[July 23, 2008]

AP Technology NewsBrief at 6:33 p.m. EDT

(AP Online Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Pittsburgh cancer center warns of cell phone risksPITTSBURGH (AP) _ The head of a prominent cancer research institute issued an unprecedented warning to his faculty and staff Wednesday: Limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer. The warning from Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, is contrary to numerous studies that don't find a link between cancer and cell phone use, and a public lack of worry by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Amazon profit doubles, beats estimatesNEW YORK (AP) _ Amazon.com Inc. showed that it wasn't being hurt by economic weakness and high fuel prices, reporting Wednesday that its second-quarter profits more than doubled and surpassed analyst expectations. The Internet retailer also raised full-year revenue projections. Sales were strong in several sections of Amazon's massive marketplace.

Tech awards go to plane de-icing goo, headlightsSEATTLE (AP) _ Camera flashcubes of the 1960s, high-definition TVs and the Nicoderm quit-smoking patch have at least one thing in common: Each found a place over the years on R&D Magazine's annual list of the 100 most technologically significant new products. For 46 years, the Rockaway, N.J.-based publication has bestowed awards to products its editors and outside experts believe represent "quantum leaps of technological improvement."

Google unveils reference tool after 7-month testSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Google Inc. is taking the wraps off an Internet encyclopedia designed to give people a chance to show off _ and profit from _ their expertise on any topic. The service, dubbed "knol" in reference to a unit of knowledge, had been limited to an invitation-only audience of contributors and readers for the past seven months.

Study: Online banking possibly dicier than assumedSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Many banks are unwittingly training their online customers to take risks with their passwords and other sensitive account information, leaving them more vulnerable to fraud, new research shows. The result is that even the most security-conscious Web surfers could find themselves the victims of identity theft because they've been conditioned to ignore potential clues about whether the banking site they're visiting is real _ or a bogus site served up by hackers.

Review: TextBuyIt fun, easy to use, but limitedNEW YORK (AP) _ TextBuyIt, a recently launched shop-by-cell phone service from Amazon.com Inc., seemed like the ultimate comparison shopping tool _ perfect for an unabashed bargain hunter like myself. As it turns out, TextBuyIt is fun to play with and useful for getting deals on some products, but the service's limitations will likely make people wary of substantial purchases. Even for cheaper items, shipping costs will probably make many people think twice before text-buying.

Yahoo CEO remains upbeat despite lackluster 2QSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ With Microsoft's $47.5 billion takeover bid off the table and his company's stock price down 20 percent during his 13-month reign as Yahoo's CEO, Jerry Yang has a message for his exasperated shareholders: Things aren't as bleak as they look. "This company is doing just fine in a tough economy and a tough environment," Yang told The Associated Press in an interview late Tuesday. "We think there are a lot of good things to come still."

Yahoo share gain short-lived after earningsSUNNYVALE, Calif. (AP) _ Yahoo Inc. shares moved higher Wednesday but ultimately lost ground, a day after the company reported a drop in earnings and missed Wall Street's forecasts. Yahoo shares fell $1.01, 4.7 percent, to close at $20.39. They had risen has high as $22.48 in the session.

Netflix shuts movie financing arm to focus on coreNEW YORK (AP) _ The movie-rental service Netflix Inc. is closing a small unit that finances independent movies, partly to avoid competing with Hollywood studios with which it partners for DVD and Internet distribution. The financial impact on the company will be small, and only four out of about 400 employees are losing their jobs.

AOL integrates widget tech to boost social-net adsNEW YORK (AP) _ Install a little photo program to show off pictures of your dog on Facebook, and you might find you're really spreading an ad. Time Warner Inc.'s AOL said Wednesday it was integrating technology from its newly acquired Goowy Media Inc. to help advertisers pitch their products and services at social-networking sites, which have struggled to generate revenue despite heavy traffic.

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