Jody Victor® found out what CNN Tech picked for the top tech stories of 2012:
- Microsoft Windows 8 – a complete overhaul of how Windows works.
- SOPA backlash – (Stop Online Privacy Act) bills that would have restricted access to sites with pirated content and anyone associated with them including search engines, ads etc.
- Live-tweeting war – Israeli military tweeted updates in a conflict with Palestinian forces in Gaza.
- iPhone 5 and the Apple Maps debaucle – Apple developed their own map app while dropping the Google Maps app.
- Apple vs. Samsung – Apple accused Samsung of infringing on their patents which ended in a trial. The jury decided in Apple’s favor.
- Facebook’s IPO – The most anticipated IPO fell flat when it’s initial price was $38 (too high). The stock hit a low of $17.55 September 4.
- Instagram – Started out as an app, but when usage skyrocketed, Facebook bought it for $1 billion in cash and shares (later dropping to $735 million as Facebook shares dropped.
- Megaupload and Kim Dotcom – Kim Dotcom founder of Megaupload, a file-sharing company, had his various sites shut down by the F.B.I. for piracy.
- Mid-sized tables become popular – Apple’s iPad Mini, and similar-sized devices from Google and Amazon.
- Nintendo offers Wii U – Wii U has a touchscreen tablet controller called a GamePad that communicates with the main console.
- Yahoo hires Marissa Mayer – The day she was hired, she announced her pregnancy. Stock has risen $4 a share since her hiring was announced.
- Tech and the presidential election – President Obama used Google Plus and Reddit to respond with voters.
Thanks for finding this, Jody.