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Yahoo launching front page open to others’ content

A significant redesign is finally coming to the Yahoo.com home page, one of the most well-traveled destinations on the Internet, and the company’s search page will follow suit starting next month. Yahoo plans to let people in the United States start selecting a new, more personalized version of the home page beginning Tuesday afternoon. The revamp lets people select basic applications to use not just Yahoo sites, but also others’ such as eBay, Facebook, and Twitter, said Tapan Bhat, Yahoo’s senior vice president for consumer experiences

Microsoft sets Windows 7 pricing, upgrade programs

Microsoft recently announced retail pricing for Windows 7 that was at or below comparable Windows Vista prices, while also offering a chance for people to preorder the software at a substantial discount. From Friday through July 11, consumers in the U.S

New iPhone 3GS heats up smartphone wars

When Apple starts selling what it bills as the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet on Friday, the company’s latest entry will only heat up the already sizzling smartphone landscape. Fans, techies and ordinary consumers eager to purchase the new iPhone 3GS may be preparing to stand in line at Apple stores around the United States and seven other countries. But they have more choices than ever when it comes to phones that act like mini-computers.

Google’s censorship struggles continue in China

Google was going to help democratize data in China. Instead, about three years after entering the Middle Kingdom, the search company still finds itself in an uncomfortable working relationship with government censors

Yes, Virginia, the DTV transition still isn’t over

In less than 24 hours all full-power broadcast TV stations in the U.S. will flip a switch to stop broadcasting their analog TV signals and will only broadcast TV signals in digital. And for millions who are unprepared, it could mean lights out on their favorite TV shows.

Can Apple beat the too-expensive rap?

SAN FRANCISCO –The big knock on Apple — whether or not it’s always been accurate — is that its products are more expensive than most of its competitors. But in the keynote speech Monday that opened Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, it became clear the company is tackling the price question head on.

Can once-cool MySpace stage a comeback?

In the brief history of Web sites, there are few if any second chances. Remember Friendster? That’s why it’s difficult for some industry observers to see a comeback for MySpace, the large online social network that has seen its popularity flatline and its hipness surpassed by younger sites like Twitter and Facebook in recent months.

Fantasy features of an Apple tablet

Apple is rumored to be working on something bigger than an iPod Touch, but smaller than a MacBook. Past patent applications filed by the company and whispers from contract manufacturers point to a midsize gadget with a screen of 7 to 8 inches in the works, perhaps scheduled to debut early next year. It’s been variously described as a tablet-like device, a “media pad,” and an iPod Touch on steroids

How technology lifts Pixar’s ‘Up’

If you want to consider a difficult computational problem, try thinking of the algorithms required to animate more than 10,000 helium balloons, each with its own string, but each also interdependent on the rest, which are collectively hoisting aloft a small house.

Google: Web and browsers will lead app development

Google spent Wednesday morning trying to get developers excited about the next generation of Web technologies by showing off how future Web applications will mimic desktop apps. “It’s time for us to take advantage of the amazing opportunity that is before us,” said Google CEO Eric Schmidt, kicking off Google I/O 2009 in San Francisco.