How Google search just got smarter
If you’ve ever thought Google just doesn’t get what you’re asking, that’s about to change. Over the coming days, some web surfers will get their first glimpses at a radical overhaul of the way Google characterises and displays results, providing they’re US English users and, if they’re on the go, are packing the latest versions of the Android and Apple mobile operating systems.
Samsung replaces Nokia as leading phone maker
Samsung became the world’s No.1 phone maker during the first quarter of 2012, with Gartner research showing that Nokia had been knocked off its perch for the first time in 14 years.
Brokers stop taking Facebook IPO orders
Investors who want Facebook shares when the No. 1 online social network goes public later this week may have lost the opportunity.
Apple readies iPhone with bigger screen: sources
Apple plans to use a larger screen on the next-generation iPhone and has begun to place orders for the new displays from suppliers in South Korea and Japan, people familiar with the situation said.
Etsy sets up shop in Melbourne
Online retailer Etsy is turning to bricks and mortar to showcase its wares as it embarks on a new phase of expansion after raising $40 million from investors last week.
Japanese firm unveils gesture controls
Japanese technology titan NEC has unveiled a gadget that allows users to control their TV, mobile phone or tablet computer using a virtual input device.
West Wing writer tapped for Steve Jobs biopic
Sony Pictures has enlisted the writer behind political drama The West Wing to adapt last year’s best selling Steve Jobs biography for the big screen.
GM puts the brakes on Facebook ads
Just days before Facebook is scheduled to hold its first public stock offering, which could value the company at more than $US100 billion, General Motors has decided to remove its advertising from the social network.
New age dotcom bubble in danger of bursting
Facebook appears to be hugely overvalued compared to industry titans such as Google. The company’s proposed IPO valuation multiple is more than twice where Google started life as a listed company.
Business failing mobile shoppers: Google
Although a growing number of Australians use smartphones as part of their shopping experience, most business websites leave them frustrated.
IBM helps oil companies manage data gush
IBM has spent the past three years building a team of 5000 consultants, scattered around major oil basins worldwide, to help companies tackle a data explosion.
Pirate Bay attacked by . . . attackers!
World’s biggest BitTorrent search engine gets to feel what it’s like to be a victim.
New Kindle e-readers could have own light source
Is Amazon about to release e-readers with their own lighting system? There are rumours of colour e-ink displays, too.
AMD doubles down on entertainment
Intel rival releases its blessed Trinity chips, promising laptops with a 12 hour battery life
Object if you must, but the K-01 is AOK
The Pentax K-01 is a very unusual looking camera. Its designer, Marc Newson, has apparently not designed a camera before. Either that, or he has double jointed fingers.
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Internet
Pirate Bay attacked by . . . attackers!
World’s biggest BitTorrent search engine gets to feel what it’s like to be a victim.
Brokers stop taking Facebook IPO orders
Investors who want Facebook shares when the No. 1 online social network goes public later this week may have lost the opportunity.
Telecommunications
NBN on call at Varsity Lakes
NBN Co, the company building the National Broadband Network, has take a 1500 sq m tenancy on the Gold Coast at Varsity Lakes for its national call centre.
Smart telcos venture into new connections
Singapore Telecommunications is channelling the approach of venture capital in a quest to unearth new technologies and fight back against Apple and Google.
Corporate & government IT
Dicker’s debt and dividend dilemma
Dicker Data feels like a round peg in a square hole as it offers investors a very high yield and relatively low earnings growth.
Privacy restrictions to cost cloud users
Australian customers will be forced to pay more for cloud services if new laws restricting the shift of data overseas are passed, according to technology chief executives and experts.
Consumer electronics
Japanese firm unveils gesture controls
Japanese technology titan NEC has unveiled a gadget that allows users to control their TV, mobile phone or tablet computer using a virtual input device.
Samsung replaces Nokia as leading phone maker
Samsung became the world’s No.1 phone maker during the first quarter of 2012, with Gartner research showing that Nokia had been knocked off its perch for the first time in 14 years.
Science
Two sets of experts, two opposite opinions
The extent of disagreement about statins was recently highlighted in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It asked two sets of experts whether an otherwise healthy middle aged man with elevated cholesterol should be taking a daily statin.
Extinction rates cut down to size
Whenever a relative or neighbour has the audacity to point out that my suburban garden could be better groomed, I lecture them about biodiversity.
Clean technology
Locals risk being left behind on clean technology
The Australian business community risks being left behind by global competitors unless it takes advantage of opportunities to invest in clean technology, the federal government says.
The politics of clean energy
Australia is well regarded for its innovative scientific research, but unhelpful government policies often force companies to commercialise their inventions overseas.
