Amazon: The five biggest stories of 2012[ Wed, 26 Dec 2012 12:00:00 GMT ]The e-commerce giant spent the year stepping on its competitors' toes -- as usual. [Read more]

Apple wins critical SIM connector patent[ Wed, 26 Dec 2012 14:23:56 GMT ]The company wins a patent that allows SIM cards to be easily swapped into a device like a smartphone or tablet. It's a handy patent given the recent battle for SIM card standards. [Read more]

HTC's global One S gets Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean[ Wed, 26 Dec 2012 14:43:39 GMT ]Still no word on the U.S. version though. [Read more]

Steve Jobs' yacht freed in time for Christmas[ Wed, 26 Dec 2012 16:04:34 GMT ]After being impounded, the Venus is heading home. The notoriously controlling Jobs forgot one thing while working on the mega yacht: A contract with the designer. [Read more]

Microsoft forges ahead with retail store expansion plans[ Wed, 26 Dec 2012 16:45:37 GMT ]The company is continuing its transformation from a simple software company with the announcement of its first six stores planned for 2013. [Read more]

Apparently This Matters: Meggings[ Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:52:19 EST ]GQ summed it up with one word: "No."

Steve Jobs' yacht impounded[ Sat, 22 Dec 2012 11:01:29 EST ]The megayacht that Steve Jobs commissioned in the final years of his life has been impounded in Amsterdam after a payment dispute involving the designer, Philippe Starck.

Instagram hit with lawsuit[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:32:50 EST ]A class action lawsuit against Instagram has been filed in San Francisco federal court, following user outrage regarding the mobile photo sharing app's changed Terms of Service.

On Web, 'Time Has Come' for singer[ Wed, 26 Dec 2012 10:19:26 EST ]His song is one of the enduring anthems of the turbulent 1960s, a soulful call to action awash in a psychedelic wave of sound.

How to sell or get rid of your old gadgets[ Wed, 26 Dec 2012 10:28:16 EST ]If you received shiny new gadgets for the holidays, you probably have some older device that is now unwanted or obsolete. If you can't regift your old computer, tablet or TV, make sure you get rid of it the smart way by selling, donating or recycling it.

Video: Play tablet dress-up with these iPad cases[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:58:12 GMT ]Santa brought you an iPad? Time to dress it up to make it more fun — or safe — to use. NBCNews.com's Rosa Golijan looks at four of the more interesting case options. (NBCNews.com)

Scientists unravel secret of Rudolph's red nose[ Tue, 25 Dec 2012 00:01:00 GMT ]Most people know Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had a very shiny nose — but why? Medical researchers say they've now found the answer.

Last-second gifts that won't make you look desperate[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 18:00:24 GMT ]The deadlines for online orders may have passed, and the stores may be closing, but it's not too late to buy a Christmas present that's better than the usual digital gift card.

'Star of Wonder' leaves lots to wonder about[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:56:20 GMT ]Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Astronomers and scriptural scholars have laid out a variety of scenarios to explain the "Star of Bethlehem" — with some unorthodox twists.

Google vs. Microsoft: Santa-trackers out of sync[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 23:07:55 GMT ]Two online systems for tracking Santa Claus' travels on Christmas Eve — supported by Microsoft and Google — show dramatically different itineraries for the Jolly Old Elf.

Chrome prepares to ax silent extensions[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 21:11:10 GMT ]A coming version of Google Chrome on Windows is going to prevent extensions that don't come from the official Chrome store from quietly installing without your say-so. [Read more]

Instagram hit with proposed class-action lawsuit[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 22:19:32 GMT ]Suit claims that not only is Instagram making a "grab for customer property rights" with tweaks to its terms of service, it's also attempting to cover its tail by prohibiting users from seeking legal relief. [Read more]

Christmas surprise for Droid Razr, Razr Maxx[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 22:47:31 GMT ]Jelly Bean starts finding its way into the Christmas stockings of Droid Razr and Droid Razr Maxx owners. [Read more]

Customer claims Sprint worker said his fingers 'too fat' for iPhone[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 23:19:06 GMT ]A customer claims he went to a Sprint store to replace his damaged phone and the Sprint salesperson told him his digits were too porky for an iPhone 4. [Read more]

LG's 2013 home theater line doubles down on sound bars, Bluetooth speakers[ Tue, 25 Dec 2012 08:01:00 GMT ]LG has announced its entire 2013 home theater line in advance of CES, including modest updates to its sound bars, Blu-ray players, HTIBs, and Bluetooth speakers. [Read more]

Apparently This Matters: Meggings[ Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:52:19 EST ]GQ summed it up with one word: "No."

Steve Jobs' yacht impounded[ Sat, 22 Dec 2012 11:01:29 EST ]The megayacht that Steve Jobs commissioned in the final years of his life has been impounded in Amsterdam after a payment dispute involving the designer, Philippe Starck.

Instagram hit with lawsuit[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:32:50 EST ]A class action lawsuit against Instagram has been filed in San Francisco federal court, following user outrage regarding the mobile photo sharing app's changed Terms of Service.

On Web, 'Time Has Come' for singer[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:33:01 EST ]His song is one of the enduring anthems of the turbulent 1960s, a soulful call to action awash in a psychedelic wave of sound.

On Web, 'Time Has Come' for '60s singer[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:16:41 EST ]His song is one of the enduring anthems of the turbulent 1960s, a soulful call to action awash in a psychedelic wave of sound.

