IBM researchers have worked for two years to create a system that can understand and respond to open-ended, natural-language questions
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
2009
Google Defends Medical Records System
Health care IT has become an increasingly important segment of the IT industry, with major players ranging from Google to Microsoft rolling out continuously updated solutions for patients and caregivers
Sun Reports £137m Loss
The financial health of Sun Microsystems is still grim, to the surprise of few analysts
Small Businesses Unsure About Social Networks
While small businesses feel increasingly optimistic about the economy, many midmarket companies are less embracing about Web 2.0 developments such as social networking.
UK Government Backs Research ‘Hubs’ For Digital Life
Research centre investments can change the way we live, says science minister
Google Fixes Chrome Bug, Blames Microsoft IE
If your PC uses two browsers in tandem - say Google and IE - whose job is it to protect you from malware? Like Mozilla before it, Google is passing the buck to Microsoft, says Larry Seltzer
Information Security Pay Rates Go Up In Recession
Security professionals are holding their value in the downturn, according to the Information Security Solutions Salary Survey 2009
RIM BlackBerry Service Fails In Europe
Enterprise customers have their mobile email interrupted for around an hour, due to network failover
Security Drops Off Government IT Agenda
But it's possible to get security bundled in with other technology, so don't worry, says Citrix
Blunkett Lashes Out At “Urban Myth” Of Surveillance
Overblown fears of CCTV and snooping are undermining confidence in the system, says former home secretary
Tandberg Latest Tech Victim Of Recession
The Norwegian-based tape storage company becomes the first major storage supplier to file for bankruptcy protection since the recession began last summer
Vendors Want Open Standards For Cloud Computing
The group will look at ways to develop standards that create interoperability between private and public clouds
Sun Escapes £69m Lawsuit
Versata claimed Sun stole its technology for a product configurator designed to model a software development project throughout the entire product cycle
HP Launches Low-Cost Business Notebooks
Options include Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems or Linux, and either Intel and AMD processors
Google Tools Tracking Swine Flu Outbreak
Google Flu Trends, a Web service provided by Google.org, has been updating itself with data and news stories about swine flu
Virtualisation Inspires A Security Rebirth
There's a new IT world coming, and when information security companies gear up to it, they'll find new opportunities as well as new tasks, says Cameron Sturdevant
Five Developers Who Think the Palm Pre is a Winner
Its easy operating system, WebOS, may just allow the Pre to tap web developers for cool apps to compete with the iPhone.
Users Have Doubts Over Green Outsourcing
The recession has dampened end users' enthusiasm for "green" IT outsourcing contracts
Energy Star Readying Server, Storage Specifications
Energy efficiency standards for servers are nearing completion - and storage specifications are next
Blunkett Warns Of 2012 Olympics Cyber Threat
But securing the London Games well could give the UK a reputation as a secure place to do online business, says the former Home Secretary
Apple Picks Up Pace Towards Snow Leopard Release
Test builds show Apple's operating system developers are hard at work pushing to get out the next major version of the Mac OS X
Samsung, LG, RIM Get Q1 Handset Shipment Boost
Samsung, LG and BlackBerry maker RIM helped boost the first quarter's handset sales to 258 million
Ubuntu 9.04: Modest Desktop Improvements And New Server Apps
Serving both desktop and server roles, Ubuntu 9.04 comes with build-your-own compute cloud software and a netbook tweaked version.
Windows 7 Is More Secure Than XP
Companies can expect the next Windows to improve authentication, data protection, privilege levels, and more
No Shortage of Security Vulnerabilities at RSA
There was plenty of talk about the latest threats at the RSA Conference in San Francisco last week
Facebook Takes Twitter Swipe, Opens Feeds To Developers
Facebook is expected to announce its plans to open up its feeds to third party developers so they can build services on top of them
Microsoft Bets on Premium Laptops, Not Netbooks, for Windows
Windows revenue may be down, but it will take more than that to make Microsoft embrace the netbook
Is Twitter Spreading Swine Flu Fever?
Social media such as Twitter are doing more harm than good by stoking fears of a swine flu pandemic, while other sites are finding ways to help, says Darryl Taft
US Must Learn From EU On WEEE
The US Congress has passed an e-waste bill through Congress this week, but it must not repeat the mistakes of the EU, say experts
Budget: Small Businesses Need To Adapt
Video: small businesses have plenty to get to grips with in the new budget - this panel advises how the budget will affect them