Remote Access Offers Challenges, Benefits for Companies and IT

 

Remote access for employees has become a growing concern for IT shops everywhere, accelerated by the adoption of mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones into the enterprise and small and midsize businesses. That proliferation of software and hardware by multiple vendors makes offering secure and easy remote access a far larger and more complicated task for ITadministrators. Despite the increasing complexity, ubiquitous remote access offers multiple benefits. It can make remote workers more flexible, lower costs for IT and allow a business to more easily employ far-flung workers. In order to reach that desired end-point, though, IT administrators need to examine how to make their remote access platform not only secure as possible, but also streamlined enough for users to operate with a minimum of frustration. Fortunately, a number of vendors have been working on solutions to both those challenges. Companies such as Intel and Hewlett-Packard are in the midst of developing (or offering) fingerprint readers, dual-factor passwords and other methods of user authentication. Others are offering cloud-based and virtualizations for winnowing down the number of steps needed to access a network. In the end, though, it takes some thought and work by IT administrators to make remote access a reality.

Centralized

A long time ago, IT administrators mostly concerned themselves with managing on-premises employees and devices. They could create a homogeneous environment and deal with problems in-house.

 

Evolution

With a VPN and corporate-issued laptop, employees could start to telecommute from far-flung locations. For IT administrators, remote access became a somewhat more complicated task.

 

Consumer Devices

More employees are bringing their smartphones and tablets from home, and asking their IT departments to incorporate those personal devices into the corporate network.

 

Problems

With more employees working from other locations and more personal devices on the corporate network, the task of offering secure, simple remote access threatens to become a monumental challenge for IT pros at every level.

 

Advantages

Nonetheless, remote access offers some advantages. It gives workers more flexibility and can sometimes reduce an organization’s costs. 

 

Simplicity and Security

Companies’ concerns about remote access should focus on two areas: simplicity and security.

 

Secure Connection

Some of the security measures for remote access are very basic: IT administrators should ensure their VPN is secure, warn employees about clicking on possible malware links and quickly deactivate ex-employees’ access to the network.

 

User Authentication

Companies such as Intel and Hewlett-Packard are introducing more reliable methods of user authentication, including fingerprint scanners, face-recognition software and two-factor passwords.

 

Virtualization

Tech vendors have also been developing ways to create isolated virtual machines, which can compartmentalize different spheres of operation.

 

Complexity

Much of the complexity associated with remote access is due to companies using four or five different platforms to enact a small number of solutions: a server from one vendor, say, running software from another, in order to deliver apps or services to a variety of devices.

 

Simpler Interface

IT administrators may have to make conscious decisions about ways to streamline the component chain involved in remote access. Users will be more likely to use remote access correctly if it only takes a few clicks to log onto and work within the corporate network.

 

The Cloud

A number of cloud-based vendors have begun offering solutions that give remote workers ubiquitous access to applications from a broad range of devices.

 

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Apple iPad 2 review

The best tablet on the planet just got better

12 months ago, the Apple iPad swaggered onto the stage creating a totally new gadget category, that changed the way we thought about tablets forever. In the year that followed it became Gadget of the Year at the T3 Awards 2010 and probably the most iconic gadget on the planet.

This “post PC” device single-handedly re-shaped our expectations expect on how we wish to receive content, has potentially rejuvenated the entire publishing industry.

Now, as competitors from the Android, RIM and WebOS, tug on its cape, eager to fly alongside the iPad, Apple is back with an improved device offering a streamlined design and more power. All for the same pretty reasonable price.

Can the iPad 2 pull further away from the chasing pack, and does it do enough to tempt first-gen owners into an upgrade? T3 tested the 32GB WiFi version to find out.

Apple iPad 2 Design and build

Lifting the iPad 2 out of the box, you almost feel like you’re handling Grandma’s best china, such is the skinniness of the 8.8mm frame. Remarkably though, the tablet retains a very sturdy feel. It’s not the least bit fragile and there’s zero flexibility. It’s a piece of engineering that defies physics.

The weight has also dropped. At 601g (for the WiFi version) the tablet has shed 15 per cent of its body mass. Big deal, you say, but you will notice the difference. It’s still not Kindle-light though, and we still found the one-handed grip uncomfortable.
The design itself has evolved with the edges now rounded like an iPod Touch. While it looks better and is less bulky, the thinner edges actually make it more difficult to keep a steady hand. You also have to adopt an awkward reach-around approach to access the volume and screen switches.

Apple iPad 2 Screen

While we were blown away by the original iPad’s 9.7-inch 1024x768 LED-backlit display, we were hoping this would bring a version of its iPhone 4 Retina Screen. Now it hasn’t, we’re a little disappointed.

While indoor performance is still great and colours are truly vivid for gaming, photos and videos, in the post-Retina Screen world, text still isn’t quite as crisp as we’d like and it’s still pretty useless in sunlight. It also attracts a lot of finger marks. Lets hope an improved screen comes on any iPad 3 next year.

Apple iPad 2 iOS 4.3

Beyond the design refresh, the iPad 2 comes packing the new iOS 4.3 operating system. You get the usual folders, multitasking, Airplay and customisable screens, but those rocking 3G can now make their tablet a Wi-Fi hotspot for four other mobile devices. iTunes Home Sharing, another addition, offers a seamless liberation of your entire music library over Wi-Fi, with one-touch.

The new OS also allows you to customise the side switch to either mute the device or lock the screen. It’s a handy bonus, but by no means earth shattering.

Apple iPad 2 Processor and graphics

A quantifiable improvement comes with the new dual core 1GHz Apple A5 processor, replacing the A4 by offering twice the power. If you thought this thing was nifty before, then wait until you get a hold of the iPad 2.

Such is the speed of response when you touch the screen that you’ll think ‘did I even touch that yet?’ It almost pre-empts your commands. The T3 iPad Edition opens instantly, while images render much faster than before. The heftier apps, like the new GarageBand (an essential download, the highlight of which is the different response from piano keys depending on the sensitivity of your touch - enabled by the accelerometer and a huge leap forward) still take a short while to open, but not noticeably so.

T3.com loads and renders quickly over Wi-Fi, while pinch-to-zoom re-formatting is definitely quicker. YouTube performance is great, while downloading music, movies and podcasts is rapid.

Apple also promised a nine-fold improvement in the graphics department. We tested this claim with EA’s Dead Space, which specifically advertised an iPad 2 upgrade. It looks phenomenal, almost PS3 and Xbox 360-esque, while the fast-paced monster-slaying action was slick and judder-free. You feel we’ve only just scratched the surface here.

Apple iPad 2 Cameras

Of course the other change comes with the addition of cameras. FaceTime video calling is now available for iPad and while the quality won’t blow you away it does the job. The rear-facing camera is passable, offering decent snaps in good conditions, but drab colours and limited detail the rest of the time. It’s nowhere near as good as the iPhone 4’s excellent 5-megapixel offering.

There’s 720p video recording on board, which comes in really handy for the brilliant iMovie app, but the iPad 2 has to be the most ridiculously shaped video camera of all time. Are you really going to use it in public?

Apple iPad 2 Smart Covers

When we first saw the Smart Covers opinion on the T3 team was split as to the usefulness. A lot was made about these new flimsy, bendy covers and they do work pretty well, folding like origami to offer appropriate stances for watching video and typing, while the magnet clings stubbornly to the chassis. It will help your battery by putting the device to sleep whenever closed, but they’re expensive (from$39) and offer no protection for the back of your iPad. If you drop it, Smart Cover won’t save it. We’d take a look at what other manufacturers - like Griffin - come up with before buying.

Apple iPad 2 Battery

In terms of battery life, we got around 6 hours of near-solid Wi-Fi surfing, downloading apps and playing games, which is very respectable. The extra processing power doesn’t seem to be provide any supplemental drain on the battery.

Apple iPad 2 Verdict

Admittedly, the iPad 2 is more of an evolutionary step for Apple, akin to the jump from iPhone 3 to 3GS. If you already own an iPad then you’re not missing out too much by waiting for the next iteration before you upgrade. If you held off from buying over the last 12 months, then the iPad 2 is a brilliant reward for your patience. Get out and buy it.

