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AP Technology NewsBrief at 5:50 a.m. EDT(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Netflix stock falls as talks on Starz deal unravelSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Netflix's negotiations to keep a key piece of its Internet video library have collapsed, dealing a major blow to the largest U.S. video subscription service as it raises the prices for most of its 25 million customers. The setback triggered a nearly 9 percent drop in Netflix Inc.'s stock price. Starz Entertainment delivered the bad news Thursday in a terse statement announcing that it won't renew a contract that allows Netflix to show a lineup of recently released movies and TV shows over high-speed Internet connections. "Grossly excessive" award axed in Oracle-SAP caseSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ A federal judge on Thursday threw out a "grossly excessive" $1.3 billion verdict that Oracle won against SAP in a landmark intellectual property case, possibly setting the stage for another circus-like showdown between the two technology companies. The decision was a surprising twist in a 4-year-old case that's been filled with them. There will be a new trial if Oracle Corp. formally rejects a lower $272 million award, which it has indicated it will do. Mobile shopping: More buzz than buy so farNEW YORK (AP) _ When it comes to mobile shopping, so far there's more buzz than buy. As the number of people who use iPhones and other smartphones grows, companies selling everything from hardware to high fashion are touting all the new applications they're rolling out that enable shoppers to do anything from check a store's inventory while in the dressing room to order prescriptions. Apple blasted for alleged pollution by suppliersSHANGHAI (AP) _ Apple is defending itself against a fresh barrage of criticism from Chinese environmental activists over alleged pollution by the manufacturers who make its iconic iPhones, iPads and other products. In a report issued Wednesday, a group of nongovernmental organizations accused the technology giant of violating its own corporate responsibility standards by using suppliers it said its investigations found are violating the law and endangering public health by discharging heavy metals and other toxins. Exposed: Uncensored WikiLeaks cables posted to WebLONDON (AP) _ Uncensored copies of WikiLeaks' massive tome of U.S. State Department cables circulated freely Thursday across the Internet, leaving a whole new batch of U.S. sources vulnerable to embarrassment and potential retribution. The United States, meanwhile, denied ever cooperating with the anti-secrecy group, and blasted Wikileaks for allegedly threatening national security and the safety of confidential informants. Hacker gets 6-year sentence for 'sextortion' caseLOS ANGELES (AP) _ A Southern California man was sentenced Thursday to six years in prison for infiltrating computers belonging to women and teenage girls where he found sexually explicit photos and threatening to put them online unless they provided him with more. In sentencing Luis Mijangos, 32, of Santa Ana, U.S. District Judge George King called the crimes a form of cyber-terrorism and warned other hackers they will meet stiff penalties for ruining people's lives. UK arrests 2 suspected computer hackersLONDON (AP) _ British police on Thursday arrested two men as part of a trans-Atlantic investigation into attacks carried out by the hacking groups Anonymous and Lulz Security. Scotland Yard said a 24-year-old and a 20-year-old were arrested at two separate U.K. addresses as part of a continuing investigation in collaboration with the FBI and other law-enforcement agencies. Woman sues Microsoft over mobile location trackingSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Microsoft Corp. is being sued by a Michigan woman who alleges the world's largest software maker illegally tracks people whose mobile devices run its Windows Phone 7 operating software. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Seattle by Rebecca Cousineau. She notes that Microsoft tells users they can turn off location tracking, which is a feature in the camera application on phones running Windows Phone 7. But she claims the software keeps tracking users' locations even after they turn off the feature. AT&T gearing up for rare antitrust fight with DOJSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ The Justice Department's rejection of AT&T's proposed purchase of T-Mobile USA will test new federal guidelines on challenging mergers and the companies' resolve in forming the nation's largest wireless carrier. A courtroom battle is likely and could wring out information that the companies would prefer to keep private. Still, AT&T Inc. has a big incentive to fight: If the deal is called off, the company has to pay a $3 billion breakup fee and surrender some of its unused spectrum for wireless communications. Government sues to block AT&T, T-Mobile mergerWASHINGTON (AP) _ The Justice Department took the unusual step Wednesday to try to block AT&T's $39 billion purchase of T-Mobile USA, arguing that the proposed merger would lead to higher wireless prices, less innovation and fewer choices for consumers. Now AT&T, the nation's No. 2 wireless carrier, and No. 4 T-Mobile are plotting a legal response to challenge federal regulators. (c) 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |