News

TeleNav Updates GPS Nav Software for AT&T BlackBerrys, Releases Free “OnMyWay” App

GPS-navigation provider TeleNav has updated its nav-software for BlackBerry users and released a brand new app that helps travelers alert parties at their destinations when they can be expected to arrive. Unfortunately, both apps are initially availa

By Al Sacco

Mar 22, 2010

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Apple Developers, IT Departments Frustrated with iPad

As third-party developers race to meet consumer demand for native iPad apps, IT departments will also be scrambling to certify the iPad in their enterprises. Mac engineers say the rush is caused by Apple being Apple.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 22, 2010

Consumer Electronics MacBook Tablets

The BlackBerry-to-iPhone Switch: Converts Speak

CIO.com's smartphone-watcher Al Sacco found six gadget-geeks who recently made the switch from BlackBerry to iPhone–and two more who went from BlackBerry to iPhone and back again. Their stories shed light on reasons why you might want to switch

By Al Sacco

Mar 22, 2010

Small and Medium Business Smartphones iPhone

Is IT Keeping Up with a Changing Infrastructure?

As IT infrastructures become increasingly converged and components increasingly interdependent, IT admins are still not factoring in the collateral impact of individual changes to the IT environment, said one exec.

By Kathleen Lau

Mar 19, 2010

Cloud Computing Computers and Peripherals IT Strategy

Desktop Virtualization: It’s Microsoft vs. VMware in Cost Smackdown

Virtualization watchers have speculated for years when Microsoft would throw a low-cost blow at arch-rival VMware in the desktop virtualization fight. This week, Microsoft delivered the punch via a new partnership with Citrix.

By Shane O'Neill

Mar 19, 2010

Small and Medium Business Virtualization Windows

How to Know if Your iPhone Battery is on Death Row

The ugly truth about your iPhone battery? It's got a lifespan of less than two years, but may not even last that long if you're careless. Here are expert tips to help you take better care of it – and then know when to send it to that recycl

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 17, 2010

Consumer Electronics Ultrabook iPhone

Xobni for BlackBerry Now Available: Mobile Contact Mgmt. Redefined

BlackBerry users just got a whole new way to store and access contacts on the go: Xobni for BlackBerry. CIO.com's Al Sacco says the new app's a must-have for any and all heavy e-mail users with large contact lists. Here's why.

By Al Sacco

Mar 16, 2010

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Q&A: Inside Microsoft’s Cloud Model for Productivity Apps

Corporate VP of Microsoft Online Services Ron Markezich discusses the joys and pitfalls of productivity apps in the cloud, how to mix your own data center with Microsoft's cloud model, and the rising tide of BPOS competitors. Hint: It's not

By Shane O'Neill

Mar 15, 2010

Cloud Computing Microsoft Office Office Suites

The Cost of Managing Macs vs. PCs: Readers Weigh In

Are Macs really cheaper to manage than PCs? When CIO.com tackled this question recently, readers on both sides of the argument had plenty to say – and raised some issues IT leaders must understand.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 15, 2010

Apple Desktop Virtualization Technology Industry

12 Types of Cell Phone Users That Drive Us Nuts

Maybe you've seen Bluetooth Johnson, the bathroom texter or Han Solo, a.k.a, the holster master, in action. But hopefully, you don't see any of these 12 annoying cell phone characters when you look in the mirror.

By Al Sacco

Mar 11, 2010

Small and Medium Business Smartphones iPhone

GPS Study: Walmart No. 1 U.S. Destination; Maryland Drivers Use GPS Most

GPS-based navigation provider TeleNav today released a new study detailing navigation habits of U.S. consumers. Findings include the most sought-after businesses, top cities and states for GPS-based searches; most popular restaurants; locations with

By Al Sacco

Mar 10, 2010

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Google’s Big New Cloud Play: Should Microsoft Be Afraid?

Microsoft, long the king of productivity apps, has even more to fear from cloud rival Google, thanks to Google's recent acquisition of DocVerse. The key: Google Apps users will be able to access Microsoft Office files on the Web.

