OUTSIDE INFLUENCE: In a dramatic about face, the company has decided to release a kit in February to allow independent software makers to create programs for the phone
Apple is opening up the iPhone -- at least partly.

[ FULL STORY ]

Sony Corp, the world's biggest maker of video-game consoles, cut the US price of a PlayStation 3 model by 17 percent and introduced a less expensive version to spur holiday sales.

[ FULL STORY ]

China's state-owned CITIC Bank (中國中信銀行) said yesterday that it is not in any talks to buy into troubled US investment bank Bear Stearns and has no plan for such a stake purchase.

[ FULL STORY ]

SKYPE HICCUP: The firm reported a US$936 million net loss due to a write-off caused by problems with the Internet calling service that it acquired in 2005
EBay, the e-commerce company, said it continued to grow quickly in the last quarter -- with a few stutters related to its slowing core business of Internet auctions.

[ FULL STORY ]

Sony Corp is selling its advanced computer chip operations to Toshiba, both companies said yesterday, in the latest sign Sony is raising cash and shedding operations to focus on its core electronics sector.

[ FULL STORY ]

The IMF on Wednesday slashed its global economic forecast for next year, warning that turbulence stemming from a crisis in the US housing sector could crimp growth worldwide.

[ FULL STORY ]

■ SEMICONDUCTORS
[ FULL STORY ]