Microsoft’s acquisition of Skypeis official, the two have confirmed that the Redmond giant has bought the voice-over-Internet company for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake and will include the assumption of debt. The agreement, approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype will see the telephony company become a new business unit within Microsoft and will continue to be run by the current Skype CEO Tony Bates, who will report directly to Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer....

Friends, lovers, and enemies, today is a special day: Elon Musk is turning 50. Yes, everyone’s favorite insanely rich manchild is now half a century old. Clap. I SAID CLAP. To put this into some context, Musk is now double the average life expectancy ofa man in 18th century Prussia. And, lord, he’s used that time well, hasn’t he? I mean, have you checked outhis Twitter? Inspirational stuff for a grown ass man of 50....

Mention the UK technology startup scene to anyone outside the country and they’ll probably think of London’s vibrant scene around the Old Street roundabout, or maybe clusters in places like Cambridge, or at a push the northeast of England around Newcastle. One area that won’t get a look-in is the northwest. Spanning from the Irish Sea to the Pennine mountain range, the northwest of England is a region brimming with creative talent....

We’ve had Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar, Panther, Tiger, Leopard and Snow Leopard. Now, the latest introduction to the Apple OS X feline family is finally here. Mac OS X Lioncan now be downloaded from the Mac App Store, priced at $29.99. Apple’s new OS is available as an upgrade for users currently running Snow Leopard only, and it seems that all other OS X versions won’t be upgradeable to Lion. OS X Lion offers250new features, and presents a significant upgrade for users of earlier OS X versions....

As a tech journo, I love it when people share their experiences of tech with me. It’s so much more interesting than a review someone is being paid to write or a marketing blurb. So in celebration of the iPod ‘s 20th birthday, I reached out to a bunch of folks I know to hear their stories. Just friends, some journos, and a former PR forApple… A catalyst for new music I remember loading my trusty oldiPod up with all my favorite music before traveling around Europe back in 2008 (i was 22)....