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This year looked to define the world's tech giants, as Apple, Google and Microsoft faced their own hurdles. Each came up short in some way.

As text messaging turned 20 years old this year, traditional SMS messages have seen a decline for the first time in the United States. Will texting eventually be replaced by social media and other messaging apps?

Apple, which reported record annual income, paid its top officers extremely well in 2012, with stock awards calculated to pay them even better.

Apple's seventh-generation iPhone and fifth-generation iPad may feature ultra-thin, ultra-sharp display technology from Sharp Inc.

The Auxo app switcher, which significantly expands the usefulness of the iOS multitasking tray, is now available to purchase and download through the Cydia Store.

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) said its new retail store network was a holiday success; the company plans to open six more soon.

For 2012, you can follow Santa Claus on his Christmas Eve journey on your smartphone with free apps to download.

Apple announced on Thursday that its iOS and Mac App Stores will both be frozen from tomorrow until Friday, Dec. 28 to observe the holiday season.

BlackBerry developer Research in Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) reported better-than-expected third-quarter results.

There has been a 29 percent increase in unique iOS 6 users in the short week since Google Maps was reinstated on iOS.

China's Foxconn decreased its employees' overtime hours, but employees are saying the restricted hours don't let them make enough money.

The U.S. Patent Office has set back Apple in its fight with Samsung over smartphone patents, ruling that a patent that helped Apple win $1.05 billion in damages should never have been granted.

After Tim Cook told Brian Williams of his "intense interest" in the TV set, supplier Foxconn says two models are in the works.

Research in Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) reports third-quarter results Thursday. What's key to know about the BlackBerry maker?

If you are one of those registered Apple developers and looking forward to try some jailbreaking on the new beta release, you’ll be glad to know that you can perform a tethered jailbreak on iOS 6.1 beta 4 using Redsn0w 0.9.15b3.

A recent report from mobile product Q&A website FixYa has revealed the top user complaints when it comes to the 7-inch tablet industry.

Apple released the fourth beta build of iOS 6.1 on Tuesday so its developers can begin working out the kinks in Safari, Passbook and Maps.

A Google executive has announced that its Maps app has broken 10 million downloads in its first 48 hours.

Walmart announced some major discounts on the latest iOS devices from Apple, including the iPhone 5 and third-generation iPad.

Despite going up against scalpers and imposters, Apple still managed to sell more than 2 million iPhone 5 units to Chinese customers in just two days.

Fiorello LaGuardia once said, “When I make a mistake, it's a beaut.” Too bad he wasn't around to witness 2012's tech "beauts."

Apple launched the iPhone 5 in 33 new countries today, including China, Turkey, Israel and Russia.

Apple is reportedly choosing to focus on display quality and resolution for its second-generation iPad Mini, expected to released in 2013.

Find out here how to get the newly reinstated Google Maps app on your Apple iPhone or iPad

BlackBerry developer Research in Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) lacks a new smartphone for holiday buying but its target markets are getting a multi-faceted marketing blitz.

Customers are already receiving their brand-new 27-inch iMacs from Apple, even as the company's online store still lists January shipping dates.

The Google Maps app is set to return to the Apple iPhone and iPad tonight via Apple's App Store, according to a report released Wednesday evening.

Apple opened up the doors to its vast library of movie content in 42 new countries on Wednesday, including Ukraine, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

Is it a hit? Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) boosted production of its $499 Surface tablet, rival to the iPad from Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL).