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2008 has not been kind to Yahoo.  It began with a buyout offer from Microsoft that they promptly screwed up, and was followed by the disintegration of their ad deal with Google and two rounds of layoffs.  Now it appears CEO Jerry Yang has finally had enough.

Yang announced his resignation last night, saying he will remain on the board of directors and reclaim his old title of “Chief Yahoo.”  Yang has been under the microscope of his shareholders ever since he rejected Microsoft’s offer of $33 per share for being too low.  Yahoo’s shares are now trading at a mere $11 each.  He now appears to regret his decision.

“To this day I would say that the best thing for Microsoft to do is to buy Yahoo,“ he said at a conference two weeks ago. And when quizzed on if he would stick to a higher price that he demanded back in May added, “Oh no. At the right price, whatever the price is.“
But Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer didn’t bite and said a couple of days later, “We are not interested in going back and re-looking at an acquisition. I don’t know why they would be either, frankly. They turned us down at $33 a share.“

Ouch.  Yahoo has begun the search for a successor, but finding someone willing to take over the tough job of turning around what was once the net’s top search engine won’t be easy, and for now what lies in the company’s future is anyone’s guess.

Read: [PC World]

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Classmates.com is one of the biggest advertisers on the ‘net.  It’s been around since before MySpace, Facebook, or Friendster grew to the popularity they have now.  They spend wicked amounts of money on their online advertising; $30 million was spent in 2005 to give you an idea.  However, now they just may have to answer for some of their “lure the customer in” tactics.

Anthony Michaels had been a free member of the Classmates.com site since last year.  Then, Classmates.com informed Michaels that his old school pals were trying to contact him.  He got that familiar to many message “Your former classmates are trying to contact you! Upgrade now to see their messages!“ sent to him from Classmates.com.  So, curious as to whether it was an old grade school buddy or that girl he was always secretly smitten by, Michaels did what many others are suckered into doing with that message. 

Keep reading to find out what could happen to Classmates.com.

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Sections: Web, Web 2.0, Web Apps, Web Browsers, Websites

Let’s say you’re on an important business trip and have to stay in a hotel for a couple of days.  During those days, a couple of your favorite TV shows are playing, however, you’re busy delivering an important presentation and don’t have time to catch the show.  Luckily for you and the guests of the Mondrian hotel in South Beach, Florida, you can TiVo your favorite shows right from your hotel room!

TiVo and Morgans Hotel Group Co are teaming up in order to provide this great service for their guests staying at the Mondrian in South Beach.  As you know, TiVo can record, pause, and rewind live TV.  In addition, you are able to schedule recordings of your favorite TV shows to watch on your own time.  In case you love watching TV, you can opt to record two shows simultaneously, while watching a previously recorded show.  TiVo even adds in their WishList feature, which does a search to find TV shows with your favorite actors/actresses as well as directors.  Find out more after the break.

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Panasonic is already a sizable company, but they are going to get that little bit bigger with the confirmed takeover of Sanyo.  Sanyo have been struggling recently, and it’s probably not a coincidence that their downturn coincides with the economic crisis that we are facing.  Nevertheless, they are still worth a substantial $18.5 billion which will boost Panasonic’s value to around $107.8 billion, making it one of the biggest consumer electronics companies.

The reason behind this is that this takeover will give Panasonic access to two key technologies in the shape of solar panels and batteries which will help them greatly in their own hand-held electronic products, in fact, Sanyo is the market leader in the manufacture of rechargeable batteries.  They will also acquire a company specializing in portable gadgets which generates $4 billion per annum in revenue.  Continued after the break.

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Just Wednesday, Microsoft announced a site set up exclusively for tech startups.  No, working with startups isn’t a new concept for Microsoft.  But often, the programs weren’t very well known, and the scope was rather narrow.  This latest launch, BizSpark, is a different story. 

First off, when joining, you get the what you might expect—Microsoft products.  Of course, there are the obvious Office, Visual Studio, Sharepoint, as well as both Windows and SQL Server.  But that isn’t all.  BizSpark works with over 300 Network Partners who can offer the program right to startups.  The really big bonus?  There is absolutely no upfront cost to join.  You do however, have to pay $100 when you leave the program.

Learn more about what you can do with Microsoft’s help after the break.

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Sections: Computers, Desktops, Laptops, Networking, Security, Software / Applications, Wireless, Web, Web 2.0, Web Apps, Web Browsers, Websites

Despite media reports across the world, Panasonic is remaining mum on the question of whether they are indeed planning acquire Sanyo.  Reuters and the Tokyo press are reporting that their sources say the deal is done and will be formally announced in a press conference on Friday.

Sanyo, the world’s largest manufacturer of lithium ion batteries, has been struggling and would most likely welcome the sale.  The new company that will result will become Japan’s largest electronics manufacturer and prove a formidable rival of Hitachi.  Together the two companies would have revenues of over 11 trillion yen, which equals a little over $100 million US.

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What is the strongest thing in the world?  The Boy Scouts know the answer.  The Internet.

Since putting their fundraising products on the Internet, the Boy Scouts have seen a 700% increase in sales.  Yes, I said 7.  700%!  Now that’s a great return on your investment.  Weaver Popcorn, the Boy Scouts’ supplier of popcorn changed their ecommerce provider to LaGarde and updated the Boy Scouts’ fundraising site. 

Find out how to order some for yourself after the break.

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Sections: Web, Web 2.0, Websites

Announced just Tuesday, the Samsung Epix is new on the AT&T network.  The 3G phone appears to be the torch bearer for the BlackJack family as it continues on in the same tradition: a smartphone that gets the job done.  I’ve had the phone for a few hours and have my initial impression to report.  I’ll report back in an couple of weeks with an in-depth look.

In short, this is one good looking business phone.  Its understated gray exterior screams, “I make way more than you think I do” and the classy chrome-like band around the phone is retained from the BlackJack 2.  The phone feels good in the hand, not heavy but solid.  I just feel more important using it.

Hit the jump to see what else I found to like in this phone.

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T-Mobile has some new BlackBerry Pearls coming out today.  The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 will be available in frost, black emerald, and indigo.  RIM is not resting on its laurels with the introduction of the Storm, the Pearl Flip 8220 and the now slightly refreshed Pearl 8120.

What was once a very very drab and utilitarian device, the BlackBerry has evolved into quite the consumer-friendly device while sticking to its roots by being the phone to have if you want to do business on your phone.  This newest color upgrade looks like a play to get some folks buying BlackBerries this holiday season. 

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We have known Panasonic as a brand for a very long time.  However, Panasonic was just that, a brand of Matsushita Electric.  Now, Matsushita Electric has changed its name to “Panasonic Corporation.“ 

The company has had “Matsushita” in its name since 1918.  In Japan, the brand was known as “National.“  This really signals Panasonic’s understanding that consumer electronics is a global endeavor and there needs to be consistency in its brand around the world. 

The transition in Japan will be complete by March 2010.  To prove they are serious about this change, they even changed their stock symbol on the NYSE form MC to PC. 

Source [Panasonic]

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