Oil prices closed lower Monday as traders locked in profits after a brief bounce on the back of robust Chinese economic data.

The suit, filed by two gay couples, challenges Proposition 8 – a ban on gay marriage in the state of California.

The world’s automakers unveiled a number of hybrid gas-electric and battery-powered models, several of which might not be available for years to come.

In the coming months, the likes of Microsoft, Hitachi and major PC makers will begin selling devices that will allow people to flip channels on the TV or move documents on a computer monitor with simple hand gestures.

The national apartment vacancy rate increased to 8% in the last three months of 2009. That is the highest level Reis has ever reported.

USB 3.0 is now available to consumers on laptops from HP and Asus, among others. It is a lot faster than the current 2.0 version. It is also more power efficient than 2.0.

Seventy percent voters in French Guiana voted against more autonomy for the French department in South America.

TV manufacturers are embracing 3D technology, but it doesn’t mean consumers will be quite so enthusiastic.

Google’s forthcoming Nexus One smartphone is composed of components costs $175, according to a teardown conducted by iSuppli.

DirectLife’s Activity Monitor is waterproof and uses 3D accelerometer technology. Philips’ DirectLife fitness tracker monitors one’s daily activity levels by tracking the duration and intensity of movements.