News

PCs at a Crossroads

2009 is the first year PC shipments decline.

Oct 27, 2009

Verizon BlackBerry Storm2 to Ship with Microsoft Bing App

Verizon Wireless will ship a new Microsoft Bing application with RIM's BlackBerry Storm2 9550, which is expected to become publicly available on Wednesday, October 28.

By Al Sacco

Oct 27, 2009

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

BlackBerry Storm2: New Features, Enhancements List from RIM

RIM's recently-announced BlackBerry Storm2 packs a number of new features and enhancements not found in the original touch-screen BlackBerry Storm. Here's a quick list from the BlackBerry-maker that details many of the changes.

By Al Sacco

Oct 27, 2009

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

BlackBerry Users Get Free Boingo Mobile Wi-Fi App

Boingo Wireless has released the free Boingo Mobile Wi-Fi application for BlackBerry smartphones. Boingo Mobile is now available for all major smartphone platforms, including the iPhone OS, Windows Mobile, Android and Symbian S60.

By Al Sacco

Oct 27, 2009 2 mins

Computers and Peripherals Small and Medium Business Wi-Fi

Job Search: Four Ways to Stand Out In Today’s Market – Marketing Your Expertise

The 2nd of a four-part series on ways to differentiate yourself as THE candidate employers are seeking. 2) Brand Your Expertise

By Mark Cummuta

Oct 26, 2009

Careers

Verizon’s Apple Pressure Cooker

Will Verizon carry the iPhone? It's up to Apple.

By Tom Kaneshige

Oct 26, 2009

Mobile Small and Medium Business

Tech: 9 Things I Still Hate About You

Sure, we all claim to love technology. But there's just as much to loathe about the world of tech and techies – whether it's internal users suffering from PEBKAC, IT workers lost in their own acronym-filled worlds, Apple devotees, or early-

By Thomas Wailgum

Oct 26, 2009

Consumer Electronics Enterprise Applications Social Networking Apps

Docs to Go 2.0 for BlackBerry Gets New Features; Still Too Expensive

DataViz has upgraded its mobile document-viewing and editing software for BlackBerry smartphones to v2.0. The upgrade packs valuable new functionality business users are sure to appreciate…but at $69.99 for a new license, Documents to Go v2.0'

By Al Sacco

Oct 26, 2009 3 mins

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

CRM Tips: Don’t Let Leads Die Prematurely

Here's some practical advice on how to make sure your sales reps and CRM system are playing nicely and wisely regarding a lead's age.

By David Taber

Oct 26, 2009

CRM Systems Data Center

RIM BlackBerry Storm2 9550 (Verizon) “Unofficial” Unboxing

Verizon Wireless's new BlackBerry Storm2 9550 smartphone won't be available in the United States until later this week, but CIO.com's Al Sacco already got his thumbs on the device–and its packaging. Here's a look at what new Blac

By Al Sacco

Oct 26, 2009 2 mins

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

Smartphone Etiquette: Five Unspoken Rules for the Holidays

Toilet texting. Tweeting in church. What are the do's and don'ts for smartphone users this holiday season? You may be surprised at what most people consider good iPhone and BlackBerry manners, as revealed by a new survey.

By Tom Kaneshige

Oct 26, 2009

iPhone

Verizon BlackBerry Storm2 9550 Gets Official; $179.99 on October 28

Verizon Wireless has officially announced the successor to RIM's popular BlackBerry Storm smartphone, the Storm2 9550. The touch-screen based device has received a number of hardware and software enhancements, and it's expected to become av

By Al Sacco

Oct 26, 2009 2 mins

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

Recruiting Software: 10 Ways Job Seekers Can Beat the System

Employers are increasingly using recruiting software or applicant tracking systems to pre-screen job seekers' resumes. Resume writers and career coaches offer 10 tips for ensuring that these applicant tracking systems don't erroneously scre

By Meridith Levinson

Oct 26, 2009

Careers IT Jobs

BlackBerry Storm 9530 (VZW) Gets Official 5.0 OS; List of Devices to Get 5.0 Upgrade

RIM and its wireless carrier partners have started rolling out the BlackBerry-maker's latest major handheld software update, BlackBerry OS 5.0, and Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Storm 9530 users are the first to officially receive RIM's new c

By Al Sacco

Oct 26, 2009 3 mins

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

Outsourcing Application Development Takes a Hit

A survey of companies and their IT outsourcing budgets shows they may be risking innovation by investing less into app dev.

By Beth Bacheldor

Oct 23, 2009

Enterprise Applications

Windows 7 Launch: Early Adopters Eager to Bid Farewell to XP

At the Windows 7 launch in New York, businesses planning to migrate to Windows 7 discussed cost savings, testing strategies, and security hopes and fears with CIO.com. One consensus: Windows XP is on life support.

By Shane O'Neill

Oct 23, 2009

Data Center Small and Medium Business Windows

When Did a Billion Become Boring?

'One million'-anything used to be impressive. Now, even 1 billion is blah. Just one example: Number 326 on Forbes' list of the wealthiest Americans is worth just more than one billion. Are we jaded, or have we lost perspective on all t

By Thomas Wailgum

Oct 23, 2009

Careers Enterprise Applications Outsourcing

Evaluating Data Center Colocation Options: Expert Tips

What you don't know can hurt you when you're shopping for a new data center colocation deal.

By Michael Bullock

Oct 22, 2009

Data Center

CIO Speaks Frankly About IBM’s CIO Survey

IBM Corp. explored the results of its global CIO survey over an early breakfast meeting with Canadian CIOs this week at a Frankly Speaking event in Toronto. On stage to discuss the findings were Hugh Cumming, CIO of ADP Canada, and Paul Bellack, part

By Jennifer Kavur

Oct 22, 2009

CIO Careers

Memo to RIM: BlackBerry Name Confusion Bad News for Buyers

New BlackBerry smartphones certainly won't be in short supply this upcoming holiday season; BlackBerry-maker RIM has unveiled two new devices in the last week alone. But the company's not doing customers any favors by assigning confusing pr

By Al Sacco

Oct 22, 2009

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

Supply Chain Surprise: Nothing Says Happy Holidays ’09 Like Purell!

Supply-chain import data from Panjiva shows that U.S. retailers are stocking up on hand-sanitizer products to meet expected demands from a Swine Flu-weary public.

By Thomas Wailgum

Oct 22, 2009

Enterprise Applications Outsourcing Supply Chain Management Software

Your First Cloud App: Dev/Test a Smart Choice

A cloud environment can serve a company's dev/test needs better than the traditional, internal option, says CIO.com's Bernard Golden. Here's a breakdown of the key issues, from spiky usage to budget concerns, to consider.n

By Bernard Golden

Oct 22, 2009

Cloud Computing Data Center Virtualization

Magic Quadrant Lawsuit: Would You Jump Off a Bridge If Gartner Says So?

The problem is that too many rely too heavily on what Gartner has to say–business model be damned.

By Thomas Wailgum

Oct 21, 2009

Enterprise Applications

The 10 Key Capabilities of Next-Generation Project Managers

To succeed today, project managers need more skills and capabilities than ever before. It's no longer enough to be fluent in project management best practices, tools and methodologies.

By Meridith Levinson

Oct 21, 2009

Careers IT Skills Project Management Tools

Windows 7 Launch: Top 10 Things Steve Ballmer Will Not Say

As Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer prepares to announce Windows 7, CIO.com considers what we'd really like to hear him say at the glitzy New York debut. And remember, "PC guys": This is all in good fun.n

By Laurianne McLaughlin

Oct 21, 2009

Operating Systems Small and Medium Business Windows

How Apple Keeps Defying the Odds

Quarter after quarter, earnings report after earnings report, Apple continues to defy the odds with blowout numbers.

By Tom Kaneshige

Oct 21, 2009

Apple Technology Industry iPhone

Windows 7 and Desktop Virtualization: The New Tools

Just before the Oct. 22 Windows 7 debut, Microsoft has released version 2 of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack 2009 – the add-on that holds most of the Windows 7 virtualization capabilities. Here's the lowdown.

By Kevin Fogarty

Oct 21, 2009

Small and Medium Business Virtualization Windows

Outsourcing Industry Mergers Spell Bad News for IT

The forecast calls for more mergers in the IT outsourcing industry and that means more headaches for IT groups. Brace yourself for decreased competition, increased service disruption, and other woes, analysts say.

By Stephanie Overby

Oct 21, 2009

IT Leadership Mergers and Acquisitions Outsourcing

RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 Officially Announced; Nov. U.S. Launch

Research In Motion (RIM) has finally announced the successor to its high-end BlackBerry Bold 9000 smartphone, the Bold 9700. Wireless carriers across the globe, including AT&T and T-Mobile in the United States, are expected to release the Bold 97

By Al Sacco

Oct 21, 2009

Meet “The Fixer” for Troubled IT Projects: Jason Coyne

Consultant Jason Coyne shows up at your IT project for one reason: To cure it or kill it. In this Q&A with CIO.com, Coyne explains why he's one part doctor, one part marriage counselor, and how he helps IT teams at odds with a vendor or inte

By Thomas Wailgum

Oct 20, 2009

Business IT Alignment Developer Outsourcing

RIM BlackBerry HS-500 Wireless Headset Hands-On Review

BlackBerry-maker RIM's latest smartphone accessory, the BlackBerry HS-500 Bluetooth Headset, delivers decent call quality, comfort and a cool music-over-stereo-Bluetooth feature. But its minimalist design and lack of buttons end up hurting overa

By Al Sacco

Oct 20, 2009 10 mins

Computers and Peripherals Small and Medium Business Social Networking Apps

Oracle vs. SAP: Like Mac vs. PC, Without the Funny Ads

The two big boys of ERP woo customers with styles that could not be more different. But who's really winning?

By Thomas Wailgum

Oct 19, 2009

Enterprise Applications

Five Reasons Windows XP Has About a Year to Live

Windows XP, still strong after eight years, may die sooner than you think in the enterprise, Forrester says. From support concerns to deployment flexibility, here are some factors speeding XP's demise.

By Shane O'Neill

Oct 19, 2009

Data Center Small and Medium Business Windows

How to Build a Business Case For SharePoint

A business case for SharePoint should clearly articulate the hard ROI, soft ROI, and the risks that the system will mitigate.

By Russ Edelman, Corridor Consulting

Oct 19, 2009

Enterprise Applications IT Leadership

BlackBerry Watch Coming Soon? Destined to Fail??

RIM is reportedly working on a BlackBerry Watch, possibly called the "inPulse SmartWatch," that lets you view new-message alerts on your wrist so you don't have to reach into a pocket or bag to remove and check a smartphone. But will B

By Al Sacco

Oct 19, 2009

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

New App Store Rules Good News for iPhone Users

Apple has made it easier for developers to offer trial versions of iPhone apps — free versions that users can upgrade later to the full version, without a trip back to the App Store. Here's why this "in-app purchasing" move benefits u

By Tom Kaneshige

Oct 19, 2009

Consumer Electronics SaaS iPhone

How to Plan Your Cloud Computing Mix

As a first step in sorting through the cloud hype, an IT group needs to gain a clear view of its systems portfolio in the context of business needs and pain points. Chris Curran shares some practical advice as you identify your first candidates for c

By Chris Curran

Oct 19, 2009

Cloud Computing Data Center

3 Keys to Using IaaS Public Clouds Wisely

Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) cloud platforms can give IT groups flexibility and instant capacity, at compelling prices. But the promise won't become reality unless you pick the right kind of applications and use cases, says Forrester'

By James Staten

Oct 19, 2009

Cloud Computing Data Center

BlackBerry Mgmt Software BoxTone Updated (v5.0); Adds iPhone, Windows, Palm Support

Popular enterprise BlackBerry monitoring and management software BoxTone has been upgraded to v5.0. The update packs a number of valuable new features, including support for multiple smartphone platforms like Apple's iPhone, Microsoft Windows p

By Al Sacco

Oct 19, 2009

Computers and Peripherals Mobile Small and Medium Business

Successful Project Management Requires Holding People Accountable

The Success of Your Project Lies in Committed Requests

By Jim Vaughan

Oct 19, 2009

IT Leadership

Does The Federal CIO Set The Transparency Bar Higher For Everyone Else?

Vivek Kundra announces Federal IT Dashboard

By Forrester Research

Oct 16, 2009

IT Leadership

Windows 7 Migration: Four Planning Tips

As you plan for your enterprise Windows 7 deployment, you can also clean house and improve efficiency. Here's a look at four key areas to consider.

By Shane O'Neill

Oct 16, 2009

Data Center Small and Medium Business Windows

“The BlackBerry Diaries:” Where Motherhood and CrackBerry Addiction Meet

A new book, "The BlackBerry Diaries: Adventures in Modern Motherhood," details one woman's year-long experience managing her family-life via BlackBerry smartphone.

By Al Sacco

Oct 16, 2009

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

10 Tried-and-True Tips for Switching Industries

Many IT professionals on the hunt for a new job are considering moving to a different industry. Veteran IT leader Marc Hopkins, who has worked in a variety of industries, shares his advice and lessons learned for making a seamless industry switch.

By J. Marc Hopkins

Oct 16, 2009

Careers IT Jobs Relationship Building

Oracle OpenWorld Wrap-Up: The Best and Worst from San Francisco

Oracle's annual OpenWorld conference is over, and CIO.com has rounded up all of the important news, announcements, blog posts and tweets that came out of the annual high-tech get-together in San Francisco.

By Thomas Wailgum

Oct 16, 2009

Developer Enterprise Applications Outsourcing

Storm Warnings

Why Online Security Threats Matter

By Maryfran Johnson

Oct 15, 2009

IT Strategy

Camera-Less BlackBerry Bold 9000 Coming to AT&T Oct. 16

U.S. wireless carrier AT&T will begin selling a camera-less version of its popular BlackBerry Bold 9000 smartphone on October 16, just days before it releases a Bold in white and weeks before it's expected to announce the Bold 9000 successor

By Al Sacco

Oct 15, 2009 3 mins

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

BlackBerry How-To: Create MMS Audio, Video, Picture Slide Shows

BlackBerry smartphone users can quickly and easily compose their own MMS picture- and video-slide-shows, complete with image transitions and caption text. Here's how.

By Al Sacco

Oct 15, 2009 4 mins

Computers and Peripherals Data Center Small and Medium Business

Five Fixes for Apple’s App Store

From the Google voice fiasco to this week's Pepsi pick-up line app, Apple's vaunted app store is showing its weaknesses. CIO.com's Tom Kaneshige suggests five steps Apple should take to make the store better for users and developers.

By Tom Kaneshige

Oct 15, 2009

Outsourcing Social Networking Apps iPhone

Reporter’s Notebook: Oracle OpenWorld 2009

Highlights and lowlights from this year's show: Cloud talk eclipsed by real-life rain, too many #oow09 tweets, not enough specifics about Fusion or Java plans, and an action-packed visit by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. CIO.com's T

By Thomas Wailgum

Oct 15, 2009

ERP Systems Enterprise Applications Outsourcing