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eBay reports revenue and earnings decline

Facing a tight economic climate and strong dollar overseas, eBay reported on Wednesday a 7 percent revenue drop in the fourth quarter and weaker net profits.

Shares of eBay, in after-hours trading, fell 6.25 percent to $12.45. The stock rose nearly 6 percent to close at $13.28 a share during regular trading.

The online auction giant reported revenue of $2.07 billion, down 7 percent from a year ago. That figure fell short of analysts' expectations of $2.12 billion in revenue.

eBay's net income, meanwhile, fell nearly 31 percent to $367 million in the fourth … Read more

Daily Tidbits: SearchMonkey reads Wikipedia

Yahoo announced on Thursday that it has added Wikipedia deep links and images to its search results. The company, which is using its SearchMonkey platform to add more third-party content to its results, claims that all Wikipedia results in its search will now include links to the first four sections of the article, as well as an image. The feature can be turned off through Yahoo's preferences pane.

MediaGlow, AOL's publishing unit, announced the launch of a new sports site Thursday. Dubbed FanHouse, the site sports a new design and "an expanded lineup" of national sports … Read more

The 404 258: Where we know how to get to Chad's Gap from the bottom of Alta

Big thanks and confusion goes out to listener PacGamer for today's show title. The answer is somewhere in today's show, but it's hidden between a gulch and a burrito. Listen in for a story about Jeff's brother's upchuck reflex to The 404, a magical iPhone application, our best Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker impressions, and more!

I'll start this post by joining the masses in demanding people to stop hating on Chipotle! They're not supposed to taste like an "authentic" taqueria burrito--in fact, I usually skip the burrito altogether and order the burrito bowl, and now I can do it on their new iPhone application. I'm a little scared to use it, though, especially with that "extra filling" button staring my stomach in the face. Sure, you'll probably curse the company in the privacy of your bathroom after the meal, but the app also includes a special "Pepto Bismol delivery" button free of charge!

EPISODE 258 Download today's podcast … Read more

'Governor' Meg Whitman? Um, no

Rod Blagojevich got elected governor. So can Meg Whitman be that much of a long shot?

We may find out soon. eBay's former numero uno is said to be mulling her entry into California's gubernatorial race, according to The Wall Street Journal, which adds that Whitman will decide within the next six weeks whether to try to succeed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after his final term runs out in January 2011.

I'm not sold on the idea, but more about that in a moment. I'm sure the political consultants advising Whitman believe it's a stroke of … Read more

Elephants ready to party as eBay ban approaches

What with a deepening global recession it's been pretty much a lousy 2008 for most folks, but it's closing on a very good note--if you happen to be an elephant, that is.

Come January 1, eBay's worldwide ban on ivory products goes into effect, a move that animal rights advocates hope will help protect elephant populations around the world.

The proliferation in the illegal trade of wildlife species has been aided by the use of the Internet. In a recent report (PDF), the International Fund for Animal Welfare found that about two-thirds of the global online trade … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 866: Harsh the mellow

Important revelations on today's show: cigars smell like dog poop, Facebook Connect is going to win, the NFL looks awesome in 3-D, and Barack Obama uses an iPod, not a Zune. Like I said, important. Listen now: Download today's podcast Episode 866

Listener co-host details: E-mail buzz@cnet.com with your name, phone number, preferred time of day (with time zone). We are shooting for doing the interviews next Monday 3-4 p.m. PST and Wednesday 4-5 PST.

Facebook Connect opens up http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10113604-2.html

So does Google Friend Connect http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10113648-2.html… Read more

Online auctions remain piracy problem for Microsoft

Attention, software buyers: there's no such thing as Microsoft Office "Blue Edition."

That's the latest ruse making the rounds on online auctions. It feigns to be some sort of technician version of Microsoft's software that happens not to require a serial number or product activation or any of Microsoft's antipiracy mechanisms. In actuality, Microsoft says, it's just the latest wrapping for a pirated version of the company's software.

"That program is entirely fictitious," said Matt Lundy, a senior attorney for Microsoft. "It's nothing more than a scheme by … Read more

Rare flying car listed for sale on eBay

It's no Ferrari, but an original 1956 Aerocar--the first flying car to be deemed street-legal in the U.S.--is listed for sale on eBay. And it's only $3.5 million--if you use "buy it now."

It's presumably in good shape, with the auction stating that its engine was inspected a couple of years ago, but if you plan on flying this car anywhere I'd recommend a tune-up first--the engine hasn't been officially inspected since 1976.

Of course, for that money you could buy a top-of-the-line personal jet as well as a … Read more

E-commerce posts first ever year-over-year decline

Update at 1:38 p.m. PDT, with additional details from the ComScore report.

Online shoppers put a stranglehold on their wallets in the first several weeks of November, marking the first historic decline in e-commerce sales, according to a ComScore report released Tuesday.

Market researcher ComScore said online shopping declined 4 percent during the first 23 days of November, compared with a comparable time period last year.

During the first 23 days of the month, ComScore said online retailers rang up a total of $8.19 billion in sales.

For online retailers, growth in e-commerce sales had been steadily … Read more