Samsung

Once upon a time, Japanese heavyweights Sony and Panasonic were the cream of the crop when it came to TV manufacturers. Nowadays, the leaders of the pack are Korean conglomerates Samsung and LG Display. With the old leaders losing money in the business, should they even keep trying to compete?

Google's smartphone platform, Android, has overtaken that of Research in Motion's BlackBerry as the most popular in the U.S., according to a ComScore report released Monday. It also may be gaining on Apple.

Will the iPad 2 be hit by Apple's usual supply-shortage problems when it launches tomorrow as expected? Early reports say yes. But if Apple isn't careful, inventory problems could cost it sales because the market is now full of competitors.

Vizio widened its lead in the U.S. liquid-crystal-display television market in the fourth quarter, according to a new report from research firm iSuppli. Samsung and Sony lost market share from a year ago, although Sony gained ground from the third quarter.

Samsung is out to boost its laptop sales by 80% this year, and key to that effort will be its supersvelte 9 Series notebook. Aimed directly at Apple's MacBook Air, the new machine is a move to refocus on high-end gear -- with a high-end price to match.

Samsung is offering full refunds for its computers affected by the faulty Intel chip, code-named Cougar Point. Intel has promised to reimburse computer makers for any related expenses.

Handsets based on Google's Android mobile operating system accounted for 32.9% of worldwide smartphone shipments in the fourth quarter, compared with Symbian's 30.6% market share, according to a new report from market researcher Canalys. Apple's iOS was a distant third, with 16%.

Microsoft and Google can surely claim to compete head-to-head with Apple, but Samsung is pushing in hard: While its Galaxy Tab may not be as hot as the iPad, it's making headway. Indeed, Samsung is building a consumer electronics lineup that mirrors Apple's.

Now the No. 1. U.S. seller of LCD TVs, Vizio is setting its sights on the smartphone and tablet computer markets. But will its low-cost business model translate to the mobile electronics market? That's not a sure bet, but it'll be interesting to watch.

A broad array of technology news helped define 2010, from the launch of Apple's iPad to the arrival of the app to a supernova of Internet stock gains. Here's a look back at those major stories -- and a glimpse of some highlights you can expect next year.