[October 26, 2009]

AP Technology NewsBrief at 8:36 a.m. EDT

(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Verizon 3Q profit falls 30 pct on higher costsVerizon Communications Inc., the nation's second largest phone company, on Monday said third-quarter revenue fell nearly 30 percent as higher costs offset an increase in revenue that largely was driven by an acquisition in its wireless business. The company continues to manage the decline in its wireline business as customers increasingly disconnect their landlines in favor of cell phones.

Internet set for change with non-English addressesSEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ The Internet is set to undergo one of the biggest changes in its four-decade history with the expected approval this week of international domain names _ or addresses _ that can be written in languages other than English, an official said Monday. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, or ICANN _ the non-profit group that oversees domain names _ is holding a meeting this week in Seoul. Domain names are the monikers behind every Web site, e-mail address and Twitter post, such as ".com" and other suffixes.

Netflix movie streaming coming to PlayStation 3NEW YORK (AP) _ PlayStation 3 owners will soon be able to stream movies and TV shows from Netflix to their TVs using the gaming console, just as Xbox 360 owners have been able to do for a year. Sony Corp. and the DVD rental company planned to announce the service Monday and launch it next month. It will be available for free to PlayStation 3 owners who have a Netflix subscription that starts at $9.

Crowded theaters build momentum for 3-D at homeLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Fans scrambled to see 3-D movies such as "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" in theaters this year and new 3-D televisions could soon have home viewers feeling as if they're surrounded by a spaghetti hurricane on their couches. Next year major electronics manufacturers Sony Corp. and Panasonic Corp. plan to introduce 3-D-capable high-definition televisions for the mass market. You'll still need to wear special glasses, though.

White House opens Web site programming to publicWASHINGTON (AP) _ A programming overhaul of the White House's Web site has set the tech world abuzz. For low-techies, it's a snooze _ you won't notice a thing. The online-savvy administration on Saturday switched to open-source code for www.whitehouse.gov _ meaning the programming language is written in public view, available for public use and able for people to edit.

Analysts see more growth ahead for AmazonSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Low prices, solid customer service and an increasing willingness by consumers to spend on discretionary items contributed to Amazon.com Inc.'s solid third quarter, and the growth should continue despite weakness elsewhere in retail. Amazon shares soared to an all-time high Friday after the Seattle-based online retailer stunned analysts and investors by reporting that third-quarter net income grew 68 percent _ a clear sign that consumers are spending on Amazon, even though the economy is still stuttering.

Microsoft sales fall; cost cuts please investorsSEATTLE (AP) _ Consumers may be shopping for computers again, but Microsoft Corp. still needs businesses to start doing the same. Microsoft said Friday its revenue kept falling and its net income dropped 18 percent in the last quarter, partly because of the hesitation of businesses, which are more profitable for Microsoft than consumers are.

Icahn resigns from Yahoo's board on friendly termsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Activist investor Carl Icahn has decided his work is done at Yahoo Inc. after muscling his way on to the slumping Internet company's board nearly 15 months ago. In a resignation letter Friday, Icahn said he felt like it was time to leave Yahoo so he could spend more time on his investments in other companies.

Facebook tweaks home page based on feedbackNEW YORK (AP) _ Worried about missing a birth announcement, or details on what your portly uncle had for lunch? Facebook is tweaking its home page yet again in hopes of making it easier to find information. Among the latest changes is a list of items you might have missed during those rare moments spent away from the online hangout.

Judge dismisses 'Adult Services' Craigslist suitCHICAGO (AP) _ A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit aimed at driving classified ads for prostitution off the Craigslist Web site. U.S. District Court Judge John Grady said not all postings on the Craigslist "Adult Services" section advertised prostitution and that other services could legitimately appear there.

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