WRAL Tech Wire

Bad news for BlackBerry? Pentagon to clear Apple devices

The move would give Apple the chance to eventually compete for military market share with BlackBerry, the Pentagon's dominant smartphone supplier, and Samsung, which gained the department's certification earlier this month.

More global wireless carriers just saying 'No' to iPhone

Apple is missing out on a chance to court as many as 2.8 billion new smartphone customers, many of them in Asia, as wireless-service providers balk at conditions imposed by the iPhone maker and drag their heels in signing on as partners.

iPhone 5's sharp, bigger display

Pentagon clears Samsung's Galaxy S4, Blackberry 10 for military use

While the military has relied on BlackBerrys, which have consistently received federal certification for protecting sensitive data, it had announced its intention to open its networks to Android and Apple alternatives, setting up a smartphone battle.

Food fight: Ag biotech continues to spark debate

Perhaps no such issue is as polarizing or controversial as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or organisms that have had DNA molecules from different sources combined into a single molecule, creating a new set of genes. The GMO debate was a highlight of the BIO International Convention.

Siri vs. Google Now: How each responds to 5 questions

Which digital assistant is best at answering questions from users? The AP puts Google Now and Apple's Siri to the test.

Siri touted at Apple website

Google Now invades Apple's Siri turf with new app

"Today, with the launch of Google Now on iPhone and iPad, your smartphone will become even smarter," Google proclaims in a blog.

Google Now goes after Siri

Smartphones now tops in sales; Samsung surges as iPhone sales slow

As smartphone sales surpass those of regular mobile phones for the first time, Samsung continues to grow rapidly but Apple iPhone shipments are slowing, two research firms report.

Samsung Galaxy S4

 Apple shareholders, relax: Growth shows its ability to adapt to fierce competition

Analysis: Despite Apple's decreasing gross margin and slowing growth, Technology Business Research expects Apple's margin performance to stabilize over the next couple quarters as it balances improved component and manufacturing cost efficiencies with slower revenue growth.

Apple to return $100B to shareholders, compensation for slumping stock price

When a company starts doling out its cash to shareholders, it's usually a sign that its growth is stalling and it's finding it hard to identify good ways to invest in its own business. But Apple is still growing fast by the standards of large companies, and its cash pile-up is a reflection of the extraordinary success of the iPhone.

Bad Apple? Analysts predict first profit drop in a decade

Apple's quarterly profit is projected to shrink for the first time in a decade, hurt by new products with lower profit margins and slower growth in iPhone sales.

 Apple shares tumble below $400 on report iPhone, iPad sales are slowing

"We blame Apple for losing its mobility mojo," a Wall Street analyst says about chip supply problem. "This was simply an inventory overbuild for the iPhone 5 relative to Apple's forecast."

 Facebook hires another former Apple exec, updates iPhone apps

Several members of Apple's iPhone software group have defected to Facebook as Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg focuses on reaching customers on mobile devices.

 New Apple iPhone triggers hiring at Chinese factory

Foxconn Technology Group, the world's largest custom manufacturer of electronics, resumed hiring at a Chinese factory as it prepares to make a new Apple Inc. iPhone, a source tells Bloomberg news.

 BlackBerry denies Z10 return report; T-Mobile offers $99 iPhone

Smartphone manufacturer BlackBerry says a report about high return rate on new Z-10 phones is "absolutely false." In other mobile phone news, T-Mobile offers iPhone for $99.

 Microsoft rebuts China criticism on 'Surface' warranty

Microsoft says its Surface Pro tablet and all other products meet or exceed warranty laws in China, denying a report in state media that its coverage of the device falls short of local requirements.

 Facebook COO seeks to quash subpoena in worker recruiting suit

Facebook's Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg will move to quash a subpoena requiring her to give a deposition in a lawsuit alleging that seven technology companies broke antitrust laws by agreeing not to recruit from one another.

 Microsoft likely to be next target of Chinese state-backed criticism

The criticism by China National Radio may be the opening shot against the world's largest software maker, similar to what Apple faced in the past month, says Doug Young, author of the book "The Party Line: How the Media Dictates Public Opinion in Modern China." A

 Workers suffer setback in jobs lawsuit against high-tech firms

A federal judge on Friday struck down an effort to form a class action lawsuit to go after Apple, Google and five other technology companies for allegedly forming an illegal cartel to tamp down workers' wages and prevent the loss of their best engineers during a multiyear conspiracy broken up by government regulators.

 PCs losing share to tablets, smartphones faster than expected

Customers are using mobile devices for a broader array of computing needs. The shift has benefited Apple and Samsung, whose sales and profits have grown, while revenue at PC-dependent companies such as Hewlett-Packard Co., Dell Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have slumped.

 Apple television? Stay tuned for 'iTV' in late 2013

Apple's iTV set will come with tablet-like "mini iTVs" with 9.7-inch screens, the same as the full-size iPad, according to an analyt. The "iTV" will be able to send video to the smaller screens wirelessly around the house.