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AMD announces cloud-optimized CPUs
Advanced Micro Devices on Wednesday announced a new family of microprocessors for cloud computing servers, including one chip priced at US$99. The chips belong to the Opteron 4100 family and come in six-core and four-core variants. The processors include the $99 Opteron 4122 processor, which is AMD’s first server chip priced under $100. The quad-core chip operates at a speed of 2.2GHz, includes a total of 8.6MB of cache and draws 75 watts of power. By comparison, Intel’s cheapest server processor is priced at $167.
Obama ramps up international pressure against piracy
U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration will seek to aggressively enforce its intellectual property laws by putting pressure on countries that don’t shut down piracy Web sites and by requiring all government contractors to check for illegal software, the White House announced. The White House Office of the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator said the U.S. government will also step up its efforts to identify foreign Web sites trafficking in pirated goods and will create a database of intellectual property investigations to be shared among law enforcement agencies.
Google Voice now available to all Americans
Google’s telephony management application Google Voice is now open to all U.S. residents, as the company on Tuesday removed the requirement for prospective users to receive an invitation in order to sign up for the service. Already, there are 1 million people with Google Voice accounts. Service features include a single phone number that, when called, rings a person’s multiple lines, such as their home, office and cellular phone. Google Voice also offers voicemail message transcription, free calls to the U.S. and Canada, and low international calling rates.
Clearwire raises funds for 4G network
WiMax service provider Clearwire raised more than US$290 million in a rights offering that expired on Monday, building up its war chest as it continues to deploy a national 4G network. Investors in the offering exercised rights to purchase about 39.7 million shares in the company for an aggregate price of approximately $290.8 million. The rights offering, which commenced last December, could have raised as much as $361 million. Clearwire, which is majority owned by Sprint Nextel, has rolled out commercial WiMax service in 34 markets around the U.S., reaching about 51 million potential subscribers.