WASHINGTON One of the two Democrats on the Federal Communications Commission is calling on the agency to investigate whether a new electronic measurement system used by Arbitron Inc. to track radio station listenership is unfairly harming minority broadcasters. (More)

NEW YORK Facebook plans to start charging for verifying applications built for the social network - an optional process that has upset some developers despite the company's assurances it will bring plenty of positive benefits. (More)

MOBILE, Ala. Mobile officials are considering providing free, wireless Internet services in the downtown district, joining the ranks of other cities with free wi-fi for roving laptop users on Main Street. (More)

NEW YORK If you aren't sure which books to give that avid reader on your gift list this holiday season, how about considering every title she could name? (More)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. A wireless affiliate of Sprint Nextel Corp. has pulled its request that an Illinois judge block the planned spinoff of Sprint's new broadband network. (More)

NEW YORK Hewlett-Packard Co. surprised Wall Street on Tuesday by saying its earnings will be slightly above analysts' expectations, going against the grain as other technology bellwethers have slashed forecasts and posted weak results in the sagging economy. (More)

Real news from the virtual world: (More)

NEW YORK National Geographic, best known for its yellow-framed magazine and often breathtaking nature shows, is getting into video games. (More)

NAME: Jerry Yang. (More)

SAN FRANCISCO With Jerry Yang quitting as Yahoo Inc.'s chief executive, the Internet company's board will confront pivotal questions as it looks for a new leader. (More)

NEW YORK A judge has tentatively approved a settlement of lawsuits between Google and book authors and publishers that may put millions of out-of-print texts online. (More)

SAN FRANCISCO Spansion Inc. wants to block U.S. sales of iPods, BlackBerry gadgets and other devices because memory chips made by Samsung Electronics Co. and used in those products allegedly violate Spansion patents. (More)

SAN FRANCISCO E-mailers, enjoy the early holiday gift: Spam volume has been cut by more than half because Internet providers pulled the plug on a Web hosting firm that was allegedly helping some of the world's most dastardly junk e-mail gangs. (More)

SEATTLE A video for the title track on hip-hop veteran Common's forthcoming album, "Universal Mind Control," begins with a digital music player pulsing to the beat. The viewer is pulled through the screen into the gadget's guts, where the cool, collected rapper lets loose an easy stream of lyrics. (More)

Microsoft is positioning the Zune as a music lover's device, in part by promoting artists and giving Zune users access to original interviews and free or discounted music. Some musicians who have teamed with Zune: (More)

WASHINGTON Federal regulators on Monday charged Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban with insider trading for allegedly using confidential information on a stock sale to avoid more than $750,000 in losses. (More)

Panasonic has begun talks to take over smaller Japanese rival Sanyo. A look at the two electronics makers: (More)

TOKYO Panasonic Corp.'s plans to take over rival Sanyo Electric Co. would create the world's second-largest electronics maker. But Panasonic already has plenty of gadgets. Instead, the crown jewels Panasonic wants from Sanyo are green. (More)

FRANKFURT, Germany The German-language version of the Internet encyclopedia Wikipedia is back online after a left-wing lawmaker dropped a complaint. (More)

ALVISO, Calif. Digital video recording company TiVo Inc. said Monday it is teaming up with Domino's Pizza Inc. to allow subscribers to order pizza for delivery or pick-up from their TV sets. (More)

SEATTLE The One Laptop Per Child project is set to resume its Give One Get One promotion for its kid-friendly computers Monday with logistics help from Web retailer Amazon.com Inc. (More)

WASHINGTON A new startup company wants to have a say in the high-stakes patent disputes that loom over many industries. (More)

DENVER Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and recovering from a grenade attack, Iraq war veteran Ian Newland wanted to pursue a business degree after his discharge from the Army last year. What he didn't want to have to do was set foot in a classroom. (More)

WASHINGTON Before he ran for president Barack Obama quit smoking. Now that he's won the job, he may have to break another addiction: Checking his BlackBerry for e-mail. (More)

NEW YORK Gadget makers love to sell us on all the things their devices can do, whether it's letting us chat with distant friends at any time or watch movies on our commute. But can anyone fix this stuff when it breaks? (More)