South Koreans to get Apple's iPhone this week
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Apple Inc's iPhone is coming to South Korea this week, a local carrier announced Sunday, bringing the iconic communications device to one of the world's most sophisticated mobile phone markets. KT Corp. began accepting orders for the iPhone both online and in stores Sunday and service will start Nov. 28 as part of an official launch, said Alice Park, a spokeswoman for the country's second-largest mobile carrier.
B&N Nook sells out, too late for holiday orders
NEW YORK (AP) — Consumers who haven't yet ordered Barnes & Noble's electronic book reader, the Nook, won't see one before Christmas. The earliest that anyone who orders the $259 device on Friday — or later — will receive it is Jan. 4, 2010, the nation's largest bookseller said Friday.
Sony hopes online service will build brand loyalty
TOKYO (AP) — Sony's new online service connecting the whole range of its gadgets to downloadable content like movies and games should help build brand loyalty, a top executive said Friday. Executive Vice President Kazuo Hirai said the service, set for launch next year, highlights an advantage that Sony has over rivals like Samsung Electronics Co. and other manufacturers that don't produce their own content. Sony's business empire spans gaming, electronics, movies and music.
Dell's profit, stock drop on weak quarterly report
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Some of the computer industry's biggest players — such as IBM Corp., Intel Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. — have wowed Wall Street this fall with stronger-than-expected profits. Dell Inc. didn't join them Thursday.
200 Web sites spread al-Qaida's message in English
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Increasing numbers of English-language Web sites are spreading al-Qaida's message to Muslims in the West. They translate writings and sermons once largely out of reach of English readers and often feature charismatic clerics like Anwar al-Awlaki, who exchanged dozens of e-mails with the Army psychiatrist accused of the Fort Hood shootings. The U.S.-born al-Awlaki has been an inspiration to several militants arrested in the United States and Canada in recent years, with his Web-based sermons often turning up on their computers.
Web sites cater to for-sale-by-owner home sellers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Selling a home without a real estate agent can save thousands of dollars in commission fees, but it can also be a painstaking, confusing task. Foregoing an agent, however, is easier these days thanks to Web sites that help homeowners advertise their properties on the hottest real estate portals and even walk them through figuring out how to price their home to sell.
Yahoo jumps on Twitter bandwagon to improve search
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yahoo Inc. is jumping on the Twitter bandwagon in its latest attempt to get people to use its Internet search engine more frequently. Beginning Thursday, Yahoo will mine the short messages posted on Twitter to find fresher information about hot topics.
GE, Vivendi talks over NBC Universal stretch on
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A deal for Comcast Corp. to buy a controlling stake in NBC Universal and create one of the most powerful media companies in the world is taking longer than expected as the current owners tussle over price. Comcast, the largest cable TV operator in the United States, wants NBC Universal largely for its lucrative cable channels, but it isn't likely to raise its offer to General Electric Co., which first needs Vivendi SA to sell its minority stake.
Astronaut's wait over as daughter born back home
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Astronaut Randolph Bresnik is a new dad again, after launching into space and taking a spacewalk, all the for first time. He announced the birth of his daughter, Abigail, on Sunday morning on NASA's airwaves.
Google adding automatic captions to YouTube videos
WASHINGTON (AP) — Think of it as closed captioning for the new media world. Google Inc. said Thursday it is introducing automatic, machine-generated captions for videos on its YouTube site. The new service, being launched this week, is intended to make online videos accessible to the deaf and hearing-impaired.