By Shane O'Neill

Mar 10, 2010

Cloud Computing Microsoft Office Office Suites

Six Great iPhone Cases

Your iPhone's outerwear can be stylish, practical, or both – but it had better fit your lifestyle. Here's a look at iPhone case options for the frequent traveler, the golfer, the runner, and more. n

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 9, 2010

Consumer Electronics Smartphones iPhone

Are Macs Really Cheaper To Manage Than PCs?

Does "I'm a Mac" mean "I'm less expensive to manage?" An Enterprise Desktop Alliance survey says Macs cost a lot less than PCs to manage — yet Macs come with special challenges for enterprise IT admins.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 8, 2010

Apple Laptops Technology Industry

Bye-Bye Yahoo; T-Mobile BlackBerry Users to Get Google Default Search?

U.S. wireless carrier T-Mobile has reportedly ditched Yahoo as its default search engine on BlackBerry devices. Search giant Google is now expected to provide the default search option for T-Mobile BlackBerry users.

By Al Sacco

Mar 8, 2010 2 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Mac vs. PC: Which Is Really Cheaper?

An Enterprise Desktop Alliance survey shows Macs cost a lot less than PCs to manage, yet Macs come with special challenges for IT admins.

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 7, 2010

Apple Computers and Peripherals Technology Industry

Microsoft Round-Up: Ballmer’s on Cloud 9, Office 2010 Upgrades, Twitter Talk

This week, Microsoft committed to cloud computing, Office 2010 free upgrades were announced and alleged Verizon 'Pink' phones got plenty of buzz. CIO.com's Shane O'Neill rounds up Microsoft stories from the past week.

By Shane O'Neill

Mar 5, 2010 3 mins

Cloud Computing Microsoft Office Office Suites

Sony Takes Aim at Apple iPhone, iPad and iTunes

Although under siege and late to the game, Sony still might woo consumers with new products that largely mimic Apple products if the price is right, says one analyst.n

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 4, 2010

Consumer Electronics Small and Medium Business Ultrabook

SharePoint 2010: More Cloud-Friendly than Past Versions

SharePoint's many moving pieces have not traditionally fit neatly into the cloud. But SharePoint 2010 addresses that problem u2014 with three key changes.

By Shane O'Neill

Mar 3, 2010

Cloud Computing Microsoft Office Office Suites

12 Types of Tech Zealots: How to Spot Them in the Wild

Maybe you know Apple fanboys, but can you tell an Oracle high flyer from a Salesforce.com disciple? An IBMer from an SAP enthusiast? Mix them up in a work or social setting and you could be conversation roadkill. Here's our highly unofficial gui

By Thomas Wailgum

Mar 3, 2010

Data Center

Six Hidden iPhone Shortcuts

The Tiger Text app, designed to zap incriminating text messages, isn't foolproof if your significant other knows the right iPhone tricks — which got us thinking about other little-known iPhone shortcuts. Here's our guide to six of the hand

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 2, 2010

Browsers Consumer Electronics Small and Medium Business

BlackBerry Security Basics: Five Tips to Keep Your Smartphone Safe

BlackBerry smartphones are known for security, but if you don't know the common gotchas, your new or "unsecured" BlackBerry device could be a disaster waiting to happen. CIO.com's "CrackBerry" addict Al Sacco offers five

By Al Sacco

Mar 2, 2010 10 mins

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

CIO Exec Council: LifeLabs’ Small-Project Delivery Strategy

The big projects at LifeLabs, as at most companies, were always the ones that got the attention and resources. But that never made the smaller projects any less necessary. Maurizio Laudisa, CIO of LifeLabs, created the Release Management Strategy to

By CIO Executive Council

Mar 1, 2010

IT Strategy

CIO Exec Council: Battling Lack of IT Understanding

Your feedback on the CIO paradox, that troublesome set of contradictions that often frustrate you in performing your role, has been impassioned and thought-provoking. Several CIOs who responded to the January column saw potential solutions in educati

By CIO Executive Council

Mar 1, 2010

IT Strategy

CIO Exec Council: How to Turn IT Staff Into Business Participants

Mazda CIO Jim DiMarzio says just getting into the business meetings isn't enough.

