BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) has announced it aims to reduce operating costs by one billion dollars per year, a plan that includes significant layoffs.

Steve Jobs, the hero from Silicon Valley, died at the age of 56 years of pancreatic cancer. Passionate, brilliant and irreplaceable in the consciousness of fans and investors, co-founder of Apple dared to defy the rules and to revolutionize an entire industry.

Apple announced that Bertrand Serlet, Apple’s senior vice president of Mac Software Engineering, will be leaving the company. Craig Federighi, Apple’s vice president of Mac Software Engineering, will assume Serlet’s responsibilities and report to Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

Apple announced that Dr. Ronald D. Sugar, former Chairman of the Board and CEO of Northrop Grumman Corporation, was appointed to Apple’s Board of Directors. He will serve as the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee.

Verizon Wireless President and CEO Lowell C. McAdam has been named president and chief operating officer of Verizon Communications, reporting to Chairman and CEO Ivan G. Seidenberg, effective Oct. 1, 2010.