THE NEWS WRAP: Google adds Docker to its cloud computing services

Google is throwing its weight behind Docker, an open source technology that’s one of the hottest new ideas in the world of cloud computing.

Docker allows applications to be isolated in terms of their access to computing resources without using virtual machines, is built on a technology called LXC (Linux Containers), and allows for them to be moved rapidly from machine to machine.

Google is set to incorporate Docker into its cloud computing services.

Amazon expands its online payments service

The e-commerce giant will start managing subscription payments for startups and other companies.

The service will allow the company’s users to use credit card details stored on Amazon.com to pay for services such as a monthly phone bill or a digital music subscription.

Finance startup Affirm raises $45 million

PayPal co-founder Max Levchin has raised $45 million for startup Affirm.

With Affirm, Levchin says his ambition is to completely reinvent consumer finance.

Affirm will offer instant lines of credit to qualified applicants at the point of sale, with a verification process that would take three to four seconds after vetting someone’s phone number and date of birth.

Overnight

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 18.82 to 16,943.10. The Australian dollar is currently trading at US94 cents.