IDG Reporter

Android grabs record 85 percent smartphone share

Google’s dominance of the smartphone market has reached new heights, with its Android operating system now accounting for a record 84.6 percent share of global smartphone shipments, according to research by Strategy Analytics.

Nadella seeks to axe failing hardware

Microsoft’s quarterly financials are out, and they paint a startlingly clear picture of why new CEO Satya Nadella is in such a hurry to scuttle away from the “devices and services” mantra rolled out by former honcho Steve Ballmer just last year.

UK rushes data retention bill

The U.K. government has pushed through a new surveillance law to replace one a European Union court said interfered with fundamental privacy rights – but, say civil rights campaigners, the new law is worse than the one it replaces.

Microsoft may drag out layoffs for a year

Microsoft yesterday said it could take as long as a year to lafiredy off the 18,000 workers who will be eventually shown the door, a drawn-out process that was criticised by both labour experts and industry analysts.

Apple and IBM pair for iOS apps

Apple is making a push for the corporate IT market through a partnership with IBM, which will develop iOS apps for its Big Data and analytics services and promote iPhones and iPads to clients.

Oracle to release 115 security patches

Oracle is planning to release 115 security patches for vulnerabilities affecting a wide array of its products, including its flagship database, Java SE, Fusion Middleware and business applications.

Intercept: NSA targets American Muslims

More than 40 privacy, civil rights and religious groups have called on President Barack Obama’s administration to provide a “full public accounting” of long-time email surveillance of prominent Muslims living in the U.S., following a news report detailing the spying by the U.S. National Security Agency and FBI.

Samsung forecasts third consecutive profit drop

Samsung Electronics is expecting a drop in its operating profit for the third consecutive quarter, citing an overall slowdown in smartphone market growth and increased competition in China and some European markets.

Chinese hackers target Iraq experts

A sophisticated Chinese hacker group that had been stealing information from U.S. policy experts on nearby Southeast Asia suddenly changed targets last month to focus on the Middle East – Iraq, in particular – security researchers CrowdStrike said Monday.

GET TAHAWULTECH.COM IN YOUR INBOX

The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines