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TMCNet: AP Technology NewsBrief at 2:31 p.m. EST

[December 18, 2008]

AP Technology NewsBrief at 2:31 p.m. EST

(AP Online Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Personalized spam rising sharply, study findsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Yes, guys, those spam e-mails for Viagra or baldness cream just might be directed to you personally. So, too, are many of the other crafty come-ons clogging inboxes, trying to lure us to fake Web sites so criminals can steal our personal information. A new study by Cisco Systems Inc. found an alarming increase in the amount of personalized spam, which online identity thieves create using stolen lists of e-mail addresses or other poached data about their victims, such as where they went to school or which bank they use.

LinkedIn founder updates resume, reclaims CEO jobSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ After taking a back seat for nearly two years, LinkedIn Corp. founder Reid Hoffman is reclaiming the CEO's job and bringing in former Yahoo Inc. executive Jeff Weiner to help steer the online professional network through its next phase of growth. Hoffman's return as chief executive, announced Wednesday, comes as a surprise, given LinkedIn's success since he recruited Dan Nye to take over the reins of the Mountain View-based company in February 2007.

Scientists try to let the blind `see' fishATLANTA (AP) _ As brightly colored fish dart in and out of the rocks scattered in a small aquarium, a bewildering melody follows each of their movements. The eerie symphony comes from an "audio aquarium," a contraption dreamed up by Georgia Tech scientists as a way to let blind people experience sea life. The researchers say they wanted to help people with disabilities do something that's more fun than functional.

Yahoo to shorten logs of user activity to 3 monthsWASHINGTON (AP) _ Yahoo Inc. said Wednesday that it will shorten the amount of time that it retains data about its users' online behavior _ including Internet search records _ to three months from 13 months and expand the range of data that it "anonymizes" after that period. The company's new privacy policy comes amid mounting concerns among regulators and lawmakers from Washington to Europe about how much data big Internet companies are collecting on their users and how that information is being used. Yahoo's announcement also ratchets up the pressure on rivals Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp. to follow its lead.

Motorola to freeze pension plans, cut exec paySCHAUMBURG, Ill. (AP) _ Motorola Inc., which has been struggling to revive its business in recent years, is freezing its pension plans and reducing executive pay in another set of cost-cutting measures. The company, which blamed the recession for the moves disclosed Wednesday, will permanently freeze its U.S. pension plans, temporarily suspend matching 401(k) contributions and reduce the base salary of its two co-chief executives. Motorola had already announced an $800 million cost-saving plan in October, but spokeswoman Jennifer Erickson would not elaborate on how much additional money the company expects to save with the latest steps.

NY gov proposes tax on drinks, downloaded musicALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Gov. David Paterson's first state budget threatens to affect just about every New Yorker. Even those online. Paterson proposed Tuesday a 2009-10 budget that would increase spending by 1.1 percent, or $1.3 billion, to create a $121.1 billion spending plan.

Cable companies to delay confusing digital switchPHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Cable TV operators say they'll voluntarily stop moving analog channels to more expensive digital tiers of service between Dec. 31 and March 1, to avoid confusing customers as the nation switches to digital broadcast transmissions in February. In letters to Congress this week, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association said cable TV companies don't want to add a "layer of complexity" as U.S. broadcasters begin to transmit all-digital signals after Feb. 17.

Survey: Worried VCs expect to invest less in 2009SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Venture capitalists are bracing for their toughest year since the dot-com bust as they try to survive the bursting of an even bigger investment bubble. The bleak outlook that emerged in a survey released Wednesday isn't a surprise, given the economic havoc wrought by a credit crisis that began with a reckless home lending spree on the heels of the last U.S. recession in 2001-2002.

Sprint Nextel Corp. to release dual-network modemKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ Sprint Nextel Corp. on Wednesday unveiled a new laptop modem that will allow users to switch between the company's normal cellular network and the new high-speed WiMax network. The Overland Park, Kan.-based wireless carrier said the USB Modem U300 will go on sale Sunday in Baltimore, the only market where Sprint is currently offering the so-called fourth-generation wireless service under the Xohm brand.

Apple CEO Jobs absent from Macworld lineupCUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) _ Apple Inc. said Tuesday that Chief Executive Steve Jobs won't be delivering the highly anticipated presentation that usually marks the highlight of the annual Macworld computer trade show in January. Apple also said 2009 will be its last year exhibiting at the Macworld Expo, a multi-day gathering of fans and makers of software and accessories for Macs, iPods, iPhones and other Apple products. The expo is organized by the IDG technology media group.

Copyright ? 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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