Microsoft said Thursday that it will push its U.S. suppliers to give their employees paid time off — but that only applies for the staffers that do work for Microsoft.

Microsoft said it has about 2,000 U.S. suppliers, who provide services such as maintenance and security. The technology company does not know how many of its suppliers don't provide paid time off. It has heard from workers and media reports that some companies don't provide the benefit.

A better design, sharper camera and easier to use software make the new Galaxy S6 phones the best Samsung has yet to offer.

Although Samsung has been praised for its improved hardware, much of what I like is in the software — specifically, what's not in it. After a few years of making phones difficult to use with a slew of questionable features, Samsung continues to streamline its phones with the S6.

Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday proclaimed the successful test of a wide-winged, solar-powered drone built to deliver wireless internet service to remote spots.

The test flight of a drone prototype dubbed "Aquila" took place in Britain and was considered a milestone in an internet.org project to bring online access to billions more people around the planet.

Yahoo on Thursday told U.S. regulators that it will spend another $2 billion buying back shares as the pioneering U.S. Internet search firm continues an effort to re-invent itself.

The new share repurchase program approved by the California-based company's board of directors will expire at the end of March 2018, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sony's new PlayStation Vue television service probably won't save you money over cable.

Starting at $50 a month, Vue offers more than 50 over-the-air and cable channels for online streaming. But you need a PlayStation game console and you still need Internet access — likely from the same cable company you're trying to ditch. If you press, your pay-TV company might offer a slimmed-down TV package that's comparable to Sony's in price and lineup.

Twitter chief Dick Costolo said Thursday the microblogging site planned to work with Indonesian authorities to warn people about natural disasters that regularly hit the archipelago, from earthquakes to volcanic eruptions.

During a visit to Jakarta, where Twitter opened an office this month, Costolo told reporters that he and Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla had discussions about "government and Twitter working together in times of emergency to make sure in events like flooding, that people can be alerted right away". 

Facebook is turning its Messenger application into a platform for e-commerce, video and more in a bid to shake up online communication.

Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg unveiled Messenger Platform, describing it as a way for software developers to boost appeal to the more than 600 million people using the application.

Japan's military has released a smartphone game featuring cutesy characters who dodge household objects, marking the latest effort to polish the force's image and lure new recruits.

The game, launched last week, calls on cartoonish figures in military uniforms to protect a home while the owners are away, including crawling on the floor and piloting a jet fighter to avoid flying objects including apples.

Google has lured away Morgan Stanley's chief financial officer, Ruth Porat, to be its CFO at a time when the Internet search leader and its Silicon Valley peers are under fire for hiring and promoting too few women.

The appointment announced Tuesday fills a void that opened earlier this month after Google's CFO of the past seven years, Patrick Pichette, announced his plans to retire.

The maker of hit game Clash of Clans said Tuesday its revenues shot up to 1.55 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in 2014, a 130 percent bound over the prior year.   

Finnish mobile game studio Supercell, in announcing its results from last year, reported making 515 million euros in operating profit as defined by earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.