It's taken nearly a year since the launch of the first iPad for any manufacturers to come close to creating a tablet that can rival it. Even then, those that look promising like the Motorola Xoom run such an early OS (in Android 3.0) it will be a while before they can rival the iPad in terms of apps.  With the Blackberry Playbook, HTC Flyer, LG Optimus Pad and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 all to come, the tablet market looks really exciting over the next few months. And with its mind-blowing new build, new cameras and improvements in the engine room, coupled with the unmatched App Store/iTunes/iOS ecosystem the next-gen iPad is clearly the tablet to beat.

Apple iPad 2 launch date: UK March 25th, link Apple

Apple iPad 2 price: UK TBC, but in the US it is the same as its predecessor, so expect to pay £429 for 16GB, £499 for 32Gb and £599 for 64GB for the WiFi-only version.

Apple iPad 2 Specifications:

• OS: Apple iOS 4.3
• Screen: 9.7-inch, 1024x768 multi-touch
• Processor: 1Ghz dual-core Apple A5
• Storage: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
• Camera: Front and rear megapixel not quoted
• Video: 720p front, VGA rear
• Battery: 10 hours web use
• Connections: Bluetooth 2.1, N WiFi, Apple jack, 3.5mm jack, A-GPS
• Dimensions/Weight: 241x186x88mm/601g

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Software Updates

Digsby Beta (build 88)

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 10:35 PM PST

Digsby provides you with IM, email and Social networks in one easy to use application.

Windows 7 Codecs 2.7.7

Posted: 11 Mar 2011 09:46 PM PST

All the codecs you need for Windows 7 to play AVIs, DVDs and more!

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Why Microsoft Should Fear Google Chrome OS: 10 Reasons

Recently, Microsoft released Windows 7 Service Pack 1, an update that delivers some better stability and important fixes to the latest in the long line of operating systems from the software giant. The update will likely be one of many service packs that will be made available to Windows 7. The launch of the service pack, however, causes some to think about Microsoft’s strategy in the operating-system space. The company is still heavily invested in desktop, offline software. And by the looks of things, especially with all the talk surrounding Windows 8, that won’t change anytime soon. Meanwhile, Google is preparing for the launch of Chrome OS, its cloud-based operating system that it believes, can deliver a new (and viable) experience for consumers who are looking for a little something different than Windows. It’s easy to see Google’s point. Chrome OS looks to be a promising addition to the operating-system market. And it could very well take a bite out of Windows market share eventually. Here's why Microsoft should fear Chrome OS.

1. It’s A Good Idea
   If nothing else, Google’s Chrome OS platform is a good idea. As more and more consumers start accessing the Web for their many needs, it only makes sense than operating system would bridge the gap between their offline efforts and their Web practices. Chrome OS might not be ground-breaking, but it’s undoubtedly an evolutionary upgrade that makes quite a bit of sense over desktop alternatives.
2. Google Has Done Well Elsewhere
   Microsoft might feel that its positioning in the enterprise and consumer markets is intact and it has nothing to fear. But it doesn’t have far to look to see that Google is quite capable of taking Microsoft down. The search giant did so online and it practically dismantled Microsoft’s operation in the mobile market. What’s to stop Google from doing the same in the OS space where it has a unique product to compete with Windows?
3. Windows Isn’t Everyone’s Favorite
   Not long ago, many believed that few things—if anything—could stop the Windows juggernaut. The operating system was simply too popular in the enterprise and consumer spaces for it not to dominate. But then Windows Vista came along. And when that happened, consumers, enterprise customers, and even vendors turned their backs on Microsoft. Windows 7 has helped revive Microsoft’s business. But the memory of Vista is still fresh.
4. It’s Probably the Future
   It’s hard to say what the next 10 to 15 years in the operating-system market will look like. But it’s quite possible that the space will be dominated by cloud-based platforms. As mentioned, the Web is integral to the experience of computing today. Realizing that, it would only make sense for Web-based operating systems to gain popularity over time. And the longer it takes Microsoft to realize what Google already has, the worse it will be for the software giant.
5. It Doesn’t Have A Real Response
   Microsoft has Azure, which could be central to its future plans in the cloud, but it’s hard to point to a single solution that can compete on the same exact level as Google Chrome OS. Microsoft is still focused on the desktop market. And it doesn’t look like that will change at any point in the near future. The longer Microsoft remains obstinate in the face of Chrome OS, the worse it will be over the long haul.
6. It Doesn’t Have A Dominant Cash Lead
   Whenever Microsoft has faced serious competitors in the past, the company has used its financial muscle to beat them. But it can’t do that this time with Google. Like Microsoft, Google is sitting on a cash cow. And it has the money it needs to invest in technologies that will help Chrome OS fight it out with Windows. That’s a problem for Microsoft. And it should scare the software company.
7. Consumers Choose Google
   Microsoft isn’t the most well-liked company in the consumer space. It’s still viewed by some as a firm that caters more to enterprise customers and fails to see the changing times the way companies like Apple or Google do. Whether or not that’s the case is up for debate. But until Microsoft can prove that it can think about consumers and deliver a Web-based operating system, the harder it will be for the company to take on Google and Chrome OS.
8. The Waiting Game
   One of the biggest mistakes Microsoft has made in response to Chrome OS is to basically ignore it. The company hasn’t come out with something that it can point to and say that the specific product will take Google on. Instead, it has largely ignored the cloud-OS space. But the longer it waits to respond, the worse it will be for Microsoft. Although Chrome OS hasn’t been sold to a single customer, time is of the essence. And Microsoft can’t forget that.
9. It’s Not Mac OS X
   There’s a general feeling in Redmond, it seems, that Chrome OS will turn out like Mac OS X—a fine operating system that few people actually use. But perhaps that’s a bit short-sighted. For one, Google has the ability to target more of the mainstream than Apple. And unlike Apple, Google is obsessed with taking Microsoft down. Admittedly, it would take a long time for Google to supplant Microsoft as the leader in the OS market. But tossing Chrome OS aside as a wannabe is a big mistake on Microsoft’s part.
10. It Isn’t Linux Either
    Microsoft would do well to not believe that Chrome OS is just another Linux, as well. Unlike Linux, Chrome OS looks to have the full support of many vendors that have traditionally only worked with Microsoft and Windows. That alone makes it a threat to Microsoft. And that alone should give Microsoft enough concern to think twice about ignoring the impact Chrome OS might have on its operation.

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Apple iPad 2 Spring Launch is Bad for Android Honeycomb Tablets

A lot of hearsay and speculation floated around Apple Feb. 22, as financial analysts reported that Apple's iPad 2 follow-up to the smash-hit tablet that sold some 15 million units would be pushed back. Taiwanese brokerage Yuanta Securities said production bottlenecks at Apple's manufacturing partner Hon Hai may delay the iPad 2 launch by as much as two months, pushing it to June. Clearly feeling the need to respond, Apple invited the media to a March 2 press event in San Francisco. So what does this all mean? It means the high-tech industry is in full-time iPad 2 watch mode. This couldn't come at a worse time for tablet computers based on Google's Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" operating system. Honeycomb machines such as the Motorola Xoom offer premium features to differentiate from the inaugural iPad, and the idea is to get these to market before the iPad 2 arrives to entice consumers. But several Honeycomb tablets are about to hit the market, each of which may cannibalize enough of the others’ sales to prevent any one of them from grabbing much market share away from the iPad. If Apple unveils the iPad 2 March 2, it would likely get it into consumers' hands in late March or early April, giving the Xoom only a month of sell time without the iPad 2 as a rival. The timing is worse for Android tablets arriving later this spring. Here we list just some of the tablets that a March iPad launch could impede.

iPad 2 Invitation

The media began receiving these invites from Apple Feb. 23, leaving little to the imagination.

No Xoom Boom

Motorola is banking on the Xoom, which launched Feb. 24 from Best Buy and Verizon Wireless, to stand out from the iPad. It certainly fits this bill, with its 10.1-inch screen, 3D graphics and 1GHz dual-core processor. But it does cost $799, unsubsidized, and $599 with a two-year data plan from Verizon Wireless. Will consumers be reluctant to buy it, with an iPad 2 coming down the pike?

T-Mobile G-Slate

Launching in March from T-Mobile the G-Slate is actually the LG Optimus Pad tablet powered by Honeycomb. The product, coming from LG, a smartphone maker that hasn't exactly cultivated a lot of success with Android, and T-Mobile, the smallest U.S. wireless carrier, will have a tough go against the iPad 2.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Powered by a 1GHz dual-core chip, the 10.1-inch, 1,280-by-800 (WXGA) TFT (thin-film transistor) Galaxy Tab tablet will compete with the Xoom Honeycomb tablet in Europe when it goes on sale through Vodafone this spring. Samsung proved with the Galaxy Tab it can build a fine tablet. Unfortunately, Samsung hasn't offered a timeline for a U.S. launch. That means that by the time it arrives stateside, the iPad 2 could have sold millions of the 50 million or so tablets analysts expect to ship this year.

Toshiba Tablet

This unnamed tablet is launching this spring with a 10.1-inch screen, rubberized finish and swappable battery. The latter two features are major differentiators from the iPad design. But Toshiba has as yet had no device in the Android race, making its tablet entry questionable in a sea of Honeycomb gadgets.

HTC Flyer

Wait a minute, you say. The HTC Flyer, which sports a stylus and HTC Sense UI, is launching with Android 2.4 this spring. Very true, but it's also getting the Honeycomb bump later in the second quarter, at which point the iPad 2 will have, of course, shipped millions.

Acer Iconia Tab A500

Acer's first Android tablet, the Iconia Tab A500 sports a 10-inch screen that plays 1080p HD video. The device ships in April, which is presumably when the iPad 2 will land. Good luck, Acer.

Dell Streak 10

This is just vaporware right now, but not really. Engadget sourced Dell as promising a Streak 10 tablet running Honeycomb later this year, likely well behind the Honeycomb pack. The blog blew up the Streak 7 to the 10-inch size here.

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10 Promising Non-Apple iPad Tablets to Hit Store Shelves In 2011

 

In 2010, the tablet space was dominated by a single company: Apple. The firm’s iPad was the most recognizable and worthwhile tablet in the space. The vast majority of consumers realized that it was better than any other device on the market. Admittedly, it wasn’t a difficult decision. The Dell Streak featured a 5-inch display and an out-dated version of Android. The JooJoo tablet came from an unknown company with a short past. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab, while arguably the best iPad alternative, was running Android 2.2, which Google itself said wasn’t ready for tablets. But 2011 will be a different story altogether. The iPad will continue to be the tablet to beat this year, but several companies, including LG, Acer and Motorola, among others, will be entering the space this year. Any one of them could very well deliver an experience that customers had been hoping for last year. Those who are interested in learning a bit more about those tablets should click through the following slides. The upcoming tablets won’t carry the Apple logo, but they could be the best alternatives to the iPad for any customer.

Motorola Xoom

The Motorola Xoom is arguably one of the most anticipated tablets to be released this year. The tablet comes with a 10.1-inch display, supports video conferencing, thanks to a front-facing camera, and has a dual-core processor. The device is running Android 3.0 Honeycomb, the best tablet-ready operating system Google has ever released. Excitement is running rampant on this one. And at $799 for a 3G version that’s upgradable to 4G, it’s understandable.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

The Samsung Galaxy Tab has been the most popular Android tablet yet. But now it’s being updated with a 10.1-inch display, a 1GHz dual-core processor, and support for HSPA+. Perhaps most importantly, it’ll be running Android 3.0 Honeycomb when it launches later this year. The tablet is shaping up to be the device that the Samsung Galaxy Tab should have been.

LG Optimus Pad

The LG Optimus Pad is one of the more exciting tablet announcements this year. The device features an 8.9-inch display, and like many of the others in the market, will ship with Android 3.0 Honeycomb. But its key feature is 3D support. Users will be able to view 3D content on the device and 3D video can be shared with 3DTVs. The device is expected to retail for about $800 when it ships later this year.

HTC Flyer

The HTC Flyer could find itself lost among the many larger tablets that will be made available this year. The device will come with a 7-inch display and feature a 1.5GHz processor. In addition, it offers a 3D home screen. HTC is trying to position the Flyer as a top investment for enterprise customers that want to be more mobile. But by the looks of things, it might be best-suited for consumers looking for a slimmer option than some of the bulkier tablets on the market. Expect the Flyer to hit store shelves in the second quarter.

