WRAL Tech Wire

 Smart Online change; Cree warranty; HyperBranch trial; Mi-Co customer; FairPoint names CMO

Inside the Bulldog Blog: Smart Online's top executive resigns; Cree offers 10-year warranty; HyperBranch completes trial signup; Mi-Co customer cuts data costs; FairPoint hires chief marketing officer.

 As Cree tops $1B, better light bulb search goes on

The Durham-based company cracks $1 billion in revenues at age 25, but its top executive acknowledges that consumers aren't yet embracing LED lights. "The consumer is pretty straightforward on that," Chuck Swoboda says of coolness to LEDS at home. "I think we're just not quite there."

Cree's LED prototype 60-watt bulb replacement

 LED maker Cree's income surges but profits plunge

Cree reports fourth-quarter income grew to $306.8 million and an annual total of $1.16 billion. However, profits drop for the quarter by 4 percent and for the year plunge 42 percent.

 Cree settles patent suit, lands cash settlement

The Durham-based company prevails in a patent fight with SemiLEDs. The settlement calls for a cash payment and the import of SemiLED products in the U.S.

 In the news: Tengion, MetaMetrics, Cree, CommScope, MaxPoint

 Boom! 'Mad Money' host trashes Cree in 'Lightning Round'

Jim Cramer, the fast-talking financial show host on CNBC who also runs TheStreet.com, tells a caller: "I want you out of that stock tomorrow."

Mad Money's "bear" roars at Cree

 Analyst worries CFO's departure could be bad news for Cree

John Kurtzweil, chief financial officer of Cree, stepped down Monday, the company said. He is taking over as CFO at Extreme Networks. The news triggers a 7 percent drop in Cree shares.

 Cree, Lutron introduce lighting control and delivery system

Cree and Lutron Electronics said this week that they have a solution for the growing demand for energy-efficient LED lighting solutions that meet today's stringent energy and building codes.

 In the news: Cree, Transite, ChannelAdvisor, BB&T, StrikeIron

Cree adds new high-end LED testing service; Transite Technology wins logistics IT award; ChannelAdvisor webinar on Facebook Campaigns; BB&T's new mobile check deposit app; StrikeIron point-of-sale data whitepaper.

 Cree's 3Q profit falls 50%, weak outlook for next quarter

The Durham-based LED company reported Tuesday that fiscal third-quarter profit fell 50 percent on higher overhead costs and weaker-than-expected sales.

Cree

 Where is tech going? Tuesday's earnings could shed light

Earnings from IBM, Intel, and Cree on Tuesday look to point which way the technology industry will be heading this year in the Triangle and across the globe.

Earnings 2012

 Cree cuts streetlight price; Red Hat's storage beta and data platform; GSK cuts vaccine price; Ciso CEO goes on attack

Inside the Bulldog blog: Cree is cutting LED streetlight prices in half; Red Hat unveils a storage solution beta plus an open source data platform; GSK and Merck are discounting vaccines to combat diarrhea; Cisco's John Chambers aims attack at Chinese rival.

 News makers: Cree, Center for Creative Leadership, Digital Summit, ChannelAdvisor, Windstream Hosted Solutions

Analyst ups Cree share target price; Center for Creative Leadership expands in Europe; Digital Summit set in Atlanta; ChannelAdvisor to host Amazon webinar; Windstream Hosted Solutions' new service.

 Analyst sees LED market recovery, ups Cree stock target

"We believe LED sector fundamentals have bottomed as [back-lighting unit] demand rebounded, utilization rates improved and price declines eased," says Needham Company analyst.

A Cree LED

 Cree 'Iconathon' to create symbols for LED 'revolution'

Swirlie CFL bulbs are out as a symbol, says Cree. The company is teaming up with The Noun Project, an online visual dictionary, to host an event where contributors can help the Durham company create symbols that will stand for LEDs.

What LED symbol will join The Noun Project lineup?

 Lenovo using new Intel chip?; Google's smart glasses; Red Hat's cloud formula; new Sensus grid deal; Cree share target up; Comcast goes streaming.

Inside the Bulldog Blog: Lenovo reportedly putting Intel's new chip in smart phones; Google to offer glasses with heads-up data display; Red Hat's "open cloud" plans; Sensus wins Grand Cayman project; analysts boost Cree stock; Comcast to offer streaming.

 Red Hat's new Fedora lead; Cree LED breakthrough; Google, Cisco top 'green' list; Oracle rejects SAP settlement; Yahoo board shakeup

Inside the Bulldog blog: Red Hat's new Fedora project lead focusing on 'cloud;' Cree claims bid advance on LEDs in price, performance; Greenpeace lists Google, Cisco as top "Cool IT" firms; Oracle says no to $272M settlement in SAP lawsuit; Yahoo's chairman is out.

 Red Hat Enterprise Linux 'life' extension; GSK eyes Turkish firm; a Cree downgrade; Amazon misses; LightSquared deadline; Samsung-Apple fight; Sony's new CEO

Inside the Bulldog blog: Red Hat is extending the life space on its Enterprise Linux; GSK, Pfizer may buy Turkish drug maker; Cree stock is cut; Amazon misses by $1 billion; Sprint gives LightSquared extension for satellite service; Samsung setbacks in Apple patent fight; Sony names a new CEO.

 Cree moves work; Motricity restructures; Nortel fraud case 'baseless;' AT&T gouging?; debating Internet law

In the Bulldog: Cree shifts work from Triangle to Wisconsin; Motricity abandons Asia, Triangale impact unclear; Nortel charges 'baseless;' are AT&T data price hike justified?; Internet piracy law 'dangerous.

 Cree misses Street on revenues, earnings; shares tumble 7 percent

The Durham-based light emitting diodes and chip technology firm reports revenues under analysts' expectations. Earnings miss by a penny. CEO says "business environment remains challenging."