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AP Technology NewsBrief at 4:40 p.m. EST
[February 21, 2013]

AP Technology NewsBrief at 4:40 p.m. EST


(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) HP's 1Q results top analyst forecastsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Slumping personal computer maker Hewlett-Packard has shown signs of progress in its latest quarter, even though its earnings dropped 16 percent. The fiscal first-quarter results announced Thursday topped the forecast of Hewlett-Packard Co.'s own management, as well as stock market analysts.



Rebel Apple investor tries to rally StreetNEW YORK (AP) _ A Wall Street maverick who wants Apple Inc. to share more of its wealth with investors took his case to other shareholders Thursday, urging them to send management a message by voting against a company proposal at the upcoming annual meeting. On a conference call with investors and reporters, David Einhorn, founder of hedge fund Greenlight Capital, laid out the case for something he calls "iPrefs," a class of dividend-bearing preferred stock. He wants Apple to issue these shares free to shareholders as way of committing to use its massive profits for the benefit of shareholders.

Google adds new touch to line of Chrome laptopsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Google is adding a new and more expensive touch to its line of Chrome laptops in an attempt to outshine personal computers running on software made by rivals Microsoft and Apple. The Chromebook Pixel unveiled Thursday includes a nearly 13-inch display screen that responds to the touch or swipe of a finger. That duplicates a key feature in Microsoft Corp.'s Windows 8, a dramatic makeover of the world's leading operating system for PCs.


Sony shows PlayStation 4 capabilities, but no boxNEW YORK (AP) _ Sony showed off what the PlayStation 4 can do, but not what it will look like. The Japanese electronics giant talked about its upcoming game console for the first time and said it will go on sale this holiday season.

NYPD, Microsoft create crime-fighting tech systemNEW YORK (AP) _ A 911 call comes in about a possible bomb in lower Manhattan and an alert pops up on computer screens at the New York Police Department, instantly showing officers an interactive map of the neighborhood, footage from nearby security cameras, whether there are high radiation levels and whether any other threats have been made against the city. In a click, police know exactly what they're getting into.

Google to sell Internet glasses to contest winnersSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Google is giving more people a chance to pay $1,500 for a pair of the Internet-connected glasses that the company is touting as the next breakthrough in mobile computing. The product, dubbed "Google Glass," will be offered to "bold, creative individuals" selected as part of a contest announced Wednesday. Participants must live in the U.S. and submit an application of up to 50 words explaining what they would do with the Google Glass technology. Entries must include the hash tag "ifihadglass" and be submitted through Google Plus or Twitter by next Wednesday. Google did not say how many glasses it will sell this way.

Review: Microsoft email better, not revolutionaryNEW YORK (AP) _ Longtime users of Hotmail, MSN and other Microsoft email services will start noticing a big change: When they sign in to check messages, they'll be sent to a new service called Outlook.com. You might be thinking, isn't Outlook the software Microsoft Corp. makes for people to use email at work Indeed it is, but Microsoft is now adopting that brand for personal, Web-based email services as well. It's part of a broad makeover that includes the company's overhaul of the Windows operating system and the Office software suite.

On Twitter, a peanut gallery mocks the OscarsNEW YORK (AP) _ You can simply tune into the Oscars. Or you can watch them with the peanut gallery on Twitter. While Hollywood parades in tuxedos and gowns, grandly celebrating itself, a freewheeling cacophony of quips and sarcasm _ something like a digital, million-times multiplied version of those balcony Muppet onlookers, Statler and Waldorf _ will provide a welcome and riotous counter-narrative to the pomp.

Yahoo redesign aims to make site more invitingSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Yahoo is renovating the main entry into its website in an effort to get people to visit more frequently and stay longer. The long-awaited makeover of Yahoo.com's home page is the most notable change to the website since the Internet company hired Marissa Mayer as its CEO seven months ago. The new look debuted Wednesday in the U.S., although it could take a few more days before everyone starts to see it.

White House announces anti-theft trade strategyWASHINGTON (AP) _ The Obama administration announced new efforts Wednesday to fight the growing theft of American trade secrets, a broad but relatively restrained response to a rapidly emerging global problem that was brought into sharp focus this week by fresh evidence linking cyberstealing to China's military. Mentioning China but not specifically targeting that country, Attorney General Eric Holder announced the plan, which includes a new diplomatic push to discourage intellectual property theft abroad along with better coordination at home to help U.S. companies protect themselves.

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