MICROSOFT

The largest consumer technology trade show in America has been a launch pad for some of the biggest new technologies and has gathered over 100,000 visitors every year. According to a report on Associated Press, the Consumers Electronics association which organizes CES, has received interest from other exhibitors for Microsoft's booth space.

2012 looks to be a big year for gadgets, as Apple, Google, Microsoft and others are all expected to debut dozens of new devices that push the limits of technology. Here are the release dates for several tablet computers and smartphones coming next year.

Research In Motion Ltd has turned down takeover overtures from Amazon.com Inc and other potential buyers because the BlackBerry maker prefers to fix its problems on its own, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

There was also a report that Amazon.com Inc. considered buying Research in Motion (RIM). But RIM, maker of the BlackBerry, is said to have turned down overtures from Amazon since the company is determined to repair current shortcomings on its own, according to a report from Reuters.

A U.S. trade panel judge found Motorola Mobility infringed a Microsoft patent in making its Android cellphones, the companies said on Tuesday.

A trade panel judge ruled that Motorola Mobility infringed Microsoft's patented technology in making its Android cellphones, Microsoft said on Tuesday.

Japanese electronics giant Sony has triggered a mania among gamers in Japan by releasing Sony PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) on Dec. 17.

U.S. stocks soared on Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) ended up 337 points, or 2.9 percent, to close at 12,103. The S&P 500 Index rose 36 points, or 3 percent, to 1,241, while the NASDAQ rose 80 points, or 3.2 percent, to 2,604.

No doubt 2011 was a major year for technology in part because it touched everyone differently. Following are some of the highlights and lowlights of the year:

Shares of BlackBerry developer Research in Motion set a 52-week low of $12.73 Tuesday, continuing their plunge following its report of lower third quarter results and a disappointing fourth quarter forecast.

Skype will offer free Wi-Fi at over 50 airports across the U.S. this holiday season.

At the start of the 20th century, inventors Thomas Alva Edison and Nikola Tesla clashed in the "war of the currents." To highlight the dangers of his rival's system, Edison even electrocuted an elephant. The animal died in vain; it was Tesla's system and not Edison's that took off. But today, helped by technological advances and the need to conserve energy, Edison may finally get his revenge.

Oracle, the biggest enterprise software developer, is scheduled to report second-quarter results late Tuesday. Here are some expert tips on what to watch in the announcement.

Apple Inc scored a narrow victory against Taiwan's HTC Corp in a patent lawsuit over smartphone technology that will set the stage for further battles between rival makers in the fiercely competitive market.

Apple Inc scored a narrow victory against Taiwan's HTC Corp in their smartphone patent battle after the International Trade Commission ruled HTC infringed on only one of four patents at the center of the case brought by Apple.

Here are some items to watch when Oracle reports: earnings, Europe outlook, cash, deferred revenue, third-quarter earnings forecast

The iPad 3, one of the most anticipated gadgets for 2012-- after the iPhone 5-- is underway with new reports indicating that production has been pushed forward ahead of the Chinese New Year. Although there has been no official announcement about the tablet's release date; reports, insiders and tech blogs all indicate the product will be unveiled in March 2012, with a release to soon follow.

Siri is a fun and useful tool on the iPhone 4S, but Apple has plans for it to become a centerpiece in all its devices, including the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV.

Last week, investors could finally buy a share of Internet gaming site Zynga, which was priced Thursday at $10 a share in the company’s $1 billion initial public offering. What did they say about other IPOS as well as Facebook's for 2012?

A consortium of private equity group Silver Lake, software giant Microsoft Corp and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz are reworking their bid for a minority stake in Internet company Yahoo Inc, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.

A consortium of software giant Microsoft Corp., private-equity group Silver Lake, and venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz are reworking their bid for a minority stake in Internet company Yahoo Inc., a source familiar with the matter said on Friday.