Their ‘moon shot’: Blind organization to showcase vehicle that can be driven by the blind

Group to show car that can be driven by the blind

WASHINGTON – Could a blind person drive a car? Researchers are trying to make that far-flung notion a reality.
The National Federation of the Blind and Virginia Tech plan to demonstrate a prototype vehicle next year equipped with technology that helps a blind person drive a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Their ‘moon shot’: Blind organization to showcase vehicle that can be driven by the blind.

Farmers use Twitter, YouTube to counter criticism from environmental, animal rights groups

Farmers defend way of life with Facebook, Twitter
DENAIR, Calif. – When a video of dairy cows being punched and prodded with pitchforks was recently released by an animal rights group, it made the rounds on YouTube and generated the expected angry responses.
But it also raised a flurry of outrage from another corner of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Farmers use Twitter, YouTube to counter criticism from environmental, animal rights groups.

US video game retail sales slide 5 percent in May, dragged by lower console prices

NPD: US video game sales drop 5 percent in May
NEW YORK – Video game retail sales slipped once again in May, hurt by lower prices of gaming consoles.
Total sales of gaming systems, software and accessories dropped to $823.5 million in May, down 5 percent from a year earlier, according to figures released Thursday …. Read the original article  : US video game retail sales slide 5 percent in May, dragged by lower console prices.

Corporation Commission approves OG&E’s application to implement ’smart meter’ program

State commission approves OG&E ’smart meters’

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Corporation Commission authorized Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. on Thursday to expand its smart grid program statewide and install technology allowing consumers to monitor their electricity usage and take advantage of lower costs during off-peak hours.
Commissioners approved an agreement between Oklahoma’s largest electric utility, members … Read : Corporation Commission approves OG&E’s application to implement ’smart meter’ program.

Disney acquires Tapulous, maker of popular iPhone game Tapulous

Disney acquires iPhone game maker Tapulous
LOS ANGELES – The Walt Disney Co. said Thursday it acquired Tapulous, the maker of the popular iPhone play-along music game Tap Tap Revenge, to bolster its ability to create mobile games and gain another toehold in Silicon Valley.
“It definitely is a strategic move and it highlights the … Original article on : Disney acquires Tapulous, maker of popular iPhone game Tapulous.

Flying high: Google hopes to steer more airline bookings with $700M purchase of ITA Software

Google to buy travel software company for $700M
SAN FRANCISCO – Google Inc. plans to buy travel technology company ITA Software Inc. in a $700 million deal that would enable the Internet search leader to steer more of the airline reservations booked on the Web.
The all-cash deal announced Thursday signals Google’s intention to challenge [..] Read the original article: here.

Google buys travel software company ITA Software for $700 million in cash

Google buys travel software company for $700M
SAN FRANCISCO – Google Inc. plans to buy travel technology company ITA Software Inc. in a $700 million deal that would enable the Internet search leader to steer more of the airline reservations booked on the Web.
The all-cash deal announced Thursday signals Google’s intention to challenge flight-comparison … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Google buys travel software company ITA Software for $700 million in cash.

GM’s Whitacre says Austin will be among cities for rollout of electric-powered Chevy Volt

GM’s Whitacre: Austin added to Volt rollout list
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will join the states where General Motors will roll out its electric car, the Chevrolet Volt, GM CEO Ed Whitacre announced Thursday.
The debut list originally included Washington, D.C., California and Michigan. GM expects to have the … Original article on : GM’s Whitacre says Austin will be among cities for rollout of electric-powered Chevy Volt.

Dell upgraded at UBS; analysts expects businesses to replace aging PCs

Dell upgraded at UBS on PC expectations
NEW YORK – Dell Inc. is poised to gain from a new cycle of computer upgrades at businesses, a UBS analyst said Thursday, upgrading the company’s stock.
THE OPINION: UBS analyst Maynard Um said more companies should start replacing aging PCs in the second half of the year [..] Read the original article: here.

Fitch upgrades software maker CA’s credit rating on revenue growth, ‘conservative’ policies

Fitch upgrades ratings on software maker CA

CHICAGO – Fitch Ratings said Thursday it upgraded credit ratings on business management software provider CA Inc., citing the company’s “conservative” financial policies and growing revenue.
CA’s financial results have been improving as businesses spend more on information technology coming out of the recession.
Fitch lifted its overall rating for CA …. Original article  : Fitch upgrades software maker CA’s credit rating on revenue growth, ‘conservative’ policies.

