TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft announced that the software giant would cut as many as 5,000 jobs amid slowing sales and a reported 11% drop in its fiscal second-quarter net income. The job cuts, to be implemented over the next 18 months, are projected to save the company $1.5 billion. These are the first companywide layoffs in Microsoft’s history. ClipSyndicate/Bloomberg (1/22) , Bloomberg (1/22) , The Seattle Times/Microsoft Pri0 blog (1/22) , The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (1/22)

LED-based technologies will see a nearly 3% revenue increase this year, a rare bright spot in an otherwise dreary semiconductor forecast, according to a new study from iSuppli. LED growth can be attributed to their use as a lighting source in some LCD television sets, a category that will account for $163 million in LED revenue in 2009, the report stated. TWICE (1/21) , CEPro.com (1/21)

For audio lovers chained to their computers, Peachtree Audio has introduced the DS4.5, a high-quality set of speakers with a four-inch woofer and silk-dome tweeter that can be hooked up to a PC. The unit, which can be combined with Peachtree’s Decco integrated amplifier, sells for $599 a pair. ElectronicHouse.com (1/21)