News

Chief Digital Officers: Friend or Foe for the CIO? 

The rising tide of hiring CDOs, who bring marketing, e-commerce and sales backgrounds to the C-suite, could eclipse the strategic importance of CIOs. Here's how Best Buy, Starbucks and OfficeMax are taking advtage of this new dynamic duo to brin

By Maryfran Johnson

Feb 21, 2013 3 mins

E-commerce Software

Why CMOs Won’t Control Your IT Budget

CIOs are partnering with their marketing chiefs more than ever, but theyu2019re not waiting around for marching orders. Getting to know the customer is job one for them, too.

By Adam Dennison

Feb 21, 2013 3 mins

Budgeting

How to Add Payment Processing to Your Small Business Website

Once you've built a website for your small business, it's a good idea to add a payment processor, both to make things easier for customers and to open yourself up to additional sales opportunities. Here's a guide to using ClickBank to

By Nathan Segal

Feb 21, 2013 8 mins

E-commerce Software Retail Industry Small and Medium Business

3 Top Android App Store Alternatives to Google Play

If Google's Play Store just isn't doing the job for you, check out one of these Android app marketplace alternatives. But beware: You'll need to change your device's security settings for at least one of these app shops—a

By James A. Martin

Feb 20, 2013 3 mins

Android Smartphones

BlackBerry Z10 Production Cost ‘Estimated’ at $15 More Than iPhone 5

A new teardown of the BlackBerry Z10 smartphone suggests it costs $15 more to build than the iPhone 5. But production cost and retail price won't mean much to potential BlackBerry buyers if BlackBerry can't overcome one significant challeng

By Al Sacco

Feb 20, 2013 2 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Infographic: BYOD’s Dirty Little Secret

Are your employees taking liberties with their BYOD expense reporting?

By Tom Kaneshige

Feb 20, 2013 1 min

Careers Personal Software

Twitter Talks Security After Burger King, Jeep Hacks

Following the hacks of Burger King's and Jeep's Twitter pages, Twitter reminds users of password security best practices.

By Kristin Burnham

Feb 20, 2013 2 mins

Social Networking Apps Twitter

Knomo Kobe Laptop Messenger Bag is Stylish, Sleek and Soft

The full-grain leather Knomo Kobe messenger bag is stylish, functional and surprisingly comfortable to carry, according to blogger Paul Mah.

By Paul Mah

Feb 20, 2013 2 mins

Laptops Tablets

10 Free Android Apps for Easy Task Management

Busy? Of course you are. Own an Android tablet? Then one of these 10 free task management apps will help you organize your business and professional lives.

By Vangie Beal

Feb 20, 2013 7 mins

Android Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Does BYOD Cost Too Much?

It's a good bet you don't know how much your company is spending on all those "Bring Your Own Device" smartphones and tablets. Even worse, it's probably too much, says a mobility management expert.

By Tom Kaneshige

Feb 20, 2013 6 mins

Budgeting Careers Small and Medium Business

Chinese Government’s Link to Cyber Espionage Clearer Than Ever

It's a common belief in the information security world that the Chinese government is behind many of the advanced persistent threats that target companies around the world in an effort to steal their IP and trade secrets. Now one security firm h

By Thor Olavsrud

Feb 20, 2013 8 mins

Data Breach Intellectual Property Intrusion Detection Software

Is Your Cloud System a Mess? Our Self-Assessment Tool Will Tell You

Your cloud-based system may have been in use for seven years or more. It probably needs a tune-up. Let's see what kind of shape it's in and what you need to do to make it run like new.

By David Taber

Feb 20, 2013 6 mins

Cloud Management Developer Hybrid Cloud

Researchers Find Way to Pinpoint Location Where Online Video was Shot

Researchers are currently working on a software program that can analyze online video and pinpoint the location where it was captured. The idea is a novel one, but CIO.com blogger Bill Snyder wonders if it represents another blow to Internet-user pri

By Bill Snyder

Feb 19, 2013 3 mins

Consumer Electronics Privacy

US Military Creates Medal for Cyber-Combat Veterans

The U.S. military's first new combat-related award since 1944, The Distinguished Warfare Medal, is being awarded to soldiers who stare at computer screens and/or fly remote controlled-aircraft.

By Constantine von Hoffman

Feb 19, 2013 4 mins

Security

CIOs Offer Career Advice

Who better to advise you than your CIO peers?

By Martha Heller

Feb 19, 2013 5 mins

CIO IT Jobs IT Strategy

Weather Channel Android App Gets New Features, Bests iOS Versions

The Weather Channel's updated Android mobile app trumps the iPhone and iPad versions in terms of user interface and overall information, according to CIO.com blogger James A. Martin.

By James A. Martin

Feb 19, 2013 2 mins

Android Smartphones iPhone

Flash Storage Offers Fast Path to VDI, Better App Performance

As traditional storage environments hinder application performance and increase latency, enterprises are turning to flash storage to improve performance and implement virtual desktop infrastructure. More widespread use of flash storage, though, may r

By John Moore

Feb 19, 2013 8 mins

SAN Virtualization

Ensure Cloud Application Resilience the Netflix Way

These days, there's no such thing as a stable system, especially in the cloud. But most outages can be blamed on application architecture, not infrastructure. To combat this, do what Netflix does: Put your apps through a ringer that breaks them

By Bernard Golden

Feb 19, 2013 7 mins

Cloud Management Developer System Management

Being an introvert isn't the end of the world or your career. However, to be successful in the IT field today, you've got to overcome shyness and learn that it's OK to ask for (and offer) help.

By Rich Hein

Feb 19, 2013 8 mins

CIO Mentoring Small and Medium Business

6 Innovations That Will Change Healthcare

When economists, data scientists and medical professionals team up, the result is often remarkable innovation. These six examples from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Future of Health and Wellness Conference could change the way pati

By Brian Eastwood

Feb 18, 2013 11 mins

Big Data Healthcare Industry Innovation

The How-To Guide to Windows 8

From a rundown of Windows 8 multi-touch interface features to enterprise upgrade challenges to Microsoft's homemade Surface Windows 8 devices, CIO.com's Ultimate Guide for Windows 8 covers it all. Our guide delivers expert reviews, advice o

By Shane O'Neill

Feb 15, 2013 8 mins

Encryption Malware Small and Medium Business

9 Tips for How to Use Operating Level Agreements in Multisourcing

The rise of multisourcing has thrust operating level agreements in the IT outsourcing spotlight. But establishing OLAs among service providers can be difficult.

By Stephanie Overby

Feb 15, 2013 6 mins

IT Leadership IT Strategy Outsourcing

5 LinkedIn Tips for How to Resign From Your Job Gracefully

How you handle your last days at a company can cast a lasting impression on your professional reputation. Here are the dos and don'ts of leaving, plus tips for tying up loose ends on LinkedIn.

By Kristin Burnham

Feb 15, 2013 4 mins

LinkedIn Relationship Building Social Networking Apps

Certificate Authorities Form Group to Educate on SSL Best Practices

Responding to the increasing number of threats aimed at certificate authorities and the ecosystem of trusted online transactions they represent, seven certificate authorities have come together to form an advocacy group to advance security standards

By Thor Olavsrud

Feb 15, 2013 3 mins

Data Breach Encryption Intrusion Detection Software

Microsoft Surface Pro Has Problems But Also Big Promise

The Microsoft Surface Pro tries to be a tablet and an ultrabook, but it brings out the worst in both devices. If Microsoft gets v2.0 right, though, people may be willing to replace their iPads.

By Rob Enderle

Feb 15, 2013 5 mins

Laptops MacBook Small and Medium Business

Google’s Panicky Flu Estimates Were Dead Wrong

Google Flu Trends overestimated the spread of the flu epidemic by nearly 100 percent. So much for the wisdom of crowds.

By Bill Snyder

Feb 14, 2013 2 mins

Consumer Electronics Internet

TV Alert Systems Warn of Zombie Attack After Hack

This week's cybersecurity news roundup has stories on TV alerts in Montana and Michigan that warned of an outbreak of the living dead; cybercrooks planting malware on IT sites; state-sponsored attacks on Myanmar reporters' email; and more.

By Constantine von Hoffman

Feb 14, 2013 4 mins

Security

iPhone Passcode Lock Hacked Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

A security flaw in Apple's iOS 6.1 software lets hackers bypass iPhone passcode locks. CIO.com blogger James A. Martin spotlights three iPhone security apps that can help protect your data until Apple issues a fix.

By James A. Martin

Feb 14, 2013 2 mins

iPhone

How to Increase Your Online Sales With A/B Testing

The A/B testing process lets you determine what words, phrases, images or other elements of a Web page lead to the most sales conversions. To help you improve your online market strategy, this article provides an overview of the A/B process and offer

By Nathan Segal

Feb 14, 2013 8 mins

E-commerce Software Enterprise Applications Marketing

14 tips for selling software and services online

Having a great app or service doesn't guarantee success. How do you get your software or digital offering in front of buyers? Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), traditional software sales and marketing pros share their suggestions for how you can imp

By Jennifer Lonoff Schiff

Feb 14, 2013 8 mins

E-commerce Software Internet Marketing

Obama Name Checks Cybersecurity in State of the Union

President Obama's comments on cybersecurity in his most recent State of the Union address sounded good, but unfortunately they probably confused more people than they enlightened.

By Constantine von Hoffman

Feb 13, 2013 3 mins

Security

FedEx, a company with a strong social media presence, pokes fun at social media strategists in its newest TV commercial. Is it funny or offensive?

By Kristin Burnham

Feb 13, 2013 2 mins

Social Networking Apps

Verizon Rates Best and Worst iOS, Android Apps

Verizon Wireless wants to help you find the best mobile apps and avoid the deadbeats. The wireless carrier is doing a good job, but CIO.com blogger James A. Martin says it could go a bit further in serving as a valuable app resource. Here's how.

