News

Windows 8 Is Launching? Time to Go Buy a Windows 7 PC

Windows 8 PCs will flood the market early next week, but you'll save money and avoid a lot of aggravation by buying a Windows 7 PC now.

By Bill Snyder

Oct 24, 2012 4 mins

Laptops Small and Medium Business Windows

CIO.com talks to CIO 100 Award winners Vanguard and Healthcare Businesswomen's Association to find out how social networking has affected communication and collaboration within the enterprise.

By Jennifer Lonoff Schiff

Oct 24, 2012 8 mins

CIO Collaboration Software Small and Medium Business

5 Gmail Tricks to Boost Productivity

Even if you know your way around Gmail, there is always more to learn. These tips will help you save time and streamline your workflow with features that let you quickly unsubscribe from email, keep your account secure and more.

By Kristin Burnham

Oct 24, 2012 5 mins

Enterprise Applications Internet Social Networking Apps

Microsoft Brings Big Data to Windows

Microsoft, with the help of partner Hortonworks, brings Hadoop to Windows and stakes its claim as a vendor of big data technologies with new cloud-based and on-premises offerings.

By Thor Olavsrud

Oct 24, 2012 5 mins

Business Intelligence Cloud Computing Data Center

How to Use a Moneyball Approach to Build a Better IT Team

The adage, 'all of the good ones are taken' also applies to IT hiring. If you're not Google or Apple and you can't offer tech giant perks, you can level the playing field and build a great development team by taking a page from Mo

By Rich Hein

Oct 24, 2012 6 mins

CIO IT Jobs IT Skills

Oracle Pitches Federal CIOs Secure Cloud Services

Oracle is working to position itself as a leading cloud service provider to federal government clients tasked with major IT initiatives that include moving to the cloud with tight or declining budgets.

By Kenneth Corbin

Oct 24, 2012 4 mins

CIO Government Government IT

CIO.com goes undercover (sort of) at GrrCon, the Midwest's premier conference on penetration testing and software security, to learn about cloud security, hacking, lock picking and more.

By Matthew Heusser

Oct 24, 2012 7 mins

Cybercrime Data and Information Security Malware

Does Facebook’s Survey Mean It Really Does Care About You?

A notification on users' Facebook pages asks them to take a survey about the social network's user experience. Does this mean Facebook is finally focusing on what users want?

By Kristin Burnham

Oct 23, 2012 2 mins

Facebook Social Networking Apps

The iPad Mini Puts Apple in a Pickle

The cost of the $329 iPad Mini will determine its future – and maybe Apple's, too. In the near term, the iPad Mini could have a big holiday season, but it will run the risk of cannibalizing regular iPad sales, according to one veteran tech analy

By Tom Kaneshige

Oct 23, 2012 3 mins

Consumer Electronics Innovation Tablets

Cloud and BYOD Security Concerns Make Military and Intelligence Agencies Hesitate

Citing security issues, IT leaders at Department of Defense and National Security Agency warn that BYOD policies and public clouds are a long way from taking hold in environments rife with classified information.

By Kenneth Corbin

Oct 23, 2012 6 mins

Government Government IT Small and Medium Business

As Mobile Grows, So Does Cloud Computing

As PC sales decline and smartphone and tablet sales climb, the world of computing is poised for a dramatic shift. While mobile users do, in fact, 'compute' with their devices, application data and functionality actually reside in the cloud.

By Bernard Golden

Oct 23, 2012 7 mins

Internet of Things RFID Smartphones

3 Things You Need to Know About Windows 8, Windows RT and Microsoft-Tablet Apps

Confused about Windows 8? You’re not alone. Here’s a quick guide on what to expect from Microsoft’s new operating systems, as well as which OS is best suited for you.

By James A. Martin

Oct 22, 2012 3 mins

Small and Medium Business Tablets Windows

Obama and Romney are Neck and Neck…in the Malware Race

Thanks to a new malicious email claiming to be from CNN, Mitt Romney and President Obama are now equally popular targets for hackers looking to distribute malware to unsuspecting victims.

By Constantine von Hoffman

Oct 22, 2012 2 mins

Malware Mobile Security Phishing

Google’s New ‘Nexus 4’ Phone; ‘Nexus 10’ Tablet; and Android 4.2

Google is holding a media event in New York next week, and the company will reportedly announce a new version of its Android OS, v4.2; a new Nexus smartphone; new versions of its Nexus 7 tablet; and a larger 10-inch Android tablet.

By Al Sacco

Oct 22, 2012 4 mins

Small and Medium Business Smartphones Tablets

Does the Rise of the CMO Threaten CIOs?

Marketing professionals are bullish about new technologies and won't let IT slow them down. CIOs must navigate this transition carefully or risk losing status within the organization.

By Jeff Vance

Oct 22, 2012 8 mins

Business IT Alignment CIO Small and Medium Business

Are Mobile Apps Leaving Quality Assurance Practices Behind?

Consumerization of IT and BYOD have increasingly put IT organizations on the hook to deliver continuous access to employees and customers. But despite the focus on mobility, quality assurance of mobile apps is being left behind. n

By Thor Olavsrud

Oct 22, 2012 5 mins

Developer Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Can the Government Handle Big Data Analytics?

You name it, the government has a pile of data about it: genomics, energy use, the weather and more. Various open data and big data initiatives at the federal government aim to make this information available to anyone who wants it. Can the inherent

By Jason Bloomberg

Oct 22, 2012 7 mins

Government Government IT IT Governance

Yelp Cracks Down on Fake Reviews

Businesses that are caught planting fake reviews on Yelp will have to wear a red badge of shame for 90 days.

By Bill Snyder

Oct 19, 2012 3 mins

Internet Security

Free Android App Takes Caller ID to the Next Level

Current Caller ID, a free Android-only app, takes basic caller-ID information and combines it with the caller’s social media updates and other details. The app is extremely cool, according to CIO.com blogger James A. Martin, but he does have

By James A. Martin

Oct 19, 2012 2 mins

Enterprise Applications Smartphones

Microsoft Surface TV Ad a Colorful Distraction

The first TV commercial for Microsoft's Surface tablet hits some high notes but trivializes the serious challenge facing Windows 8 tablets.

By Shane O'Neill

Oct 19, 2012 2 mins

Small and Medium Business Tablets Windows

More on ‘BlackBerry Shame:’ PBS Mediatwits Podcast

CIO.com's Al Sacco sits in on a PBS Mediatwits podcast to discuss a recent New York Times article on "BlackBerry Shame," as well as a blog post Sacco wrote in response.

By Al Sacco

Oct 19, 2012 2 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Cybersecurity News Roundup: ‘miniFlame’ Malware; Android Spyware; Huawei Spying

This week's IT security news roundup has stories on the newly-discovered "miniFlame malware;" a deadly Pacemaker hack; an undercover police office ousted on Facebook; China's crackdown on 9,000 cyber criminals; and more.

By Constantine von Hoffman

Oct 19, 2012 5 mins

Data Breach Fraud Phishing

How to Rationalize Your Application Portfolio

A majority of enterprises have hundreds of applications deployed on their network, but most tend to actively use far fewer than that. This application bloat is a significant and growing problem that costs many organizations millions of dollars a year

By Thor Olavsrud

Oct 19, 2012 8 mins

BPM Systems IT Governance Microsoft Office

Why the Government’s Cybersecurity Plan Will End in Catastrophe

The Department of Defense wants access to private computer systems in the name of cybersecurity. In addition to being a privacy nightmare, CIO.com columnist Rob Enderle says a centralized information sharing system will actually make the United State

By Rob Enderle

Oct 19, 2012 5 mins

Cybercrime Intrusion Detection Software Regulation

Cloud Services Continue to Shake Up IT Outsourcing Industry

Growth in business-provisioned cloud contracts, particularly in HR, could outpace traditional IT outsourcing, rattling traditional IT service providers.

