2011: The year in words

"We don't know how the brain works as an information-processing system, and we do need to find out. We hope that our machine will enable significant progress towards achieving this understanding."

Manchester University researcher Steve Furber, detailing a project linking one million ARM processors to mimic the human brain.

August

"Motorola Mobility's total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies.

"Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers."

Google's Larry Page, having just acquired Motorola Mobility

September

"Oracle has spent the last four years uncovering SAP's massive copyright theft and SAP finally pleaded guilty in federal court to criminal charges for its illegal scheme."

Oracle spokeswoman Deborah Hellinger, in an email, responding to news that SAP subsidiary TomorrowNow pleaded guilty to 12 criminal counts and was ordered to pay a $20 million fine.