Gartner lowers 2010 global IT spending growth forecast due to weaker euro

Gartner lowers 2010 IT spending forecast
STAMFORD, Conn. – Global information technology spending will rise this year, but not as much as previously expected because of the strength of the dollar versus the euro, Gartner Inc. said Thursday.
The research firm now expects global IT spending to climb 3.9 percent over 2009, to $3.35 trillion. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Frontier closes $5.3 billion deal for Verizon phone lines in 14 states

Frontier closes $5.3B deal for Verizon phone lines

STAMFORD, Conn. – Frontier Communications Corp. closed its $5.3 billion acquisition of phone lines in 14 states belonging to Verizon Communications Inc., the company said Thursday.
Frontier, a Stamford-based phone company that focuses on small towns and rural areas, is taking over 4 million Verizon phone lines in a … Read more »»».

Yahoo launches mail and messenger apps for Android phones; improves mobile sites for iPhone

Yahoo launches mail and messenger apps for Android
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Yahoo Inc. said Thursday that it now has mail and messenger applications available that run on Google Inc.’s Android mobile software.
Android runs on phones such as the Droid and Nexus One.
Yahoo also said it has improved its mail and news mobile websites for …. Original source  : Yahoo launches mail and messenger apps for Android phones; improves mobile sites for iPhone.

IBM acquiring software maker BigFix to bolster network security business

IBM acquiring security software maker BigFix
ARMONK, N.Y. – IBM Corp. said Thursday it is adding to its network security business with the acquisition of a privately held company called BigFix Inc.
IBM did not say how much it is paying for the company.
BigFix, based in Emeryville, Calif., provides software that monitors company computers to … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : IBM acquiring software maker BigFix to bolster network security business.

AsiaInfo closes deal to buy rival Chinese telecom company Linkage Technologies

AsiaInfo closes deal to buy Linkage Technologies

NEW YORK – AsiaInfo Holdings Inc. said Thursday it has closed its acquisition of rival telecommunications company Linkage Technologies International Holdings Ltd.
AsiaInfo, based in Beijing, said it paid $60 million in cash and 26.8 million of its own shares for the privately held company. AsiaInfo’s stock closed at $21.86 …. Read the original article  : AsiaInfo closes deal to buy rival Chinese telecom company Linkage Technologies.

Executive of investment firm Iposeira Capital joins FMC Technologies’ board of directors

FMC Technologies names new director to board

HOUSTON – FMC Technologies Inc., which makes equipment used in the oil, food and aviation industries, said Thursday that a founding partner of the investment firm Iposeira Capital is joining its board.
Eleazar de Carvalho Filho is also a partner at the financial advisory firm Virtus BR Partners and serves … Original article on : Executive of investment firm Iposeira Capital joins FMC Technologies’ board of directors.

Internet access becomes legal right for all in highly wired Finland

Finland provides Internet access to all
HELSINKI – Finland has adopted a policy to provide Internet access as a legal right for all citizens in the sparsely populated country.

The minister of communications says that “a reasonably priced and high quality broadband connection will be everyone’s basic right” as of Thursday.
Suvi Linden says that 26 telecom operators, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Internet access becomes legal right for all in highly wired Finland.

Amazon.com offers new Kindle DX, lowers price to $379 from $489

Amazon.com offers new lower-priced Kindle DX
SEATTLE – Online retailer Amazon.com Inc. said Thursday it is introducing a new version of its higher-end Kindle at a lower price as competition among electronic-book readers intensifies.
The new version of its Kindle DX has a better screen that will display sharper images.
The large-screen reader, …. Original source  : Amazon.com offers new Kindle DX, lowers price to $379 from $489.

Summary Box: Google partially blocked in China, awaiting license decision

Summary Box: China partially blocks Google
THE NEWS: Google Inc. says one of its search features was blocked in China while Beijing decides whether to renew its operating license amid tensions over censorship. The company closed its China search engine in March and was rerouting users to an unfiltered Hong Kong site. Google says …. Source  : Summary Box: Google partially blocked in China, awaiting license decision.

Verizon iPhone: Finally Arriving?

SAN FRANCISCO (GaeaTimes.com)- The speculation of Verizon Wireless finally selling Apple iPhone never dies down and every now and then people keep hearing that it will be launched soon. However, till now rival AT&T has managed to continue its hold as the exclusive carrier of iPhone. Things have not changed even after the launch … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Verizon iPhone: Finally Arriving?.