CDC Software 3Q profit rises on lower costs AP (November 23, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - CDC Software Corp., a Chinese business software developer whose shares began trading in the United States last summer, said Monday its third-quarter profit rose 47 percent on lower costs and expenses.
Rocket with commercial satellite launches in Fla. AP (November 23, 2009) CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - An Atlas 5 rocket has launched from Florida with a satellite expected to provide high-powered video and data to much of the world.
Asia stocks mixed as figures on US economy awaited AP (November 23, 2009) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Asian stock markets were mixed Monday after a decline on Wall Street and as investors hunkered down ahead of a stream of figures that could confirm the U.S. economy is recovering at a slower pace. European shares were higher.
Ahead of the Bell: 'New Moon' lifts theater chains AP (November 23, 2009) PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A surprisingly strong weekend opening for the second movie in the Twilight vampire series, "New Moon," led analysts to raise their box office forecasts and support a more upbeat outlook for theater chains.
Fox CEO wants US to join France on Internet piracy AP (November 23, 2009) ATHENS, Greece (AP) - The chief executive of Fox Filmed Entertainment said Monday the U.S. should join France in cutting off the Internet connection of users who repeatedly download copyright-protected films.
Canadian woman loses benefits over Facebook photo AP (November 23, 2009) MONTREAL (AP) - A Canadian woman on sick leave for depression says she lost her benefits after her insurance agent found photos of her apparently having fun on Facebook.
EU extends Oracle/Sun review deadline until Jan 27 AP (November 20, 2009) BRUSSELS (AP) - European Union regulators said Friday that they have extended until Jan. 27 a deadline to wrap up their antitrust review of Oracle Corp.'s planned $7.4 billion takeover of Sun Microsystems Inc.
QuinStreet plans $250 million IPO AP (November 20, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - QuinStreet Inc. plans an initial public offering of $250 million in common stock, according to a regulatory filing.
Library group offers text search to 4.6M books AP (November 20, 2009) ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - A group of major national research libraries says users now can search the full text of 1.6 billion pages from 4.6 million digitized volumes.
Sony hopes online service will build brand loyalty AP (November 20, 2009) TOKYO (AP) - Sony's new online service connecting the whole range of its gadgets to downloadable content like movies and games should help build brand loyalty, a top executive said Friday.
Ahead of the Bell: Dell shares fall on weak 3Q AP (November 20, 2009) PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Shares of Dell Inc. fell Friday after it reported weaker-than-expected revenue and profit for the third quarter as the computer maker missed out on a fledgling rebound in technology spending.
Infineon 4Q net income rises to $21 million AP (November 19, 2009) FRANKFURT (AP) - German chipmaker Infineon Technologies AG said Thursday its fourth quarter net income rose sharply from a large loss a year ago as the company saw cost reductions help its results.
Sony chief executive outlines turnaround plan AP (November 19, 2009) TOKYO (AP) - Sony said it aims to be profitable in gaming and flat-panel TVs by the fiscal year ending March 2011 as it slashes costs to turn around money-losing businesses.
AOL to lay off a third of staff AP (November 19, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - AOL Inc., the struggling Internet company, plans to cut about a third of its workers if its planned spinoff from Time Warner Inc. goes through.
American Superconductor sees bigger profit in '10 AP (November 19, 2009) DEVENS, Mass. (AP) - American Superconductor Corp. reaffirmed its full-year outlook Thursday and said it expects its profit to double next fiscal year.
FAA says flight computers working again AP (November 19, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - FAA officials say failed computers that delayed flights across the country are now working again.
House lawmakers push ban on peer-to-peer software AP (November 18, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Stung by an embarrassing electronic leak last month revealing ethics investigations into dozens of lawmakers, Congress moved Tuesday to prohibit federal employees from using the same type of Internet file-sharing software blamed for the disclosure.
Microsoft told to stop some Windows sales in China AP (November 18, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - A Beijing court has ordered Microsoft Corp. to stop selling some versions of its Windows operating system in China in a licensing dispute with a local supplier.
Ahead of the Bell: RIM downgraded on competition AP (November 18, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - BMO Capital Markets on Wednesday downgraded Research in Motion Ltd., saying the BlackBerry maker faces rising competition and a consumer shift toward cheaper phones.