By CIO Executive Council

Mar 1, 2010

IT Strategy

CIO Exec Council: IT Shops Gear Up for Greater Success

Three CIOs share plans for moving IT forwardn

By CIO Executive Council

Mar 1, 2010

IT Strategy

Macs in Enterprise: Management Headaches Linger

Even as the number of Macs in the enterprise rises, some management challenges remain. Will a cross-vendor developer alliance help? For some customers, desktop virtualization provides a shortcut to a mixed environment.n

By Tom Kaneshige

Mar 1, 2010

Consumer Electronics Laptops Operating Systems

BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) Keeps Chilean Quake-Affected Connected

BlackBerry-specific instant messaging application BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) was one of "the only effective methods of communication" in Chile following last weekend's devastating earthquake, according to a Miami newspaper.

By Al Sacco

Mar 1, 2010

Carriers Small and Medium Business Smartphones

More enterprises are seeing the benefits of layering social networking tools into SharePoint. How can you customize SharePoint and make it more social? Two large organizations share tales from the trenches.

By Shane O'Neill

Feb 26, 2010

Microsoft Office Office Suites Social Networking Apps

Was Apple’s Bikini Ban Too Reactionary?

An app developer gets swept up in Apple's raid on "sexy apps" and becomes collateral damage for four days before Apple mysteriously reinstates the app.

By Tom Kaneshige

Feb 26, 2010

Consumer Electronics Risk Management iPhone

BlackBerry Quick Tip: How to Archive, Organize App World Software

BlackBerry smartphone users can free up valuable software storage space by "archiving" App World mobile applications they don't use frequently on external memory cards for easy future access. Here's how to archive those apps, as w

By Al Sacco

Feb 25, 2010 4 mins

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Parallels Stakes Out Tricky Spot in the Cloud

Parallels, best known for its desktop virtualization software, is betting its future on software for cloud services providers. But despite some high-profile customers, such as Go Daddy, Parallels customers face giant competition in the race to provid

By Laurianne McLaughlin

Feb 25, 2010

Cloud Computing Virtualization

Windows 7 Enterprise Upgrades: The Costs and the Benefits

A study conducted by Forrester Consulting concludes that the return on Windows 7 migrations will be well worth the investment. Meanwhile, Microsoft pushes application virtualization tools to motivate Windows 7 and Office 2010 fence-sitters.

By Shane O'Neill

Feb 24, 2010

IT Leadership Small and Medium Business Windows

Recovery May Drive SOA

Atul Saini, CEO and CTO of Fiorano Software, shares with CIO his vision for BPM and SOA for the Indian CIOs.

By Kanika Goswami

Feb 23, 2010

BPM Systems

If you crave advice on sculpting the perfect mustache, revel in the dark and mysterious world of vampires or seek a divorce from your partner, yes, there's a social network for that. Here are 10 weird and truly niche social networking sites that

By Kristin Burnham

Feb 22, 2010

Analytics Social Networking Apps

Why RIM’s New BlackBerry “Tour2 9650” Should Be the Next BlackBerry Bold

New rumors suggest the upcoming BlackBerry device known only as the "9650," or the "Tour2," an upgraded version of the BlackBerry Tour 9630, could be officially named the "Bold 9650/9750." CIO.com's BlackBerry watch

By Al Sacco

Feb 22, 2010

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Fighting the Dark Side: Tech’s Heroes and Villains

The hero and the villain. It's the age-old formula that pervades today's reality TV showdowns, the shenanigans of professional wrestling and cinematic classics like Star Wars. Tech is no different, with its passionate heroes who balance pro

By Shane O'Neill

Feb 19, 2010

IT Leadership

BlackBerry Travel Apps: 10 Must-Have Downloads

Before your next trip, check out 10 of the best travel-minded mobile applications for BlackBerry smartphones. CIO.com's road warrior Al Sacco shares details and download information.

