Apple hires Yahoo data center chief

Apple has hired Scott Noteboom, the chief of Yahoo's Global Data Center Infrastructure, away from the Web company.Noteboom, who had led Yahoo's data center operations since 2005, is now a "distinguished gentleman" at Apple, according to his LinkedIn profile. The job change was first reported by GigaOm.He will likely be tasked with prepping Apple's servers as it ramps up its iCloud and iTunes push. Noteboom was the chief architect and founder of Yahoo's "data center self construct / operate initiatives," according to a conference bio on Noteboom."He also managed over 10x growth of the companies data center / compute operating footprint, leading teams that installed and support multi hundred thousand hosts. Scott's duties include managing all aspects of the data center lifecycle-- from design, construction, operations, to de-commissions," it said.Apple has spent reportedly $1 billion to build a 500,000-square-foot behemoth of a data center in Maiden, N.C., which some have begun calling the "orchard." Apple hasn't said how it will use the server farm, but there is speculation that it will power the cloud services that Apple is working on, according to numerous sources. Apple representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Apple hires 'expert on sleep research' for iWatch -- report

Apple has reportedly hired a self-proclaimed "expert on sleep research."Roy J.E.M Raymann, formerly of Philips Research, has joined Apple to help the company build out the featureset in its long-rumored iWatch, 9to5Mac reported on Tuesday, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the hiring. Although 9to5Mac's sources didn't know exactly what Raymann would do at Apple, his resume suggests he'll help the iWatch team with body tracking.Raymann appears to have quite a resume. According to his LinkedIn page, he holds a Ph.D. in the "interaction between sleep and thermoregulation" and has spent much of his career conducting research on sleep, activity, and physiological responses. He has also worked on sensors that can track those types of activity.Raymann joined Philips Research in 2008, leading the company's sleep research. He also founded the company's sleep research facility.Rumors have been swirling for months that Apple is working on a wearable device. The so-called iWatch, which would reportedly feature integration with iOS devices, could come with sensors to monitory activity, according to reports.CNET has contacted Apple for comment on the report. We will update this story when we have more information.An iWatch with the look of a fitness band...See full gallery1 - 4 / 7NextPrev