WRAL Tech Wire

Bloomberg news hires former IBM Palmisano as advisor

The move comes a week after revelations that Bloomberg journalists had access to some information on customers' use of Bloomberg's data terminals, including when they last logged in.

IBM to offer up 'Jeopardy!' winner Watson to software startups

International Business Machines Corp. will offer its Watson technology, which beat humans in "Jeopardy!," as a building block for startup companies making business software.

 IBM opens Linux center in China, says it will work with Red Hat

Big Blue is further expanding an already large presence in China with a new Linux-focused center in Beijing. And it says the world's top Linux developer, Red Hat, will be involved as well as Red Hat rival SUSE.

IBM's research center in China

 Is IBM-Lenovo deal really dead? Insiders say no

An IBM facility in Research Triangle Park that even Big Blue calls a "Superlab" remains at the center of reports about a possible sale of at least a portion of IBM's server business to Lenovo. What's a SuperLab? What do they do? What are employees there hearing?

IBM touts its "X" server lineup

IBM comes under U.S. Justice Department investigation

The Justice Department is investigating whether IBM violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the company said in an April 30 filing.

IBM-Lenovo server deal breaks down, sources say

The multi-billion deal for IBM's to sell parts of its server business to Lenovo is now in doubt over valuation concerns.

IBM moves molecules to make the smallest movie ever

By rearranging molecules, IBM says it has made the tiniest stop-motion movie ever -- a one-minute video showing a boy dancing, throwing a ball and bouncing on a trampoline.

IBM assures shareholders of profit goals after earnings stumble

To shape up, IBM is divesting businesses and focusing on more profitable and faster-growing areas, such as data analysis and cloud computing.

IBM increases dividend 12%, also adds $5B to stock buybacks

Big Blue, under pressure in recent days after a worse-than-expected earnings report triggered in part by falling hardware sales, is seeking to boost confidence in its stock with a bigger dividend and a larger share repurchase program.

 Source: IBM-Lenovo server deal could be announced Friday

Neither company is talking, but no one should be surprised if Lenovo announces today that it is acquiring at least a portion of IBM's server businesses. A source close to the matter tells WRALTechWire that a deal is in the works, and tech publication CRN reports talks are "moving quickly."

Lenovo's website touts servers, services

 Panic at Big Blue? CEO reprimands workers, reassigns a top exec

By delivering what the Wall Street Journal describes as a "reprimand" to the entire company through an internal video and in reassigning top hardware executive Rod Adkins - who had been a contender for the CEO job - IBM CEO Ginny Rometty shows that Big Blue is in trouble. Can she right the ship?

Virginia Rometty

Roche terminates genome sequencing platform deal with IBM

Roche and IBM agreed in July 2010 to try to make genome sequencing for medical purposes cheaper and more common, but Roche says it's giving up on the idea.

 IBM acquires automated software technology delivery firm

UrbanCode, a privately held firm in Ohio, is being acquired by IBM for its automated software delivery technology.

 IBM doesn't quite measure up to AT&T, Verizon in data hosting report

A review of managed hosting services by research firm Gartner gives "leader" status to AT&T, Verizon and two others. IBM comes in as a "visionary." Gartner also rates highly CenturyLink's service and Rackspace.

 Layoffs coming? IBM plans $1B in 'workforce rebalancing'

After an earnings report that missed analysts' expectations for the first time since 2005, IBM's CFO says the tech giant anticipates in $1 billion in costs for "workforce rebalancing." Most of that expense will come over the next two months. The cost-cutting could mean big layoffs, but affected workers are likely to get chances to apply for other positions.

IBM's growth roadmap

 Plunging hardware revenue sounds alarms at Big Blue

Inside IBM's earnings: IBM's Systems and Technology Group (STG) revenue fell a reported 14% year-to-year excluding the divested Retail Store Solutions unit during 1Q13--with server and storage product lines all posting deteriorating revenue performance as compared to the prior quarter. IBM executives did not hide disappointment in this performance, indicating a commitment to workforce rebalancing.

IBM's report on Systems & Technology performance

 Earnings decline shows urgency for IBM Software to shift strategic focus

Inside IBM's earnings: With yet another quarter of incremental revenue performance during 1Q13 (the third quarter out of the last four with no revenue growth or revenue decline on a year-to-year basis), the task for IBM Software through 2013 will be to shift gears to drive revenue and profit growth to deliver on 2015 financial goals.

IBM Software details

 IBM's profit, revenue fall as 1Q business deals delayed

IBM's (NYSE:IBM) first quarter revenue and net income dipped compared to year ago figures as the company saw a number of software and mainframe deals move into the second quarter after failing to close in the first.

 Lenovo tells Hong Kong Stock Exchange it could be making an acquisition

Following media reports that Lenovo is in negotiations to buy at least a portion of IBM's server business, the world's No. 2 PC maker tells the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that a "potential acquisition" of some kind could be in the works.

 Sale of server business to Lenovo would fit IBM pattern

Big Blue Chief Financial Officer Mark Loughridge wouldn't discuss a report that IBM is negotiating to sell its x86 server business to Lenovo. But the tech giant has made clear it's intentions of continuing a strategy to dump hardware in favor of software and services. Analysts see IBM selling at least parts of the group.

IBM leads in server sales, says IDC