By Al Sacco

Feb 19, 2010 7 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business Software Development

Microsoft SharePoint: Three Tips for Making It Behave

Microsoft Sharepoint 2010 debuts in a few months u2014 but many enterprises still haven't made the most of their current SharePoint implementations. Consider this advice to get a grip on this complex software and the forthcoming upgrade.

By Shane O'Neill

Feb 18, 2010

Microsoft Office Office Suites Social Networking Apps

Free Amazon Kindle for BlackBerry App Now Available

Online retailer Amazon.com today released a brand new Kindle e-reader application for BlackBerry smartphones that gives users access to more than 400,000 Kindle digital books, most of which sell for around $10.

By Al Sacco

Feb 18, 2010 3 mins

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Five Great Apple iPhone and Mac Accessories

Cool iPhone accessories aren't just for Apple fan boys. At last week's Macworld show, we spotted five cool new toys – from crazy cases to a gizmo that turns an iPhone into a machine that can swipe credit cards and process purchases.

By Tom Kaneshige

Feb 17, 2010

Computers and Peripherals Consumer Electronics iPhone

Uncle Sam Wants You! (To Quit Smoking) And He’s Giving Away BlackBerrys to Help

An anti-smoking group in Washington, D.C., is reportedly giving away brand new BlackBerry smartphones as part of a new "economic stimulus" plan meant to help smokers kick the habit.

By Al Sacco

Feb 17, 2010

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Verizon BlackBerry, DROID Users to Get Skype App…Is There a Catch?

U.S. carrier Verizon Wireless yesterday announced a new partnership with Skype which will give piles of Verizon BlackBerry and DROID users access to a "free" app for unlimited calling to other Skype users. But CIO.com's Al Sacco suspec

By Al Sacco

Feb 17, 2010

Small and Medium Business Smartphones VoIP

RIM Teases New BlackBerry Browser at MWC: Faster JavaScript, AJAX, More

BlackBerry-maker RIM today took the wraps off its much-anticipated BlackBerry browser based on the open-source WebKit engine. The BlackBerry browser has long been criticized for its shortcomings, but RIM's hoping the new version's improved

By Al Sacco

Feb 16, 2010

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

RIM Touts New, “Free” BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) Express for SMBs

BlackBerry-maker RIM today unveiled a new, slimmed-down version of its BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) software for corporate mail deployments. The new software, BES Express, will be available for free, and it's meant to provide some of the c

By Al Sacco

Feb 16, 2010

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Microsoft Round Up: Win7 Users Grumble, Bing Up, WinMo7 to See Light of Day

Microsoft tried to appease Windows 7 users griping about poor battery readings. Meanwhile, the Blue Screen of Death showed up on XP machines. Good news is that a sneak peek of Windows Mobile 7 is set for Monday and Bing gained market share. CIO.com&#

By Shane O'Neill

Feb 12, 2010

Operating Systems Small and Medium Business Windows

Are iPhone Hackers Lying in Wait?

nA new survey shows the fallibility of iPhone owners when it comes to security.n

By Tom Kaneshige

Feb 12, 2010

Consumer Electronics Mobile Small and Medium Business

Twitter for BlackBerry: 8 Keyboard Shortcuts–And 5 That Are Missing

RIM's new Twitter for BlackBerry app, currently in beta, packs a handful of very basic keyboard shortcuts to help users easily reply to and repost messages with just a few clicks, as well as speedily navigate the app–but the new BlackBerry Twit

By Al Sacco

Feb 12, 2010 5 mins

Data Center Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Bing Gains Hollow as Microsoft Online Bleeds Millions

Microsoft Bing's piece of the U.S. search market keeps growing bit by bit, but Microsoft is a long way from profiting from it as its online services division loses hundreds of millions each quarter.

By Shane O'Neill

Feb 11, 2010

Internet

Vancouver 2010: An Exclusive Tour of the Technology Operations Center

More than 100,000 hours of testing has been completed to ensure the technology that makes the Olympics tick will run without a bobble. Here's an inside look at this gold metal setup.

By Kristin Burnham

Feb 11, 2010

Data Center