Techmate

LeapFrog's iPad for kids

To reclaim its lost luster, LeapFrog is on a mission to remake itself with software

It has a full-color touchscreen, connects to a computer, plays video and music, and comes with its own unique software. But unlike the iPad, this device costs $69, not $500. And it's not for techies.

It's for tykes.

Meet the Leapster Explorer, the latest must-have gadget for the elementary school set. Educational toy company LeapFrog (LF) unveiled it MORE

Tech executives stop cutting and get strategic

With the economy growing, CEOs want chief information officers to help with marketing and sales. Are the techies ready to step up?

Filippo Passerini knows that a customer who likes to lather up with Pantene shampoo is probably in the market for Olay moisturizer products too -- and as chief information officer at Procter & Gamble, a growing part of his job is making sure that the company makes both sales.

Passerini's team of computing experts uses technology to analyze the $80 billion consumer giant's online MORE

Apple's new priority: mobile

In this episode of Techmate, Jon Fortt and Philip Elmer-Dewitt discuss Apple's (AAPL) new iPhone, and explain how the company's focus has shifted from computers to mobile devices. Plus, find out what the new phone means for tech titans like Intel (INTC), Google (GOOG) and Cisco (CSCO).

Looking for an iPad killer [video]

Michael Copeland and Jon Fortt discuss whether Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Google (GOOG) or anyone else will soon have an answer for Apple's (AAPL) iPad. (View on mobile)

SF Giants add tech to their baseball lineup

Michael Copeland heads out to the ballpark to see technology's invasion of America's pastime.

Browser toolbars are back

Remember browser toolbars? They're back -- and surprisingly powerful.

Adam Boyden's startup just might have the next big idea in online marketing -- and it's got nothing to do with search or banner ads.

Boyden heads U.S. operations at Conduit, a company that is challenging the conventional wisdom about how to get and keep people's attention online. Rather than use Google's column of blue links or Yahoo's image-rich brand advertising, Conduit claims MORE

Don't like Facebook's privacy controls? Try anyone else's

We might think Zuckerberg's system isn't simple enough – but at least he has one.

When I was in the seventh grade, I had a crush on an eighth grader and documented my secret love on a scrap of paper. Somehow it ended up in the possession of my obnoxious classmate, Myiia, who refused to give it back.

A vice principal got involved when he saw us arguing in the hall. After MORE

Why Facebook's privacy woes aren't over

Facebook only grows when we share -- so Zuck and Co. will keep pushing us past our comfort zones

Think Mark Zuckerberg doesn't value privacy? Try getting into Facebook headquarters. Even with an invitation, it's not easy. When this reporter arrived for a press briefing Wednesday, I got checked twice at the door -- and later, security guards almost wouldn't let me through the building.

The Facebook founder and CEO guards his MORE

Techmate: Facebook CEO responds to privacy concerns [video]

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg talks to Jon Fortt about how he has tried to simplify the social network's privacy settings and mollify critics.

(AAPL) (MSFT) (GOOG) (YHOO)

Microsoft CEO: True U.S. recovery should include the poor

Sustained unemployment would eventually put a damper on the market's early gains

So far the main beneficiaries in the nascent recovery have been well-off, says Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. For things to really bounce back, things need to get better for everyone else.

I caught up with Ballmer at Microsoft's (MSFT) Redmond headquarters last week, and we covered a wide range of topics. His overall message: Microsoft has a lot of big MORE