Looking back at 2011

It’s already that time of year again. With the holidays fast approaching, news publications are starting to write their “looking back at 2011” stories. So, I thought I’d write a bit of my own story – with links to coverage of the biggest news events in digital media that stand out in my mind:

• Acquisitions of Canadian digital media startups by large companies like Google, IBM, and RIM.
• The launch of Google+ and the stories that followed – profiling the war between Facebook and Google. Also of note are the stories of its (Google+) massive user growth, its flatline, and its slow, potential comeback.
• Facebook’s reaction to Google+ with the launch of new features and profile redesigns. Plus, social media and mainstream media’s response to the changes.
• IPOs of big social media companies like LinkedIn, plus the many stories and speculation about Groupon and Zynga’s delayed IPOs.
• The mass mourning of Steve Jobs‘ death in mainstream and social media.
• The launch of Apple’s Siri and the many jokes that it spawned.
• The many petitions that Canadians signed to stop usage-based billing and stop electronic surveillance by the Canadian government.

These are just some of the many stories that I recall. Which ones are the most memorable to you? Did I miss anything big? Please share in the comments section below.