Voices

Some Apple Directors Ponder CEO Succession

Since Steve Jobs went on medical leave this winter, some members of Apple Inc.’s board have discussed CEO succession with executive recruiters and at least one head of a high-profile technology company, according to people familiar with the matter.

Voices

Sony CEO Apologizes for Data Breach

Sony Corp. Chief Executive Howard Stringer apologized for a massive data breach of the company’s online game networks—the first public remarks by the top executive as Sony works to reassure its customers following the theft of personal data from more than 100 million online accounts.

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Say What? High-Tech Messages Can Get Lost in Translation.

This is the voicemail that Dan Sheeran’s tailor recently tried to leave him: “Just wanted to let you know that your pants is already done and ready for pickup,” the tailor, in accented but clear English, said in the recording. “Ok, then you can pick up your pants at Nordstrom.”

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Zynga, Lady Gaga Discuss Promotional Deal

Zynga Inc. and singer Lady Gaga are in discussions about a partnership to promote the singer’s upcoming album to Zynga’s huge audience of online game players, according to people familiar with the matter.

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Starz to Delay Some Content On Netflix

Pay-TV channel Starz plans to delay the availability of new TV shows and movies to Netflix Inc., adding to the list of media companies that have signaled plans to keep new content away from the growing online-video giant.

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Netflix in Talks for Original Series

Netflix Inc. is in advanced talks to distribute a forthcoming television series directed by David Fincher and starring Kevin Spacey, said people familiar with the talks. If such a deal were to come to fruition it would add a new competitor to the television industry by increasing the degree to which Netflix vies with premium-cable television channels like Time Warner Inc.’s HBO.

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Microsoft Adds Do-Not-Track Tool to Browser

A new version of Microsoft Corp.’s Internet Explorer to be released Tuesday will be the first major Web browser to include a do-not-track tool that helps people keep their online habits from being monitored. Microsoft’s decision to include the tool in Internet Explorer 9 means Google Inc. and Apple Inc. are the only big providers of browsers that haven’t yet declared their support for a do-no-track system in their products.

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Hipmunk's Site Targets Travel "Agony"

A San Francisco startup believes it has come up with a way to make traveling — and using travel websites — a little less agonizing. Hipmunk, which just raised $4.2 million from a roster of online travel veterans and venture capitalists, gives users access to the familiar airline fares they’re used to on other sites.

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Start-Up Behind Kinect Gesture Recognition Gets Funding

An Israeli startup behind key parts of Microsoft’s Kinect game device is getting a fresh round of funding to help expand the use of its gesture recognition technology in electronics.

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Black Ops Blasts Through the Billion Dollar Mark

“Call of Duty: Black Ops” continued its streak of breaking sales records by passing $1 billion in global sales since the product was released Nov. 9, its publisher, Activision Blizzard, said.