WRAL Tech Wire

Dell’s CEO is talking about possible settlement with SEC

The technology company says Michael Dell and the firm are possibly near an agreement with the SEC on a probe into accounting practices. The PC maker is setting aside $100 million as part of possible deal.

Apple conference likely to yield new iPhone, possibly new music service

Steve Jobs and company won't comment on its plans, but this conference has been used in the past to launch the last two generations of its smartphone.

China flexes supercomputer muscle, taking No. 2 on power list

U.S. remains the leading consumer of high performance computing systems with 282 of the 500 systems, up from 277 in November of last year.

Lenovo is tops in latest computer reliability report

World’s No. 4 PC maker climbs past Apple into Rescuecom’s latest statistics on PC repair calls. Apple goes to No. 3 from No. 1.

Hewlett-Packard to slash 9,000 jobs in services group

The IT giant plans to invest $1 billion in new automated data centers. Many of the positions affected by the layoffs will be replaced with sales, delivery positions, HP says.

iPad sales top 2 million, but e-reader competition intensifies

Apple reports continued hot sales for its new iPad. In Taiwan, meanwhile, several firms role out their own readers, including 13-inch color e-Magazine.

The e-Magazine from Delta

One Laptop Per Child group shifts to tablets for $100

The new tablets will have at least one, and maybe two, video cameras. They'll sport Wi-Fi connections to the Internet, "multi-touch" screens and have enough power to play high-definition and 3-D video. Unlike Apple Inc.'s iPad tablet, the device will also work with plug-in peripherals such as mice and keyboards.

One Laptop Per Child's tablet

N.C. environmental group: Solar business could create 28,000 jobs

In a report, Environment North Carolina says solar energy could produce 14 percent of the state’s electricity by 2014. The group calls for a tax break to encourage solar sector.

Sales surging, Lenovo stretches profitable quarter streak to three

The world’s No. 4 PC maker says sales jumped 56 percent in its most recent quarter to more than $4 billion. Lenovo reports a profit of $13 million, reversing a $264 million loss from a year ago.

One of Lenovo's latest models - the Skylight

Apple passes Microsoft as No. 1 tech company

Meanwhile, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer predicts China will pass U.S. as world’s top PC market this year. However, he also criticizes China for lack of copyright enforcement.

First quarter numbers point to rise in tech spending

A summary of recent earnings reports for selected technology companies for the first quarter provides revealing information about the state of corporate spending in information technology.

Palm gives HP an edge in smartphones, tablets

Analysis: Hewlett-Packard is taking the long-term view with its purchase of handset maker Palm, with plans for a strong mobile applications business as the fundamental motive. HP’s goal is to use the Palm WebOS, app store and platform development capabilities to turn Palm from a struggling phone maker into a multiplatform vendor of mobile capabilities.

Palm's Pre

Lenovo to offer financial services program

World’s No. 4 PC maker will offer financing for vendors as of June 1 in partnership with CIT Group.

A million and counting: iPads selling faster than original iPhones

In first month of availability, the iPad reaches seven figures in sales. Demand continues to exceed supply, Apple’s Steve Jobs says.

iPad sales are soaring

Dell keeps Winston-Salem PC plan open through early 2011