Intel is buying about 190 patents, 170 patent applications, and next-generation video codec software from RealNetworks. The terms of the sale will allow RealNetworks to retain certain rights to continue using the patents in current and future products. In addition to the sale, RealNetworks and Intel signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development of the video codec software and related products. RealNetworks will be able to monetize these assets, generating additional capital for investment in new businesses and markets, said President and CEO Thomas Nielsen.

At the National Retail Federation's annual convention,Retail's BIG Show 2012, Epicor debuted its latest mobile offering: the Epicor Retail Clienteling application. It is an add-on for Epicor's existing CRM app, said Dave Burton, product director of CRM services -- meaning a retailer has to be an Epicor customer to use it. However, the app comes with a few additional features designed for the tablet form factor. "The current version we have introduced is optimized specifically for the iPad, but this can run on any tablet," Burton said.

Apple surprised Wall Street Wednesday when it revealed it was sitting on cash reserves of nearly $100 billion. Now the question is, what will the company do with it? Apple's successful product lines, which include the iPhone and iPad, have been gushing bucks for months. That's allowed it to build a sizable war chest. Eighteen months ago, Apple already had a large sum locked up in cash -- $43 billion -- and some optimistic analysts predicted those reserves would reach $65 billion by the end of 2011.

As far as exclusive interviews go, you could do a lot worse than getting Herman Cain, and a lot worse than getting him on Nov. 28. That was, after all, the day that a woman unleashed accusations of a 13-year affair with Cain, the third racy allegation levied against Cain in a matter of weeks. And those charges were but part of the Cain saga. There was also the Nov. 15 Libya gaffe, when Cain seemed to forget not only what had happened in Libya, but also whether or not he agreed with Barack Obama's handling of the situation.

Netflix shares rose sharply after the company reported that it added 610,000 customers and that profit margins in the streaming business this quarter could widen to 11 percent. That said, there was plenty in the earnings report to worry investors and analysts -- the company's profit fell 14 percent from the same period last year and its DVD business lost nearly 3 million subscribers. Still, given the dire straits Netflix was in last summer, the moderately good news about its customers and quarterly forecast was enough for many investors to shake off doubts.