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AP Technology NewsBrief at 5:59 p.m. EDT(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Man charged in record ID theft case in plea talksMIAMI (AP) _ An accused computer hacker charged with stealing millions of credit and debit card numbers has been negotiating a plea deal with the federal government, people close to the case said Thursday. Albert Gonzalez, who once helped the U.S. Secret Service hunt hackers, has been weighing a deal to plead guilty on two of the three cases against him, two people told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the plea talks. New generation of coupons means users clip lessPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ Electronic coupons, arriving by cell phone, Twitter, e-mail and Facebook, are helping generate an old standby's comeback and bringing in new, younger customers. Many shoppers, especially young consumers like 30-year-old April Englebert, used to reject coupons printed in newspapers and direct-mail booklets as passe or cumbersome. Dell profit down 23 pct but surpasses estimateSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Dell Inc.'s second-quarter profit was whacked 23 percent as the personal-computer industry's slump dragged on this summer. The results beat Wall Street's forecast, however, sending the shares up more than 6 percent. Dell's results reinforce a trend outlined in the latest numbers from rival Hewlett-Packard Co., the world's No. 1 PC seller, and supplier Intel Corp., the biggest computer chip maker: Consumer demand for PCs is perking up, but spending by corporations is still weak. Facebook agrees with Canada on privacy controlsTORONTO (AP) _ Facebook agreed Thursday to give users more control over the information they share with outside applications like games and quizzes in response to concerns raised by Canadian privacy officials. Currently, people who wish to use such software have to agree to share all their data with the application. For example, when a user signs up to take a quiz, the software developer could tap the user's biographical information, photos and hobbies, along with profiles and information on friends, even if such data aren't needed to take the quiz. AP sources: DirecTV, TBS, TNT in talks on InternetDirecTV Group Inc. is in talks with the TBS and TNT cable networks to offer their shows online, according to two people familiar with the discussions. If a deal is reached, DirecTV subscribers would be able to watch shows from those cable networks on the Internet, the people said on condition of anonymity because the talks still are ongoing. DirecTV, the nation's largest satellite TV operator, previously said it was considering such deals but did not specify the networks. FCC inquiries could spawn new wireless regulationsWASHINGTON (AP) _ The Federal Communications Commission is taking a closer look at the practices of the wireless industry, potentially the first step toward more regulations intended to push down prices and increase choices for consumers. At its first meeting with all five commissioners seated since the inauguration of President Barack Obama, the FCC voted unanimously Thursday to open an inquiry into the state of competition in the wireless industry. The FCC also wants to explore factors that encourage innovation and investment in wireless. FIRST LOOK: New Mac software not a dramatic changeNEW YORK (AP) _ While Microsoft Corp. prepares to release the next incarnation of Windows on Oct. 22, Apple Inc. is cutting ahead, launching a new version of its operating system for Mac computers on Friday. Apple's new Snow Leopard software isn't as big of a step forward from its predecessor as Windows 7 will be from Windows Vista. The most important changes in the Apple operating system are under the hood, allowing software developers to rewrite their programs to run much faster. Gov't addresses `robocall' annoyance with new banAmericans tired of having their dinners interrupted by phone calls touting car warranties or vacation packages will soon get some relief. The Federal Trade Commission said Thursday it is banning many types of prerecorded telemarketing solicitations, known as robocalls. Currently, consumers must specifically join a do-not-call list to avoid them. Starting Sept. 1, telemarketers will first need written permission from the customer to make such calls. Microsoft cutting price of high-end Xbox 360NEW YORK (AP) _ Microsoft Corp. is slashing the price of the high-end Xbox 360 console by $100, matching Sony's $100 price cut for the PlayStation 3 last week. Now, both the Xbox 360 Elite and the PS3 will cost $299. The price cuts in both cases are worldwide, though the exact amounts vary by region depending on currencies. Many interested in broadband stimulus fundsWASHINGTON (AP) _ "Cash for Clunkers" isn't the only economic stimulus program to attract a lot of takers. The federal government said Thursday it had received requests for a total of $28 billion from groups that want to expand high-speed Internet service in the U.S. The government has $4 billion in loans and grants initially available. (c) 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |