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MICROSOFT chief Steve Ballmer has dismissed China's importance to its business due to rampant software piracy in the Asian nation.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said Friday he would not serve as technology czar in Barack Obama's administration if he was asked.

Having gained mainstream notoriety amid Obama-McCain drama, social-media outlets such as Current TV, Digg, Facebook, and Twitter now look to capitalize on it elsewhere.

VideoCrawler, created through a partnership with a start-up called Divvio, can search more than 1,600 video sites. It doesn't host any videos, but members can compile playlists.

Reuters - Dell Inc has decided not to launch its ambitious digital music player tied to online entertainment software before the holidays, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

AOL's Platform-A ad group will show a billion ads for the smartphone over two days next week, AdAge reports.

Featured links from the CNET Blog Network iPhone twice as reliable as the Blackberry? Dream on--A new study finds that iPhone hardware is twice as reliable as Blackberry hardware, but it's not the hardware that is the problem with these phones. Intel inside your medical care--In-home device from the chipmaker will gather data and dispense advice remotely to chronically ill patients. Why Facebook should get government bailout money--As the car companies ask for $50 billion, shouldn't Facebook use the same government route for extra funding? Not interested in a Netbook computer? Consider the Honda Fit--If you're not interested in a small, underpowered laptop computer, the Honda Fit shows that small can be done well.

Digital advertising and media company Miva secures a multi-million credit line to launch a new ad platform and expand its ALOT toolbar.

LONDON (Reuters) - FremantleMedia, producer of the "Idols" reality-TV show format and soap opera "Neighbours," has agreed a deal to produce programs to be shown exclusively on YouTube and to split revenues with the video-sharing site.

Two top members of the House Energy and Commerce committee are asking broadcasters and federal agencies how they're preparing for the digital TV switch.