Microsoft says a newly discovered flaw in its Windows software was used by a hacking group that other researchers have linked to Russia’s government and computer intrusions at the Democratic National Committee. The flaw was detected by researchers at Google, who recently alerted software makers Microsoft and Adobe Systems about vulnerabilities in their programs. Adobe…
Apple Says It Needs More Time Before New Ear Buds Are Ready
Apple says it needs “a little more time” before it starts selling the new wireless ear buds that are designed to work with its newest iPhones — the ones that don’t come with a dedicated headphone jack. The tech giant showed off what it calls “AirPods” last month, during an event where it also introduced…
Feds Accuse Silicon Valley Firm of Hiring Bias
The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit accusing a fast-growing Silicon Valley software company of systematically discriminating against Asian job applicants. Palantir Technologies was co-founded by prominent tech financier Peter Thiel, with backing from an investment arm of the CIA, and was recently valued at $20 billion. The privately held company makes powerful…
Can Apple Make Listening Easy without a Headphone Jack?
When Apple shows off its latest iPhone on Wednesday, it will answer a question it hasn’t had to address in years: “What’s it putting in the box?” (Besides the iPhone itself, that is.) The iPhone has traditionally shipped with a pair of Apple’s iconic earbuds, made famous in early advertising for the iPod music player.…
Britain’s Exit Could Make Europe Less Friendly to U.S. Tech
Silicon Valley’s biggest businesses could face tougher regulations following Britain’s decision to withdraw from the European Union, and some might have to leave London to attract the best employees. Many U.S. tech companies now count on Europe for a quarter or more of their business. Beyond facing a financial downturn as the pound’s value erodes,…
Jury Sides With Google In Battle Over Android Software
A federal jury found Thursday that Google didn’t need permission to use a rival’s programming tools as it built Android — now the world’s leading smartphone operating software and a key part of Google’s multi-billion dollar Internet business. Software competitor Oracle claimed Google had stolen its intellectual property and reaped huge profits by copying pieces…
Resolution in FBI-Apple Case Prolongs Larger Legal Battle
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The FBI’s victory in breaking into a San Bernardino killer’s iPhone without Apple’s help merely prolongs a battle over how far the government can go to examine private messages, photos and other files. “There’s a clash of values and interests that I think will continue,” said Ed Black, head of Computer…
Why a Future Apple-FBI Case May Go Very Differently
Although it fiercely opposes the FBI’s demand for help unlocking a San Bernardino shooter’s encrypted iPhone, Apple has never argued that it simply can’t do what the government wants. That might not be true for long. At the moment, the San Bernardino case is on hold while the FBI evaluates an alternative method of getting…
Apple’s Tech Allies Oppose the FBI, But Still Want Your Data
PALO ALTO, California (AP) — In its fight with the FBI, Apple insists it’s defending the privacy and safety of all iPhone users by resisting government calls to help unlock an extremist’s iPhone. And now other big tech companies such as Google and Facebook are rallying to Apple’s side. Wait just a minute: Aren’t those…
Tech Startups Want to Change the Way You Drive
A veteran computer scientist hates sitting in his car at stop lights, so he creates software that makes the experience less annoying. A former engineering professor wants to double the range of today’s electric vehicles. And an aeronautics expert believes flying cars shouldn’t be science fiction. It’s no secret that technology is changing the car…
Facebook Ready to Test Giant Drone for Internet Service
Facebook says it will begin test flights later this year for a solar-powered drone with a wingspan as big as a Boeing 737, in the next stage of its campaign to deliver Internet connectivity to remote parts of the world. Engineers at the giant social network say they’ve built a drone with a 140-foot wingspan…
Apple Digs in on Green with China Solar, US forest Projects
In a quest to be more green, Apple says it is investing in Chinese solar power and preserving forests that make environmentally friendly paper. The initiatives come as the tech giant this year met a self-imposed goal of powering all its U.S. operations with renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions — initiatives that have won…
Can’t Remember Your Password? Here are 2 New Ways to Log In
San Jose, CA (AP) — Tired of trying to remember a different password for each of your online accounts? Or worried about re-using the same password too many times? You’re not alone. Tech experts agree that traditional passwords are annoying, outmoded and too easily hacked. This week, Yahoo and Microsoft offered up some alternatives: Yahoo…
Superfish Points Fingers over Ad Software Security Flaws
San Francisco (AP) — A little-known Silicon Valley startup was caught in a firestorm of criticism this week for making software that exposed Lenovo laptop users to hackers bent on stealing personal information. But Superfish Inc. has also won praise for producing visual search technology that many see as the next big thing in online…
Apple’s $850M Solar Energy Project
San Francisco (AP) — Apple will spend nearly $850 million on a solar energy project that will generate enough power for the computer giant’s new corporate headquarters, retail stores and other operations in California. The tech company will be the biggest single consumer of energy from the new solar facility. It is being constructed on…
What’s Next for Apple after Record iPhone Sales?
San Francisco (AP) — Apple CEO Tim Cook says consumer demand for new iPhones has been “staggering” and “hard to comprehend.” That helped the company report record-smashing earnings for its latest quarter and primed its stock for a rally Wednesday. But after selling a record 74.5 million iPhones in three months that ended in December,…
Microsoft Shows off Windows 10 and ‘HoloLens’
Redmond, WA (AP) — Microsoft on Wednesday took the wraps off a new version of Windows — and a new wearable 3D gadget it calls the HoloLens. View: Microsoft HoloLens Lets You See 3D Holograms in Your Living Room The company showed the new headset, which lets users view and interact with three-dimensional images, at…
Funding Boom Shows Power of Tech Startups, Raises Concerns
San Francisco (AP) — Venture capitalists poured a whopping $48.3 billion into U.S. startup companies last year, investing at levels that haven’t been seen since the heady days before the dot-com bubble burst in 2001. Software and biotechnology companies were the leading recipients of venture funding in 2014, which rose more than 60 percent from…
Wearable Sensors Gather Lots of Data _ Now to Make it Useful
Las Vegas (AP) — It’s not just about how many steps you’ve taken or how many calories you’ve burned in a day. Wearable fitness trackers and health monitors are becoming more commonplace and diverse, but just what do you do with all of that data? “We have a lot of people buy wearables and then…
Don’t Sound the Death Knell for the PC Just Yet
Las Vegas (AP) — A year ago, pundits were declaring the personal computer dead. Smartphones and tablets were cannibalizing sales, and the once-revolutionary PC seemed unnecessary — and boring. Sure, a smartphone is great for checking emails, snapping photos and playing games. Tablets are perfect for watching videos and shopping online. But don’t count the…