While Apple can’t seem to produce enough of its new shrinky-dink iPad Mini tablet, Microsoft can’t give away their freshly launched Surface tablet. Despite boasting an integrated mobile version of the Microsoft Office Suite, 32 GB of storage in the base model, and some impressive hardware, the Surface’s reception has generally been as lukewarm as cafeteria food. Reviews have labeled it “slightly awkward,” “perplexing,” and “frustratingly confusing.” Even Microsoft partner companies like Acer and HP have been critical of the new device. “I’d hardly call Surface competition,” said HP exec Todd Bradley, calling it “slow and kludgey.”

Just over eleven years ago, 9/11 rocked America to its core and revealed the frightening truth that our emergency response capabilities were severely lacking (note: the emergency response personnel were nothing short of heroic—their tools and systems were the limiting factor). This year, Hurricane Sandy swept the Northeast and, to a lesser degree, reminded us that we still have a ways to go to assure public safety. As NYC Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly stated it, “a 16-year-old with a smart phone has a more advanced communications capability than a police officer or deputy carrying a radio.

Fresh on the heels of the Tablet Wars, the technology giants are setting their innovative sights elsewhere—on your eyes. For some, that’s a little too close for comfort, but many are embracing the advent of “augmented reality” hardware. Google sparked the race in earnest with the announcement of “Project Glass,” which promises everyone the opportunity to feel like a Terminator.

Everyone’s been talking about BYOD this past year, whether they define it as “Bring Your Own Device” or “Bring Your Own Disaster.” The concept is fraught with both risks and rewards for employers and employees alike, and its implementation has often outpaced the establishment of comprehensive policies to manage those risks. In 2013, you can expect that to change—policy is going to catch up because businesses can’t afford for it not to.

Russian modem company Yota Devices has built a reputation launching 4G LTE networks in the mother country, but few could have predicted their decision to launch a smartphone next. In this highly competitive industry where smaller companies are quick casualties and even Microsoft has struggled to make in-roads, a newcomer has to bring something worthy to the table or go home in defeat. Yota believes they have just the thing.

The Christmas season is upon us, and Santa’s sleigh is stocked up with smartphones; it’s estimated that more than 20 million Americans will be gifted (or gift themselves) with a new iPhone, Android, or other smartphone this Christmas. Now, I ask you: what’s the first thing they’ll do when they turn those new smartphones on?

On Thursday, mobile and wireless service provider Clearwire made it public that Sprint Nextel has officially made an offer to acquire the company. While the outcome of the purchase offer is uncertain, it did not come unexpectedly. Many have speculated that such a deal was looming on the horizon, especially after Sprint purchased a controlling share (raising their stake to 50.8%) of Clearwire stock in October.