Monthly Roundup: Yahoo's leader, Windows 7's lead

The beginning of the month started with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Traditionally, Apple chose the same time to make a Macworld announcement to overshadow the show. That didn't happen in 2009, and in addition to leading to whispers about the state of Steve Job's health, it also left the way open for Microsoft to take all the headlines as well as plaudits with the beta release of Windows 7.

In addition to experiencing unprecedented demand for the download, it was also a success with reviewers and critics, and when IT PRO got an early test drive we were very impressed.

More about Steve Jobs - the rumours were circulating, and in the end he decided to take a six-month leave of absence to deal with his health problems. Apple has now got some huge boots to fill and 2009 will be an interesting time for the Apple geeks out there.

The month was also a big one for Yahoo. It's been about a year since the failed takeover bid by Microsoft, and Yahoo shareholders may well have been cursing the company for its decision when you now consider the offer was made before talk of a recession and could have proved very lucrative indeed.

However that's history, and Yahoo has decided to enter a new chapter with a new leader in the shape of Carol Bartz, who has had a lot of experience and success in the technology sector already.

In the UK, every industry even remotely connected with technology was looking very closely at what Lord Stephen Carter was going to give us with his long-awaited Digital Britain report.

And when it was released, the most significant announcement was that the government will have a universal commitment to broadband for all, where everybody should be able to get access to a speed of 2Mbps.

When it comes to high speed, next-generation broadband though, the report was a little less forthcoming. It looks like we will be looking at the big telcos to build the networks for the time being, but the government is considering the provision of cash and public service incentives if they are needed.

And finally to Twitter. It would have been difficult to miss in 2008 and this year it's likely to get even more popular.

For a week-by-week view of what January had to offer us, check out our weekly reports below.

Week in Review 9 January - Computer go SMASH

Week in Review 16 January - Upheaval for Apple, Yahoo at the top

Week in Review 23 January - Britain carries on Twittering

Week in Review 30 January - Future of Britain is digital