Top Items:
David Chartier / Ars Technica:
Microsoft, Apple, Google sued over icon software patent — Cygnus Systems, Inc., a networking company based in Michigan, got into the holiday spirit by suing Microsoft, Apple, and Google for violating a patent it was recently awarded, which covers the navigation and access of files based on representational thumbnails.
Discussion:
Electronista, InformationWeek, CNET News, Search Engine Watch, Boing Boing Gadgets and digg.com
MG Siegler / VentureBeat:
The $99 iPhone lives! (Through AT&T, not Wal-Mart) — Some of you are likely upset that we now know for certain that Wal-Mart won't be selling the iPhone for $99, and instead will give it a measly $2 discount when it goes on sale on Sunday. So I'm happy to report today …
Chris Foresman / Infinite Loop:
Walmart publicly confirms iPhone sales, $197 price — Rumors had been flying for months that retail juggernaut Walmart would be selling iPhones in its US stores. That rumor had all but been confirmed when leaked memos revealed that sales would begin on December 28.
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Jessica Wohl / Reuters:Wal-Mart to start selling iPhones on Sunday
Discussion:
CNN, Tech Trader Daily, Silicon Alley Insider, blogs.ft.com, VentureBeat, Unwired View, SlashGear, Technologizer, iPhone Savior, eWeek, TechSpot and Between the Lines
Michael Martin / Google Android News:
G1 Phone Owners May Get a Battery Replacement Christmas Gift from T-Mobile — A replacement extended life battery may be a late Christmas Present to frustrated G1 owners from T-Mobile. — As polled here and elsewhere, the main concern with the G1 is the short battery life as with only moderate use …
Erick Schonfeld / TechCrunch:
Voicetag Brings Voicemail To Facebook — For those of you who don't think voicemail is counterproductive, there is a new app on Facebook called Voicetag that lets you send voicemail messages to individuals or groups. This is not the first such app on Facebook (see Voicemail or TringMe) …
Om Malik / GigaOM:
For Amazon, Netbooks Are a Smash Hit — Santa was apparently good to Amazon.com this year; the e-tailer says its 14th holiday (shopping) season was its best ever, though it doesn't offer any data to back up that cheery claim. Its biggest sellers (based on number of units ordered) …
Steve Rubel / Micro Persuasion:
Google Now Features WordPress Blog Thumbnails — Twice this week when I searched for a blogger's name and some other related keywords, I noticed that Google is running a little thumbnail alongside the first links. I have verified that this is not an experiment but rather a new mini feature.
Emil Protalinski / One Microsoft Way:
Rumor: three options for upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 — Back in November, I explored the number of editions of Windows 7 that Microsoft was working on. While the company has not officially given a list yet, it was clear that Windows 7 Enterprise Edition and Windows 7 Ultimate Edition were definitely coming.
Aidan Malley / AppleInsider:
iPhone nano knockoffs already on sale in Thailand (photos) — Those eagerly anticipating next month's Macworld and the prospects of a smaller iPhone should beware, as a slew of tiny clones are introducing confusion as they reach store shelves. — While silicone case molds have surfaced …
Amazon.com:
Amazon.com's 14th Holiday Season Is Best Ever — Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced the 2008 holiday season finished as its best ever, with over 6.3 million items ordered worldwide on the peak day, Dec. 15, which is a record-breaking 72.9 items per second.
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James Lewin / Podcasting News:
Podango Warns That The End Is Near — Podcasting startup Podango announced today that its future is uncertain and warned its users to make sure they've got their data backed up before the end of this month. — Here's the announcement from Podango President Douglas Smith:
Justin Smith / Inside Facebook:
Widget Entrepeneurs Await Clarity from Facebook on 4th Party Connect Policy — Facebook Connect has enabled powerful new functionality for any site on the web, but still-being-developed Facebook policies may limit what new classes of Connect-enabled applications can be built in the near future.
Tameka Kee / paidContent.org:
Digging In To MySpace And Facebook's (Projected) Slump In Ad Sales — Earlier this month, eMarketer lowered its social media ad spending outlook for 2008 through 2013, with revised forecasts for News Corp.'s MySpace and Facebook. In an update, the online research firm offers details …
