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AP Technology NewsBrief at 2:34 p.m. EDT(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Google invests $280 million to spur home solarNEW YORK (AP) _ Google is investing $280 million to help private homeowners put solar panels on their rooftops. It's Google's latest _ and largest _ investment in clean energy. The money will allow installer SolarCity to offer solar systems to homeowners for no money up front. In exchange, customers agree to pay a set price for the power produced by the panels. 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." Google expands spoken search to desktop computersSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Making Google search requests on many office and home computers soon won't require a keyboard. A feature announced Tuesday will allow people to speak their search requests while sitting in front of their desktop computers just as they already can on smartphones running on Google Inc.'s Android software. Apple starts selling unlocked iPhones in USNEW YORK (AP) _ Apple Inc. on Tuesday started selling "unlocked" iPhones in the U.S. for the first time, allowing owners to switch carriers to a limited extent and save money when travelling. Apple is selling them on its websites and its store for $649 and $749 depending on how much memory they have. They're identical to the versions sold for use on AT&T Inc.'s network, but don't require a two-year contract. Facebook helps itself by helping RockMelt browserSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Facebook has updated its status to include a relationship with RockMelt, an upstart Web browser that revolves around Facebook's online hangout. The business partnership announced Tuesday resulted in the latest update to the Facebook-driven Web browser, which RockMelt introduced late last year. 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. 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. 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. 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?" (c) 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |