Companies spending more on tech but still cautious [AP via Seattle P-I]
Businesses are increasing their spending on big-ticket hardware after slashing budgets during the recession. But continued uncertainty about the economy is still dragging on the tech sector.

Microsoft Pays Mobile App Developers to Help It Catch Apple [BusinessWeek]
Microsoft is paying developers to build mobile applications for Windows Phone 7. Among the incentives: free tools and test handsets, and funds for software development and marketing.

Microsoft Employee From Russia Linked To Spy Ring [InformationWeek]
Da, one of the Russian spies recently in the headlines was an entry-level software tester for Microsoft.
 
Apple Plans News Conference to Discuss iPhone 4 [NY Times]
The company will address concerns about problems with the new phone's antenna. Stay tuned. Assuming you have reception.

The Trouble at Twitter Inc. [Gawker]
CEO and co-founder Evan Williams is reportedly close to being ousted from his microblogging paradise.

DARPA issues call for computer science devotees [NetworkWorld]
The agency's looking for computer science researchers who might be interested in developing systems for the military. The move is seen as a way for the agency to win more hearts and minds in the advanced science community.

VC industry shrinking in the U.S., but growing overseas [VentureBeat]
A survey says venture capital is pulling back here, but rising in emerging markets like China, India and South America.

Seattle: A city for top earners? [TechFlash]
The Daily Beast ranks Seattle eighth on its list of top earning cities, just behind Anchorage and ahead of Norwich-New London Connecticut.

-- Mark Feffer