GAO: Los Alamos computer security has weaknesses AP (November 18, 2009) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Security weaknesses uncovered in Los Alamos National Laboratory's classified computer network could increase the risk of a breach of classified information, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in a new report.
Senators blast Web sites for scamming shoppers AP (November 18, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - With Cyber Monday, the unofficial start of the Internet holiday shopping season nearing, a Senate committee Tuesday condemned three online companies, saying they are tricking consumers into signing up for subscription services they don't want.
Ahead of the Bell: Autodesk falls after forecast AP (November 18, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Autodesk shares slid Wednesday after the design and engineering software maker's guidance implied higher costs, analysts said, and lower profit than Wall Street had expected.
California targets TVs to lower electricity demand AP (November 18, 2009) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The most power-hungry television sets could soon be banned from store shelves in California as state energy regulators on Wednesday consider a first-in-the nation mandate intended to lower electricity demand.
Fortinet shares price at $12.50 each ahead of IPO AP (November 18, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Fortinet Inc. priced higher than expected at $12.50 each ahead of the computer security company's planned initial public offering Wednesday.
Ahead of the Bell: Palm shares rise AP (November 17, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Palm Inc. rose ahead of regular trading Tuesday after Kaufman Bros. said worries about competition for the company's "smart" phones are overdone.
FBI says hackers targeting law firms, PR companies AP (November 17, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Hackers are increasingly targeting law firms and public relations companies with a sophisticated e-mail scheme that breaks into their computer networks to steal sensitive data, often linked to large corporate clients doing business overseas.
T-Mobile resumes sale of Sidekicks after data loss AP (November 17, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - T-Mobile USA resumed selling Sidekick phones Tuesday, more than a month after a server meltdown at Microsoft Corp. caused contact numbers, pictures and other personal information to disappear from many of the phones.
YouTube tries to help media find more free video AP (November 17, 2009) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - YouTube is trying to help shrinking newsrooms expand their video coverage without increasing their payrolls.
Vietnam Internet users fear Facebook blackout AP (November 17, 2009) HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Vietnam's growing legions of Facebook users fear that the country's communist government might be blocking the popular social networking Web site, which has become difficult to access over the past few weeks.
Applied Materials offers to buy Semitool for $364M AP (November 17, 2009) SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Applied Materials Inc. said Tuesday it offered to buy Semitool Inc. for $364 million in cash, a move the company says will broaden its portfolio of chip manufacturing equipment.
Twitter to overhaul user list seen as partisan AP (November 17, 2009) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Social-networking site Twitter plans to end a service that links prominent message posters with new users, a service that was criticized in California because of perceived unfairness toward GOP gubernatorial candidates.
Cisco raises bid for Tandberg to $3.4 billion AP (November 16, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Cisco Systems Inc. said Monday it raised its bid for Norway's Tandberg ASA after only a fraction of Tandberg shareholders agreed to Cisco's initial offer.
TTM Technologies to buy Meadville assets for $521M AP (November 16, 2009) SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - TTM Technologies Inc. said Monday it has agreed to buy the printed circuit board business of Meadville Holdings Ltd. for $521 million in cash and stock.
RF Micro Devices buys back $197 million in notes AP (November 16, 2009) GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) - Chip maker RF Micro Devices Inc. said Monday it has finished restructuring its debt, buying back $197 million in notes coming due next year. It also boosted its cash flow forecast.
Twitter to scrap controversial suggested user list AP (November 16, 2009) PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) - Social-media site Twitter plans to scrap its hand-picked list of "suggested users" to follow after controversy erupted over the selection of people on the list, a company executive said Monday.
Motorola buys broadband TV company BitBand AP (November 16, 2009) SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (AP) - Motorola Inc. said Monday it has agreed to acquire BitBand Technologies Ltd., a company that makes equipment for delivering television over broadband connections.
Intel raising its dividend 12.5 percent AP (November 16, 2009) SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Intel Corp., the world's biggest chip company, says it will raise its dividend by 12.5 percent starting next year.
Google, book publishers to reveal new settlement AP (November 13, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - The future of Google's plans to scan and sell millions of books online could begin to take shape Friday.
Swiss privacy watchdog to sue Google Street View AP (November 13, 2009) BERN, Switzerland (AP) - Switzerland's privacy watchdog is taking legal action to force Google to make changes to its Street View service.
