STEVE JOBS

The year 2011 was one in which smartphones and tablets achieved a status of necessity, instead of being style statement which they used to be in the past, thanks to Apple and Google.

Recent reports have indicated that the iPhone 5 could hit markets in the summer of 2012, but Boy Genius Report wrote on Tuesday that the new phone won't be available until the fall.

Apple has filed two patent applications related to Fuel Cell batteries, hoping to develop and launch technology that allows its devices including the iPhone, iPad tablet, and laptop computers like the MacBook go weeks without a battery charge.

Technology giant Apple's products are well known for design and functionality but Apple fans have an age-old wish - a better battery life. And, this wish could be fulfilled soon as Apple is developing a battery that will run on hydrogen-fuel, a battery that can keep all portable Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod and Macbook powered, not for days, but for weeks.

When Steve Jobs, one of the greatest tech innovators in the world, went to start Apple in 1976, a Silicon Valley advertising executive criticized him as a joker.

As far as iPhone 5 rumors go, the release date is expected to be some time around the summer of 2012, but new reports indicate that the date could be pushed back to October in commemoration of Steve Jobs' death.

Here's a surprising 'free gift' from the sky above, ahead of Christmas - Comet Lovejoy was unexpectedly spotted falling into the horizon vertically. NASA Commander Dan Burbank, who was photographing lightning storm over the Pacific Ocean had captured this surprising and fantastic scene at the International Space Station on Wednesday.

Melanie Amaro has wonThe X Factor, but not much is known about the singer who was eliminated by mentor Simon Cowell before being brought back for the win. What will she do with the $5 million prize? What's her plan for her debut album? How do finalists Josh Krajick and Chris Rene feel about the results? Find out this and more here.

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, known for reliable insight on Apple, said in a note to investors this week with predictions for Apple in 2012 that the company will release a redesigned version of the iPhone 5 in mid-summer 2012.

Apple won a new patent for switching applications during calls, which will give Android developers a big obstacle to work around. Steve Jobs would be proud.

A Hungarian sculptor and software company have found a way to honor the late technology guru Steve Jobs.

A Hungarian software company unveiled what it said was the world's first bronze statue of Apple Inc co-founder Steve Jobs Wednesday, calling him one of the greatest personalities of the modern age.

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.

Google appears poised to go after the Apple iPad. Schmidt described the iPad as amazing, according to The Telegraph, and said the late Steve Jobs should be credited with creating the tablet craze. Many tablets already use Google's Android operating system, but Google doesn't sell its own hardware as a signature product.

Apple has acquired Anobit, an Israeli flash storage maker, for a price ranging between $400-$500 million, Hebrew news site Calcalist reported on Tuesday.

Apple is offering free next-day shipping on the majority of its popular gadgets, including the iPhone and iPad, leading up to Christmas.

2011 was all about Friday, baby twins and doing The Creep.

Fred Shapiro, a Yale Law School librarian and well-known authority on quotations, just released his sixth-annual list of the most memorable quotations of the year. The top three quotes all deal with statements made by people protesting the income disparity in the U.S. The Occupy Wall Street protesters’ slogan --“We are the 99 percent” – was the list's top quote.

Anobit told employees today that Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) had made an offer for the firm and it had accepted. Employees were told that once the deal is formally completed they will be employees of Apple, according to Israel's Calcalist. The deal is reportedly for nearly $500 million, which makes it Apple's largest acquisition. It is also the first acquisition in Israel for the Cupertino, Calif.-based company.

Apple executives have been speaking with large media companies about its strategy for Apple TV, indicating that it is all set to push forward into the television market.

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.