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AP Technology NewsBrief at 9:00 a.m. EDT(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Comcast's $4.4B Olympian bid a bold online betLOS ANGELES (AP) _ NBC lost more than $200 million the last time it showed the Winter Olympics, and it's bracing for similar losses in London next year. So, plenty of people scoffed when the network bid $4.4 billion _ nearly a billion more than runner-up Fox _ for the U.S. rights to carry the four games through 2020. Google strikes deal to add Admeld to arsenalSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Google Inc. has struck a deal to buy Admeld, a service that helps websites make more money from online advertising. The agreement announced Monday positions Google to add another potentially valuable weapon to its advertising arsenal. Google already sells the most advertising on the Internet. The company's total ad revenue is expected to surpass $30 billion this year _ greater than the entire U.S. newspaper industry. Nokia, Apple settle drawn-out patent disputeHELSINKI, Finland (AP) _ Nokia Corp. on Tuesday notched a valuable win against rival Apple Inc., with the U.S. company agreeing to pay the Finnish handset maker a one-time sum to settle long-standing patent disputes as well as royalties for current licenses. Espoo-based Nokia said that the deal "will result in settlement of all patent litigation between the companies, including the withdrawal by Nokia and Apple of their respective complaints to the US International Trade Commission." HP shuffles top executives in shake-upPALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) _ Hewlett-Packard Co. is streamlining its executive ranks to improve its focus on customers rather than administration and put more operations directly under CEO Leo Apotheker's control. The world's largest maker of personal computers said Monday that it is eliminating its chief administrative officer position, meaning that Pete Bocian is leaving HP immediately. APNewsBreak: Study advised US on Libya hackingLONDON (AP) _ Private computer experts advised U.S. officials on how cyberattacks could damage Libya's oil and gas infrastructure and rob Moammar Gadhafi's regime of crucial oil revenue, according to a study obtained by hackers. It remains unclear who commissioned "Project Cyber Dawn" and how much of a role the U.S. government played in it, but it shows the increasing amount of work being done by private companies in exposing foreign governments' vulnerabilities to cyber attack. Game company Bethesda is latest hacker targetNEW YORK (AP) _ A group of hackers has gained access to the websites of the U.S. Senate and video game company Bethesda Softworks, the latest in a series of cyberattacks plaguing a broad range of online victims. The group, which calls itself Lulz Security, posted what it called a "small, just-for-kicks release of some internal data" from Senate.gov on its website on Monday. Likely referencing reports that the Pentagon is considering whether a cyberattack could be considered an act of war, the group also wrote "is this an act of war, gentlemen? Problem?" US video game sales dip to Oct 2006 levelsLOS ANGELES (AP) _ U.S. sales of consoles and video games fell 14 percent in May to $743 million, the lowest monthly figure since October 2006. NPD Group, which compiles the data, said Monday that the decline is mostly due to a light schedule of new releases. There were just 42 new games released in May compared to 58 in the same month a year ago. States weigh relaxing penalties for teen sextingPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ A congressman who sends an X-rated photo of himself jeopardizes his reputation and his job. But in many states, teens caught doing the same thing can risk felony charges, jail time and being branded sexual offenders. That's because a minor who transmits a sexually explicit photo of themselves according to many state laws, is manufacturing and distributing child pornography. Lawmakers across the country, however, now say the problem of teen sexting didn't exist when they enacted harsh punishments for child porn and are considering changes that would ensure minors don't face jail time for youthful mistakes. IMF targeted in cyberattack, extent not disclosedNEW YORK (AP) _ The International Monetary Fund, already reeling from last month's arrest of its former leader, is investigating an attack on its computer system. IMF spokesman David Hawley said the organization is fully functional. He declined to provide further details on what he termed an "IT incident," including its scope or nature and whether any sensitive data were taken. The IMF has confidential information on countries in financial trouble. Comcast to sell Skype box for video callsNEW YORK (AP) _ Comcast subscribers: In the future, believing that the TV is talking to you might not be a sign of insanity. You may be getting a Skype video call. Comcast Corp., the country's largest cable company, is set to announce Tuesday that it plans to bring Skype calls to TV sets later this year. (c) 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |