Apple counts $1bn for mystery data center

Apple is prepping a new US data center that may cost as much as $1bn, which would nearly double what Google typically spends on the mega data centers backing its web-based applications and services. Based on its price, the new server farm would dwarf the former WorldCom/MCI data center it bought in Newark, California back in …

[Nate Amsden]

efficient

What takes $1 billion for Apple Google probably can do in $80 mil with data centers..

[James]

@ Nate Amsden, first post

Cue the religious war no one really cares about...

I've got my own computer (unspecified), I like it so fuck you corporate religious bum toys.

[The Cube]

When will politicians learn?

That a data centre in their deprived region provides jobs for a few security guards and maybe some physical equipment install. If your area does not already have the sort of folks who can design and operate such a facility, they will do it remotely rather than move to your festering dump of a town / state / county / country. A big building with a serious fence and security cameras is not going to automagically create a 'high tech economy' out of the people who didn't make it out of your town.

So, $46m over a decade for, being generous, a maximum of 100 local jobs, including the 'posititve impacts on the local economy' is going to cost the state $46,000 per job year. Well, wouldn't it be cheaper just to pay them a salary direct?

[Matthew]

riight

If it has to be put in one of the states poorest counties surely they would have trouble finding skilled labour?

Does it really matter where they put it? Jobs are jobs

[Mark]

Heart's in the right place

The theory about attracting companies to low income neighbourhoods is a sound one using tax breaks. However this looks like someone is taking a backhander given how few jobs would be created.

[MacRat]

Mystery?

Is this different from the "mystery" data center in Fremont, CA?

You can't keep all your data in one location.

[jai]

@nate

ODFO

[Anonymous Coward]

Server Voice Recognition Processing relayed back to the phone as commands

Looks like iphone is getting Voice Recognition with a twist. The Voice Analysis is to take place on a Server Farm translated into commands which are relayed back to the phone. Thats the only reason this server farm would cost this much.

This allows the iphone to have near perfect voice analysis.

ie. 'Add Jame May as a contact, this phone number is 0201112222' this is voice data is processed by the server, and sent back as a series of commands to the phone to add the contact (and probably added to your mobileme account too)

James May, telephone number etc. It then appears the iphone has very clever voice processing when processing is taking place on the server side.

[Anonymous Coward]

Push Notification

Don't know why el-reg is saying this is for something "secret", it'll probably be to support the expanded push notification services on iphone 3.0.

[Anonymous Coward]

No stupid bloody title

$1 bil apple craps = how much in PC's for the same workload ?

[Anonymous Coward]

Hmmm?

Aren't poor places usually poor for a reason?

Anyone with any sense would have left, which leaves unskilled workers.

[Lionel Baden]

@the cube

Actually sticking a large data center will help an area just by association !

The council tax it will bring it wil boost the surrounding area and telecommunications will be improved nearby

Not only security guards they will also need canteen staff cleaners etc etc etc

So yes they will bring in expert staff and then build nice new developments for them also improving the area

so for once I am happy to go along with th politicos on this one because although they are doing it their usual way (Downright sneaky and probably illegal) its ending up doing the right thing !!

p.s. sorry to all grammer nazi's !

[Anonymous Coward]

re: Hmmm?

Sometimes, when the place is nice enough, like the mountains and foothills of NC, people stay for the view, the pace of life and good neighbors. Reaping that sort of psychic income is requires separation from one's computing device for an hour or two now and then.

[Stephen Gray]

@By Anonymous Coward No stupid bloody title

Err I'm pretty sure they use servers in a data centre not PC's Mac or otherwise

[Player_16]

You know what it will look like...

... a big seamless, silver, windowless box with rectangular outlines with no knobs for doors.

Cool.