WRAL Tech Wire

Siri vs. Google Now: How each responds to 5 questions

Which digital assistant is best at answering questions from users? The AP puts Google Now and Apple's Siri to the test.

Siri touted at Apple website

Google Now invades Apple's Siri turf with new app

"Today, with the launch of Google Now on iPhone and iPad, your smartphone will become even smarter," Google proclaims in a blog.

Google Now goes after Siri

Despite rumors, Lenovo won't be buying NEC mobile unit

Although reports have circulated that the world's No. 2 PC maker might expand its venture into mobile phones by acquiring NEC's business, someone else is getting the group.

Smithsonian to share with world through new broadband initiative

Through a new initiative announced last week with Internet2, the Smithsonian now will be able to share historical and cultural collections, access remote instruments, and promote interactivity with its treasures all over the world.

The Castle

Smartphones now tops in sales; Samsung surges as iPhone sales slow

As smartphone sales surpass those of regular mobile phones for the first time, Samsung continues to grow rapidly but Apple iPhone shipments are slowing, two research firms report.

Samsung Galaxy S4

New IT center will test equipment before the state buys

The patchwork of hardware, software and databases used across various state agencies makes it hard, if not impossible, for state government to get things done, Chris Estes, the state's Chief Information Officer, says. A new testing center may help solve the problem.

Time Warner Cable reports fewer net subscribers than analysts expected

MetroPCS shareholders approve sweetened T-Mobile acquisition offer

MetroPCS Communications Inc., the country's fifth-largest cellphone carrier, said its shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the company's takeover by No. 4 T-Mobile USA.

BlackBerry diehards get their fix with the Q10 keyboard

Review: The keys are comfortably spaced and nicely sculpted, with a solid feel that will be familiar to the faithful. I haven't been a regular BlackBerry user for several years, but once the old muscle memory kicked in, I was able to rattle along as I did when Bill Clinton was still president.

The Q10 - complete with keyboard

 Apple shareholders, relax: Growth shows its ability to adapt to fierce competition

Analysis: Despite Apple's decreasing gross margin and slowing growth, Technology Business Research expects Apple's margin performance to stabilize over the next couple quarters as it balances improved component and manufacturing cost efficiencies with slower revenue growth.

AT&T's 1Q sales suffer amid declining landline business

Bad Apple? Analysts predict first profit drop in a decade

Apple's quarterly profit is projected to shrink for the first time in a decade, hurt by new products with lower profit margins and slower growth in iPhone sales.

 Don't panic, Microsoft shareholders - Product integration will sustain its growth

Analysis: The continued decline of the overall PC market and increasing trends of cloud and mobility in both the enterprise and consumer spaces has negatively impacted the consistency of Microsoft's core Business and Windows Divisions in recent quarters. But unifying its capabilities should deliver growth.

Broadband helps NC reach for the stars through mountain institute

High-speed connectivity and new data center capabilities at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute near Asheville are allowing people all over the world to access some the best scientific instruments available today for research and education in one of the most remote locations found in North Carolina.

Broadband at PARI

 Sprint's 4G wireless service creeping across Triangle

Even though Raleigh, Durham and the rest of the Triangle are not listed on the latest 4G LTE rollout announcement by Sprint, the service is here in some spots and growing more pervasive. But no official announcement is set - yet.

Tracking 4G speeds

 Wireless gains help Verizon beat Street profit estimate

Verizon Communications, the second-largest U.S. phone company, reported first-quarter profit that beat estimates after attracting more wireless customers and getting them to sign up for lucrative data contracts.

 Apple shares tumble below $400 on report iPhone, iPad sales are slowing

"We blame Apple for losing its mobility mojo," a Wall Street analyst says about chip supply problem. "This was simply an inventory overbuild for the iPhone 5 relative to Apple's forecast."

 Samsung's new Galaxy phone goes on sale in US next week

Samsung Electronics Co.'s Galaxy S4 smartphone, the main challenger to Apple's iPhone, will go on sale next week at U.S. carriers, including T-Mobile USA and Sprint Nextel.

Samsung Galaxy S4

 Facebook hires another former Apple exec, updates iPhone apps

Several members of Apple's iPhone software group have defected to Facebook as Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg focuses on reaching customers on mobile devices.

 Appia secures $5M in debt financing for sales, marketing expansion

Durham-based Appia, a fast-growing firm that works with mobile service providers, publishers and advertisers to attract new customers, secures $5 million in debt financing and will use the capital for expansion efforts.