News

T-Mobile, Sprint and Others Form Coalition to Oppose Verizon

Industry groups, consumer advocates organize the Alliance for Broadband Competition to raise concerns about the impact blockbuster spectrum sale would have on competition.

By Kenneth Corbin

May 14, 2012 4 mins

Carriers Regulation Small and Medium Business

Study Links IT Spending to Profits

New research finds a link between IT spending and corporate profitability, but only for IT projects that are focused on revenue growth.

By Mitch Betts

May 14, 2012 1 min

Business IT Alignment IT Strategy

5 Key Interop 2012 Takeaways for CIOs and Other IT Pros

As everything from application delivery to security and monitoring is seemingly shifting to the cloud, IT faces a chaotic and difficult to manage world. The good news is the tools are there, but you just can't go to a single provider as you did

By Jeff Vance

May 14, 2012 8 mins

IT Strategy Private Cloud Unified Communications

The Digital Swiss Army Knife Every Techie Should Own

Victorinox's Presentation Master is a Swiss Army Knife for the digital age that features a blade, nail file, screwdriver, encrypted USB 2.0 flash drive and more.

By Paul Mah

May 14, 2012 3 mins

Laptops Small and Medium Business Ultrabook

Spotify iPad App Looks Great but Lacks Key Desktop Features

The new Spotify iPad app will please fans of the streaming music service, but CIO.com blogger James A. Martin gives Pandora the edge due to its music-discovery features and cheaper premium service.

By James A. Martin

May 11, 2012 3 mins

Tablets

Check It: One in Ten Adults Check-In on Foursquare, LBS?

Roughly one in five adult smartphone users "check-in" on location-bases services (LBS), including the popular foursquare location-sharing site, and one in ten adults use LBS, according to a new report. CIO.com's Al Sacco thinks those n

By Al Sacco

May 11, 2012 2 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Intel Chief Slams Windows RT: Real Warning or Paranoid CEO?

Intel's CEO Paul Otellini was sharply critical of ARM-based, Windows RT tablet use in the enterprise. He's mostly protecting Intel's cash cow, but his words should put Microsoft on its toes.

By Shane O'Neill

May 11, 2012 3 mins

Laptops Small and Medium Business Tablets

Cybersecurity Roundup: Hackers Target Gas Firms; Twitter-Spammer Logins Leaked; and More

This week's cybersecurity news roundup features a US ICS-CERT warning about a "spear phishing" campaign aimed at natural-gas pipeline companies; Twitter spammers' logins exposed; a University of North Carolina data breach; and mor

By Constantine von Hoffman

May 11, 2012 3 mins

Data Breach Intrusion Detection Software Phishing

Soundfreaq Bluetooth Speaker Packs ‘Kick’ at an Affordable Price

Soundfreaq's Sound Kick portable Bluetooth speaker delivers quality audio and packs a surprising number of unique capabilities despite its relatively-low $100 price tag.

By Paul Mah

May 11, 2012 3 mins

Computers and Peripherals Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Five Things CIOs Should Know About Big Data

You may not think you have petabytes of data worth analyzing, but you will, if you don't already. CIO magazine breaks down the 5 things CIOs need to know, now.

By Joab Jackson

May 11, 2012 5 mins

Analytics Business Intelligence Project Management Tools

Cloud, BYOD Increases Need for Automated IAM Systems

As traditional security concepts of perimeter and end-point defense break down as a result of the proliferation of cloud services and the BYOD phenomenon, enterprises are increasingly feeling the need for greater control over access to applications.

By Thor Olavsrud

May 11, 2012 5 mins

BPM Systems Mobile Security Regulation

VMware Going ‘All In’ with BYOD

From social networks to seven-digit savings to employee angst, VMware's internal BYOD program for smartphones has it all. Now the company is looking to expand BYOD to laptops and tablets.

By Tom Kaneshige

May 11, 2012 8 mins

Budgeting Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Amnesty International’s UK Website Compromised to Infect Visitors with Cyberspying Malware

Malicious code on Amnesty International's UK website exploited a Java vulnerability to install Gh0st RAT on people's computers

By Lucian Constantin

May 11, 2012 3 mins

Intrusion Detection Software Security

Kicking Waterfall Project Management Habits Requires Agility

Things that won't die are great for the movies, but bad ideas that won't go away can really hurt cloud projects. Unfortunately, management likes classic, counterproductive waterfall project management and binary go-live deployments for clo

By David Taber

May 11, 2012 5 mins

Agile Development Developer IT Governance Frameworks

Can a New Analyst Firm Take Down Gartner?

For more than 30 years, Gartner has dominated the IT analyst market. CIO.com columnist Rob Enderle sees Ombud, a new analyst firm focusing on social CRM and pulling member profiles from LinkedIn, as a viable challenge to a firm founded before there w

By Rob Enderle

May 11, 2012 6 mins

CRM Systems IT Strategy LinkedIn

Infringement Case Suspended While Samsung Tests Validity of Apple’s ‘Pinch-to-Zoom’ Claim

For the second time in two weeks a court in Mannheim, Germany, has agreed to wait while Samsung challenges Apple's intellectual property

By Loek Essers

May 11, 2012 3 mins

Intellectual Property Legal

Big Data Analytics Gold for the Call Center

There's valuable data in those contact center logs that have largely been gathering dust, and companies are using new tools to mine them to boost customer satisfaction and revenue and lower costs.

By Stephanie Overby

May 11, 2012 5 mins

CRM Systems Data Management Outsourcing

Sleekbooks and Ultrabooks and Notebooks, Oh My

It's getting harder and harder to cut through the marketing hype to find the PC you really want. It may be annoying, but if you don't look hard at the specs on different models you may wind up with the wrong computer.

By Bill Snyder

May 10, 2012 3 mins

Apple Laptops Small and Medium Business

Achieve Cloud Economics for Operations and Services

Only CIOs can help the business strike the right balance between the agility, efficiency, security, compliance, and integration that's required for a successful cloud strategy.

By Forrester Research

May 10, 2012 3 mins

Cloud Computing IT Leadership IT Strategy

Megaupload Files Motion to Delay Civil Suit

The defunct file-sharing site, under financial pressure, wants to deal with the pending criminal case first

By Jeremy Kirk

May 10, 2012 2 mins

Legal

UNC Charlotte: 350,000 SSNs Exposed in Decade-long Data Breach

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte said financial data and Social Security numbers were exposed

By Jeremy Kirk

May 10, 2012 1 min

Data Breach Data and Information Security

Clinton Says Mobile Tech, Cooperation Key to Tackling Global Problems

In closing address at CTIA show, former president Bill Clinton touts potential for wireless devices and applications to address major socioeconomic problems, urges multi-stakeholder approach.

By Kenneth Corbin

May 10, 2012 4 mins

Government Government IT Regulation

IT Workers Are Happy, But Will Still Leave for Something Better

Despite overall satisfaction with their current job situation, IT workers still show a readiness to jump ship when the next best thing comes along.

By Lynn Haber

May 10, 2012 4 mins

Careers IT Jobs

Facebook Developers: How to Get Admitted Into the New App Center

Facebook's new App Center is set to launch, but are you ready to be seen? Here are four steps you, and all Facebook developers, must follow to ensure your app is included.

By Kristin Burnham

May 10, 2012 5 mins

Developer Facebook Web Development

Windows 8 Pro: Features IT Pros Need to Know About

Most of the attention on Windows 8 and Windows RT has involved consumer features and the Metro UI. But the Windows 8 Pro version offers security and virtualization features tailor-made for IT organizations.

By Shane O'Neill

May 10, 2012 4 mins

Laptops Small and Medium Business Tablets

6 Ways to Use Multiple Displays With Your Laptop

Dual monitors improve productivity, but it can be hard to get laptops to use multiple displays. It's not impossible, though. Check out these six tips for connecting laptops to external monitors.

By Paul Mah

May 10, 2012 8 mins

Computers and Peripherals Laptops Tablets

EU Roaming Charges to Be Sharply Capped Starting in July

New regulations reduce 'bill shock' and can save business travelers over a!1,000 a year

By Loek Essers

May 10, 2012 3 mins

Government Legal Small and Medium Business

APT Attackers Are Increasingly Using Booby-trapped RTF Documents, Experts Say

Microsoft Officer RTF parsing vulnerabilities are a common target for attackers who distribute advanced persistent threats

By Lucian Constantin

May 10, 2012 3 mins

Intrusion Detection Software Malware Patch Management Software

Mozilla Hits Microsoft with Complaint About Windows RT Browser Choices

Google agrees, but Mozilla does not plan to file formal complaints at this time

By Loek Essers

May 10, 2012 3 mins

Browsers

BYOD Stirs Up Legal Problems

Does BYOD put your company in murky legal water? You bet. Employees need protections, too.

By Tom Kaneshige

May 10, 2012 4 mins

Legal

5 Outsourcing Trends to Watch

The deals are getting smaller, with new pricing models, while security and cloud computing become hot topics.

By Stephanie Overby

May 10, 2012 2 mins

IT Strategy Outsourcing

Is Your Cloud Provider Exposing Remnants of Your Data?

Security researchers report that incorrectly configured hypervisors can lead to a separation of data issue in multi-tenant environments that can expose data remnants. However, you can prevent hosting your data on 'dirty disks.'n

By Thor Olavsrud

May 10, 2012 4 mins

Data and Information Security Enterprise Architecture Server Virtualization

The FBI is pushing to amend a 1994 law that would force Facebook, Google, Twitter and other sites to become ‘wire-tap’ friendly. Is this the next logical step in ensuring homeland security or is it an intrusion of privacy?

By Kristin Burnham

May 9, 2012 3 mins

Legal Social Networking Apps

Why the US Needs a War on Fear–Not Terror

A lot of legitimate threats exist in the world today, but not nearly as many as the U.S. goverment wants you to believe, according to CIO.com blogger Constantine von Hoffman. Making decisions based on fear, instead of actual risk, can lead to a whole

By Constantine von Hoffman

May 9, 2012 6 mins

Physical Security Privacy Security

AirDroid: The Best Way to Manage Your Android via Desktop Browser

The free AirDroid app lets you easily manage the contents of your Android device, including photos, music files, and text messages, via your desktop browser. And a recent update added a number of cool new features.

By James A. Martin

May 9, 2012 2 mins

Smartphones

Free Tool to Encrypt DNS Requests Released for Windows

The tool, from OpenDNS, is considered a 'technology preview' and may still have some bugs

By Jeremy Kirk

May 9, 2012 2 mins

Data and Information Security Windows Security

CTIA’s Wireless 2012: Verizon Urges Streamlined Spectrum Auctions

Spectrum squabbles continue as wireless players look forward to auctions while broadcasters questions their necessity.

By Kenneth Corbin

May 9, 2012 4 mins

Carriers Regulation Small and Medium Business

Mozilla CEO Stumps for Openness on Mobile Web

Gary Kovacs of open source browser maker urges mobile industry players to embrace HTML 5 and level barriers to the developer community in their apps ecosystems.n

By Kenneth Corbin

May 9, 2012 3 mins

Carriers Mobile Small and Medium Business

BYOD Stirs Up Legal Problems

Does BYOD put your company in murky legal water? You bet. Employees need protections, too.

By Tom Kaneshige

May 9, 2012 4 mins

Legal Privacy Smartphones

Using Pair Programming Practices in Code Inspections

If the dynamics of code inspections have changed in the past three decades, how should we inspect now? Matt Heusser suggests that pair programming principles could provide some, but not all, of the answers.

By Matthew Heusser

May 9, 2012 8 mins

Agile Development IT Governance Frameworks IT Skills

Police-themed Ransomware Starts Targeting US and Canadian Users

'Police Trojan' locks down computers and asks their owners to pay a fine for violating several laws

By Lucian Constantin

May 9, 2012 3 mins

Intrusion Detection Software Security Windows Security

Wireless Carrier CEOs Focus on Spectrum and Trust

Leading mobile carrier CEOs at CTIA Wireless 2012 say trust is central to consumer/carrier success and argue for improved customer relations. The looming shortage of spectrum and the need for more wireless capacity was also a hot topic of discussion.

By Kenneth Corbin

May 9, 2012 4 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Ask RIM Q&A, Hosted by Al Sacco at BlackBerry World 2012 (Audio)

Couldn't make it to Orlando for BlackBerry World 2012 and CIO.com Senior Editor Al Sacco's Q&A with RIM executives? No worries. We've got the full BlackBerry World audio from Sacco's session.

By Al Sacco

May 9, 2012 2 mins

Mobile Small and Medium Business Smartphones

25 Link-Building Tips to Drive Traffic to Your Website

A well-thought-out link-building strategy will help drive customers, prospects or partners to your website. To help you devise a plan, three experts offer proven link-building techniques. Here's a teaser: focus on quality, keep it in house and,

By James A. Martin

May 9, 2012 13 mins

E-commerce Software IT Strategy Internet

PHP Patches Actively Exploited CGI Vulnerability

PHP 5.4.3 and PHP 5.3.13 include fix for PHP CGI vulnerability that is being actively exploited to compromise websites

By Lucian Constantin

May 9, 2012 3 mins

Enterprise Applications Patch Management Software Security

Samsung, Qualcomm Team to Advance Wireless Charging

Looking to standardize wireless chargers that can repower multiple devices from different manufacturers simultaneously, industry players form technical alliance in the in hopes of winning broad industry support.

By Kenneth Corbin

May 9, 2012 3 mins

Carriers Small and Medium Business iPhone

The 5 Best Cases for Your New iPad

You'll find no shortage of cases for the new iPad. But all iPad cases are not created equally. CIO.com blogger Paul Mah shares his picks for the five best Apple tablet cases on the market today.

By Paul Mah

May 9, 2012 5 mins

Computers and Peripherals Small and Medium Business Tablets

BlackBerry, TomTom Deal is RIM Strategic Shift in Action

RIM's appointment of new marketing and operations executives is certainly noteworthy, but the real news is the BlackBerry-maker's partnership with maps and traffic company TomTom, according to CIO.com's Al Sacco. Here's why.

By Al Sacco

May 8, 2012 3 mins

IT Leadership Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Ripoff

UPDATED: The bargain $99 deal for the Xbox 360 will cost you $40 more over two years if you go for it.

By Bill Snyder

May 8, 2012 3 mins

Internet Laptops Small and Medium Business

Cybercrime Stats are Vastly Exaggerated

How accurate are cybercrime statistics, really? Researchers say that in some cybercrime surveys 90 percent of findings come from the answers of one or two people, which results in skewed statistics and exaggerated threats.

By Constantine von Hoffman

May 8, 2012 3 mins

Cybercrime Fraud Security