Russian policemen turn to YouTube AP (November 13, 2009) MOSCOW (AP) - When a police officer posted a video on YouTube complaining of rampant abuse in Russian law enforcement, it seemed like a lonely voice in a sea of social media.
Intel names Douglas Melamed as top lawyer AP (November 13, 2009) SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Intel Corp., which is the world's largest maker of microprocessors, said Friday that it named Douglas Melamed as its top lawyer.
Craigslist founder joins Wikimedia advisory board AP (November 13, 2009) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The nonprofit group that runs online encyclopedia Wikipedia said Friday that it named Craig Newmark, the founder of Web classifieds site Craigslist, to its advisory board.
Computer programmers accused of aiding Madoff scam AP (November 13, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Two former employees for Bernard Madoff programmed an old IBM computer to generate false records that concealed the money manager's massive Ponzi scheme and were given hush money when they threatened to stop lying, federal prosecutors said Friday.
Buffett, Gates to answer student questions in NY AP (November 12, 2009) OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates will meet with Columbia University business students on Thursday and answer their questions about business and life.
'Call of Duty' game sells $310M in 24 hours AP (November 12, 2009) SANTA MONICA, Calif., (AP) - Activision Blizzard estimates that it sold about 4.7 million copies of its "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" game worth $310 million in the first 24 hours in North America and the United Kingdom, making it the biggest-selling launch in the history of entertainment.
Report: Motorola looking at selling unit AP (November 12, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Motorola Inc. is seeking to sell its largest division, which makes equipment for cable and wireless companies, according to a report Wednesday.
Intel to pay AMD $1.25B in legal settlment AP (November 12, 2009) SUNNYVALE, Calif. (AP) - Intel says it is paying AMD, its largest rival in the market for computer processors, $1.25 billion to settle all antitrust and patent suits.
Applied Materials to cut 1,300 to 1,500 jobs AP (November 11, 2009) SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Applied Materials is laying off 1,300 to 1,500 people over the next year and a half to cut costs as the company grapples with a downturn in business.
Schools shun Kindle, saying blind can't use it AP (November 11, 2009) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Amazon's Kindle can read books aloud, but if you're blind it can be difficult to turn that function on without help. Now two universities say they will shun the device until Amazon changes the setup.
Ahead of the Bell: Adobe Systems AP (November 11, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Adobe Systems Inc. should have more room to climb following recently announced job cuts, a Jefferies & Co. analyst said Wednesday.
Va. firm wins $27 million Navy contract AP (November 11, 2009) FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - A Fairfax County company has won a nearly $27 million contract to provide engineering and technical support for the U.S. Navy's navigation systems in the United States and abroad.
UK starts study on using human DNA in animals AP (November 10, 2009) LONDON (AP) - British scientists begin a new study on Tuesday to consider how human DNA is used in animal experiments and to determine what the boundaries of such controversial science might be.
SMIC CEO resigns as chip maker faces $200M penalty AP (November 10, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - The CEO of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. is stepping down after the company agreed to pay $200 million to settle a legal dispute with rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
Electronic Arts acquires Playfish for $275 million AP (November 09, 2009) REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (AP) - Video game publisher Electronic Arts says it has acquired Playfish, a privately held company that makes social network games, for $275 million in cash.
Nokia to recall 14 million chargers AP (November 09, 2009) HELSINKI (AP) - Nokia Corp. announced Monday that some 14 million mobile phone chargers could be dangerous for users and said it will replace them free of charge.
Microsoft to buy SourceGear assets AP (November 09, 2009) REDMOND, Wash. (AP) - Microsoft Corp. said Monday it will buy some assets of SourceGear LLC that will bolster its software design products.
Ahead of the Bell: Nvidia up after beating views AP (November 06, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Driven by strength across all its businesses, Nvidia Corp. posted better-than-expected results for its third quarter, sending shares higher in premarket trading Friday.
Orbitz receives $100 million from 2 investors AP (November 05, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - Online-travel company Orbitz Worldwide Inc. said Thursday it received equity investments totaling $100 million from two companies.
Industry group says chip forecast is brighter AP (November 05, 2009) SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - The Semiconductor Industry Association said Thursday its forecast for global chip sales is brighter than its previous projections, reflecting an improving economy.
Ford to put air bags into back seat belts of SUV AP (November 05, 2009) DETROIT (AP) - Air bags have long been mounted in the steering wheel, dashboard and sides of vehicles. Now, they're in the seat belts.
