With the increasing popularity of the open-source operating system, customer demands on Linux are changing, Dryhoff said.

CNN: IBM will 'wait and see' on desktop Linux

"With the increasing popularity of smartphones in China, we are delighted to offer the BlackBerry Curve 8910 smartphone through our retail distribution network in China, " said Guo Wei, Chairman and CEO, Digital China.

ENGADGET: Research In Motion enters Chinese retail channel with BlackBerry 8910 Curve

With the increasing popularity of cable-free charging pads that allow devices to soak up juice from a mat (or even a pillow), the Wireless Power Consortium is lobbying to standardize such systems so that any phone can access any charger.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"For 2013, the company will capitalise on the increasing popularity of cruising in Asia with the deployment of a second Costa ship in China and the launch of a new Princess Cruises program for the Japanese market, " it said.

BBC: Carnival cruise operator sees profits beat expectations

Among other notable findings was an increasing wariness about the popularity of online MBAs, with more than half the deans saying they were concerned about this.

CNN: Survey shows boom in part-time MBAs

"Entertainment is being transformed more right now than ever before, " says Marc, referring to the increasing popularity of services like HBO Go and Netflix along with the creation of new, digital on-demand offerings like the NBA League Pass.

ENGADGET: A conversation with Microsoft's Marc Whitten on SmartGlass and the quest for a better living room

The BBC, with its public sector status and worldwide popularity, plays a big part in this role, fuelled by the increasing use of technologies like RSS feeds which let other sites display the headlines.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Magazine | Citizen journalist: My week