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AP Technology NewsBrief at 11:48 a.m. EDT
[May 14, 2013]

AP Technology NewsBrief at 11:48 a.m. EDT


(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Microsoft Windows 8 update will be freeNEW YORK (AP) _ Microsoft says a planned update to its Windows 8 operating system will be made available for free later this year. The update is meant to address complaints and confusion that have been blamed for deepening a slump in personal computer sales. Microsoft isn't saying what kind of changes will be introduced with the release of the new system, though Microsoft plans to make a preview version available next month. The release of the final version is expected in time for the holiday season.



Big 4 cellphone carriers unite on anti-texting adsNEW YORK (AP) _ The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving, uniting behind AT&T's "It Can Wait" slogan to blanket TV and radio this summer. AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile will be joined by 200 other organizations backing the multi-million dollar ad campaign.

Hedge fund wants part of Sony entertainment soldTOKYO (AP) _ A U.S. hedge fund has proposed that Sony Corp. sell up to 20 percent of its entertainment business and use the money to strengthen its ailing electronics unit. The plan drew a quick rejection from the Japanese consumer conglomerate. In a May 14 letter to Sony President Kazuo Hirai, first published in The New York Times, hedge fund Third Point suggested Sony take 15 to 20 percent of the entertainment unit public.


BlackBerry offers BBM to rival devicesORLANDO, Fla. (AP) _ BlackBerry maker Research In Motion says it will offer its once-popular BlackBerry Messenger service on competing devices. CEO Thorsten Heins said Tuesday that the time is right to offer BBM on rival devices. He says iPhone and Android versions will be available for free.

Nokia unveils metallic smartphone, stock tumblesHELSINKI (AP) _ Nokia Corp. has unveiled its first Lumia smartphone with a metal cover, low-light camera features and new social network apps. But the new model failed to impress markets, sending the company's stock down. Nokia says the features on the Lumia 925 will be soon available in the full Lumia Windows 8 range and include a camera that can take photos in low light conditions and snaps 10 images at once. It enables sharing on various social networks, including Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare.

Microsoft embraces a Google service for a changeSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Microsoft's disdain for Google doesn't extend to all of its rival's products. In a rare bit of cooperation, Microsoft's Outlook.com is giving users of its free email service the option of logging into Google Chat to exchange instant messages and engage in audio or video conversations.

Sharp reshuffles management after record lossTOKYO (AP) _ Japanese electronics maker Sharp Corp. named a new president Tuesday, reshuffling its top management to help restore profitability after reporting a record loss. The Osaka, Japan-based maker of Aquos TVs said that Kozo Takahashi, currently an executive vice president, will become its president and CEO as of June 25. His appointment is part of a business reorganization aimed at returning to the black in the fiscal year ending March 2014 after years of losses.

German court orders changes to Google search hintsBERLIN (AP) _ Google Inc. must respect requests to remove autocomplete entries from its search bar in Germany if they are defamatory, a German court ruled Tuesday. The Federal Court of Justice upheld a complaint from an unidentified company selling nutritional supplements and its founder, identified only as "R.S." The plaintiffs claimed that when their names were entered on Google's German-language website, it suggested links to Scientology and fraud.

TV-over-Internet service hits Atlanta next monthNEW YORK (AP) _ Aereo, the startup that offers television stations over the Internet starting at $8 a month, says it will start service in Atlanta on June 17. That follows Aereo's expansion to Boston on Wednesday. Until this week, the service had been available only in the New York City area.

Idaho spud giant bets on biotech potatoesBOISE, Idaho (AP) _ A dozen years after a customer revolt forced Monsanto to ditch its genetically engineered potato, an Idaho company aims to resurrect high-tech spuds. This month, tuber processing giant J.R. Simplot Co. asked the U.S. government to approve five varieties of biotech potatoes. They're engineered not to develop ugly black bruises _ McDonald's, which gets many of its fries from Simplot, rejects those. They're also designed to have less of a natural but potentially cancer-causing neurotoxin, acrylamide.

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