EU agrees on new Internet user rights AP (November 05, 2009) BRUSSELS (AP) - EU lawmakers and governments agreed on new rights for Internet users Thursday, aiming to protect them from arbitrary crackdowns on those who illegally download music and movies on the Internet.
Sirius XM 3Q loss narrows as revenue rises AP (November 05, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Sirius XM Radio Inc., the nation's only major satellite radio provider, on Thursday said its third-quarter loss narrowed as it booked smaller charges and revenue rose almost 27 percent.
Cisco forecasts first revenue growth in a year AP (November 05, 2009) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Cisco Systems Inc. doesn't want Wall Street to interpret its forecast for its first quarterly revenue growth in a year as evidence that the U.S. and other economies are roaring back.
Panasonic begins tender offer for Sanyo takeover AP (November 05, 2009) TOKYO (AP) - Panasonic Corp. said Thursday it has started its bid to take over smaller rival Sanyo Electric Co. for an estimated 402 billion yen ($4.4 billion), moving closer to create one of the world's biggest electronics makers.
Microsoft CEO: Windows 7 Japan sales 'fantastic' AP (November 05, 2009) TOKYO (AP) - Sales of Microsoft Corp.'s new Windows 7 operating system have been "fantastic" in Japan since its launch last month, CEO Steve Ballmer said Thursday.
Ahead of the Bell: Sanmina rises on demand outlook AP (November 05, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Sanmina-SCI Corp. rose in Thursday, after the electronics services company said demand was increasing and issued an upbeat outlook.
Smart phone demand going strong in 3Q AP (November 05, 2009) FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (AP) - The global smart phone market set a record for shipments in the third quarter as it continues to weather the economic turmoil, research firm IDC said Thursday.
JDA Software to buy i2 for about $434 million AP (November 05, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - JDA Software Group Inc., which makes inventory management software for retailers, said Thursday it has agreed to buy rival i2 Technologies Inc. for about $434 million.
Apple's partner sells 5,000 iPhones in China debut AP (November 04, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - Apple Inc.'s local partner has sold 5,000 iPhones since the smart phone's formal weekend debut in China, a lackluster start after analysts warned the company might be setting prices too high.
Ancestry.com hopes to raise $100 million in IPO AP (November 04, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Genealogy Web site Ancestry.com hopes to raise about $100 million when it goes public this week. With more than a million paying subscribers, little competition, a small debt load and a record of increasing revenues, it may fare better than other IPOs that have recently priced below their filing ranges.
A growing PayPal could soon overshadow parent eBay AP (November 04, 2009) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Most people know eBay Inc. for its online marketplace, where deals abound on everything from gadgets to antique furniture. But soon, eBay's biggest business will likely be PayPal, the online payments service that has been growing steadily even as the economy has stumbled.
T-Mobile says phone service outage resolved AP (November 04, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Wireless provider T-Mobile USA Inc. says it has cleared up service problems that were interfering with calls and text messaging for about 5 percent of its customers.
Garmin to release third-quarter earnings AP (November 04, 2009) OLATHE, Kan. (AP) - Navigational device maker Garmin Ltd. is expected to report lower third-quarter profits and revenues from a year ago.
Groups representing Mass. tech firms to merge AP (November 04, 2009) BURLINGTON, Mass. (AP) - Two organizations that represent the interests of technology companies in Massachusetts are combining forces.
Microsoft lays off 800 more workers worldwide AP (November 04, 2009) REDMOND, Wash. (AP) - Microsoft Corp. says it is cutting 800 more jobs. That's in addition to the 5,000 layoffs it announced in January.
Study: Internet use leads to more diverse networks AP (November 04, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - A new study confirms what your 130 Facebook friends and scores of Twitter followers may have already told you: The Internet and mobile phones are not linked to social isolation.
Diebold posts 3Q loss on voting unit sale charge AP (November 03, 2009) NORTH CANTON, Ohio (AP) - ATM maker Diebold Inc. on Tuesday posted a third-quarter loss as it absorbed a big loss on the sale of its voting machine business. It also cut its full year profit and revenue forecast.
Univ. of Ill. to host new US Army computer center AP (November 03, 2009) CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - The U.S. Army is financing a new research center at the University of Illinois to develop technology for computer networks used on battlefields and in other similarly difficult environments.
