Today’s mobile news roundup features: Apple’s AuthenTec acquisition; Alibaba taking on Android; Toys ‘R’ Us’ new tablet; and Valve’s augmented reality glasses

Apple to finalize AuthenTec acquisition

Apple is set to finalize their AuthenTec acquisition, a company that specializes in fingerprint scanning security.  According to reports, the $365 million acquisition will go down next month, just a few weeks after they’re expected to release the new iPhone.

The question now is, will the fingerprint scanning security feature be included in their new iPhone or iPad?  The Cupertino giant may have already incorporated the technology and the acquisition is just a formality.  We could be seeing the technology in the new iPhone, but others say that fingerprint scanning may probably materialize in other future products, maybe next year.

“Will we see fingerprint technology in the new iPhone (or iPad)? It seems almost certain,” wrote Matt Brian of technology blog My Next Web. “Details are scarce but [Apple’s] desire to use the technology and see it developed quickly leads us to speculate that we could see it in just a matter of weeks.”

Alibaba to compete with Google’s Android

Alibaba Group’s Aliyun mobile operating software is gaining traction in China, where it was introduced by the company about a year ago.  According to Chief Strategy Officer Zeng Ming, they’re seeing a stronger demand from manufacturers for Aliyun which is a Linux-based mobile OS.

“We want to be as strong as Android in China,” Zeng said on the sidelines of a conference. “We have quite a few [new handset partners] lined up,” he said, declining to provide the names of the handset makers.

This means manufacturers are now opening their eyes and broadening their choice for mobile OS’s besides Google’s Android platform.  Android is facing problems left and right, troubled with rising malware attacks and Apple’s legal wrath.  So manufacturers using Android for their devices aren’t in a position for diversification, and  you can’t really blame them for seeking out alternatives.  Right now, Aliyun is providing a noteworthy mobile experience for Chinese consumers, which could signify the start of global domination for Alibaba’s Linux-based mobile OS.

Toys ‘R’ Us’ Tabeo tablet

There’s a new tablet in town, and it’s made with kids in mind.  Toys ‘R’ Us introduced the $149.99 Tabeo tablet, only available in their retail stores.  Often times, shoppers head to their stores and try out cool toys, but they don’t always make a purchase at Toys ‘R’ Us, opting instead to look elsewhere for cheaper prices.  With this exclusive strategy, they’re hoping to have all interested parties buying in their stores.

“It is our strategic position to offer products that you can’t find anywhere [else] or be compared on price,” said Troy Peterson, a vice president at Toys “R” Us, which is based in Wayne, N.J.

Tabeo will be available in October but it’s already facing stiff competition as other kid-friendly tablets such as Kurio 7, Meep and Lexibook already matched their pricing.

Valve working on augmented reality glasses

Half-Life maker, Valve Corporation, is said to be working on an augmented reality glass that would fuse the real world with the gaming world.  You might be reminded of Nintendo’s Virtual Boy or Sony’s Glasstron with this project but Valve is said to be bringing something better.  Some might compare it to Googel’s Project Glass, which lets the wearer see data right before his eyes, from store hours to e-mails.

What Valve intends to accomplish is to fully immerse a person in a game by incorporating his surroundings to the game.  It would make gaming more personal and realistic, giving gamers even more excuses to hole up in their man caves for hours of online gaming.  Though this may be a cause for concern for parents and girlfriends, they shouldn’t worry about it just yet as the technology is still quite a few years away from being available in the market.