BlackBerry Priv wins plaudits, but price tag questioned

By Euan Rocha TORONTO (Reuters) – BlackBerry Ltd launched its first Android-based device on Friday, with the future of the company's hardware business riding on a slick smartphone called Priv that boasts an impressive array of features and a hefty price tag. The company is betting the Priv's large curved screen, full array of Android apps from the Google Play store and blend of productivity and security features will help it rebuild its share of the smartphone market, which has slid to under one percent. With hacking and data theft issues becoming a bigger concern these days, BlackBerry expects keen interest in its pre-loaded DTEK feature that alerts users every time any app attempts to access data, or turn on the phone's microphone or camera

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Google mobile Android operating system under U.S. antitrust scanner

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether Google Inc is using its Android mobile operating system to stifle competition, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday. The Android mobile platform is a key element in Google's strategy to maintain revenue from online advertising as people switch from Web browser searches to smartphone apps, and action by U.S.

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Ace offers $100 million cyber policies with added services, scrutiny

By Jim Finkle BOSTON (Reuters) – Insurer Ace Ltd plans to start offering cyber security policies providing up to $100 million in coverage at a time when experts say it is hard for businesses to obtain such large coverage following the surge in high-profile breaches. The plan comes with services from firms that help identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities and respond to cyber attacks.

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BlackBerry to buy messaging alerts firm AtHoc to expand software base

By Euan Rocha TORONTO (Reuters) – BlackBerry Ltd said on Wednesday it is buying privately-held AtHoc, a provider of secure, networked crisis communications, as it moves to broaden its software offering and generate revenue from its BBM messaging service. San Mateo, California-based AtHoc's services are used by a number of top clients including the U.S

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Indian IT firms eye robotics, driverless cars for next round of growth

By Nivedita Bhattacharjee MUMBAI (Reuters) – After decades of low-margin work like server maintenance, India's information technology services firms are moving upscale in search of lucrative contracts for driverless cars and other advanced projects as online innovation changes clients' needs. Companies from Tata Consultancy Services Ltd to Wipro Ltd are all joining Infosys Ltd in investing in new, high-end technology, industry watchers say. Earlier this week Infosys bought U.S.

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