New & Noteworthy: More retail locations; Beta tests needed; How Tech Goes Pop

New Apple retail stores to open this weekend Saturday will see two new Apple retail stores, Tice's Corner in Woodcliff Lake NJ and Westfarms Mall in Farmington, CT. Both stores open at 10 am. Note: Although Apple's site still says "Coming Soon" as of this morning, Apple has sent out press releases confirming that both stores will open on Oct 27.

Beta testers sought Blue Line Studios is looking for beta testers for their brand-new Mac application "JewelCase Illustrator."Email this address if interested.

How Tech Goes Pop From Wired: "But perhaps Pop Tech's greatest asset is its persistent drive to present tomorrow's catch-phrases and self-evident notions years or decades before they've been rendered banal or obvious. For instance, what will the house of 2030 look like?" More.