Android "zombies" sending out spam: Researchers at Microsoft and at Sophos Labs in England have found that an Android-based botnet or a network of "zombie" machines are sending out spam without the phone owners' knowledge.  MSNBC

Changing times: More tech companies are leaving phones behind in favor of communication by emails, chats or online forums.  New York Times

Amazon phone may rival iPhone: Amazon is planning to go into the phone business. Bloomberg reports that Amazon is "developing a smartphone that would vie with the iPhone" and could be ready by the end of this year. Bloomberg

Tablet wars: Google has announced that its new quad-core Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Nexus 7 tablet will start at $199, the same price as Amazon's Kindle Fire. Now Amazon says it's joining the mini-tab pool with plans for a 7- to 8-inch tablet to compete with the predicted smaller Apple iPad.  Bloomberg

7 not-to-miss apps: Mashable came up with seven apps you won't want to miss, including Marble Cam and Where's My Perry.  Mashable