WRAL Tech Wire

 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

 At last! Sprint 4G service formally launches in Triangle

For months, Sprint has been teasing formal launch of high-speed wireless service for the Triangle. And it has been available in spots. As of Monday, Sprint declares 4G LTE in place across the region.

4G speeds

Spies in your BlackBerry? Company defends its security

BlackBerry defends the security of its smartphones after The Guardian reported a British agency penetrated the devices at Group of 20 meetings in 2009 to monitor phone calls and e-mail traffic.

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.

 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

Google's Waze acquisition maps out mobile strategy

Google's acquisition of Waze ends several months of speculation as Waze flirted with potential buyers interested in its rapidly growing service. Waze blends elements of a social network into its maps to produce more precise directions and more reliable information about local traffic conditions.

Apple's iTunes Radio service may not be a Pandora killer after all

The music service, which will be supported by advertising and aimed at driving new song purchases through iTunes, was part of a sweeping redesign of Apple's iOS mobile operating system that Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook unveiled at the conference. ITunes Radio will be available later this year when iOS 7 is rolled out to users.

AT&T launching push-to-talk app for iPhone

AT&T is adding a walkie-talkie-like application to the iPhone for its corporate customers, replicating a hallmark feature of the Nextel network, which is being shut down this summer.

ConnectED broadband plan for schools ignites excitement

President Barack Obama announced the ConnectED initiative last week at Mooresville Middle School, sparking conversations about high-speed broadband connectivity all over the country.

Google reportedly buying social maps firm Waze for $1.1B

Google has agreed to acquire map-software provider Waze for about $1.1 billion, seeking to keep competitors such as Facebook Inc. from eroding its lead in mobile-navigation programs.

Rebooting iPhone, iPad software could give Apple a boost

Apple is preparing to unveil sweeping changes to the software powering iPhones and iPads, seeking to reignite desire for its products and blunt the advance of Google's Android mobile operating system.

Ban on Apple iPhone 4 not seen as setback for wireless carriers

AT&T and T-Mobile US say the International Trade Commission's decision to ban versions of the iPhone 4 and iPad 2 as part of Apple's patent suit with Samsung Electronics Co. will have little effect on sales.

 Amid smartphone rumors, Lenovo dedicates PC manufacturing line in Triad

Lenovo remains primarily focused on its PC business, which represents virtually all its revenues, and the No. 2 global PC manufacturer today dedicates its first manufacturing line in the U.S. But the ceremony is overshadowed by talk that the company is looking for a smartphone deal with a senior executive saying Lenovo is talking with "multiple parties."

Lenovo's Jay Parker

New BlackBerry with keyboard on sale at AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile

The first keyboard-equipped BlackBerry sporting the company's radically new operating system is hitting U.S. stores this week with three major carriers taking orders.

The Q10 - complete with keyboard

Patent loss means Apple faces US import ban on some devices

Apple's first loss against Samsung Electronics Co. in a U.S. patent case could mean a ban on imports of some older devices including the iPhone 4 while lessening prospects of the largest smartphone makers ending their legal battles.

 Lenovo acknowledges it's looking at 'potential joint venture'

As Lenovo gears up for an open house on Wednesday in the Triad, in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the world's No. 2 PC maker says it is "in preliminary negotiations with a party in connection with a potential joint venture transaction." What firm is the other party? Speculation ranges from NEC to BlackBerry to IBM.

 Speculation grows that Lenovo is raising cash to buy IBM server group

The world's No. 2 PC maker is meeting with investors this week to raise capital through the sale of bonds amid growing indications that Lenovo wants the money in order to buy at least part of IBM's server business. But selling the bonds may not be easy.

Lenovo's Yang Yuanqing aims for growth.

Home networks driving demand for more tech support

A new study by Parks Associates indicates that 78 percent of households in the United States with broadband use a home network router, which is driving the demand for more comprehensive tech support.

Dell sets date for shareholder vote on its CEO's leveraged buyout offer

The world's No. 3 PC manufacturer will hold a shareholder vote on July 18 on a $24.4 billion leveraged buyout offer by founder Michael Dell and Silver Lake Management LLC.