Top tech flops of 2012 tainted a good year for gadgets[ Sat, 22 Dec 2012 18:21:35 GMT ]A lot of good things happened in tech this year, including the debuts of the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S III. But where there’s good, there’s bad. There were plenty of major tech fails this year. These awards go to the eight biggest.

Sacks of potatoes stand in for humans in Boeing's in-air Wi-Fi tests[ Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:26:06 GMT ]If the wireless Internet connection during your holiday flight seems more reliable than it used to, you could have the humble potato to thank.

SpaceX rocket goes for 12-story-high hop[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 04:16:20 GMT ]Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: SpaceX's prototype Grasshopper rocket takes one giant leap, rising to a 12-story height and settling back down safely with a dummy cowboy riding along.

Pagan roots? 5 surprising Christmas facts[ Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:42:42 GMT ]When you gather around the Christmas tree or stuff goodies into a stocking, you're taking part in traditions that stretch back thousands of years — long before Christianity entered the mix.

'Star of Wonder' leaves lots to wonder about[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:56:20 GMT ]Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Astronomers and scriptural scholars have laid out a variety of scenarios to explain the "Star of Bethlehem" — with some unorthodox twists.

Fresh iPad rumor: thinner, lighter version due in March[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:06:04 GMT ]The report also calls for an iPad Mini with a Retina Display. [Read more]

Acer drives tablet prices lower, plans $99 model[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:39:38 GMT ]The Iconia B1 tablet looks like it's headed to the emerging markets, and it's unclear whether it'll hit the U.S. [Read more]

Easy last-minute gifts you can print or e-mail[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:41:47 GMT ]The procrastination ends now. Here's your last chance to get something for that someone special. [Read more]

China to curtail trademark trolls[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 15:24:38 GMT ]China says it will make a greater effort to stamp out companies such as Proview, which sued Apple earlier this year for the use of the iPad name. [Read more]

Nokia tablet details: keyboard cover with battery, 10.1-inch display[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 15:58:54 GMT ]AT&T will reportedly be the first carrier to sell the tablet, which could make its debut at Mobile World Congress in February. [Read more]

Web observes Sandy Hook moment[ Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:14:49 EST ]Some major websites will go dark for one minute Friday at 9:30 a.m. ET as part of a national moment of silence for the victims of last week's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Everybody wants Raspberry Pi[ Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:14:09 EST ]In a world where computers are increasingly powerful and are concealed within ever more glossy slabs of aluminium, the Raspberry Pi (RPi) offers surprising proof for the virtue of moderation.

Apparently This Matters: Meggings[ Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:52:19 EST ]GQ summed it up with one word: "No."

Steve Jobs' yacht impounded[ Sat, 22 Dec 2012 11:01:29 EST ]The megayacht that Steve Jobs commissioned in the final years of his life has been impounded in Amsterdam after a payment dispute involving the designer, Philippe Starck.

Video: Track Santa with your smartphone[ Mon, 24 Dec 2012 08:56:49 EST ]This year, a tech giant is getting in on the action of tracking Santa's journey from the North Pole and across the globe.

Free e-books bring the cosmos to life[ Sat, 22 Dec 2012 00:04:47 GMT ]Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: Free e-books from NASA, the Hubble Space Telescope's science team and the European Space Agency bring Earth and the heavens to life.

Outer-space views take on a festive look[ Sat, 22 Dec 2012 21:14:20 GMT ]Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: If you still have to send out your season's greetings, take your pick from a spectrum of holiday e-cards from the European Space Agency.

Mayan apocalypse failure bad news for believers[ Sat, 22 Dec 2012 16:26:44 GMT ]You might expect the world not ending to be a cause for celebration. But for believers in doomsdays like Friday's supposed Mayan apocalypse, the continued existence of the planet can be quite traumatic.

NRA: Video game industry 'sows violence against its own people'[ Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:47:27 GMT ]After a week of intense anti-gun sentiment following the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the National Rifle Association on Friday blamed video games and their virtual guns for creating a culture of violence that breeds killers.

Top tech flops of 2012 tainted a good year for gadgets[ Sat, 22 Dec 2012 18:21:35 GMT ]A lot of good things happened in tech this year, including the debuts of the iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S III. But where there’s good, there’s bad. There were plenty of major tech fails this year. These awards go to the eight biggest.

Here comes Microsoft Surface Pro, 64 bits and all[ Sat, 22 Dec 2012 20:37:49 GMT ]The Windows 8 Pro version of Microsoft's Surface tablet is just around the corner. Here's what to expect. [Read more]

U.S., Russia forge 'action plan' on piracy[ Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:30:33 GMT ]The two countries agree on a plan to curtail theft of intellectual property, after President Obama grants Russia "permanent normal trade relations" and the two nations agree to have the WTO's tenets apply between them. [Read more]

First day tips and tweaks for new MacBook owners[ Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:39:21 GMT ]Get a new holiday MacBook? Here's how to get the most of it right away. [Read more]

The social 'gifting' boom: Wrapp now sending 1M cards a week[ Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:00:00 GMT ]2012 is the year in which social gifting started to take off, and not just for Facebook. One leading the pack is Wrapp, which is seeing usage skyrocket. [Read more]

A miniature speaker amplifier for your desktop[ Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:06:00 GMT ]The Pro-Ject Stereo Box S is a tiny thing, but it's big enough to bring desktop speakers to life! [Read more]