Sony Phone Hides Proper WinMo Multitouch (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - The new Sony Ericsson Aspen phone itself looks fairly unremarkable, but it turns out the Aspen is running Windows Mobile 6.5.3, which would make it the first handset to do so. And that means support for glass capacitive touch screens with multi-touch. Bye-bye, stylus?

Online gamers set for consolidation wave in 2010 (Reuters)

Reuters - Consolidation among online gaming firms is set to spark into life in 2010 with a possible deal between PartyGaming and Austria's bwin seen as the potential catalyst for a wave of takeover activity.

Google pushes Chrome browser as PC battle looms (Reuters)

Reuters - Google has taken the unusual step of using real-world advertising to promote its Chrome web browser in Europe ahead of a regulatory change that will make it easier for consumers to switch Web browsers.

Simon Cowell's Haiti single hits airwaves (Reuters)

Reuters - A new charity single for Haiti featuring Mariah Carey, Jon Bon Jovi, Susan Boyle and Robbie Williams hit the internet and airwaves on Tuesday.

Android apps for business users (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - The BlackBerry may be the most popular phone in businesses today, but the openness of the Google Android platform is attractive too. Most of the big-name apps from the iPhone world are now available for the Android. And because the Android's Web browser is based on the same WebKit rendering engine the iPhone uses, Web apps built for the iPhone will likely require minimal changes to work on Android devices.

Univision launches YouTube channel (AFP)

AFP - Top US Spanish-language television network Univision has launched its own channel on YouTube, featuring short clips and full shows.

Use of Twitter, Facebook rising among gang members (AP)

AP - When a gang member was released from jail soon after his arrest for selling methamphetamine, friends and associates assumed he had cut a deal with authorities and become a police informant.

China Works to Toughen Hacking Laws (PC World)

PC World - Chinese police and judicial officials are formulating new measures that govern how hacking crimes are handled by courts, the country's latest step to strengthen its cyber laws, state media reported.

Touch Input Rumored for Google's Upcoming Chrome OS (PC World)

PC World - Google has been focusing development on the netbook and tablet markets for some time now, using Android OS as a stepping stone into the sub-laptop operating system market. The first tablets featuring the Android OS have already arrived, with more on the way for 2010, which that begs the question: What of Google's other mobile software project, Chrome OS? Will it make its way onto tablets too?

Softbank Pays US$20 Million for Stake in Ustream (PC World)

PC World - Japan's Softbank has paid US$20 million for a 13.7 percent stake in Ustream, a company that offers anyone the chance to stream live video across the Internet, and holds options to purchase further shares, it said Tuesday.

S. Korea, Japan have world's fastest web links (AFP)

AFP - East Asian countries led by South Korea, Hong Kong and Japan are the best wired in the world with the highest number of fast broadband connections to the Internet, a recent report has found.

Google launches Chinese holiday travel map amid row (AFP)

AFP - Google has launched a map search service in China for travellers taking trips during the Lunar New Year holiday season, despite a row over cyberattacks and censorship.

A Business Case for the Apple iPad (PC World)

PC World - Last Wednesday, Apple introduced the long-fabled Apple tablet to the world.

Leaked "Lost" episode spurs surprising fan reaction (Reuters)

Reuters - The first hour of the final season of ABC's "Lost" has leaked online, and the reaction is not what industry insiders expected.

JooJoo Tablet PC Promised by End of February (PC World)

PC World - Fusion Garage's JooJoo tablet PC is expected to be in consumer hands by the end of February, when it will likely give some indication as to the public's interest in tablets such as the Apple iPad.

Report: Google to Open App Store for Business Software (PC World)

PC World - Google may open as early as March an online store to sell third-party software that complements its Google Apps collaboration and communication hosted suite, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Southwest In-flight Wi-Fi Coming Next Quarter (PC World)

PC World - Southwest Airlines has ordered equipment for an in-flight Wi-Fi service and will start deploying it on planes in the second quarter of this year.

