Wanna bet on how fast the iPad sells 1 million units?

Not quite sure there's an app for that. But there is at least one web site that's taking wagers for it. Seriously.

Folks have apparently placed bets on how fast the iPad reaches 1 million unit sales at YouWager.com, with the pessimists gaining the upper hand so far.

As of mid-March, 72 percent of prognosticators believe it will take the iPad more than 74 days to break the million barrier, according to a release sent by the site. This bet apparently pays -250 at this point, with the bet that the iPad will sell 1 million under 74 days paying +125 so far.

Already, YouWager.com itself is describing the first-day iPad pre-order numbers of 120,000 as underwhelming. Then again, Apple Insider is now reporting that based on the latest numbers, some sources believe iPad sales in its first three months could eclipse sales for the iPhone during its first three months. In case you wanted to know, the iPhone sold about 1.2 million units in its first three months. But three-month sales are for 90-plus days so I'm not quite sure what the final breakdown would be for the iPad for 74 days, even if it outpaces iPhone sales by a certain amount. Thank goodness I don't gamble.

Photo © Apple

Some locking HDMI cables literally rely on screws for a tight connection.

Not so with Accell's AVGrip Pro locking HDMI cable. Once you plug this device in, it's just about as secure as the old ball and chain, thanks to its T-shaped groove.

The question is, does it actually deliver a good signal? Check out my review of the high-speed Accell AVGrip Pro locking HDMI cable to find out.

Photo by Jason Hidalgo

We've documented the ongoing saga of Spring Design's Alex eReader on this site for some time now.

But after much drama, Spring Design has finally started accepting pre-orders for the Alex , with initial orders shipping on April 14.

For the uninitiated, the Alex features an interface similar to Barnes & Noble's Nook, which has a black-and-white eReader screen at the top and a smaller, colored touchscreen at the bottom. In fact, it was apparently so similar that Spring Design sued B&N for it (and decided to partner with Borders instead).

But while the Nook has enjoyed a sizable head start, delays have knocked back the Alex right smack in the middle of Apple's two-tiered launch for its iPad. As such, how the Alex does during launch would likely serve as a barometer for other new eReaders as far as the iPad's potential impact on their sales.

In the meantime, a Spring Design spokesperson said they will have media loaner units available for yours truly to try in about a month or so. Expect a full review of the device at that time.

For more on eReaders, check out our roundup of today's popular eReaders and the eReaders of CES.

Photo © Spring Design

Plastic Logic's high-profile -- and high-priced -- QUE eReader apparently won't be launching on cue as the company has delayed its release.

Media outlets such as Wired.com are reporting that the QUE's release has been pushed back to sometime this summer as Plastic Logic attempts to "fine tune" the product. The QUE was originally slated for an April release, which incidentally is right after the launch of the iPad Wi-Fi and around the same time as the launch of the iPad Wi-Fi+3G.

Speaking of yet another coincidence, the QUE also comes with a Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi+3G version, just like the iPad. But the QUE actually starts out higher, with its 4GB Wi-Fi-only model priced at $649 and its higher-end 8GB model costing $799. In comparison, the Wi-Fi iPad starts out $499 for a 16GB version while the Wi-Fi+3G version starts out at $629.

Now while the iPad certainly has its share of issues, it's certainly looking like the better option on paper as far as value and features. As such, it'll be interesting to see what tweaks Plastic Logic will cook up during the extra time it takes to fine tune its product.

Photo © Plastic Logic