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Research in Motion is a front runner in the race to convert billions of feature phone users into data-wielding smartphone customers but is seen possessing only a small window of opportunity to reinvigorate itself and match the momentum of rival mobile monarchs Apple and Google in a life-or-death battle for relevance, writes Alastair Sharp.

Prices for key technology components such as computer memory and LCD panels rose, as damage at Japanese plants and infrastructure caused by Friday’s earthquake and tsunami threatened to disrupt the global manufacturing chain longer than expected.

Microsoft introduced its newest browser, Internet Explorer 9, including a do-not-track tool that helps you keep your online habits from being monitored, and is worth checking out, writes Business Insider’s Matt Rosoff.

Now that you’ve had a few days with your iPad 2, what’s your opinion of it? The NextWeb’s Boris wanted to put together a list of 10 gripes about Apple’s new tablet, but could only come up with 6. Among them: The Smart Cover makes him feel dumb when he fumbles to re-attach it, the aluminum backing scratched too easily and the button ergonomics  are poor.

What apps really show off what the iPad 2 can do? GigaOM’s Darrell Etherington picked a few, including iMovie, video game Infinity Blade, and mapping software Google Earth.

Apple said it will delay the launch of the iPad 2 tablet computer in Japan, in the wake of last week’s earthquake and tsunami. It was slated to go on sale March 25. In the U.S., iPad 2 shortages have lead to 4-5 week order delays online, writes VentureBeats Devindra Hardawar.