Technology: What Geeks are talking about from Reuters News

Here is the latest Tech News from Reuters News.

China’s Tencent seeks additional loan worth $2 billion: sources SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China’s Tencent Holdings Ltd is seeking a loan of up to $2 billion, part of a flurry of fund-raising by the country’s Internet giants, two people involved in the financing told Thomson Reuters LPC, a loan-focused news service.

Canada’s Mitel to buy Polycom for about $1.96 billion (Reuters) – Mitel Networks Corp said on Friday it would buy fellow voice and telephony gear maker Polycom Inc for about $1.96 billion in cash and stock, satisfying a demand from hedge fund Elliott Management.

Obama urges agency to open competition in cable TV boxes WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration on Friday weighed into the debate over allowing consumers to switch pricey cable television boxes for less expensive devices, urging an agency to set an example for other parts of government to boost competition.

Komodo commerce: e-tailers battle in Southeast Asia SINGAPORE/JAKARTA (Reuters) – With its $1 billion buy of online retailer Lazada, Alibaba has signaled Southeast Asia as a regional e-commerce battleground – with 600 million people, and no shortage of logistical headaches.

Russian state news agency Sputnik says site blocked in Turkey ISTANBUL (Reuters) – The website of Russian state news agency Sputnik has been blocked in Turkey, its Turkish editor-in-chief said on Friday, a move that could further strain relations between Moscow and Ankara after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane last year.

Twitter appoints Kathy Chen as China managing director SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Twitter Inc has appointed Kathy Chen as its Greater China managing director, chief executive officer Jack Dorsey said in a tweet on Thursday.

Apple forms team to explore App Store changes: Bloomberg (Reuters) – Apple Inc has formed a secret team to explore changes to its App Store, including a new strategy for charging developers to have their apps more prominently displayed, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the plans.

Cyber as big a threat as Iran, North Korean ICBMs: U.S. admiral WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Constant cyber attacks on the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and its key weapons programs pose as great a threat as development of intercontinental ballistic missiles by Iran and North Korea, the admiral who heads the agency said on Thursday.

American company lost $100 million to email fraud, U.S. says NEW YORK (Reuters) – An unidentified American company was defrauded last year out of nearly $100 million by individuals who created fake email accounts in order to pose as one of its legitimate vendors, U.S. authorities said on Thursday.

U.S. agency advises Windows PC users remove Apple’s QuickTime over bugs BOSTON (Reuters) – The U.S. government has recommended that Windows PC users uninstall Apple Inc’s QuickTime video player after security software maker Trend Micro Inc said on Thursday it had discovered two new bugs in the software.

Apple, FBI to clash again in Congress over encryption WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Apple Inc and the FBI will return to Congress next week to testify before lawmakers about their heated disagreement over law enforcement access to encrypted devices, a congressional committee announced on Thursday.

Instagram to add video channels to ‘Explore’ section (Reuters) – Facebook’s picture sharing app Instagram is updating its “Explore” section to add video channels that will appear in a feed according to users’ preferences.

STMicro board wants to replace CEO, has short-list of candidates PARIS (Reuters) – The board of Franco-Italian chipmaker STMicroelectronics has decided to replace its current chief executive Carlo Bozotti, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

Chinese firms extend deadline on $1.28 billion offer for Opera Software OSLO (Reuters) – A group of Chinese internet firms who made a cash offer in February for Norwegian mobile phone browser and advertising firm Opera Software, valuing it at $1.28 billion, have extended the offer as it has not reached the required level of acceptances.

Apple to donate a portion of App Sales to support the environment (Reuters) – Apple Inc will donate sales of select apps in April to the World Wildlife Fund amid its growing focus on environmental issues, the company announced.

U.S. government worse than all major industries on cyber security: report WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. federal, state and local government agencies rank in last place in cyber security when compared against 17 major private industries, including transportation, retail and healthcare, according to a new report released Thursday.

Microsoft sues U.S. government over data requests SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Microsoft Corp has sued the U.S. government for the right to tell its customers when a federal agency is looking at their emails, the latest in a series of clashes over privacy between the technology industry and Washington.

South African tech firm EOH to buy Aptronics in $13 million deal JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s largest technology group EOH Holdings said on Thursday it plans to take over computer services firm Aptronics Propriety for 194 million rand ($13 million) in a bid to expand its services.

Shaw Communications posts slight rise in quarterly revenue (Reuters) – Canada’s Shaw Communications Inc posted a 3 percent rise in quarterly revenue as it added more retail Internet customers.

Iraq’s Kurds declare independence in cyberspace with .krd domain name ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) – Denied their own state in reality, Iraq’s Kurds have declared independence in cyberspace with a new domain name that has provoked the ire of a neighbor hostile to their aspirations.

Business money talks for wary venture funds focused on tech start-ups STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Tech start-ups aimed at businesses rather than consumers are winning more funding from increasingly wary venture capital investors who want to see a return on their cash sooner rather than later.

Fingerprint firms unlocking new markets beyond smartphones STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – A tap of a finger could soon suffice to identify credit card shoppers and rail commuters, offering areas of new business for specialist companies which have benefited from the use of such technology in smartphones.

Porsche appoints Gartner expert to drive new technology developments BERLIN (Reuters) – Porsche has hired a specialist from U.S. information technology industries consultant Gartner Inc. to lead the development of online connectivity in its sports cars, the company said.