WRAL Tech Wire

 Intel launches bond gambit to rescue its ailing stock

Chip giant Intel is taking advantage of bond interest rates below its dividend yield as the world's largest semiconductor maker borrows to buy back stock battered by its lagging share in the smartphone and tablet markets.

 Microsoft-Intel push into tablets with Lenovo, others, is sputtering

Of more than a dozen tablets Microsoft and Intel touted for the new version of Windows, only five can be purchased for immediate U.S. delivery. Plus, early demand for Microsoft's first computer, the Surface tablet, seems "disappointing," said Craig Berger, an analyst at FBR Capital Markets.

Lenovo's Yoga after flip to tablet

 Cree shares tumble 6% after Wall Street analyst's downgrade

Shares in Cree dropped 6 percent Thursday after an analyst's downgrade. The news helped erase gains that had pushed Cree to a new 52-week high earlier of $33.60 this week and boost shares overall 45 percent this year.

 Cree scores chip patent victory; its LEDs light up Sheetz

Shares in Cree moved higher Wednesday after news that the company scored a patent victory in a dispute over semiconductors. Plus: Cree's LEDs glow at Sheetz.

 Will Intel go outside its ranks to recruit a new CEO?

Analysts: Intel, seeking a replacement for departing Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini, needs a candidate with credentials internal contenders lack: - a record of success in the market for mobile-device semiconductors.

Intel

 Qualcomm surpasses Intel as most valuable chip firm

Booming smartphone and mobile device demand drives value of Qualcomm past that of Intel as PC market lags.

Qualcomm technology powers e-reader screen.

 IBM: CEO salary will remain $1.5M; incentive pay increases

Big Blue blog: Gini Rometty's salary will be $1.5 million in her second year but she does have a chance to earn more in incentive pay. Plus: Maryland picks IBM for healthcare marketplace.

 IBM bumps stock repurchase plan 75% to $11.7B

Big Blue blog: IBM plans to increase its share repurchasing and also will pay an 85-cent per share cash dividend in December. IBM is using record income this year from the company's shift to more profitable software and services to reward shareholders whose stock has been outpaced by the broader market.

 IBM's nanotech breakthrough could revolutionize PC chips

Big Blue blog: IBM scientists say carbon nanotechnology could lead to smaller, faster and more powerful computer chips. The carbon material might replace traditional silicon.

IBM graphic describes nanotech chip breakthrough.

 Advanced Micro Devices cuts sales forecast, cites weak demand

Advanced Micro Devices Inc., the second-largest maker of processors for personal computers, cut its third-quarter revenue forecast, citing weak demand across all product lines in a challenging economic environment.

 Intel software snag reportedly hampers new Windows tablets

Microsoft hasn't yet approved any tablets featuring an Intel processor code-named Clover Trail because the chipmaker hasn't produced necessary power-management software, a source tells Bloomberg.

 Intel showcases Lenovo, other tablets running new chip

An assortment of major computer vendors showcase new devices depend on Intel Corp.'s new processor and Windows 8, a dramatic overhaul of the widely used operating system made by Microsoft.

Lenovo's Tom Butler discusses new tablet

 Intel slashes forecast; HP cuts 2,000 more: Bad news for tech sector

The world's largest chip manufacturer cut its revenue forecast on Friday to $700 million below analysts' forecasts. Declining PC sales to corporate customers is the big reason. More bad news: HP increases layoffs.

 Semiconductor firm HexaTech raises $500,000 in debt financing

The venture capital backed startup, which has been funded locally by Intersouth Partners and NCIDEA, is commercializing technology developed at NC State.

HexaTech graphic explains its chip focus

 Research firm slahes PC sales forecast through 2016

Global computer shipments will climb less than previously forecast this year amid a weak economy and as buyers await new models, research firms IDC and iSupply say.

PC sales projections

 IBM promises more acquisitions in storage space

Big Blue blog: "It's not the end of our acquisition phase," an IBM exec says about Thursday's deal for Texas Memory Systems. "We've been on an acquisition phase for the past four or five years, and this was one of the missing pieces."

IBM

 Lenovo: Windows RT devices to be up to $300 less than new Windows 8

The world's second-biggest maker of personal computers, says new devices based on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows RT software will cost $200 to $300 less than competing products using Windows 8 software.

Lenovo's Yoga after flip to tablet

 IBM to acquire Texas-based memory storage firm

Big Blue blog: IBM moves to expand its data storage products with the acquisition of Texas Memory Systems, which focuses on solid state technology.

A Texas Memory Systems product

 Microsoft confirms Lenovo to build Windows RT tablet

Microsoft, which is relying on ARM-designed chips to help it vie with Apple Inc. in the market for mobile computers, discussed the manufacturing partners in a blog posting, its first disclosure of which PC makers will carry Windows RT.

 IBM opens first research lab in Africa, 12th worldwide

Big Blue blog: IBM's office in Kenya will focus on the public sector, "Smarter Cities," and human capacity development.

IBM focuses on Africa