayer

Activision released the first details about the next Call of Duty game earlier this week, and USA TODAY’s Brett Molina got the scoop on how the game is different from its predecessors. Here’s what you need to know about Call of Duty: Ghosts:

•Customization: The game comes with a Create-A-Soldier feature that lets players choose weapon loadouts, physical appearance, gender and more.

•’Pick 10 system’: The system introduced in last year’s Call of Duty: Black Ops II now uses points for perks — special battlefield abilities — as well as for choosing weapons and gear.

•Rewards: The new game eliminates rewards for multiple deaths, but it also adds a guard dog as a Killstreak award.

Copyright 2013 USATODAY.com