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AP Technology NewsBrief at 9:35 a.m. EDT(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) IBM pursues chips that behave like brainsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Computers, like humans, can learn. But when Google tries to fill in your search box based only on a few keystrokes, or your iPhone predicts words as you type a text message, it's only a narrow mimicry of what the human brain is capable. The challenge in training a computer to behave like a human brain is technological and physiological, testing the limits of computer and brain science. But researchers from IBM Corp. say they've made a key step toward combining the two worlds. Lenovo says quarterly profit nearly doublesBEIJING (AP) _ Lenovo Group, the world's No. 3 personal computer manufacturer, said Thursday its quarterly profit nearly doubled on strong emerging market sales. The results come as Lenovo expands into mobile Internet, competing with Apple Inc. and other foreign rivals, and in developed markets with an acquisition this year in Germany and a joint venture in Japan. Google-Motorola deal highlights patent arms raceNEW YORK (AP) _ When an Internet company plunks down $12.5 billion to buy a struggling cellphone company for its collection of patents, it's another sign that, for the high-tech industry, patents have become a mallet wielded by corporations to pummel their competitors. Google Inc. announced the deal to buy Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. on Monday, specifically for its trove of 17,000 patents. Google needs them to shield companies like HTC Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. _who make phones based on Google's Android software_ from lawsuits filed by Microsoft Corp. and Apple Inc. China Mobile 1H profit rises to $9.6 billionSHANGHAI (AP) _ China Mobile Ltd., the world's biggest phone company by subscribers, said Thursday its first-half profit rose 6.3 percent as sales were boosted by greater usage of mobile Internet devices. The Beijing-based company said profit was 61.3 billion yuan ($9.6 billion) for the six months ended June 30. Revenue climbed 8.8 percent to 250.1 billion yuan ($39 billion). Sheriff: Investigation into rapper's tweet closedLOS ANGELES (AP) _ The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it would not seek criminal charges and has closed its investigation into a rapper's tweet that prompted hundreds of calls to a sheriff's station, jamming phone lines for hours. Capt. Mike Parker said Wednesday that the department decided to drop the matter after conducting an investigation and consulting with the district attorney's office. He also welcomed an apology the rapper, known as The Game, made to the department. Hackers gain access to transit police union siteSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Hackers seized and posted personal information of Bay Area Rapid Transit police online _ carrying out another website attack against a California agency that turned off some cell phone service to thwart a potential protest. The latest attack came as BART found itself in the middle of a debate about free speech following its decision last week to curtail wireless communication in some of its stations. MetroPCS starts unlimited music plan with RhapsodyLOS ANGELES (AP) _ MetroPCS Communications Inc., the nation's fifth-largest wireless phone carrier, is jumping into the unlimited music business behind its smaller competitor, Cricket. The company said Wednesday it is now offering unlimited on-the-go access to 12 million tracks through subscription music provider Rhapsody. The plan is bundled with unlimited voice, text and Web access on Android-powered smartphones for $60 a month. Zynga sued over patent infringementNEW YORK (AP) _ Zynga Inc., the maker of popular online games such as "FarmVille" and "CityVille," is being sued for patent infringement by a Texas gaming startup. Agincourt claims Zynga is violating two of its patents related to systems for redeeming prizes in games. The patents were awarded in 2001 and 2004. SKoreans sue Apple over iPhone user informationSEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ A group of some 27,000 South Koreans is suing Apple for $26 million for what they claim are privacy violations from the collection of iPhone user location information. Each person in the suit is seeking 1 million won ($932) in damages, Kim Hyeong-seok, one of their attorneys, said Wednesday. He said they are targeting Apple Inc. and its South Korean unit to "protect privacy" rights. Review: Spurlock starts an original series on HuluNEW YORK (AP) _ To jump-start its original content business, Hulu has turned to documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, the industrious red head whose engaging excitability can turn things like a McDonald's diet or hidden ads in movies into entertaining feature length documentaries. On Wednesday, Hulu is premiering the first episode of Spurlock's "A Day in the Life," a six-episode documentary series that follows a notable person around for 24 hours. The debut 22-minute episode features British billionaire Richard Branson; subsequent subjects will include Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am, Canadian stand-up comedian Russell Peters, indie musician Gregg Gillis (better known as Girl Talk) and ballet dancer Misty Copeland. (c) 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |