Yahoo! Canada News: Technology

Spanish police arrest five hackers

Sat, 17 May 2008 12:16:00 GMT

AFP - MADRID (AFP) - Spanish police on Saturday announced the arrest of five hackers accused of attacking government websites in the United States, Asia and Latin America.

News-starved Burmese snap up grim cyclone videos

Sat, 17 May 2008 05:11:00 GMT

Reuters - YANGON (Reuters) - With state TV only showing footage of generals handing out food at model tented villages, people in Myanmar are snapping up bootleg video discs of bloated corpses, desperate refugees and villages ravaged by Cyclone Nargis.

Deadline passes in EA bid to buy Take-Two Interactive shares

Sat, 17 May 2008 03:16:00 GMT

AFP - SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - A deadline for Take-Two Interactive Software shareholders to agree to a buyout by video game giant Electronic Arts has passed with neither firm commenting on the takeover bid's fate.

NJ sex offenders charged for MySpace, Facebook use

Sat, 17 May 2008 01:27:00 GMT

The Canadian Press - MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. - Three convicted sex offenders have been arrested for surfing social networking websites and are believed to be the first charged under the state's new law that restricts their use of the Internet, authorities said Friday.

Yahoo seeks to conceal parts of shareholder lawsuit over Microsoft offer

Fri, 16 May 2008 23:38:00 GMT

The Canadian Press - SAN FRANCISCO - Yahoo Inc. is seeking to conceal large portions of a shareholder lawsuit alleging the Internet company's board improperly thwarted Microsoft Corp.'s US$47.5-billion takeover offer, raising shareholder questions over the motives for the secrecy.

Classified ad website Craigslist answers EBay allegations in court

Fri, 16 May 2008 23:38:00 GMT

The Canadian Press - SAN FRANCISCO - Classified ad website Craigslist is denying online auctioneer EBay's allegation that it unfairly diluted EBay's stake in it and says its board was acting to protect the company.

Nintendo set to launch "Wii Fit" exercise game

Fri, 16 May 2008 22:36:00 GMT

Reuters - SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - For years, video games have been blamed for turning kids into idle layabouts who only venture off the couch to fill up on potato chips and soda.

Lawmakers fret about Charter Web tracking plan

Fri, 16 May 2008 20:31:00 GMT

Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two U.S. lawmakers raised privacy concerns on Friday about plans by cable company Charter Communications to track some subscribers' Internet visits and asked for a meeting before the program goes ahead.

3M and Sony in optical film licensing pact

Fri, 16 May 2008 20:20:00 GMT

Reuters - SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - 3M Co and Sony Corp have agreed to a licensing deal that gives Sony the right to use certain 3M optical film technologies for use in LCD television products, the companies said on Friday.

Couple get set to broadcast wedding to the world on the Internet

Fri, 16 May 2008 20:10:00 GMT

The Canadian Press - MONCTON, N.B. - While most grooms spend the day before their wedding double-checking their tuxedo, Serge Cormier was making sure his radio cables were in good working order.

MySpace suicide case illustrates legal risks of using fake names for services

Fri, 16 May 2008 19:57:00 GMT

The Canadian Press - NEW YORK - Think twice before you sign up for an online service using a fake name or e-mail address. You could be committing a federal crime.

Shareholders file new legal claims in Yahoo case

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:22:00 GMT

Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - Investors suing Yahoo Inc over its rebuff of Microsoft Corp's $47.5 billion buyout bid have filed a new case that adds company co-founder David Filo as a defendant, but they say much of their complaint is being kept under seal at Yahoo's demand.

Web classifieds rise point to consumer bargain-hunt

Fri, 16 May 2008 16:20:00 GMT

Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - Used goods are finding a new life on U.S. classified sites, as a growing number of consumers wary of a weaker economy search for bargains online, according to data from eBay Inc's Kijiji.com.

Cable sees opportunities in digital television

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:21:00 GMT

Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. cable television industry is feeling more confident going into this year's Cable Show in New Orleans, with the transition to digital television expected to pay dividends for cable operators.

Online publishers upbeat despite economic downturn

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:15:00 GMT

Reuters - LONDON (Reuters) - Online publishers are doing well despite an economic downturn, and the ones who are best positioned to succeed are strong brands with quality content, the head of the Online Publishers Association said on Friday.

Icahn's Yahoo fight puts Microsoft in driver's seat

Fri, 16 May 2008 13:22:00 GMT

Reuters - SEATTLE (Reuters) - Two weeks after Microsoft Corp abandoned its pursuit of Yahoo Inc, a proxy fight launched by activist investor Carl Icahn has put Microsoft in the driver's seat.

Online maps reveal noise levels across England

Fri, 16 May 2008 11:39:00 GMT

Reuters - By Peter Griffiths

Yahoo, WPP form multiyear ad-trading partnership

Fri, 16 May 2008 07:21:00 GMT

Reuters - SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Embattled Yahoo Inc has struck an advertising partnership deal with WPP Group that will let WPP buy ads on Yahoo's online ad exchange, the companies said late on Thursday.

"Black-hearted" conmen bid for China quake charity

Fri, 16 May 2008 04:20:00 GMT

Reuters - BEIJING (Reuters) - People across China have opened their wallets to give earthquake aid -- and fraudsters have swung into action to capitalise on the burst of generosity.

Disney builds virtual bridge for interactive games

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:58:00 GMT

Reuters - SAN DIEGO (Hollywood Reporter) - Disney is bridging the gap between gaming and virtual worlds.

Nintendo hopes to appeal to gamers and exercise enthusiasts with Wii Fit

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:57:00 GMT

The Canadian Press - TORONTO - Swivelling hips, step moves and warrior poses were among the skills on full display at the sneak preview of Wii Fit, the latest suite of games designed for Nintendo's popular gaming console.

Icahn moves to replace Yahoo board, restart Microsoft talks

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:37:00 GMT

AFP - WASHINGTON (AFP) - Yahoo and Carl Icahn dueled Thursday as the corporate raider vowed to overthrow the firm's board and the Internet pioneer fired back that the billionaire misunderstood Microsoft's failed takeover bid.

Windows to run on One Laptop Per Child computer

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:08:00 GMT

Reuters - SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp reached an agreement to make available its Windows operating system software for the One Laptop Per Child Foundation's XO Laptop, the company said on Thursday.

CBS in US$1.8B deal for online news, info website CNet Networks

Fri, 16 May 2008 01:03:00 GMT

The Canadian Press - NEW YORK - CBS Corp. is acquiring a big online reach with its acquisition of CNet Networks Inc. but also a company that's faced heavy criticism from investors. Those concerns as well as the hefty US$1.8 billion price tag helped send CBS's shares down after the deal was announced Thursday.

U.S. game sales jump 47 percent in April on GTA4

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:41:00 GMT

Reuters - SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - U.S. sales of video game hardware and software rose 47 percent from a year earlier, as Take-Two Interactive Software Inc's "Grand Theft Auto 4" and Nintendo Co Ltd's Wii console stole the show.

Icahn to Yahoo board: Sell to Microsoft or leave

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:35:00 GMT

The Canadian Press - SAN FRANCISCO - Yahoo Inc. chief executive Jerry Yang spent months fending off Microsoft Corp.'s unsolicited takeover bid. Now he may only have a few weeks to persuade the software maker to revive its last offer of US$47.5 billion, or risk being fired in a shareholder mutiny led by activist investor Carl Icahn.

Video game, accessory sales in U.S. jump 47 per cent in April to $1.23 billion

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:33:00 GMT

The Canadian Press - NEW YORK - Americans spent US$1.23 billion on video games, hardware and accessories in April, up 47 per cent from a year earlier, even as the price of more essential items like food and gasoline soared.

Woman indicted in MySpace hoax suicide

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:07:00 GMT

Reuters - LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A 49-year-old Missouri woman accused of pretending to be a love-struck teenage boy on MySpace and driving a 13-year-old girl to suicide with cruel messages was indicted on Thursday on federal charges.

Yahoo says Icahn misunderstands facts of Microsoft takeover try

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:48:00 GMT

AFP - SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - Yahoo fired back at corporate raider Carl Icahn on Thursday, saying he lacks understanding of the Microsoft takeover try and should not follow through on a vow to oust Yahoo's board.

Game sales rise 47 pct in April on GTA4

Thu, 15 May 2008 23:35:00 GMT

CRTC to launch wide-ranging consultations on new media environment

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:13:00 GMT

The Canadian Press - OTTAWA - The CRTC has launched a major review of the impact that the Internet is having on Canadian broadcasting and whether it should try to govern content on new digital media.

Study says some file-sharing uploads hindered

Thu, 15 May 2008 21:40:00 GMT

Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A study released on Thursday reinforced allegations that Comcast Corp is hindering some file-sharing services, such as BitTorrent, that distribute television shows and movies over its network.

Icahn to battle Yahoo to accept Microsoft bid

Thu, 15 May 2008 21:07:00 GMT

Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - Financier Carl Icahn launched a proxy battle on Thursday to force Yahoo Inc to reopen buyout talks with Microsoft Corp, saying the Yahoo board had acted "irrationally" in refusing its $47.5 billion offer.

RIM will launch touch-screen BlackBerry in Q3: report

Thu, 15 May 2008 20:20:00 GMT

Reuters - TORONTO (Reuters) - BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd plans to launch a touch-screen version of the wireless e-mail device in the third quarter as an answer to Apple Inc's iPhone, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

Florida seeks to fine Verizon for bad service

Thu, 15 May 2008 18:51:00 GMT

Reuters - NEW YORK (Reuters) - Florida's attorney general said on Thursday the state was seeking to fine Verizon Communications Inc for violating service standards, but the No. 2 U.S. telephone company said its service was fine.

Yahoo lets websites customize how searches work

Thu, 15 May 2008 16:13:00 GMT

Reuters - SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Yahoo Inc has introduced a software development tool that lets outside parties create customized views of Yahoo Web search results, the company said on Thursday.

Ryanair launches holiday home letting Web site

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:52:00 GMT

Reuters - DUBLIN (Reuters) - Europe's biggest low-cost airline Ryanair launched a Web site for holiday lettings on Thursday, providing a platform for owners to create and publish adverts for their properties and manage bookings.

Watchdog asks BCE to justify Web traffic shaping

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:37:00 GMT

Reuters - TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's top telecom watchdog wants BCE Inc to explain exactly how and why it decided to slow down certain file-sharing traffic on wholesale networks it leases to smaller independent Internet service providers.

Comcast buys social network pioneer Plaxo

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:30:00 GMT

Reuters - NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Comcast Corp has agreed to acquire pioneering Web start-up Plaxo Inc, which was first to turn address books into social networks and laid the foundation for Friendster and Facebook.

Billioniare Icahn launches bid to replace Yahoo board

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:54:00 GMT

AFP - WASHINGTON (AFP) - Billionaire corporate raider Carl Icahn announced plans Thursday to launch a bid to replace the board of Yahoo, saying the Internet firm had "completely botched" merger talks with Microsoft.

Web advice changing holiday landscape

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:13:00 GMT

Reuters - LONDON, May 15 (Reuters) - Internet social networking and self-help travel websites are drastically changing the holiday planning landscape, the founder of the world's largest online travel advisory service said on Thursday.