The daily tech news flow is starting to slow down as folks prepare for the final holiday push. Nonetheless, there's been some interesting news in the past few days. Here are some of the stories that caught our eye.

Microsoft apparently made a bid to buy Yelp for as much as $700 million, but the the online provider of restaurant and business reviews decided to stay independent. Now, TechCrunch speculates that Microsoft may be plotting to build its own Yelp rival with called Postbox. The story is based on a trademark filing from Microsoft which notes that it relates to online "business directories featuring restaurants, bars, nightclubs, tourist attractions, entertainment and sports events, seasonal and holiday events." Full story: Is Microsoft plotting a Yelp competitor named Postbox?

Is Google starting to look more like Microsoft? That's the thesis of a piece in Alley Insider which lays out 10 ways that the search giant is becoming more like the software titan. Among the items listed are "fleeing employees," "increasingly bizarre leadership," and "the stock price is flattening." Full story: 10 Ways Google is Turning into Microsoft.

My parents were thinking about getting me an iPad this holiday season, but I opted not to get one since it doesn't really fill a deep need for me in terms of gadgets. Given that, I was interested to read Brett Arends' list of why you should wait (at least until next year) to buy Apple's hot new device. Among the reasons listed by the The Wall Street Journal reporter: "It'll get boring;" "It'll be cheaper next year;" and "The whole Apple cult is starting to creep me out." Full story: Why I don't want an iPad for Christmas.

Oh, those crazy college kids. Check out this hack of Microsoft's Kinect game controller developed by students in the UW's BioRobotics LabFull story which brings a sense of touch to the device. Via Engadget: "Kinect and haptics combine at the University of Washington to let you feel the future."

Linden Lab, the maker of the virtual world Second Life, has named former Electronic Arts executive Rod Humble as CEO, according to ReadWriteWeb. He replaces interim CEO Philip Rosedale, the former RealNetworks employee who started Linden Lab in 1999. Linden Lab is backed by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos and others.

Blue Nile Chairman and Zulily co-founder Mark Vadon sits down with Henry Blodget to discuss mobile commerce. Vadon notes that Blue Nile recently recorded a $250,000 engagement ring sale which was purchased via mobile phone. Video below: