News

T-Mobile, MetroPCS Offer New Unlimited Data Plans: Pros and Cons

Competition is forcing some carriers like T-Mobile and MetroPCS to offer cheaper wireless plans. It's about time! But if you want to save some money, you've got to do your homework.

Microsoft Cleans Up Its Act with New Logo

With a cue from Apple, Microsoft has created a oneness among logos for Windows, Office, Xbox and now the company itself as it attempts to integrate its products like never before.

Clearing Up the BES 10 Confusion

Recent reports about BES 10 and BlackBerry 10 incompatibility caused a lot of confusion around RIM's next-generation BlackBerry management server. CIO.com's Al Sacco provides some clarification.

‘Big Security’ a Natural, Necessary Extension of Big Data

Big data is poised to grow well beyond the enterprise – and anything we can imagine today. Think of how the assembly line changed the automobile and, consequently, our lives. Keeping big data secure will require an equally innovative approach. CIO.co

Big Data Analytics Today Lets Businesses Play Moneyball

A lot of hype surrounds the term big data, but there's also a lot of action. Like the Oakland Athletics under Billy Beane in the Moneyball era, a majority of organizations today are making the transition to a culture that leverages data and anal

Facebook Redesigns Messages, Adds Search and More

To fix its clunky messaging platform, Facebook is rolling out a redesigned interface and a few features intended to make it more user-friendly. Here's what to expect.

BYOD Security Demands Mobile Data Protection Strategy

As federal agencies develop strategies for an increasingly mobile workforce, the traditional methods of securing a desktop environment have to evolve to account for the growing crop of wireless devices in use. Symantec vice president of public sector

Why Your CRM Integration Consultant Doesn’t Know Anything

The old joke about management consultants as "people you hire to tell you the time that's on your watch" still rings true. When it comes to CRM consultants, though, the overwhelming impression is that they know even less about your bu

Microsoft Wedge Mobile Keyboard Review

Microsoft's Wedge Mobile Keyboard is a rugged keyboard that's designed for use with Windows 8 and Windows RT devices, but it also works with other Bluetooth-enabled tablets, smartphones and computers.

Silly IT Security Stories for the Soul

This is the time of year when the news is filled with reports of shark attacks, baked goods bearing the likenesses of deities and political conventions. So why should we here at IT Security Hack HQ be less lazy than anyone else?rnrn

First Official Details on ‘BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) 10,’ From RIM

BlackBerry-maker RIM shared new details with CIO.com's Al Sacco about its next-generation enterprise mobility product, BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) 10.

Windows Phone to Pass BlackBerry, but Does It Matter?

Windows Phone could pull ahead of the beleaguered BlackBerry platform in mobile Web usage this fall to take a distant third place behind Android and iOS. It's a dubious distinction, but it also could be the momentum-builder Microsoft needs.

Top 10 Free Android Apps for August ’12, via Drippler

Android news-and-app-recommendation engine Drippler released its list of the top 10 Android apps for this month, based on user downloads. All the apps are free, and they all received notably high user ratings on the Google Play store.

BYOD: What Can We Learn from China?

U.S. employees may never be as accepting as the Chinese about BYOD's potential privacy violations, but American companies can still learn a lot about effective BYOD from China, namely, better educating workers about security.

FCC Cites Broadband Gaps: Digital Divide Persists

In the FCC's eighth survey of the broadband landscape it was acknowledged that ISPs have made progress in expanding their network footprints, but significant gaps in coverage still exist. The report has therefore concluded that broadband provide

How the FBI Proves Agile Works for Government Agencies

After almost a decade of mismanagement and waste at the FBI, its CIO turned the agency's maligned case management implementation into an agile project. Two years later, the system is live. This relative success, as well as the example of other f

How Smartphones Could Save Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Smartphones appear to be doing away with compact point-and-shoot digital cameras. But recent news and rumors suggest smartphone operating systems may actually help revive the traditional point-and-shoot camera. Here's why.

Even More Security Pros Discuss US Cybersecurity Laws

In the third entry in a series on the subject of current U.S. cybersecurity legislation, CIO.com blogger Constantine von Hoffman asks experts from Bat Blue Networks, Foreground Security, Sensage and AlgoSec for their takes on the laws.

Top Challenges Facing Healthcare CIOs

Few industries face as many IT challenges as healthcare, where government mandates, security requirements and a need to replace outdated technology make a CIO's job difficult.

Top Challenges Facing Healthcare CIOs

Few industries face as many IT challenges as healthcare, where government mandates, security requirements and a need to replace outdated technology make a CIO's job difficult.

How IT Innovation and Mobility Empower Unilever

Rod Hefford, CIO for Global Customer Development and Supply Chain at Unilever, discusses they key goals of their Compass strategy, how IT is organized to drive innovation globally. Hefford also explains how mobility is empowering Unilever to respond

Inside Facebook’s Hackathons: 5 Tips For Hosting Your Own

Facebook's all-night innovation sessions, which have produced features such as Timeline, Chat and the Like button, attract hundreds of employees. See what Facebook has learned from its hackathons and how those lessons can apply to your business.

4 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Big Data Initiative

Big data holds much promise for organizations seeking ways to improve business processes. Before reaching that point, though, you need to know what data you'll need, how you'll get it, how you'll use it and what you expect to learn fro

Looking for Safari Alternative on the iPhone? Maxthon Ain’t It

The Maxthon mobile browser, which moved to the iPhone this week, has gotten excellent reviews. But why? Beyond a tabbed browsing feature, there's no compelling reason to make it your day-to-day mobile browser.

Popular ‘Things’ To-Do App Now Auto Syncs with iOS, Macs

Past versions of the Things to-do apps had to be manually synced between iPhones, iPads and Macs, but the latest version (finally) supports automatic cloud syncing.

Making Money With Mobile

Pricey Razer DeathStalker Ultimate Keyboard is a Gamer’s Best Friend

The $250 Razer DeathStalker Ultimate gaming keyboard has LED-backlit keys, a touch pad with gesture support and a variety of user-customizable buttons that can be used to launch apps or trigger certain in-game functions.

Torture in the Skies: Air Travel About to Become Even More Miserable

A handful of major U.S. airlines are about to make their already tiny and uncomfortable economy seats even tinier and more uncomfortable. CIO.com blogger Al Sacco says enough is enough.

Samsung Galaxy S III: Never Go ‘Naked,’ Buy a Case

The Samsung Galaxy S III's display may be composed of Corning's much-lauded Gorilla Glass 2, but it's also particularly susceptible to damage. Here's why.

Is the iPhone a Better Platform for Mobile Ads?

Are iPhone owners more impressionable to mobile ads than their Android counterparts? A survey from the Online Publishers Association says yes. But don't expect advertisers to go running to the iPhone, says one analyst.

Judge Rules for Infosys in Whistleblower Case

Judge Myron H. Thompson says whistleblower Jack Palmer Jr. has not proven his claims of breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation against Infosys. As a result, the case will not go to trial.

6 Ways the Cloud Enhances Agile Software Development

Cloud computing and virtualization let you create virtual machines and use of cloud-based services for project management, issue management and software builds with automated testing. This, in turn, encourages agile development in six key ways.

iPad Sightings on the Rise Everywhere

The ubiquitous iPad is reaching cultural icon status. In addition to dominating as a multimedia device for consumers, the iPad is showing up in restaurants (as menus) and airports (as kiosks).

Sell Your iPhone Now to Get the Best Price

When the iPhone 5 launches next month, prices for used iPhones will plunge as upgraders flood the market. eBay, Gazelle and even Verizon will cut you a deal, but the clock is ticking.

High-End Sennheiser Bluetooth Headset Works Well but Lacks Advanced Features

The Sennheiser VoiceMax VMX 200 is a functional, no-frills headset that delivers exceptional sound quality. But the gadget is pricey at $150, and it lacks many advanced features found in other high-end headsets.

5 Tips for Creating an EA Assessment Model Quickly

EA maturity/assessment models are a common and excellent way to track EA's progress and influence plans. Here are some tips for creating and EA assessment model quickly before other priorities get in the way.

Windows RT Surface Tablet for $200? Too Good to Be True

The rumored $200 price for the highly-anticipated Microsoft Surface tablet would be the bargain of the year. But it just doesn't add up.

Cybersecurity News Roundup: MyAgent Trojan; Virus Infects Saudi Oil Giant; and Pro-Censorship Hackers

This week's IT security news roundup features stories on the newly discovered MyAgent Trojan; malware that forced a Saudi Oil Giant to shut down its network; Adobe Reader security flaws; and more.

Cloud Service Providers Challenge Traditional IT Outsourcing

IT organizations' reluctance to hire and make capital investments will keep the outsourcing market chugging along, but according to Gartner, cloud-based services will begin to take a bigger piece of the pie.

AT&T Takes on Texting While Driving

'It Can Wait' campaign aims to inform users, especially teenagers, about the dangers of texting while driving, reinforcing government and industry efforts to curb the practice.

An IT Lesson From Grandma: Don’t Let Sunk Cost Get Out of Control

A fable that CIO.com columnist Rob Enderle heard from his grandmother many years ago still resonates today. The message is simple–if you pour salt into a pot of tea, pour it out and start over–and it applies to many an IT investment.

New Slices Twitter App for iOS, Android Aims to Organize Your Stream

The creators of the Slices for Twitter app say it's the first app that organizes tweets into categories for easy browsing. The app does a great job in that regard—but it’s only average for composing tweets.

LinkedIn Connections: When to Accept or Reject

How many LinkedIn requests do you get? Do you accept all of them? Here's why quality should trump quantity.

Pebble Bluetooth Watch ‘Talks’ to iOS, Android Apps

The Pebble "e-paper" watch connects to your iPhone, iPad, iPod or Android device using Bluetooth, and it interacts with a variety of apps to add functionality and display notifications.

Move Over Starbucks: Dunkin’ Donuts Launches iOS, Android Payment Apps

U.S. coffee chain Dunkin' Donuts today launched free mobile-payment apps for Apple iOS and Google Android devices, in an effort to capitalize on the popularity of mobile payments apps from its rival, Starbucks.

Obama Tweets More Than Romney, Wins Social Media Smackdown

President Obama's reelection campaign's online efforts far exceed those of GOP challenger Mitt Romney. The Obama team posts more content and is active on nearly twice as many Web platforms, according to a study by the Pew Research Center&#0

Why Your Company Should Hire a Dedicated SEO Specialist

SEO specialists need to interact with multiple departments, sites, analytics, social media, Web Development and infrastructure. For those reasons you should be asking yourself if this role is best-suited for an internal staff position or outsourced t

Before You Invest in CRM Software, Assess Your Needs

Smart car buyers don't get a Ferrari when a Fiat will do. The same philosophy is true of CRM systems, which can be as utilitarian or as luxurious as you want them to be. The key is determining whether the extra features will improve profitabilit

Going social part II: Fight for the users

Are cloud and mobile really disrupting CIOs?

The road to mobile and cloud for CIOs is "bumpier" than the hype suggests.