Fwd: Technology Report: Exclusive: SEC wasted $1 million on data storage, watchdog says

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	05/24/2011
Good afternoon John Microsoft announced an update of its Windows phone software, code-named Mango, hoping a host of new features will help it close the gap on smartphone leaders Google and Apple. The update involves 500 new features, including IE 9 as the mobile browser, integrated Twitter and LinkedIn feeds, automated Facebook check-ins, and access to more than 17,000 downloadable applications. The updated software will appear on new Windows phones beginning this fall, and be available for existing Windows phone users before that, although Microsoft has not set a timetable for making the update available. Nokia said in statement that their first Windows Phone devices will be powered by the Mango OS. Barnes & Noble unveiled a new e-reader that features a touchscreen, weighs less than a paperback book and has a battery life of two months. The latest Nook will sell for $139, the same price as Amazon's e-reader, the Kindle, and will start shipping on June 10. The touchscreen device weighs 7.5 ounces, has a 6-inch display, and allows a user to look up words, highlight passages and adjust the font size. While the black and white Nook introduced on Tuesday is more than $100 cheaper than its color counterpart, the price would likely drop by the holiday season, Forrester research analyst James McQuivey said. He added the new Nook should put some distance between it and Amazon, which doesn't have color or touchscreen features in its e-reader. Sony's shares bounced back from two-month lows after the electronics giant said this year's operating profit would match last year's, easing worries about the impact of the March earthquake. Separately, Sony said websites in four countries were hacked in the latest of a series of security breaches. French President Nicolas Sarkozy softened his usually tough stance on Internet regulation at a forum that brought together tech leaders in Paris, but stark divisions remained on everything from privacy to copyright. A draft communique reviewed by Reuters, which is being finalized for release at the conclusion of the forum Wednesday, suggested that the gathering will paper over the deepest divisions and shy away from making concrete policy proposals. LATEST NEWS Exclusive: SEC wasted $1 million on data storage, watchdog says May 24, 2011 04:42 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Securities and Exchange Commission wasted $1 million on virtual data storage it bought in 2008, the agency's internal watchdog said, part of a series of investigations into the agency's procurement practices. | Full Article Search engine Yandex's shares rise 50 percent on debut May 24, 2011 03:38 PM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of newly public Russian Internet search company Yandex NV rose 50 percent on Tuesday, evidence of the same ardent investor interest that doubled LinkedIn Corp's share price after its initial public offering last week. | Full Article Yandex says "better than Google" May 24, 2011 11:58 AM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - Internet search firm Yandex declared itself "better than Google" as it debuted on the Nasdaq on Tuesday, and signaled it has ambitions to expand beyond its Russian heartland. | Full Article Videoconference firms eye Iceland ash cloud boost May 24, 2011 02:20 PM ET HELSINKI (Reuters) - Video communications companies expect air travel bans stemming from a volcano eruption in Iceland to boost demand in a similar way, or even more, than last year. | Full Article Microsoft appeals against EU antitrust fine May 24, 2011 10:47 AM ET LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - An 899 million euro ($1.3 billion) EU antitrust fine was excessive and undeserved, Microsoft Corp told an EU court on Tuesday in a case which could draw a line under a decade of legal battles. | Full Article BUSINESS NEWS Wall Street retreats again on growth concerns May 24, 2011 04:38 PM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks dipped in light volume on Tuesday as lingering concerns about a slowdown in growth more than offset gains in energy shares. | Full Article Stimulus money recipients owe billions in taxes: government May 24, 2011 04:36 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Contractors and businesses that received money through the 2009 federal economic stimulus plan owe billions in unpaid taxes to the U.S. government, a federal auditor said on Tuesday. | Full Article Pentagon buoyed by Wall Street view of defense stocks May 24, 2011 04:22 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon is very encouraged by Wall Street's response to aerospace companies and arms makers, even as U.S. defense spending flattens, the top U.S. weapons buyer said on Tuesday. | Full Article New home sales rise, but signal no recovery yet May 24, 2011 04:40 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sales of newly built single-family homes rose for a second straight month in April and supply was the lowest in a year, but an overhang of previously owned houses on the market could hobble recovery. | Full Article EU policy options narrow to avert Greek default May 24, 2011 03:33 PM ET ATHENS/PARIS (Reuters) - Europe's policy options to avert a Greek default are narrowing fast after the ECB and ratings agencies warned against even voluntary debt rescheduling and Athens highlighted its urgent need for more EU cash. | Full Article U.S. TOP NEWS France's Lagarde to launch IMF bid on Wed: source Netanyahu says will give up some land for peace U.S. debt talks resume with focus on healthcare Chrysler repays $7.6 billion U.S., Canada loans Searchers and dogs scour Missouri tornado wreckage RELATED VIDEO Scientists revive ancient spider in stunning 3D detail Soyuz returns three astronauts Lost your pet zebra? 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