Apple confirms iPhone pre-orders start at 12:01 AM Sept. 14 [WIRED]

Apple has confirmed to Wired via email that it will begin accepting online pre-orders of the iPhone 5 during the wee hours of the morning beginning at 12:01AM PT on Sept. 14. So if you’re hankering for anew iPhone 5, be prepared to fire up the coffee machine tonight.

Apple’s era of secrecy is over [ZDNET]

If an Apple product announcement leaves one overwhelmed by default — over the last decade, one has needed no less than a chainsaw to cut through the thick hype surrounding the brand — the introduction of the iPhone 5 left me merely whelmed. (Grammar sticklers: yes, I realize I’m using that word incorrectly. Lighten up.) Sure, it’s taller. Sure, it’s lighter. Sure, it’s faster. Sure, it’s called the iPhone 5, and not the iPhone 4S V-Spec.

But we knew about almost all of that from various leaks in the weeks leading up to the event. (OK, guys, you got us on the processor. But even that bit of information leaked hours before the event. Gosh.)

Nintendo unveils $300 Wii U, coming Nov. 18 [CNNMONEY]

Nintendo’s Wii U finally has a price and release date: The next-generation gaming console, which comes with a large touchscreen controller, will go on sale in the United States on Sunday, Nov. 18 for $300. A second, “deluxe” version will cost $350. That version has 32 GB of memory (the basic version has 8 GB) and a charging pad/cradle for the GamePad controller, plus some other extras. The basic version is white; the upgraded one is black.

After 17 years, eBay debuts a new, sleeker logo [TECHCRUNCH]

As Devin Wenig, president of eBay, writes in a release, Our refreshed logo is rooted in our proud history and reflects a dynamic future. It’s eBay today: a global online marketplace that offers a cleaner, more contemporary and consistent experience, with innovation that makes buying and selling easier and more enjoyable. We retained core elements of our logo, including our iconic color palette. Our vibrant eBay colors and touching letters represent our connected and diverse eBay community – more than 100 million active users and 25 million sellers globally and growing.