Lots going on today, so let's not waste any time! To the headlines...

Macworld begins today in San Francisco. Woo. OK, I know I don't preach from the gospel of Mac, but even as a tech reporter it's hard to get excited about a conference that isn't even supported by its namesake. Though, I am human, so Steve Jobs' health is a greater concern than the new products leech-companies are pumping out.

Uh oh... are there cuts ahead for Microsoft? All good companies need to slice away the excess fat once in a while, especially in a bad economy, but the possibility of Microsoft announcing global layoffs has my blood frozen in my veins. It's a scary thing when the 800-lb. gorilla (does anyone even like that saying?) has to lose some weight.

Yay! More Kindle news ... OK, i know you're getting tired of it by now, but this is actually pretty big on the Kindle front: Amazon.com has *finally* released sales figures on the unbelievably popular e-reader, showing that it was the site's top-selling electronic in 2008 and showed up on more 'wish lists' than any other item. Pretty cool -- it got a big boost from Oprah, and I can promise that if I get nothing else in '09, it will be a second-gen Kindle!

Chock this up to a unsubstantiated rumor, but media outlets in Japan are reporting that Toyota is planning to unveil a solar-powered Prius. Since this is the first I've heard of this, I'm flabbergasted, intrigued and delighted! I can't believe no one has thought of this before. Of, course, it will need plenty of energy storage, esp. in places like Forks, Wash., where the sun doesn't freely shine 360-ish days of the year. Although, that is the anomaly. Great thinking, Japan -- can we import some of your scientists with you cars?

OK, so I admit it, I updated my Facebook status Christmas Eve to wish all 25 of my friends a happy holiday. Well, it turns out I was not alone in my cheesy, ultimately faceless effort to rain down some necessary winter cheer: Facebook recorded a record spike in traffic on Christmas Eve as people chose a solid status update over an in-person visit, according to our friends at CNet, who attribute it to the awful weather seen across the US in the days leading up to Christmas Eve.

And, finally, I'd like to give a shout out to the folks at RedOrbit.com, who recently named Byte-Sized its *Hot Blog of the Day*! Thanks so much for the recognition, and a big thanks to all my readers!

** I have decided that I feel it necessary to try to add in at least one pop-culture reference in every post -- did you spot the inaugural entry? Think of it like a puzzle waiting to be solved :) Some will be harder to spot than others...

See you all Wednesday, where we take a look at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas this weekend!