Google News tunes into favored topics (AFP)

AFP - Google has began letting online visitors tell its news website what topics they want to tune into.

Travel Web sites win rollback of additional taxes (Reuters)

Reuters - Online travel companies on Monday won the first of several pending legal battles to roll back tax assessments by California cities that claim they owe tens of millions of dollars in occupancy taxes.

China's Sohu Lags Views On Weak Ads (Investor's Business Daily)

Investor's Business Daily - U.S. shares of Sohu.com (NasdaqGS:SOHU - News), China's most-visited Web portal, and Changyou (NasdaqGS:CYOU - News), its online games unit, fell Monday after the pair gave weak guidance for the current quarter and reported mixed fourth-quarter results.

Obama answers questions from YouTube users (AFP)

AFP - US President Barack Obama answered questions from YouTube users Monday in the latest embrace of cyberspace by a White House that has also launched Facebook and MySpace pages and Twitter and Flickr feeds.

Sony Pictures says to lay off 450 workers (Reuters)

Reuters - Sony Pictures plans to lay off 450 employees, or 6.5 percent of its workforce, in coming weeks to combat falling DVD sales, online piracy and other factors hurting long-term box office and sales growth.

Chrome Has 5.2 Percent of Browser Market, Ahead of Goal (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Google may not be winning over the multitudes with its Nexus One "superphone," but the search giant is gaining ground in the 21st century browser wars. Google's Chrome browser grabbed market share in January from its key rivals, Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox.

Intel and Micron Double the Density of Flash Memory (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Billions of microscopic cells on a single chip will soon add eight gigabytes of nonvolatile memory to smartphones and other devices, creating new possibilities for mobile applications and potentially lowering prices in the long term. IM Flash Technologies, a joint venture between chipmakers Intel and Micron Technology, on Monday unveiled a 64-gigabit NAND flash die based on 25-nanometer process technology.

Cybercriminals Focus on Social Networks, Sophos Says (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Facebook and Twitter users are under attack by cybercriminals -- and the incidents are rising, Sophos says in its its 2010 Security Threat Report released Monday. In the past 12 months, Sophos says, cybercriminals have focused more attacks on social-network users. Spam and malware are leading the charge.

Hack Brings Mac OS X to the Nokia N900 (PC World)

PC World - Have you ever wanted to run a full-blown copy of Mac OS X on your mobile device? One hacker has managed to get Apple's operating system running on a smartphone, and it's not the iPhone.

Muzak Holdings emerges from Chapter 11 (AP)

AP - Muzak Holdings LLC said Monday that it has completed its financial restructuring and has emerged from bankruptcy protection.

SAP's Enterprise Collaboration Tool Entering Public Beta (PC World)

PC World - An upcoming enterprise collaboration tool from SAP that has echoes of Google Wave will enter public beta Tuesday.

Symantec adds former Intuit CEO Bennett to board (AP)

AP - Computer security software maker Symantec Corp. said Monday that Stephen P. Bennett, former president and CEO of accounting software maker Intuit Inc., will join its board of directors effective Feb. 8.

Chinese Tablet Maker Says Apple's iPad Is a Copy (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Just days after Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the highly anticipated iPad, a Chinese company says the Cupertino, Calif.-based company copied its P88 tablet. Apple's iPad is a replica of Shenzhen Great Loong Brother's tablet with similar functions, Wu Xiaolong, the company's president, told El Mundo, a Spanish newspaper.

Amazon shares slip; Macmillan titles still missing (AP)

AP - Amazon.com continued to withhold sales of books published by Macmillan on Monday, the result of a pricing dispute that helped knock shares in the online retailer down more than 5 percent.

Art Technology posts jump in 4Q earnings (AP)

AP - E-commerce software maker Art Technology Group Inc. said Monday that improved sales and cost containment helped lift its fourth-quarter profit by 49 percent.

