Technology

Micron to Buy Numonyx for $1.27 Billion, Bolstering Its Flash-Memory Chips Micron Technology Inc., the biggest U.S. producer of computer memory, agreed to buy Numonyx Holdings BV for about $1.27 billion, bolstering its flash-chip business.

Disney Profit Tops Analysts' Estimates on TV Gains, Stablizing Parks Unit Walt Disney Co., the world’s biggest media company, reported fiscal first-quarter profit that beat analysts’ estimates as TV revenue rose and theme-park results stabilized.

Google Adds Social-Networking Feature to Gmail Program, Taking on Facebook Google Inc., the world’s most popular search engine, added a social-networking feature to its Gmail e- mail software, taking on market leader Facebook Inc.

Baidu Jumps as Much as 10% After Forecasting Revenue That Tops Estimates Baidu Inc., owner of China’s most popular Internet search engine, forecast sales that topped estimates after Google Inc. said it may exit the world’s largest Web market. The shares jumped as much as 10 percent.

Disney's Iger Tests Shorter Theater Runs to Get Some DVDs in Stores Sooner Walt Disney Co., the world’s biggest media company, is in discussions with cinema owners over how long to wait before selling newly released movies on DVD, Chief Executive Officer Robert Iger said.

Taiwan to Announce Easing of Rules on LCD and Chip Investments in China Taiwan will end a ban on local companies building liquid-crystal-display factories in China as long as manufacturers invest more on the island and keep their best technology at home, an economic ministry official said.

RealNetworks, MTV Aim to Turn Rhapsody Music Service Into Separate Company RealNetworks Inc. and Viacom Inc.’s MTV Networks plan to turn their jointly operated music service, Rhapsody America LLC, into an independent company, a move that’s part of RealNetworks’ effort to offload businesses.

Paramount Signs Tom Cruise for `Mission Impossible IV' Set for May 2011 Paramount Pictures will make “Mission Impossible IV,” bringing back Tom Cruise after he was fired by the studio and publicly criticized by Sumner Redstone, chairman of parent Viacom Inc.