— Emperor penguins are heading toward extinction, scientists predict. BBC

– Microsoft responds to a letter from a Republican senator urging the company to lay off foreign workers first. Computerworld

– Verizon Communications dials up profits and sales in fourth quarter. CNet

– Meanwhile, EBay’s CEO rings up rumors about a Skype sale. Times of London

– Apple is awarded a patent for the iPhone interface. Slashdot

– Is Kindle 2.0 being unveiled at Amazon’s Feb. 9 press conference? CrunchGear

– The new White House website gets a review. Washington Post

– Used MP3 player sold for nine bucks contained a bonus: U.S. military files. PCWorld

– No TV until you play your online game! Start-up lures kids to learn math through online games. NYT

– You can stop practicing the piano now. Axis of Awesomeness shows you need just four chords to make a hit song. Neatorama

– Alex Pham

Photo: Discovery Channel

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Around the Web 1.27.09: Today’s predictions include extinct emperor penguins, Skype sale and Kindle 2.0