Obama follows State of the Union with YouTube (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama is following his State of the Union address with a YouTube interview.

Russia's Novaya Gazeta Web site hacked, paralyzed (AP)

AP - The Web site of Russia's highest-profile independent newspaper has been paralyzed for a week by a sustained attack from hackers, its deputy editor said Monday.

Firefox for Mobile Browser Runs on Nokia N900 (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - Mozilla has released a mobile version of its Firefox browser for users of Nokia's N900 smartphone, which runs the handset maker's high-end Maemo operating system. Built on the same engine as Firefox 3.6 for PCs, the new mobile browser is currently available for download in more than 30 languages, with support for more smartphone platforms and languages on the way, the developers said.

InterDigital names board member Clontz as chairman (AP)

AP - Wireless technology developer InterDigital Inc. said Monday it named longtime board member Terry Clontz as chairman, effective immediately.

Analyst: Google threat to stop search helps Baidu (AP)

AP - Shares of Baidu Inc. rose Monday after an analyst said advertisers will spend more of their budgets on the Chinese Web search provider following Google Inc.'s threat to shut down search operations in China.

Changyou.com posts higher 4Q profit (AP)

AP - Changyou.com Ltd., which develops and operates multiplayer online games in China, posted a 34 percent jump in fourth-quarter profit Monday, boosted by the popularity of its flagship game, "TLBB." The company also said co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Dewen Chen will take on the added role of president.

"Alarming" rise in cyberattacks at social networks: Sophos (AFP)

AFP - There has been an "alarming" rise in spammers and hackers hunting for victims at online social networks, according to a report released Monday by computer security firm Sophos.

Many wired Chinese unfazed at possible Google exit (AP)

AP - When the online fantasy game "World of Warcraft" was yanked from China last year because of a bureaucratic turf battle, the millions of Chinese players were outraged.

Yahoo keeps AP in its content corner with new deal (AP)

AP - The Associated Press has signed a licensing deal with Yahoo Inc. that gives the news cooperative a steady stream of revenue at a time less money is flowing in from newspapers and broadcasters.

Amazon Gives in to Macmillan's Demand for Higher Prices (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - With Apple's new iPad acting as a big rock thrown into the e-book pond, Kindle maker Amazon.com has given in to the pricing demands of publisher Macmillan. The move could mean fewer under-$10 prices for new e-books.

Steve Jobs Disses Apple Rivals During Town Hall Meeting (PC World)

PC World - As if there wasn't enough frenzy surrounding Apple and its latest wonder gadget, the iPad, Apple CEO Steve Jobs made headlines this weekend for comments he supposedly made during a Town Hall-style meeting with Apple employees, according to Wired. During the meeting, Jobs reportedly blasted the corporate culture at Adobe Systems, offered some opinions about the ongoing rivalry between Google and Apple, and took a jab at Sony's Blu-ray software.

Acer, Spooked by iTunes, Says No iPad Rival (PC World)

PC World - Acer refuses to follow the pack with a tablet like Apple's iPad, saying it's too hard to compete with iTunes and the App Store.

Bravo TV Teams With Foursquare, Report Says (PC World)

PC World - Fans of Bravo television may soon be racing around the United States to stand in more than 500 locations across the country recommended by their favorite shows such as The Real Housewives, Top Chef, and Shear Genius. The television channel is expected to announce on Monday a partnership with Foursquare, a location-based social networking game, that Bravo hopes will blur the line between TV programming and the everyday world.

UK pop sale for Haiti raises $80,000 so far (Reuters)

Reuters - An online auction of pop memorabilia from some of Britain's biggest acts has raised around 50,000 pounds ($80,000) so far for survivors of the Haiti earthquake, organizers Oxfam said on Monday.

Amazon Agrees to Up E-book Prices for Publisher (PC World)

PC World - Amazon and book publisher Macmillan ended a dispute over e-book pricing with the Kindle-maker conceding defeat in a skirmish that could ultimately jack up the price of e-books. One can't help but wonder if Apple's iPad may have impacted some of the behind the scenes decision-making.

