VentureBeat

Here’s the latest action:

Yahoo cuts data retention to 90 days — The search company’s new policy will likely push Google and Microsoft toward similar reductions in the amount of time they keep user data.

Sprint plans first WiMax device for Dec. 21 — The first device that will work both on Clearwire’s growing WiMax network and Sprint’s existing network infrastructure will go on sale in time for Christmas. Clearwire previously released cards that worked only with WiMax.

California pushes “green chemistry” — A new initiative in the state will force products to reveal their environmental footprint and work to green every life-stage, from manufacturing to disposal.

Goldberg departs Microsoft Live Search — The general manager of Microsoft’s search product is headed to Peak6 Investments, a Chicago-based investment firm. Mike Nichols, who worked in strategic partnerships and search engineering, will replace him.

Chip makers won’t bounce back in 2009 — Toshiba, SanDisk and dozens of other chip companies will struggle through 2009, according to Gartner.

Intel has touch-screen educational laptop for CES — The Classmate laptop, a low-priced educational computer often seen as a competitor to the One Laptop Per Child project, has acquired a number of bells and whistles that will be shown off at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Game companies cut staff, see losses — Midway Games will lay off a quarter of its workforce, or 180 people, while Factor 5 has laid off half, or 37, and Turbine a smaller but undisclosed number of workers. A much larger company, Take-Two Interactive Software, posted a large fourth-quarter loss due to dropping sales.

Storage co. Western Digital lays off 2,500 — The storage giant is also cutting work hours, closing plants and reducing management compensation.

Panasonic wins Sanyo bid — One large Japanese electronics firm will take over another, creating a giant only rivaled by Hitachi.

Online gambling founder hit with massive fines — PartyGaming founder Anurag Dikshit must pay $300 million in three installments after pleading guilty in federal court to interstate gambling offenses.

Gaming veterans finally launch long-awaited startup — Two veterans of Electronic Arts and Gamefly, Jung Suh and Scott Yu, are launching Red Rocket Games, an Asian online gaming company, and building their first game.

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Tags: co:Clearwire, co:factor 5, co:Intel, co:midway games, co:panasonic, co:red rocket games, co:sanyo, co:Sprint, co:turbine, co:western-digital