White House report embraces ‘big data,’ privacy rules

A study ordered by US President Barack Obama and released Thursday concludes that analysis of “big data” can help society in many ways, from improving health care to spurring economic growth. But the report also said the vast expansion of computer analytics of large data banks creates new threats to privacy, and recommended updated rules… Continue reading White House report embraces ‘big data,’ privacy rules

New Dell fund will invest in data storage technology

The chief of US computer maker Dell on Tuesday announced the launch of a $60 million fund focused on investing in technology for storing the massive amounts of data being collected by businesses. “We really believe in this explosion of data driven a lot by smartphones and tablets,” Michael Dell, founder of the Texas-based company… Continue reading New Dell fund will invest in data storage technology

Amazon offers Cloud Player app for iPhone

Amazon on Tuesday released its music player app for iPhone and iPod touch, a move that expands the reach of the Internet retail giant for Apple users. The Cloud Player app allows customers to stream or download music stored in Amazon accounts to the iPhone or iPod touch, play music that is already stored on… Continue reading Amazon offers Cloud Player app for iPhone

Swedish town eyes digital age with Arctic data centre

Perched near the Arctic Circle, the Swedish town of Luleaa hopes that a massive data centre for US social networking giant Facebook will launch the vibrant industrial region into the digital age as a European data traffic hub. “The digital industry will be an important addition to our town,” Mayor Karl Petersen told AFP. With… Continue reading Swedish town eyes digital age with Arctic data centre

Apple takes a giant leap into the ‘iCloud’ cloud

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs has interrupted his medical leave to unveil a free service called iCloud that stores music, photos and other content on the Web and shares it across multiple devices. “We’re going to move the digital hub to the cloud,” the 56-year-old Jobs told software developers at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference… Continue reading Apple takes a giant leap into the ‘iCloud’ cloud

Intel completes McAfee acquisition

US computer chip giant Intel said Monday that it has completed its $7.68 billion acquisition of computer security firm McAfee. Intel said that with the completion of the deal, McAfee becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel. McAfee will continue to sell security products and services under its own brand. The Santa Clara, California-based Intel,… Continue reading Intel completes McAfee acquisition

Music industry takes to the digital cloud

Music is taking to the clouds after Sony said it is expanding its cloud-based digital Music Unlimited service around Europe to enable fans to access music on their digital devices. After being launched in the United States, Britain and Ireland, Sony’s “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” service, is being extended to France, Germany, Spain and… Continue reading Music industry takes to the digital cloud

Intel earnings soar with rise of cloud computing

SAN FRANCISCO: US computer chip giant Intel posted its best earnings ever in 2010 as businesses beefed up data centers to handle services increasingly shifting to the Internet “cloud.” Intel said it took in a net profit of $11.7 billion for the year on revenue of $43.6 billion, a 167 percent jump from the profit… Continue reading Intel earnings soar with rise of cloud computing