Intel reportedly is negotiating to acquire chip maker Altera, a deal that would be the company’s largest since buying security software maker McAfee in 2011 for $7.7 billion.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the deal for Altera would be in the range of $10.4 billion, and would bring together two chip companies that have had a growing relationship over the past couple of years. There were no details regarding terms or a timetable for closing the deal in the report.
Microsoft recently launched its new Microsoft Azure for student developers offer, which gives students free access to the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. Microsoft Azure for students is being administered through the company’s Imagine program. Through the program, Microsoft reaches out to student developers and holds an annual Imagine Cup competition awarding top student developers from all over the world.
Eneco, an energy company, and Nerdalize, a technology startup, both based in the Netherlands, are the latest companies to test whether housing network servers in residences can help families reduce their heating costs as the systems run their workloads. Eneco is installing radiator-size servers that the energy company is calling eRadiators in five homes in the country. The companies expect that the program will reduce the compute costs for Nerdalize customers by 30 percent to 55 percent, while bringing enough free heat to the homes to reportedly shave more than $400 off the families’ energy bills.
Google has entered into a collaborative agreement with Johnson & Johnson to develop surgical robots and improve information delivery to surgeons during operations. Under the agreement, announced March 27, Google’s Life Sciences Team will work with Ethicon, a medical device subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson to develop technology designed to aid surgeons, patients and the health care system, Johnson & Johnson said in a statement.
The two companies will bring together their intellectual property and expertise to create robot-assisted surgical platforms to enhance surgeons’ skills in the operating room, according to the statement.