By Stephanie Overby

Oct 19, 2012 4 mins

Cloud Computing Outsourcing

10 Best Office 2013 Features, According to Microsoft

CIO.com asked the team behind Microsoft Office 2013 to highlight the 10 new features in the new Office suite that stand out the most. Here they are.

By CIO.com staff

Oct 19, 2012 5 mins

Enterprise Applications Microsoft Office Office Suites

Price War! Best Buy and Target to Match Amazon’s Prices

With the holiday season fast approaching, brick-and-mortar retailers Best Buy and Target pledge to match Amazon's prices. Get ready shoppers … It's bargain time.

By Bill Snyder

Oct 18, 2012 3 mins

Computers and Peripherals Internet Small and Medium Business

7 Hottest IT Healthcare Skills

With the compliance date for ICD-10 looming in 2014, demand for Healthcare IT (HIT) professionals is on the rise. Healthcare providers rushing to get their technology updated is generating new IT job opportunities within an already-growing market. CI

By Rich Hein

Oct 18, 2012 4 mins

CIO Careers IT Skills

Apple Manufacturing Jobs Are Not Coming Back and That’s OK

Everything about Apple is as American as apple pie, even its decision to send manufacturing and unskilled-labor jobs to China. What matters more is that Apple products have spawned high-paying jobs for skilled workers in America, writes CIO.com'

By Tom Kaneshige

Oct 18, 2012 5 mins

Outsourcing Tablets iPhone

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon a Top Business Ultrabook

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a stylish ultrabook designed for business executives who demand the best. It's missing Ethernet and VGA ports, but its design, performance and security features more than make up for it.

By Paul Mah

Oct 18, 2012 8 mins

Laptops Small and Medium Business Ultrabook

Before Installing CRM Systems, Consult Your Org Chart

With most enterprise systems, it's immediately clear who should be users and what they should be able to do on the system. Not so with CRM — and, over time, more and more employees and departments will need to be on the system.

By David Taber

Oct 18, 2012 5 mins

CRM Systems Collaboration Software Small and Medium Business

LinkedIn Revamps Profile Pages: Tour the New Features

LinkedIn unveils its redesigned profile page that includes a handful of new features. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect when LinkedIn switches your profile in the upcoming months.

By Kristin Burnham

Oct 18, 2012 4 mins

LinkedIn Social Networking Apps

Meet the SQ-4 Recon UAV, a $32K Remote-Control Surveillance Drone

BCB International's miniature SQ-4 Recon unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fits in the palm of your hand, works up to 1.5 miles from its remote control and can be controlled over the Internet. Unfortunately, it also costs $32,000.

By Paul Mah

Oct 17, 2012 2 mins

Computers and Peripherals Small and Medium Business Wi-Fi

Top 3 iOS Apps: Fall 2012 Edition

CIO.com mobile-apps blogger James A. Martin shares the three best iOS apps he found during the past three months, including a valuable to-do app and an Office-compatible app that supports a key Microsoft Word feature.

By James A. Martin

Oct 17, 2012 3 mins

Tablets iPhone

FCC Paves Way for 4G LTE Mobile Broadband Service

The Federal Communications Commission adopts framework proposed by AT&T and Sirius XM to provide for LTE service without disrupting satellite-radio transmissions. The agency also updates progress on wireless 'bill shock' initiative.

By Kenneth Corbin

Oct 17, 2012 5 mins

Carriers Regulation Small and Medium Business

Windows 8 Tablets in the Enterprise: The Pros and Cons

Windows 8 may conquer previous tablet limitations with larger screens, access to the full Office suite, more controlled security features and compatibility with legacy apps. However, there are also drawbacks, says research firm Gartner.

By Shane O'Neill

Oct 17, 2012 4 mins

Microsoft Office Office Suites Small and Medium Business

Apple iPhone Passbook: The Future of Mobile Payments?

The mobile payment war has begun. One mobile commerce expert thinks Apple is laying the groundwork with Passbook to make the iPhone a full-blown mobile wallet. But more retailers need to experiment with Passbook for it to get off the ground.

By Tom Kaneshige

Oct 17, 2012 6 mins

Consumer Electronics Retail Industry iPhone

Python (and Other Dynamic Languages) Coming to the Enterprise, Like It or Not

Dynamic languages, most notably Python, are establishing themselves in the enterprise like never before. CIOs should weigh the benefits and drawbacks of Python carefully–and consider that their developers are probably using it already.

By Paul Rubens

Oct 17, 2012 7 mins

Developer Java Open Source

Data Scientist Role Is Clear, Even If Job Description Isn’t

The data scientist job, as well as the job title, is a mashup of existing expertise that is generally a few steps removed from the everyday realities of the businesses that employ them. Like most mashups, though, this is leading to something equally

By Allen Bernard

Oct 17, 2012 6 mins

Big Data Data Management IT Skills

U.S. Sets Sights on Iran for Its First Official Cyberwar Campaign

Once again, the U.S. government is getting ready to take military action against another nation without so much as a nod and a wink from its citizens. The fact that this war will be waged online should not make it any less troubling, according to CIO

By Constantine von Hoffman

Oct 16, 2012 4 mins

Cybercrime Malware Security

Sennheiser DW Office is a Premium Headset for the Teleconferencing Elite

The Sennheiser DW Office is a DECT-based wireless headset designed for use during teleconferences, and it can be worn with an over-the-ear clip or a more traditional head "band." Unfortunately, its steep price is sure to be a turnoff for so

By Paul Mah

Oct 16, 2012 2 mins

Computers and Peripherals VoIP

Top 3 Android Apps: Fall 2012 Edition

Every few months, CIO.com mobile-apps blogger James A. Martin rounds up his favorite new Android apps. Among this season's selections are apps that make reading Twitter "tweets" and dialing into conference calls much easier.

By James A. Martin

Oct 16, 2012 3 mins

Smartphones

Why Using a BlackBerry Can Still Be ‘Cool’ (Seriously)

The perception that BlackBerry users are "uncool" is widespread today. And there's good reason for that. But in reality, the BlackBerry is becoming the phone for independent thinkers and non-conformists, which is a whole lot "cool

By Al Sacco

Oct 16, 2012 4 mins

Data Center Smartphones

Tech Industry Leaders and Their Political Donations

Money, politics and tech CEOs. Here's a look at who is giving what to whom and who's not giving anything at all.

By Kim S. Nash

Oct 16, 2012 6 mins

Government IT Leadership

Infographic: Where Employees at Top Tech Firms Put Their Political Donations

If the political contributions from employees at the tech industry's largest companies are any indication, the presidential election may be a landslide.

By Kim S. Nash

Oct 16, 2012 1 min

Government Technology Industry

LinkedIn for Marketers: 4 Easy Ways to Find Content for Your Audience

To keep your LinkedIn Company Page engaging, you need good content. But what do you do when resources are slim? Here's a look at four types of content–that you may not realize you already have–that are perfect for LinkedIn.

By Kristin Burnham

Oct 16, 2012 4 mins

LinkedIn Relationship Building Social Networking Apps

How IT Can Prepare for Mobile Forensic Investigations

If your IT security team must comply with regulations like PCI-DSS or HIPAA, you need to know who accesses your data and what they do with it, even if they're using a mobile device to do it. But performing forensic investigations on mobile devic

By Thor Olavsrud

Oct 16, 2012 5 mins

HIPAA Small and Medium Business iPhone

Mobile SEO Strategies: More than Just Choosing Keywords

With more people performing searches by typing or voice commands on their mobile devices, does your company website need a new SEO strategy? These five mobile SEO tips will help potential customers find — and stay on — your mobile site.

By James A. Martin

Oct 16, 2012 10 mins

Browsers E-commerce Software Small and Medium Business