Winner named in lunar lander X Prize contest AP (November 03, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A team of California rocketeers has won a $1 million prize in a simulated lunar landing contest backed by NASA.
Nokia Siemens Networks to lay off up to 5,700 AP (November 03, 2009) HELSINKI (AP) - Nokia Siemens Networks said Tuesday it will lay off up to 5,700 workers globally as part of a move to cut annual costs by euro500 million ($740 million).
Author Ken Auletta searches for the Google story AP (November 02, 2009) (AP) - "Googled: The End of the World as We Know It" (The Penguin Press, 336 pages, $25.95), by Ken Auletta. Google is best understood in terms of billions. Three billion searches are conducted daily on the site. Company revenues last year exceeded $22 billion. It spent $1.76 billion for YouTube and $3.2 billion for the digital ad company DoubleClick.
Forrester projects rise in online holiday sales AP (November 02, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Forrester Research Inc. is projecting an 8 percent increase to $44.7 billion in online holiday sales compared with a year ago as bargain hunters turn to the Web for deals.
Microsoft CEO: IT spending won't fully recover AP (November 02, 2009) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said Monday corporate spending on information technology will not recover to levels seen in recent years before the global economic slowdown.
Reports: Cyberattacks traced to NKorea AP (October 30, 2009) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - The North Korean government was the source of high-profile cyberattacks in July that caused Web outages in South Korea and the United States, news reports said Friday.
PerkinElmer profit tumbles on lower sales AP (October 29, 2009) WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) - PerkinElmer Inc., which supplies equipment and services to pharmaceutical and other companies, says third-quarter profit and sales fell, but the CEO said he was seeing encouraging signs.
Sun CEO's pay package cut by a third in '09 AP (October 29, 2009) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The value of Sun Microsystems Inc. CEO Jonathan Schwartz's latest pay package dropped 37 percent from last year as the company lost more than $2 billion and was in such dire financial shape that it was forced to put itself up for sale.
Nintendo's profit dives as Wii demand dwindles AP (October 29, 2009) TOKYO (AP) - Nintendo's first-half profit plunged as sales of its hit Wii home console fizzled, forcing the maker of Super Mario and Pokemon games to forecast annual earnings would fall for the first time in six years.
BMC Software posts 35 percent jump in 2Q earnings AP (October 29, 2009) HOUSTON (AP) - BMC Software Inc. said Thursday its fiscal second-quarter earnings jumped 35 percent, as falling expenses offset a slight decline in sales.
Motorola posts 3Q profit, names permanent CFO AP (October 29, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Motorola Inc. reported an unexpected quarterly profit Thursday as operating losses in its struggling mobile phone division narrowed. The company also forecast stronger-than-anticipated earnings for the current period.
InfoGroup holds annual meeting in Papillion, Neb. AP (October 29, 2009) PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) - Database provider InfoGroup Inc. plans to welcome shareholders to one of its suburban Omaha offices in Papillion for its annual meeting.
Expedia's 3Q profit up 23 pct as bookings rise AP (October 29, 2009) BELLEVUE, Wash. (AP) - Bookings are up at online travel company Expedia Inc., although prices for flights and hotels continued softening.
US official: Homemade bombs pose worldwide threat AP (October 29, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The use of homemade bombs extends well beyond Afghanistan and Iraq, making the weapons a global problem that requires an international solution, a senior U.S. military official said Thursday.
Financial technology company adding 419 jobs in NC AP (October 28, 2009) HICKORY, N.C. (AP) - Financial technology company Fiserv Inc. plans to open a new location in North Carolina and add more than 400 jobs.
IAC reports 3Q profit but ad revenue still slips AP (October 27, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - IAC/InterActiveCorp, which runs Match.com, Ask.com and other Web sites, says asset sales helped it profit in the third quarter while ad revenue continued to slump.
Chinese paper accuses Google of hampering searches AP (October 27, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - Google Inc. faces a new controversy in China after a Web site run by the Communist Party's main newspaper accused the U.S. search giant of trying to keep Internet users away following its reports on a copyright dispute.
Vishay to spin off 2 businesses to shareholders AP (October 27, 2009) MALVERN, Pa. (AP) - Vishay Intertechnology Inc. said Tuesday it plans to spin off its measurements and foil resistor businesses into an independent, publicly traded company called Vishay Precision Group Inc.