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AP Technology NewsBrief at 7:06 a.m. EST(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) IBM takes a (feline) step toward thinking machinesSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Scientists say they've made a breakthrough in their pursuit of computers that "think" like a living thing's brain _ an effort that tests the limits of technology. Even the world's most powerful supercomputers can't replicate basic aspects of the human mind. The machines can't imagine a wall painted a different color, for instance, or picture a person's face and connect that to an emotion. South Korean regulator approves iPhoneSEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ South Korea's telecommunications regulator cleared the way Wednesday for the launch of Apple's iPhone, amid reports the hit device could reach consumers by the end of this month. The Korea Communications Commission gave its approval at a meeting of its commissioners and the phone can be launched anytime, said spokesman Lee Sang-hun. AP Sources: MySpace in talks to buy imeemLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Online social hub MySpace is in talks to acquire struggling free music streaming site imeem, two people familiar with the matter said Tuesday. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because talks are confidential. Microsoft's cloud computing system is growing upSEATTLE (AP) _ Microsoft Corp. leads its industry in part because a vast army of outside computer programmers design software that only runs on its Windows operating system. Now, the company is fighting to keep those programmers working with its tools as technology undergoes a massive shift. UK: Millions of customer records soldLONDON (AP) _ Rogue employees at a major mobile phone company illegally sold millions of customer records to rival firms, Britain's information watchdog said Tuesday. Christopher Graham, the information commissioner, said the case was a serious breach of data privacy, and he called for harsher punishments for offenders. Microsoft co-founder Allen treated for lymphomaSEATTLE (AP) _ Microsoft Corp. co-founder and billionaire investor Paul Allen has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is undergoing chemotherapy. In a memo sent to employees, Jody Allen, Paul Allen's sister and the CEO of his investment firm Vulcan Inc., said the 56-year-old received the diagnosis early this month. According to the memo, Paul Allen has diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a relatively common form of lymphoma. YouTube tries to help media find more free videoSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ YouTube is trying to help shrinking newsrooms expand their video coverage without increasing their payrolls. The assist comes in the form of "YouTube Direct," a free tool made for media interested in amateur video of calamities, protests or other newsworthy events. The application launched Tuesday as a way for news organizations to solicit and show videos on their own Web sites. T-Mobile resumes sale of Sidekicks after data lossNEW 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. In the intervening time, Microsoft managed to restore most of the missing user data. T-Mobile provided $100 gift cards to affected customers. Comcast's NBC talks cap its decades-long risePHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Ralph Roberts knew he was onto something big when people ran after his cable TV trucks in Tupelo, Miss., asking for a visit to their homes. It was 1963. Roberts had been looking for new ventures after selling his belt-and-suspenders company. He bought American Cable Systems for $500,000 _ an opportunity that had been mentioned to him by a business acquaintance he came across while strolling down a Philadelphia street. Broadcast pioneer NBC prepares for cable takeoverNEW YORK (AP) _ Eight decades after pioneering the concept of broadcasting, NBC is on the verge of a startling move that illustrates broadcast television's decline. Cable TV operator Comcast Corp. is expected to buy a controlling stake in NBC Universal, perhaps as early as this week, bringing the network of Johnny Carson, Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Hope, Milton Berle and Tom Brokaw under the corporate control of the company that owns the Golf Channel and E! Entertainment Television. (c) 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |