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Consumer Electronics

What We’re Reading from the Sept. 1, 2011, Issue of CIO Magazine

Books, blogs and research about technology and leadership

By Colleen Barry

Why CIOs Still Like DIY Software Development

Companies from NYSE Euronext to Alcoa are bypassing ready-made software and developing their own programs in-house in hopes of creating competitive advantage

By Maryfran Johnson

ERP Systems Innovation

Becoming a Strategic IT Leader

How the CIO of Oakwood Worldwide learned to provide greater business value

By CIO Executive Council

Cloud Computing Disaster Recovery Virtualization

CIO

A Strategic-Finance ‘How-to’

For more than a decade, executive recruiters and other experts on the CFO role have insisted that CFOs must be more strategic-thinking. Moreover, the business-minded finance chief must in turn lead the finance team to align with the rest of the organ

By Lisa Yoon

Aug 26, 2011 2 mins

IT Strategy

Cloud-Based Storage Improves Disaster Recovery at Situs

Since real estate consultancy The Situs Companies moved to a cloud-based storage system in 2010, the company has dramatically improved the speed and reliability of backups and significantly reduced IT costs.

By Megan Santosus

Aug 26, 2011 7 mins

Should You Sue Your Offshore Outsourcing Provider?

Six questions to ask before taking your offshore outsourcer to court.

By Stephanie Overby

Aug 26, 2011 5 mins

Legal Outsourcing

Cloud CIO: The Challenges of Competing with Cloud Computing Providers

There is no question that corporate IT departments need to change their cultures and their organizational structures to compete with cloud providers, but doing so introduces a variety of practical challenges–including convincing the CFO to embrace a

By Bernard Golden

Aug 26, 2011 7 mins

Budgeting Cloud Computing Virtualization

Should Microsoft Buy Nokia? Pros and Cons

Is it wise for Microsoft go Google and buy a handset-maker like Nokia, even though its existing partnership with Finnish company provides many benefits without any of the headaches and risks of ownership? Here's a look at both sides of the argum

Aug 25, 2011 5 mins

Why RIM’s BBM Music Service is Destined to Fail

BlackBerry-maker RIM today unveiled a brand new, cloud-based music-streaming service for BlackBerry users, BBM Music. But CIO.com's Al Sacco isn't impressed and offers up five solid reasons why BBM Music may be doomed from the get-go.

Private Cloud Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Aug 25, 2011 6 mins

7 Ways to Use HP Touchpads After They Stop Working

Hewlett-Packard's announcement that it is discontinuing its Touchpad set off a $99 fire sale. But without HP's full attention and support from developers, these devices won't live long. However, they can still be useful even after they

Consumer Electronics Small and Medium Business Tablets

Aug 25, 2011 1 min

Steve Jobs Leaves Apple Without a Future

What does Apple really lose with Steve Jobs no longer at the helm? Everything.

IT Leadership Tablets iPhone

Aug 25, 2011 4 mins

iPad’s Starring Role in Sci-Fi Movies

The cozy relationship between sci-fi and tech gadgets just got a little tighter. Check out how life imitates art, and vice-versa.

Consumer Electronics Tablets

Providing Technology Leadership

IT should provide technology leadership for the company. The two big challenges: Figuring out what this means, and doing it in a way that can turn into actual business action.

By Bob Lewis

Business IT Alignment CIO IT Strategy

What CIOs Need to Know About HP’s Acquisition of Autonomy

Here's why you should be paying attention: it's a big analytics play that could help lead the way to making sense of all the unstructured data that's overwhelming enterprises of all sizes, says analyst Charles King.

Business Intelligence Data Management Data Warehousing

How Writing a Book Can Boost Your IT Career and Your Income

Writing a book gives IT professionals credibility that they can parlay into lucrative speaking and consulting engagements. Here, four IT professionals who've published books offer their advice on how to get started and whether to self-publish or

By Meridith Levinson

Aug 24, 2011 9 mins

Careers

“Here Comes Everybody” Gives Insight to the Power of the Group

Companies Need to Be Aware of Collective Action — Also Known As Power of the People

By Curt Finch

CIO CTO Consumer Electronics

WebOS Developers Consider Jumping Ship to Windows Phone 7

Microsoft will be losing a valued PC hardware partner in Hewlett-Packard. But it's not all bad news for Redmond. With HP's WebOS now marginalized, developers seeking a port in the storm may land at Windows Phone 7.

Mergers and Acquisitions Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Aug 23, 2011 3 mins

iPad Culture Shock for IT

The iPad is unlike any other enterprise technology, delivered to market by a vendor seemingly indifferent to CIOs, and surrounded by mass media-fed confusion. How can CIOs cope?

Encryption Firewalls Mobile Security

Aug 23, 2011 7 mins

Why You Shouldn’t Buy a Discounted TouchPad Tablet

Thinking of picking up one of HP's webOS-powered TouchPad tablets now that the price of the 16GB version has been cut significantly to a cool $100? CIO.com's Al Sacco warns that you should think twice before handing over your hard-earned ca

Carriers Small and Medium Business Ultrabook

Aug 23, 2011 7 mins

Should CFOs Get on-Board?

Research says CFO directors seem to bring firms higher earnings quality & better internal control, though there are drawbacks

By Ed Zwirn

Aug 22, 2011 3 mins

IT Leadership IT Strategy

BlackBerry 7 Compatible Apps: 10 Free Downloads

Looking for apps that are compatible with RIM's new BlackBerry 7 OS? CIO.com's Al Sacco spotlights 10 must-haves including apps for social networking, navigation, entertainment and a cool augmented reality browser.

Consumer Electronics Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Aug 22, 2011 6 mins

Is Your CRM Business Process Really a Workflow?

"If you can't describe what you are doing as a business process, you don't know what you are doing." — W. Edward Deming

By David Taber

Aug 22, 2011 6 mins

CRM Systems

How the Cloud Can Solve Security Problems

Jerry Archer, board member of the Cloud Security Alliance, discusses how cloud computing will make security better for everybody.

By Jim Buchanan

Aug 22, 2011 7 mins

Data Breach Encryption Firewalls

Offshore Outsourcing Pioneer GE to Hire 1,100 American IT Workers

GE says it plans to hire 1,100 IT and engineering professionals in Michigan by 2013 to regain some of the technical capabilities it lost through offshoring.

By Stephanie Overby

Aug 22, 2011 6 mins

Outsourcing

Cloud Computing: More IT Leaders Turn to SaaS ERP

As cloud-based business applications enter the mainstream, objections to using SaaS-based ERP software are fading fast.

By Rich Freeman

Aug 22, 2011 7 mins

Cloud Computing ERP Systems SaaS

SaaS ERP is Making the Grade at Brown University

Instead of upgrading a 25-year-old mainframe ERP hodge-podge, IT leaders at Brown University decided to move to SaaS ERP for cost savings, IT simplification and better applications. Meanwhile, the City of Sanibel, Fla., is following its own SaaS ERP

Cloud Computing ERP Systems SaaS

Aug 22, 2011 5 mins

Workplace Conflict: How to Diffuse Battles with Co-Workers

The longer workplace conflicts fester, the more stress and acrimony they create. Here are four tips for resolving conflicts with coworkers.

By Meridith Levinson

Aug 22, 2011 5 mins

Careers IT Leadership Relationship Building

Browsing and Privacy: How to Not Get Tracked

All modern browsers have built-in tools and add-ons to protect users from having their Web behavior tracked. But regardless, some sites still find ways to track you. Here are tips for taking matters into your own hands.

By Bill Snyder

Aug 22, 2011 5 mins

Browsers Enterprise Applications Internet

Cloud Growth Prompts Dramatic Shift in Enterprise Security Strategies

Because traditional approaches to security don't port easily to public or private clouds, the nonprofit Cloud Security Alliance is working to help CIOs assess the security levels of various cloud providers.

By Patricia Brown

Aug 22, 2011 7 mins

Cloud Computing Private Cloud Security

HP’s PC Departure: The Good News and Bad News for Microsoft

Hewlett-Packard's announcement that it will spin off or sell its PC business certainly complicates Microsoft's PC plans, but it could also spur innovation among the remaining PC makers and with the death of HP's tablets thrown in, Wind

IT Strategy Small and Medium Business Windows

Mastering Customer Data: The Next EA Opportunity – And Challenge

It is "The Age of the Customer", firms must master the flow of customer data, collect and analyze it to build differentiation and loyalty and ultimiately improve the customer experience. To do this, companies need the enterprise architect (

By Forrester Research

Business Intelligence CIO IT Strategy

WebOS Developers Mourn HP’s Move but Aren’t Surprised

Developers enjoyed freedom to explore that the platform provided but knew its sales figures were disappointing

By Paul Krill

Developer

HP’s Tablet Exit No Signal of IPad Immunity, Say Analysts

HP's departure from the tablet business does not mean that Apple's iPad will remain the undisputed king, analysts said today.

By Gregg Keizer

Aug 19, 2011 4 mins

Tablets

In IPad’s Shadow, HP Ditches Tablet Hopes

Considering how hot the tablet market is right now, Thursday's decision by Hewlett-Packard (HP) to stop making tablets raised a lot of eyebrows.

By Sharon Gaudin

Tablets

HP Shift on PCs Could Boost Rivals

With Hewlett-Packard (HP) likely spinning off its PC manufacturing business, other major vendors will almost certainly be looking for a way to get a bigger piece of the hardware pie.

By Sharon Gaudin

Aug 19, 2011 4 mins

IT Strategy

HP’s Apotheker changes his tune on mobility

Six months after laying out his "strategic vision" for HP, CEO Leo Apotheker took the actions to realize it. And abandoned the mobile computing space.

By John Cox

Aug 19, 2011 6 mins

IT Strategy

How To Prevent IT Sabotage Inside Your Company

Recent cases of IT workers who turn against their companies and destructively shut down networks for days provide lessons for how businesses can work to prevent similar attacks.

IT Leadership Intrusion Detection Software Risk Management

Aug 19, 2011 7 mins

Apple’s Spaceship Campus: What’s the Message?

Apple wants a campus that looks like a "spaceship," says Steve Jobs. A Silicon Valley designer sees mixed messages in the analogy: Is the future temporary?

Consumer Electronics Innovation

Aug 18, 2011 3 mins

BlackBerry PlayBook Apps: 5 Worthy Downloads

CIO.com's Al Sacco recommends another round of great applications for BlackBerry PlayBook tablets, including apps for e-reading, social networking, keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams and scores and more.

Consumer Electronics Small and Medium Business Tablets

Aug 18, 2011 4 mins

How Predictive Analytics Will Improve CRM

By infusing CRM apps with new predictive analytics tools companies will be able to learn much more about their customers' buying habits and desires. And that, says Forrester analyst James Kobielus, will be a worthwhile bonus for your business.

Business Intelligence CRM Systems Data Management

Aug 17, 2011 5 mins

T-Mobile on Lack of UMA in BlackBerry Bold 9900: ‘We’re Working on It’

T-Mobile U.S.A.'s BlackBerry Bold 9900 will ship without UMA Wi-Fi calling. But the wireless carrier says it hopes to have the feature enabled within the coming months.

Aug 17, 2011 2 mins

Carriers Smartphones

RIM Releases BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0 Maintenance Updates

BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) has issued a number of BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) maintenance updates for both full BES and BES Express, for Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise.

Mobile Small and Medium Business Smartphones

Aug 17, 2011 1 min

Why Microsoft Won’t Buy Hardware to Compete with Googorola

Now that Google has purchased Motorola for $12.5 billion, Microsoft is the lone smartphone player that doesn't own any hardware. And that's not likely to change, say industry analysts.

Aug 17, 2011 4 mins

iPad Screen: Size Matters

Can you foresee a 13-inch iPad? Maybe a 7-inch iPad?

Consumer Electronics Tablets

Aug 16, 2011 3 mins

BlackBerry Torch 9850 (Sprint) Hands on Video

CIO.com's mobile beat writer Al Sacco goes hands-on with RIM's brand new BlackBerry Torch 9850 smartphone from Sprint.

Aug 16, 2011 1 min

BlackBerry Torch 9810 (AT&T) Hands on Video

CIO.com's mobile maestro Al Sacco goes hands-on with RIM's brand new BlackBerry Torch 9810 smartphone from AT&T.

Aug 16, 2011 2 mins

BlackBerry Bold 9930 (Verizon) Hands on Video

CIO.com's BlackBerry black belt Al Sacco goes hands-on with RIM's brand new BlackBerry Bold 9930 smartphone.

Aug 16, 2011 2 mins