Briefs

Apparently, Apple can still perform without Steve Jobs. The company says profit more than doubled in the quarter ended Dec. 31—the first full quarter of results released since Jobs died in October—as consumers worldwide snapped up iPhones, iPads, and other iGizmos over the holidays. Investors seemed to shake off worries that CEO Tim Cook might lead the company astray, sending shares up 6.2 percent on Jan. 25. Sales rose 73 percent to $46.3 billion in the period, and earnings surged to $13.1 billion. Apple sold 15.4 million iPads in the quarter, topping the 13.5 million projected by analysts, easing fears that Amazon’s new Kindle Fire would sap tablet sales.

After experimenting with alcohol sales at six West Coast stores, Starbucks says it will sell beer and wine in as many as 25 locations by year-end. The move is part of a broader experiment to find ways to get customers in the door during slow periods of the day, especially afternoons and evenings. The new stores in Chicago, Atlanta, and Southern California will be larger and seat more patrons than regular Starbucks cafes. At outlets that now sell alcohol, in Seattle and Portland, Ore., beer is $5 and a glass of wine runs $7 to $9.