New PlayStation 3 show pits gamer against gamer (AP)

AP - In the reality show "The Tester," the top prize is a job.

Earnings Preview: AOL to report 4th-qtr results (AP)

AP - AOL Inc. reports its fourth-quarter results on Wednesday before the market opens. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

How the iPad Will Change Mobile Computing (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - Those who were disappointed by Apple's recent announcement aren't seeing the big picture.

Sun-Oracle Merger Looks Bright for OpenOffice, MySQL (PC Magazine)

PC Magazine - Although eclipsed by Apple's iPad announcement, Oracle announced yesterday its intentions with Sun products, now that the acquisition of Sun Microsystems is complete.

SaaS BI Will Be Big in 2010 (PC World)

PC World - Mounting evidence suggests that in 2010, the hottest segment in BI (business intelligence) software will revolve around offerings delivered from the cloud, thanks to increased product sophistication, strained IT budgets and other factors.

Qualcomm to Build Research Center in Korea, Invest in Pulsus (PC World)

PC World - U.S. wireless technology developer Qualcomm plans to build a research and development center in South Korea and invest in Pulsus Technologies, a local chip maker.

Pearson, Nokia form English teaching JV in China (Reuters)

Reuters - Publishing group Pearson and phone maker Nokia have formed a joint venture to deliver English-language learning materials to mobile phone users in China, the two companies said on Monday.

China Tablet PC Maker May Sue Apple Over IPad Design (PC World)

PC World - A Chinese company that sells a tablet PC like Apple's newly announced iPad may sue the U.S. company over the similar design between the devices, it said Monday.

Microsoft Plans 250GB Disk Add-on for Xbox 360 in Japan (PC World)

PC World - Microsoft will begin selling in Japan next month an add-on 250GB hard-disk drive for the Xbox 360 console, it said Monday.

NTT DoCoMo to Demo Prototype LTE Handset (PC World)

PC World - NTT DoCoMo plans to demonstrate a prototype cellular handset running next-generation LTE technology at this month's Mobile World Congress exhibition in Barcelona, one of the companies that co-developed the handset said Monday.

Asian companies hope to reap iPad boom (AFP)

AFP - The iPad may have been designed in the United States, but Apple's money-spinning products are manufactured in the high-tech factories of east Asia.

Amazon.com to capitulate to Macmillan price demand (AP)

AP - Amazon.com says it will give in to publishing giant Macmillan and agree to sell electronic versions of its books even at prices it considers too high.

Fears Australian piracy case could shut off net (AFP)

AFP - Australian Internet rights groups fear a piracy court case could force Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to become "copyright cops" and cut web access to customers who make illegal downloads.

Apple iPad vs Kindle DX: Which is Better for Education? (PC World)

PC World - If the iPad doesn't succeed as a consumer electronics device--its initial target market--it may find a successful second career as an electronic textbook reader.

Rewriting European privacy law for digital age (AFP)

AFP - European legislation covering the protection of private data is being dragged into the digital age in a potential threat for social networking sites like Facebook where users display foibles, often without a thought for consequences.

Apple's own approach to iPad e-books could confuse (AP)

AP - Even as Apple's iPad will likely energize electronic reading, the new device is undermining a painstakingly constructed effort by the publishing industry to make it possible to move e-books between different electronic readers.

Novell bringing .Net developers to Apple iPad (InfoWorld)

InfoWorld - Novell is positioning its MonoTouch software development kit as a mechanism for building Microsoft .Net-based applications for Apple's new iPad device.

Oracle-Sun Merger Could Benefit Small Business (PC World)

PC World - Small business has reason the cheer Oracle's acquisition of Sun, now that it appears OpenOffice.org and MySQL look to do well--perhaps better--under new ownership.

Northey: Iowa shouldn't buy meatpacking plant (AP)

AP - Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey said Friday he's willing to talk to other government officials about a soon-to-be-shuttered Sioux City meatpacking plant but private industry will have the final say on its future.

Apple Pulls Flash Content From iPad Promos (PC World)

PC World - It looks like Apple's iPad really is magical after all. Marketing materials for the iPad mysteriously morphed overnight following complaints that they misleadingly depicted the device showing Flash-based content. As of Saturday morning, presto-change-o: The Flash is gone.

Connecting Your iPhone or iPad with Your Business (PC World)

PC World - Despite its reputation as a consumer device, the presence of the iPhone, and soon the iPad, in the business environment cannot be ignored. IT Administrators at businesses of all sizes must address the challenge of integrating the devices and providing access to network resources.

Cell Phone Bans Don't Work? Try Duct Tape (PC World)

PC World - A new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute indicates that laws preventing motorists from texting or using handheld cell phones while driving haven't led to a large drop in the number of vehicle crashes. While the findings are questionable, let's say, for the sake of argument, that they're true.

Net Humorists Pit iPad Against Traditional Tools (PC World)

PC World - Within minutes of the iPad's announcement, fans and critics alike were playing a hypothetical comparison game, stacking the not-yet-released device against a host of competitors, from the Kindle DX to the Sony PSP Go, from netbooks to full-size laptops, and everything in between. The comedians of the Net were taking a different tack, comparing Apple's latest with more-traditional alternatives.

Apple's IPad, Oracle's Plan for Sun Share Limelight (PC World)

PC World - While it seemed that all eyes were on Apple's unveiling of the long-awaited iPad this week, Oracle on the same day revealed its plans for Sun Microsystems' technology, while those at Sun braced for the merger and began their public goodbyes. We also had a flurry of financial reports this week and some Internet weirdness associated with President Barack Obama's first State of the Union address.

Obama wants to repeal tax on company cell phones (AP)

AP - Ever make a personal call on your company cell phone? Did you record the value of that call as taxable income, as required by law?

China's online travel market booming (AFP)

AFP - China's online tourism market is booming as an increasingly wealthy middle class travels for pleasure and the use of credit cards and the Internet soars, analysts say.

Shiny gadget, icky name: iPad jokes fly on Web (AP)

AP - You have to wonder whether there were any women in the room when the marketing geniuses at Apple decided to call the company's new gadget the "iPad." Because the jokes about feminine hygiene products are flying.

Cyber crooks cashing in on iPad frenzy (AFP)

AFP - Hackers and scammers are cashing in on iPad fever by luring the curious to booby-trapped websites with false promises of information about Apple's new tablet computer.

Microsoft fiscal 2Q earns up 60 pct on PC rebound (AP)

AP - Microsoft Corp. said Thursday its earnings in the most recent quarter jumped 60 percent, as a rebound in the personal computer industry drove sales of the company's latest Windows operating system.

Amazon 4Q profit climbs 71 pct on strong holidays (AP)

AP - Amazon.com Inc.'s fourth-quarter earnings skyrocketed 71 percent, as shoppers spent more than ever during a holiday season that improved over the previous year for retailers on and off the Web.

Books pulled from Amazon.com in pricing dispute (AP)

AP - New copies of Hilary Mantel's "Wolf Hall," Andrew Young's "The Politician" and other books published by Macmillan were unavailable Saturday on Amazon.com, a drastic step in the ongoing dispute over e-book prices.

Nintendo chief unimpressed with Apple's iPad (AP)

AP - Nintendo's president shrugged off the just unveiled iPad tablet computer from Apple as delivering "no surprises," and displayed as little enthusiasm for 3-D technology and high-definition upgrades for games.

Study: Distracted driving laws don't stop crashes (AP)

AP - A new insurance industry study has found that state laws banning the use of handheld devices to make calls or send text messages while driving have not resulted in fewer vehicle crashes.