Tech Report: The Biggest Technology Stories Of 2012

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — It's that time of year where tech analysts, much like editors, put together their year-end lists. Apple's first year without Steve Jobs along with their legal strife against Samsung near the top of my list of biggest tech stories of 2012.

Jobs passed away in October 2011. In their first full year without the tech legend, they managed to pull off releasing the iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini. The devices were both important, but by no means would I call it revolutionary.

Also, a jury ordered Samsung to pay $1.05 billion to Apple in a highly-publicized patent infringement case, but the case remains far from settled. It wasn't a great year, given the Apple Maps controversy, but overall the company is doing well.

Another major story was the Stop Online Piracy Act, also known as SOPA. In a major victory for Silicon Valley over Hollywood, lawmakers in Washington backed off after tech giants such as Google opposed the legislation.

Microsoft also made waves with Windows 8 and their Surface tablet. While sales are sluggish early, the potential could be enormous. Lastly, despite widespread internet rumors, the world did not come to an end on December 21st.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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