Top technology news headlines

• 

  BlackBerry Storm packs
  more of a drizzle

  review Phone features an innovative touch screen that provides tactile feedback, but the onscreen keyboard is a bit cramped, and the smartphone can be sluggish, and speakerphone quality is choppy.
  • Verizon's answer to the iPhone

  Read full story
• 

  Gadgets for which
  we're thankful, part 1

  photos Some of your favorite Crave contributors reveal which gadget or aspect of technology they're feeling most grateful for these days.

  Read full story

• Microsoft: IE 8 won't be done until 2009

  Company will do one more test version early next year before releasing the final version. Microsoft had earlier said to expect the browser to be finalized this year.

  (Posted in Beyond Binary by Ina Fried)

• SolarWorld serious about buying GM's Opel

  The CEO of a company that makes solar-powered race cars tells a German radio station that his company's $1.3 billion bid is the real deal.

  (Posted in Planetary Gear by Candace Lombardi)

• Mufin opens up with Facebook app, iTunes plug-in

  Scientific music search tool Mufin opens up and launches its iTunes plug-in for sorting through your music for recommendations.

  (Posted in Webware by Josh Lowensohn)

• What to expect from Dell's quarterly progress report

  Dell's third-quarter earnings results aren't expected to be nearly as impressive as rival HP's.
  • Why Dell has its head in the clouds

  (Posted in Business Tech by Erica Ogg)

• Going solar? Seven sites map your plans

  Consumers and business owners seeking to install solar power can turn to these Web sites for interactive maps and cost estimates.
  • Start-up Meraki to sell solar-powered Wi-Fi gear
  • SunRun lands financing for solar panel leasing

  (Posted in Webware by Elsa Wenzel)

• Samsung launches 256GB solid-state drive

  Electronics maker begins mass-producing its largest-capacity SSD product to date. Its single-platform design includes a chip controller, NAND flash, and special drive firmware.

  (Posted in Nanotech - The Circuits Blog by Brooke Crothers)

• Studios sue Australian ISP over video piracy

  Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft, backed by all the major networks, says iiNet has ignored requests to discipline its customers for infringing on film copyrights.

  (Posted in Digital Media by Suzanne Tindal)

• Yahoo brings its Glue to the U.S.

  Internet search pioneer launches beta test of its Glue Pages in the U.S., taking a page from its experimental visual search results site on Yahoo India.

  (Posted in Digital Media by Dawn Kawamoto)

• Local.com taps geo-targeted video ads

  Site that focuses on localized searches is bringing local video advertising to its Web pages.

  (Posted in Webware by Don Reisinger)

• Akamai to cut 7 percent of workforce

  Web content delivery company to slice 110 positions, as a means to reduce expenses in weakening economy.

  (Posted in Business Tech by Dawn Kawamoto)

• Google shutting down virtual world 'Lively'

  Search giant's virtual world project, which launched over the summer but never really got off the ground, will shut down at year's end.

  (Posted in Gaming and Culture by Daniel Terdiman)

• Microsoft, labels try to revive subscriptions

  Those who pay for a $14.95 a month Zune Pass will now get to keep 10 songs a month regardless of whether they remain subscribers.
  • Sources: Apple, music labels talk DRM-free songs
  • iTunes customers angry over copy protection moves at Apple

  (Posted in Beyond Binary by Ina Fried)

• China to tax virtual goods

  Individuals who gain income from virtual-currency transactions in China are now expected to pay in taxes 20 percent of their profits, or 3 percent of the total value of the transaction.

  (Posted in Negative Approach by Dave Rosenberg)
• All CNET News headlines

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