By James A. Martin

Feb 13, 2013 3 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business

Buy Valentine’s Day Love with a Custom Pink iPhone 5

Can't buy me love? Bah. Designer Amosu Couture thinks its pink Valentine's Day iPhone could help redirect Cupid's arrow your way. The custom smartphone certainly isn't for the weak of wallet, though, with a price of $2330&#151

By Al Sacco

Feb 13, 2013 2 mins

Small and Medium Business Smartphones iPhone

Tim Cook Grabs Spotlight, Lifts Apple’s Sagging Image

Apple CEO Tim Cook was a man on the move this week – at the State of the Union Address and at a Goldman Sachs tech conference – touting Apple's new push for affordability.

By Tom Kaneshige

Feb 13, 2013 3 mins

Innovation iPad iPhone

6 Reasons to Pay for Open Source Software

Open source software is free to download, modify and use, but that doesn't mean it's not worth paying for sometimes. If you're using open source software in a commercial, enterprise capacity, here are six reasons why you should pay for

By Paul Rubens

Feb 13, 2013 6 mins

Linux Open Source VoIP

T-Mobile Exec on Why Its 4G LTE-Launch Timing is ‘Perfect’

T-Mobile says its upcoming LTE network will cover 200 million Americans by 2014 and will provide a better experience than its rival carrier's LTE networks, some of which have been available for more than a year. If those claims are accurate, its

By Al Sacco

Feb 13, 2013 3 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Can New Software Testing Frameworks Bring Us to Provably Correct Software?

Sixty-five years after the birth of ENIAC, software controls airplanes, pacemakers and missile systems–and it's buggy. Nonetheless, provably correct software has come a long way, and a variety of emerging software testing frameworks and methodo

By Matthew Heusser

Feb 13, 2013 10 mins

Agile Development IT Governance IT Governance Frameworks

15 Top Cities for Tech Startups

If you're considering working for a tech startup or launching one of your own and need to know where the venture capital is flowing, one of these cities may soon be the place you call home.

By Rich Hein

Feb 13, 2013 8 mins

Careers Venture Capital

Microsoft Surface Pro Shortages Cast Shadow Over Launch

Microsoft's scarcity of 128GB Surface Pro devices in retail has frustrated shoppers and drawn accusations of a publicity stunt. It's a shame because people want to buy the Surface Pro, if only Microsoft would let them.

By Shane O'Neill

Feb 12, 2013 4 mins

Laptops Small and Medium Business Tablets

New CIOs at EMC, NBC Universal, Avaya and More

Some companies value soft skills over an exact experience match.

By Martha Heller

Feb 12, 2013 4 mins

CIO IT Jobs IT Strategy

US Lobbyists Write EU Online-Privacy Law

The European Union is working with the American Chamber of Commerce, Amazon and eBay to write a new online privacy policy.

By Constantine von Hoffman

Feb 12, 2013 3 mins

Privacy Security

The How-To Guide for Facebook

Our Facebook guide delivers expert analysis on the latest Facebook developments, helpful tips, tricks and how-tos, and the latest updates on privacy, Facebook apps and more.

By Kristin Burnham

Feb 12, 2013 26 mins

Facebook Privacy Social Networking Apps

FIDO Alliance Says, ‘Forget Passwords!’

The username-password approach to online security is more problem than cure, according to Fast Identity Online, a new industry alliance that plans to streamline and enhance online authentication with an open, standards-based protocol.

By Thor Olavsrud

Feb 12, 2013 5 mins

Biometrics Data and Information Security Malware

3 Deep, Dark Secrets of Cloud Computing

Everybody uses the cloud. How can there be any secrets? Many companies had to learn these three little lessons the hard way, but there's no reason your business can't learn from those mistakes.

By David Taber

Feb 12, 2013 6 mins

CRM Systems Cloud Management Developer

HPCC Takes on Hadoop’s Big Data Dominance

Hadoop is everywhere, but a strong competitor is making headway in the market. It's all thanks to years of production use and a solid big data pedigree that powers the billion-dollar LexisNexis database.

By Allen Bernard

Feb 12, 2013 7 mins

Big Data Data Warehousing Developer

Apple Updates iOS to Fix iPhone 4S Glitch

Relax iPhone 4S users, a simple update will protect you from connectivity problems associated with Apple’s new software.

By Bill Snyder

Feb 11, 2013 3 mins

Small and Medium Business Smartphones iPhone

Google, Apple Targeting Geeks with Wearable Computers

If clothes are fashion statements, wearable technology makes you a geek – and that's okay.

By Tom Kaneshige

Feb 11, 2013 2 mins

Consumer Electronics Mobile Small and Medium Business

BlackBerry Z10 Available in the US Today…for $1000 on Solavei

Solavei, T-Mobile's contract-free mobile service provider, today became the first vendor to sell the BlackBerry Z10 smartphone in the United States. But it's $1000 price tag puts it out of reach for many wireless customers.

By Al Sacco

Feb 11, 2013 2 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Putting Microsoft Office 365 to Work on iOS and Android

CIO.com blogger James A. Martin put Microsoft's Office 365 document-editing and creation tools through the paces on an iPad and Android device. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. Here's why.

By James A. Martin

Feb 11, 2013 3 mins

Small and Medium Business Tablets Windows