[Technology] Biz Break: Wall Street dips, Instagram faces user lawsuit

Biz Break: Wall Street dips, Instagram faces user lawsuit
http://newyork.newsday.com/business/instagram-users-launch-class-action-lawsuit-1.4372764
Today: Stocks decline in a shortened trading session as politicians doubt long-term solution for "fiscal cliff." Also: Instagram faces possible class-action lawsuit for its user rules, Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) declines and Yahoo (YHOO) gains.

No Sales Pop for a New Version of Windows
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/24/technology/tepid-sales-of-microsofts-windows-8-point-to-shaky-market.html
BELLEVUE, Wash. - It used to be that a new version of the Windows operating system was enough to get people excited about buying a new computer, giving sales a nice pop.

Christmas surprise for Droid Razr, Razr Maxx
http://www.gsmarena.com/android_41_now_seeding_to_motorola_droid_razr_and_razr_maxx-news-5251.php
Jelly Bean starts finding its way into the Christmas stockings of Droid Razr and Droid Razr Maxx owners. Seth Rosenblatt. by Seth Rosenblatt.

LG to expand lineup with new Google TV models
http://gadgets.ndtv.com/tv/news/lg-announces-new-google-tv-models-set-to-debut-at-ces-2013-309284
LG Electronics Inc., the second-largest Korean electronics maker, is introducing two television models based on Google Inc.'s software.

Nintendo PSA: update the firmware for that gift Wii U
http://techland.time.com/2012/12/24/how-netflix-built-its-wii-u-app-a-fake-gamepad/
So you're the very definition of generosity and plan to put a Wii U under the tree for that special someone. Nintendo just provided a helpful tip to keep the kindness going beyond Christmas morning, if it's not too late: update that Wii U's firmware before you ...

Amazon Says Its Customer Review Guidelines Haven't Changed, But It Is ...
http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/science_tech/amazon-cracking-down-on-fake-reviews
Good news, everyone! We can totally start trusting Amazon reviews again. The company has been conducting a “sweeping but hazy purge” of customer reviews, according to a recent story in The New York Times.

New Role for Microsoft Veteran Craig Mundie
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/12/24/new-role-for-microsoft-veteran-craig-mundie/
Craig Mundie, Microsoft's chief research and strategy officer, has taken a new role as a senior adviser to Chief Executive Steve Ballmer.

iPad 5 Before iPad 4 â€" What?
http://www.designntrend.com/articles/2880/20121224/ipad-5-before-4-%E2%80%93-what.htm
iPad 3 was released in March 2012 and iPad 4 tomorrow as a Christmas gift. Before the release of iPad 4, the rumor about the release of the next generation iPad, iPad 5, in March 2013 has been revealed by Macotakara, a Japanese Blog.

Is Amazon's Advertising A Threat To Google?
http://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/google-amazon-rivalry-set-to-escalate-in-2013-309006
We've heard that Amazon is expanding its advertising network. The important question I think is whether that's actually likely to be a threat to Google's position.

Why startups shouldn't be afraid of Facebook cloning them
http://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/facebook-releases-poke-iphone-app-with-self-destructing-messages-309014
It takes a lot more than a clone to take out a scrappy startup with dedication to its vision. Ben Parr. by Ben Parr. December 24, 2012 10:03 AM PST Follow @benparr.

Big iOS 6 uptick linked to China launch, instead of Google Maps
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hvA5z8d91PZ9CHyom52Sc5DNF9oQ?docId=CNG.57cd3dba632f1498695d88aa3800f38e.1a1
Since Google's new iOS mapping app hit Apple's App Store, adoption of iOS 6 has jumped 30 percent. But new data says the rate in North America stayed flat and that the global jump may be due to iPhone sales in China.

Acer may launch $99 Android tablet in early 2013
http://venturebeat.com/2012/12/24/acer-cheapo-tablet/
Acer is planning to launch a $99 tablet in the beginning of next year, according to anonymous sources for the Wall Street Journal.

Steve Jobs' high-tech yacht impounded over bill dispute
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20815910
Venus, the minimalist high-tech yacht commissioned by the late Apple founder Steve Jobs, has become embroiled in a row over a disputed bill.

Google/Motorola 'X phone' Tries To Push Tech Limits
http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/motorolas-x-phone-project-hopes-to-right-the-ship-20121224/
The reported Google/Motorola 'X phone' sounds like it's Google's attempt to build the ultimate phone. But the people at Google aren't the only ones who dream of blue-sky phones of the future.

How Ex-RIM Employees Are Fueling Ontario's Startup Scene
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2252942/Blackberry-10-Leaked-images-generation-RIMs-mobile-devices.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Research in Motion, maker of the once-treasured but now beleaguered BlackBerry, is in trouble. RIM cut 5,000 jobs -- 30% of its workforce -- this past summer.

Galaxy Camera Review: Android Meets Camera
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/samsung-galaxy-camera-review-android-meets-point-shoot/story?id=18055760
A couple of years ago, if you went digging through a purse or a backpack, you'd likely find a point-and-shoot camera. Now you'll find that most people instead use the cameras built into their smartphones.

China to curtail trademark trolls
http://www.livemint.com/Politics/ZNjvi3C0udQfiV2Mty1ECK/China-to-crack-down-on-malicious-trademark-registrations.html
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.

Is Paying to Message Strangers a New Texting Business?
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/339682
Cellphone carriers are making less money from text messages thanks to free messaging services offered by Facebook, Apple and other tech companies.

Netflix streaming down on some devices thanks to Amazon issues
http://tech.lifegoesstrong.com/article/online-gift-cards-make-great-last-minute-gift-and-stocking-stuffers
It hasn't been the best year for Amazon Web Services, with the suite of cloud computing products taking down numerous online services in 2012 - and on Christmas Eve here in the US, yet another problem has taken Netflix's streaming services offline.

New Grand Theft Auto V screens
http://www.gamespot.com/news/new-grand-theft-auto-v-screens-6401946
Latest batch of screenshots for Rockstar Games' upcoming open-world title show shark, submarine, planes, and blimp. Rockstar Games has provided a holiday gifts to gamers: new Grand Theft Auto V screenshots.