Opera Mini web-browsing software for smart phones has become an antidote for congested telecom networks and carrier bills that rise along with the amount of data streamed to handsets.

As the popularity of smart phones and tablets continues to surge and telecom carriers shy away from all-you-can-eat wireless data plans, Opera is wooing users with technology that minimizes bytes of data streamed over the air.

Google chief Larry Page said Thursday that the Internet giant's freshly launched Google+ social network already has more than 10 million members.

"Over 10 million people have joined Google-Plus," Page said during a quarterly earnings conference call. "That is a great achievement for the team."

Even with a fee hike, millions of Netflix subscribers will be spending less each month than what it costs two adults to watch a single movie in a theater.

Yet the company, which is usually well-liked, managed to irk many of its 23 million U.S. customers by raising what it charges for streaming movies and TV shows over the Internet and sending DVDs by mail. The increase is as high as 60 percent.

Google didn't build its new Plus service simply to have an online hangout like Facebook.

Rather, Google's new social-networking endeavor is about trying to gain valuable insights into people's lives and relationships. This could help the company do a better job of targeting ads so that advertisers would pay more and have less reason to spend their money on Facebook.

An enterprising Chinese man has come up with a solution for gadget-crazy people who desperately want Apple's popular iPad tablet computer but cannot afford it -- DIY.

In a 20-minute video posted on Youku -- the Chinese YouTube equivalent -- Liu Xinying demonstrates how to assemble an iPad look-a-like using computer parts, a touch screen and a case with a keypad, to the sound of metal music.

Google on Tuesday rolled out a tool that mines the Internet for blogs, pictures, videos, and more based on the answer to the question "What do you love?"

A website launched at wdyl.com has a query box for answers to that question and a blue button icon adorned with a white heart.

Fotopedia and National Geographic Traveler magazine on Tuesday launched a software application that gives Apple gadget users an aerial tour of France.

"Above France" software for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch devices promised a collection of "awe-inspiring French vistas, from l'Aiguille du Midi to the Chateau d'Yquem."

U.S. videogame titan Electronic Arts (EA) on Monday released a version of word game Scrabble that people can play together whether they are using Apple devices, Android gadgets, or Facebook.

Scrabble Free broke from the pattern of limiting adversaries to folks using similar operating platforms, such as iPhone versus iPad or Android Smartphone versus a tablet computer also running on the Google-backed operating software.

Berlin's oldest university says it is partnering with Google and three German institutions to start a research institute.

Humboldt University announced Monday that the institute would open in the fall and examine the evolution of the Internet and its impact on society, science, politics and the economy.

Videogame powerhouse 1C Company is tapping into history with action titles that show who the good guys are in a battle can depend on which army is being asked.

Russian spies, prisoners, and Vietcong military advisers are among the heroes in videogames 1C will be releasing in a market accustomed to seeing conflicts through the eyes of U.S. forces.