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AP Technology NewsBrief at 11:05 a.m. EDT(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Tests show wireless network could harm GPS systemsWASHINGTON (AP) _ Test results filed with federal regulators Thursday show that a proposed high-speed wireless broadband network being planned by a Virginia company called LightSquared could interfere with GPS systems used for everything from aviation to high-precision timing networks to consumer navigation devices. The results were filed with the Federal Communications Commission by a technical working group created to study the extent of potential GPS interference that the LightSquared network would cause. The findings add to the debate about whether the FCC should permit LightSquared to proceed with its plans to launch a new nationwide wireless network that would compete with AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Justin Timberlake part of group buying MySpaceLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Justin Timberlake apparently wasn't satisfied with just playing a social media impresario in the movies, so now he's becoming one in real life. The pop star, who played Napster co-founder Sean Parker in "The Social Network," a movie about Facebook, has joined Specific Media in buying its downtrodden rival, MySpace, from News Corp. in a deal that closed Wednesday. Review: HP TouchPad makes a mediocre tabletSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ A year after Hewlett-Packard Co. purchased flailing Palm, the technology behemoth is rolling out the first tablet that uses Palm's webOS operating system. The July 1 release should be a triumph for HP, showcasing its ability to compete in the increasingly crowded tablet market. Yet while the TouchPad's software is beautiful and intuitive, overall the tablet is more of a "meh-sterpiece" than a masterpiece. Amazon to cut off California-based Web affiliatesSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Amazon.com Inc. said Wednesday that it will stop working with online affiliates based in California since the state passed a new rule that forces online retailers to collect sales tax there. In an email Wednesday to California-based affiliates _ individuals or companies who run websites that refer visitors to Amazon and then get a cut of any resulting sales _ the Seattle-based company said it would cut ties with those who reside in the nation's most populous state if the law became effective. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the law Wednesday as part of a larger state budget package. Trade forum weighs Kodak patent dispute with AppleROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) _ Embattled photography pioneer Eastman Kodak Co. is nearing the end of a high-stakes patent-infringement fight with smartphone giants Apple Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd. The 131-year-old Rochester, N.Y.-based company argued in a January 2010 lawsuit that image-preview technology it patented in 2001 was infringed by iPhone maker Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. of Ontario, Canada. Jihadist web forum knocked off InternetWASHINGTON (AP) _ A popular jihadist Internet forum has been knocked off the Internet, and counterterrorism experts say it appears it was hacked. Cybersecurity analysts say the al-Shamukh forum appears to have been taken down by a fairly sophisticated cyberattack that hit not only the website, but the server _ which is the main computer that enables people to access the site over the Internet. China repeals controversial technology trade ruleBEIJING (AP) _ China has repealed a policy favoring Chinese producers in government purchases of computers and other technology that triggered complaints by foreign companies and governments that it violated free trade. The Finance Ministry announcement was the second time in a month that Beijing repealed a technology policy after complaints by its trading partners. The U.S. government announced June 7 that China was withdrawing measures that American officials said improperly subsidized Chinese wind turbine makers. Ariz. police confirm 2nd hack on officers' emailPHOENIX (AP) _ A second computer hacking attack in as many weeks against Arizona state police targeted the personal email accounts of some of its officers, an official confirmed Wednesday. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is reviewing the information released by a group calling itself AntiSec, said Capt. Steve Harrison, an agency spokesman. An attack last week by the computer hacking collective group Lulz Security targeted officers' DPS emails. Red-letter day for ailing photo pioneer?ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) _ Innovation turned Eastman Kodak Co. into one of the world's most recognizable brands. Imitation by its rivals might help keep the picture-taking pioneer from fading into history. The 131-year-old company, which popularized photography beginning with the Brownie box camera in 1900, is looking for a lucrative patent-infringement triumph this week over iPhone behemoth Apple Inc. and BlackBerry maker Research in Motion Ltd. Co-founder Biz Stone leaving TwitterLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Isaac "Biz" Stone is moving on from Twitter, just five years after co-founding the microblogging site that has become integral to the social media scene around the globe. Stone, 37, said Tuesday on his blog that he will work with the company "for many years to come," but that the most effective use of his time now is to "get out of the way" of Twitter's crew and leadership team until he's called upon to be of some specific use. (c) 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |