Microsoft defends search investments to analysts
REDMOND, Wash. (AP) -- Microsoft's CEO defended the software maker's decision to invest heavily in its unprofitable online business, but shed minimal light Thursday on specific steps it will take to challenge Google in the wake of the failed bid to buy Yahoo....
Major shareholder advisory firm backs Yahoo board
SAN FRANCISO (AP) -- An influential shareholder advisory firm endorsed the re-election of Yahoo Inc.'s entire board Thursday, reducing the chances that the Internet company's directors will be ousted for spurning Microsoft Corp.'s $47.5 billion takeover bid during the spring....
Facebook to help some programmers, punish others
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Facebook Inc. is introducing more tools to help the software applications fueling the online hangout's popularity and is promising to intensify its efforts to weed out programs that violate its rules for protecting users' privacy....
Amazon shares leap on strong quarterly report
NEW YORK (AP) -- Amazon.com Inc. shares leaped 13 percent Thursday after the Internet retailer showed that it doesn't seem to be bothered by the sputtering U.S. economy....
Embarq provides more details on Web tracking test
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Embarq Corp. has revealed more details about its exploration of a program that tracked Internet subscribers' Web-surfing habits for advertising purposes, telling Congress that it performed the test on 26,000 customers in a Kansas town....
Sony opens up e-book Reader to other booksellers
NEW YORK (AP) -- With the market for electronic books still relatively sleepy, Sony Corp. is trying a new tack: untethering the latest model of its e-book reading device from its own online bookstore....
Qualcomm earns outlook falls short of expectations
NEW YORK (AP) -- Qualcomm, the world's largest maker of chips that run cell phones, issued fourth-quarter and full-year earnings guidance Thursday that fell short of Wall Street targets, but the stock soared on a broad-ranging legal settlement....
Microsoft exec who led Yahoo buyout team to leave
SEATTLE (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday said Kevin Johnson, the executive in charge of its Windows and Web operations and an instrumental player in the company's failed $47.5 billion bid to buy Yahoo Inc., is leaving the company....
South Korea's Hynix to close US chip plant
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Hynix Semiconductor Inc., the world's second-largest memory chip manufacturer, said Thursday it will close its only U.S. factory amid changes in production standards and steep price declines buffeting the industry....
