The Skinny
WRAL Local Tech Wire Publisher and Editor Rick Smith dishes out tidbits from the local technology sector.
N.C. fund is good news for state's tech entrepreneurs
New fund is being established for investment in North Carolina startup ventures. The money will be drawn from the state’s retirement fund.
Another 202 layoffs at IBM push latest count above 2,900
The job death count from Big Blue’s latest “resource action” continues to climb. Meanwhile, IBM also stops reporting its headcount for U.S. workers.
‘Social media is a beast’ – So how can your business tame it?
‘Old folks can do it too,’ says one attendee about Twitter, Facebook and other tools after Social Media and Your Business event. Key takeaways: Social media is both an opportunity and a risk; don’t be afraid, and be authentic.
In tough climate, GSK dedicates plant to fight elephantiasis
Drug giant invests $300,000 in facility that will make the product worth $13.5 million that it donates to treat Lymphatic Filariasis. GSK says the plant represents “a significant scale up” of manufacturing geared to program.
‘Who’s Cisco?’ New RTP site exec recalls a humble birth
As Cisco celebrates the 15th anniversary of its campus opening in the Triangle, new Ste Executive Joe Novak remembers when no one knew who Cisco was or what it did. Novak, one of Cisco’s first four employees in Raleigh, now oversees a 4,300 worker operation.
Google, N.C.? UNC-CH, Carrboro, Chapel Hill want Google Net
Unlike in Topeka, however, town and university leaders haven’t renamed their communities after the search engine giant in preparing a bid for broadband test bed.
Tweet this from Epic: Three more hints about Gears 3
Unreal Tournament 3, Unreal engine 3, and now triple tweets possibly about Gears 3 from Epic’s Cliffy B. The saga continues, but for how much longer?
‘The Daily Me’: You want your news mobile, instantly from several sources
New survey from Pew Research Center finds that more Americans (especially under age 50) want news catered to their interest on mobile devices. Plus, many of you want to participate through social media. However, the Net can be “overwhelming.”
‘Gears 3’ rumors grow louder – Epic president dropping hints
“We might have a new one coming out,” Mike Capps says in interview with VentureBeat. Epic is focused on Gears empire, he adds. “E3 will be very exciting for fans of Epic.”
Intel-ligent boost for tech – Intel, VCs launch investment alliance
‘Invest in America’ effort also includes pledges from several high-tech firms to hire more college graduates. Intel CEO calls for a “clear, consistent strategy to promote innovation, investment and start-up companies. There are things business can do, and ought to do, independent of what government achieves.”
More Nortel bad news: British pension regulator files $3B claim
Telecommunications company is scheduled to auction off its VoIP unit this week as liquidation continues.
3D is a ‘game changer’ – What can it do for your business, your dreams?
The immersive worlds of education, entertainment, engineering and virtual reality are on the agenda at Local Tech Wire’s next event. Will you be there?
Secrets to Tekelec's success? The 'Patent Wall'
CEO Frank Plastina touts the company’s technical prowess and commitment to R&D while talking about Tekelec’s record year for profits. A focus on the “mobile IP core” for applications and services leads to sales and success in a world driven increasingly by mobile communications.
Secret is out – Japan’s Nagoya University wants business in RTP
At a day-long conference, representatives of the university and Japan-based businesses reach out for potential commercialization partners. “Something like this – making a splash – is the right thing to do,” says RTP tech transfer guru Karen LeVert.
Gears of War 3 coming? EA discloses Epic game for 2011
Epic’s creative spirit “Cliffy B” Bleszinki has been promising “megaton face melting news.” Entertainment Arts says it will publish a “shooter” title by Epic, but the game’s title isn’t disclosed.










