WRAL Tech Wire

Google wants court to lift gag order on government data requests

Yahoo! on Tuesday became the latest technology company to give details of government data collection, following disclosures by Apple Inc., Facebook Inc. and Microsoft Corp., all of whom have revealed thousands of warrants for data from government entities.

MCNC postpones Friday broadband event

Video game sales slide 25% in May; console demand wanes

Declines in video game sales come as Microsoft and Sony are getting ready to launch new consoles later this year.

 AT&T beats Verizon in 4G LTE speeds, PC Magazine says

Which mobile carrier has the fastest 4G network? PC Magazine's test found that AT&T edged out competitors. Read more about the test findings.

PC Magazine's 4G LTE test in Raleigh

Execs: Cloud-based services, software market increasingly competitive

While the cloud-software market is in its early stages, one advantage for vendors is they shouldn't have to invest as heavily in their sales team because more communication and transactions can take place electronically. Still, startups have to offer unique services "to make end users smarter," one exec tells Bloomberg conference.

 Another company joins NC data center competition

'The southeast's most active data center cluster' attracts another player in New York-based Dacentec.

MCNC nears completion of historic NC-wide broadband project

MCNC continues to drive the new broadband economy in North Carolina, and is hosting a special event this Friday to celebrate completion of the $144 million Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative.

The New NCREN

USA served thousands of warrants on Apple, Facebook, Microsoft for user data

The role of technology companies has come under scrutiny since Edward Snowden, a computer technician who did work for the National Security Agency, disclosed this month that the NSA is collecting data under a U.S. government program code-named PRISM.

US security agencies reportedly swap intel with thousands of firms

Thousands of technology, finance and manufacturing companies are working closely with U.S. national security agencies, providing sensitive information and in return receiving benefits that include access to classified intelligence, sources familiar with the process tell Bloomberg news.

NSA leaker Edward Snowden

Survey: Most Americans say 'Big Brother' state already here

A growing number of Internet users said they are concerned about the government checking on their online activities, according to the survey. But even more people were worried about businesses doing the same.

 Red Hat's new OpenStack cloud software to vie for position in data centers

Red Hat, (NYSE:RHT) aiming to establish itself in cloud software while simultaneously targeting Oracle's position in virtualization, unveiled a pair of new offerings that the company believes will help the company do both.

How OpenStack cloud works

New Cisco router to offer greater capacity, seen as big revenue boost

The networking equipment company on Wednesday introduced the Carrier Routing System-X, or CRS-X. Cisco said the new system will offer speeds of 400 Gigabits per second that can be expanded to nearly 1 petabit per second in a multi-chassis deployment.

Facebook introduces hashtags #CopyingTwitter #advertising

Facebook Inc.'s more than 1 billion members will be able to use hashtags, a tool popularized on Twitter Inc. that makes it easier for social-network users to discover and share topics that are being discussed.

 Mobile apps developer StepLeader rolls out enhanced app functionality

StepLeader, fresh off of a $4.4 million fundraising round, is bringing new functionality to its mobile apps that bring the user experience closer to browsing webpages.

Screenshot of StepLeader's mobile app

Sentinel's Durham data center connects with tw telecom

Pandora buys FM radio station to secure lower music rates

Buying KXMZ-FM in Rapid City qualifies Pandora for the same rights and prices enjoyed by competitors such as Clear Channel Communications Inc., CBS Corp. and Cumulus Media Inc., Pandora's assistant general counsel says.

 Banking software startup nCino raises $9M in venture funding

Banking software startup nCino's software targets small and mid-sized financial institutions with a cloud-based software offering. Square 1 Bank in Durham is among the firm's customers.

A graphic highlights nCino technology

 DataChambers to build data center at NC Research Campus, picks Extreme Networks technology

A 50,000 square foot data center will be the next addition to the North Carolina Research Campus. Meanwhile, DataChambers also picks Extreme Networks technology for use in its centers. WRALTechWire Insiders get the details.

Time Warner, other cable firms offer content providers incentives in bid to thwart online TV

Cable companies are seeking to keep customers by ensuring access to exclusive content while fending off competition from upstart Web providers. Time Warner Cable has more than 300 contracts, and some of them may bar media outlets from providing content to online pay-TV services, Chief Executive Officer Glenn Britt says.

Billionaire David Murdock offers to buy rest of Dole Food

The founder of the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis makes unsolicited offer of $12 per share for the some 60 percent of the food giant he doesn't already own.

David Murdock