In today’s Bulldog wrapup of technology and life science news:

  • AT&T launches GigaPower in Kansas City, taking on Google
  • Valeant reportedly eyes Raleigh-based Salix
  • ​A new startup hub in Cary
  • Xiaomi tops smartphone sales in China while Lenovo is fifth on its home turf, says a new report. 

The details:

  • AT&T vs. Google in Kansas City

AT&T formally launched its GigaPower gigabit Internet service in Kansas City on Monday, taking on Google Fiber. (The same scenario will come later this year in the Triangle when Google launches against AT&T.)

But there is a difference in pricing if Kansas City customers prefer privacy to price.

“AT&T’s gigabit fiber-to-the-home service has just arrived in Kansas City, and the price is the same as Google Fiber—if you let AT&T track your Web browsing history,” reports Arstechnica.

Read more at: http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/02/att-charges-29-more-for-gigabit-fiber-that-doesnt-watch-your-web-browsing/

 

  • Bloomberg: Valeamt Eyes Salix

Valeant Pharmaceuticals reportedly is preparing a financial takeover of Raleigh-based Salix Pharmacdeuticals, according to Bloomberg news service. 

“Valeant’s likely to make an offer of more than $150 per share, one of the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private information. Including net debt, Salix is valued at about $10.9 billion. Its shares jumped 4 percent in New York to $149.18,” Bloomberg reported Friday. 

Read more at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-12/valeant-said-to-secure-salix-bid-financing-closing-in-on-offer

  • ​New Startup Hub in Cary

The Cary Theater’s third floor will become a startup hub in an agreement reached between investors and the Town of Cary.

“Think about it, you have three, four startups in our space, three four startups in the area … once you get seven, eight, nine startups on that street, you end up getting 20, 30 people,” angel investor Alex Osadzinski told Lauren Ohnesorge of the Triangle Business Journal. . He says they’ll be buying legal services, printing services, sandwiches – fueling area companies with their wallets.

Other investors are David Gardner and Whitney Rowe. 

 

​Read the details at: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/techflash/2015/02/cary-accelerator-cary-theater-chatham-street-nc.html

  • Xiaomi No. 1 Smartphone Seller in China: Report

Research firm IDC reported Monday that Xiaomi is the top smartphone seller in Lenovo’s home market of China. Lenovo ranks fifth.

Another report recently said Apple was No. 1, but PC Magazine says IDC has very different numbers with the China-based startup Xiaomi surging despite new iPhone models.

Read more at: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2884752/xiaomi-leads-chinas-smartphone-market-despite-apples-iphone-6.html