Technology
Most powerful spy says Snowden leaks will cost lives
The General who led the US’s controversial National Security Agency for almost a decade has accused former contractor Edward Snowden of becoming a puppet of the Russian regime and described his leaks as the most damaging intelligence breach in history.
NBN regional roll out to cost extra $1.4bn
Updated | NBN Co says plans to adjust its fixed wireless and satellite roll out as part of national broadband network construction will cost up to $1.4 billion more than initially anticipated.
NSA spy praises Huawei ban
The recently retired director of the United States National Security Agency says Australia was correct to exclude Chinese telecommunications manufacturer Huawei from helping build the national broadband network because of evidence of Chinese espionage against the nation.
How Alibaba’s Jack Ma became China’s biggest internet mogul
Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma has created one of the largest e-commerce conglomerates in the world, but he has had his own share of battles along the way.
Tradie directory group HiPages bags $6m in funding
HiPages has raised $6 million in equity funding from several investors, including the former Packer family investment fund, as it seeks to become the equivalent of Seek or carsales for tradespeople.
Vocus picks up stranded ispONE customers
Up to 50,000 mobile and telephone customers once tied to the collapsed telco ispONE could have their services reconnected in coming days after Vocus Communications bought the collapsed assets.
Telstra defends networks from attacks ‘daily’
Telstra says it defends its networks from hackers everyday but can’t rule out instances where it could be hit by undetectable techniques.
Yahoo faces new test after Alibaba payday
The initial public offering of Chinese online giant Alibaba Group will unlock the door to a giant trove of cash for Yahoo, but provide a new test for how the company will grow.
Alibaba files for $1bn US IPO
The e-commerce behemoth Alibaba filed in the US to sell stock to the public for the first time, in an embrace of the global capital markets that represents a coming of age for the booming Chinese internet industry.
CBA banks on innovation with the Albert
Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s new payments device – a wireless, 7-inch hand-held tablet computer that will gradually replace the bank’s traditional eftpos terminals – is finally being field-tested.
Google-backed hire car app Uber hits Perth
Updated | Uber, the Google-backed San Francisco-based hire car booking app, is set to expand its business to Perth for the first time.
Google laptops just got more ‘powerful’
Tech titans join forces to produce what they hope will be the next wave of notebooks: Chromebooks powered by Intel processors with up to 11 hours of battery life.
LG announces UHD OLED, webOS galore for 2014
Announcing its 2014 line-up of TVs, LG said it would release a 77-inOLED UHD TV by the end of the year.
Battery life, camera set Xperia Z2 apart
The Xperia Z2, Sony’s update to its marvellous Xperia Z and Xperia Z1 phones, just goes on and on with a single battery charge.
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Internet
Spy says Snowden leaks will cost lives
The General who led the US’s National Security Agency for almost a decade has accused ard Snowden of becoming a puppet of Russia.
Interview transcript: former head of the NSA and commander of the US cyber command, General Keith Alexander
Recently retired director of the US National Security Agency and commander of US Cyber Command General Keith Alexander was interviewed by Australian Financial Review contributing editor Christopher Joye. This is a full transcript of the conversation.
Telecommunications
Telstra appoints CFO Andy Penn to head Asian business
Telstra has handed control of its Asian operations over to chief financial officer Andy Penn as part of a shake-up of its international operations.
NSA spy praises Huawei ban
The recently retired director of the United States National Security Agency says Australia was correct to exclude Chinese telecommunications manufacturer Huawei from helping build the national broadband network because of evidence of Chinese espionage against the nation.
Consumer electronics
Google, Intel join forces
Tech titans join forces to produce what they hope will be the next wave of notebooks: Chromebooks powered by Intel processors
Target’s chief resigns in wake of customer data breach
Gregg Steinhafel, the chairman and chief executive of US retailer Target, resigned on Monday, the latest in a series of moves made by the company as it struggles to recover from last year’s extensive data breach of customer information.
Science
3D house printing a pointer to future
It can take from six to 20 tradesmen up to 10 to 12 months to raise an architect-designed house. A Chinese company has used 3D printing to bang out 10 a day.
Gates-backed TB drug to enter late-stage testing
The first experimental drug that fights both conventional and drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis is advancing to late-stage clinical testing, researchers say.
