Watch out Facebook and Twitter, because Microsoft is bringing its social networking service Socl to the iPhone, Windows and Android smartphones. The apps may simply be another facet of the experimental service, or it could signal Microsoft's intentions to get more serious about the social networking market.

Technology and software services are developing faster than most people can absorb them. As a result, there's a human tendency to focus on tried and true products and take only minor excursions when they're sufficiently mature and useful. That's what Apple keeps in mind but the competition often cannot afford to do.

Apple is getting serious about selling advertising on iTunes Radio with the hiring of Cumulus Media executive vice president of sales Michael Pallad. Mr. Pallad started with Apple on December 2 and could play a big role in drawing advertisers to the company's streaming music service.

Get ready for Applesoft, or maybe Micrapple, because one analyst thinks tech giants Apple and Microsoft will merge. Keith Fitz-Gerald from Money Map Press said the rivals will team up to compete with Google and its Android platform as well as Facebook, and they'll do it within five to ten years. Guess what? He's wrong.

Where in the world is former Apple golden boy Scott Forstall? Since his surprise termination in October of 2012, that's been the question on many Apple watchers' minds. According to The Information, Mr. Forstall has been traveling—Italy and South Africa—advising unspecified startups, and working on various philanthropic efforts.

The emphasis on iPad Air cases is the weight. They are all supposed to be thin and weigh little to nothing in keeping with the whole theme of an “Air” product. This case meets that criteria, but it's also simple, has five landscape positions and has magnetic sleep/wake.

Amazon is running a one-day only 20 percent discount sale on the Kindle Fire HDX 7" tablet for US$183.20. That's the company's new 7-inch Android-based tablet introduced for the holidays. While we suspect most of our readers are more interested in iPad Air and iPad mini, if you're thinking about a Kindle, this is the day to buy it.  The Kindle ereader is also on sale for $55.20, while last year's Kindle Fire HD is $135.20, all for one day only. Here's an affiliate link so that TMO gets a little something-something in our small-business stocking, too.

The National Security Agency's data tracking and collection has gone too far according to several high profile tech companies that includes Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, and they're calling for serious reform. The companies have teamed up to push for government surveillance reform around the world with an open letter to President Barak Obama, and they have a new website where anyone can see their proposed changes.

The Macally Clear Case with Reversible Cover consists of a clear plastic back and a soft cover that's reversible and detachable. Each piece weighs just over 3.5 ounces, and even when using both, the iPad air is both fully protected and retains most of its featherweight feel. It earned a TMO 4.5/5 rating.