Acer Iconia Tab A500

The Acer Iconia Tab A500’s name is a bit of a mouthful, but the device promises to pack quite a punch. It will feature a 10.1-inch display when it launches and offer the ability for users to play video games in HD as well as 3D titles from the Web. It comes with the dual-core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra processor and will support access to Verizon’s 4G network. The tablet should be running Android 3.0 Honeycomb when it launches in April for an undisclosed price.

RIM BlackBerry PlayBook

The RIM BlackBerry PlayBook is designed with enterprise customers in mind. The device runs RIM’s new BlackBerry Tablet OS made by QNX Software, the company it acquired last year. The device comes with a 7-inch display and will be able to connect to 4G networks. It will support video conferencing and BlackBerry Enterprise Server to help the device appeal more to corporate customers. It’s expected to launch in March or April.

Cisco Cius

The upcoming Cisco Cius, which is scheduled to be made available later this year, is another tablet designed with enterprise customers in mind. It will run Android 2.2 and feature a 7-inch display. Cisco said that its tablet will ship with 3G connectivity, but 4G connectivity is “planned.” In addition, the device is designed to be integrated into existing Cisco products in the enterprise. By the looks of things, the Cius could very well be the device IT decision-makers could be looking for.

Dell Streak 10

Dell has been relatively tight-lipped about the Streak 10, but the company has revealed that the device will be running Android 3.0 Honeycomb and come with a 10.1-inch display. The company says it will be made available sometime this year, but it hasn’t revealed any pricing. Whether the Streak 10 will be able to perform better than last year’s Streak 5 or this year’s Streak 7 remains to be seen.

HP TouchPad

The HP TouchPad is one of the most anticipated tablets expected to hit store shelves this year. The tablet runs webOS and comes with a 9.7-inch display, like the iPad. The device will ship with WiFi connectivity and offer either 16GB or 32GB worth of storage, depending on the model customers choose. The tablet also will integrate well with the company’s upcoming Pre 3 smartphone, allowing customers to answer calls and receive text messages by simply connecting the two devices. The tablet will ship this summer.

Unnamed Toshiba Tablet

Toshiba has been quite tight-lipped about its upcoming tablet. The company hasn’t even revealed the name for it yet. But what it did show off has been quite impressive. The device will come with Android 3.0 Honeycomb and feature a 16:10 720p HD 10.1-inch display. The device also runs Nvidia’s Tegra 2 processor and comes with both a front- and rear-facing camera. Perhaps most importantly, for enterprise customers especially, it comes with a replaceable battery.

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Apple iPhone 5 Design: 10 Hot Features We Expect to See

Apple and Verizon Wireless offered another sweet piece of the Apple mobile pie when they announced the iPhone 4 would be coming to the Verizon network Feb. 10. But iPhone fans are already counting down the days to the usual June unveiling of the next-generation iPhone. No official details are available yet, though media reports are beginning to zero in on some of the features the new device and platform are expected to have. One item we believe you can count on as sure as the night is dark is that the next iPhone will include Near-Field Communication capabilities. NFC is the short-range wireless communications technology that enables wireless phones to communicate with sensors in posters, signs and even point-of-sale contact terminals. In other words, such technology will make the iPhone an electronic wallet. Expect the iPhone 5 to include a chip and for iOS5 to include an NFC controller software stack homegrown and patented by Apple. But there will be more, lots more. In this slide show, eWEEK speculates on a bunch of other new features for the iPhone 5 this summer.

Near-Field Communication

Apple hired Near-Field Communication expert Benjamin Vigier and filed several NFC patents. One of those is for mobile payments, which is one of the core functions Google CEO Eric Schmidt touted for the NFC-enabled Android 2.3 build on the Samsung Nexus Slast month. The combination of the iPhone with mobile payments is an Apple-lover's dream. That dream should come true in June. There are more details on iPhone NFC onBloomberg News.

CDMA/GSM Chip

Some Apple watchers believe Kinsus Interconnect Technology will provide silicon for the iPhone 5's new Qualcomm baseband chip, a CDMA/GSM chip geared to for European countries where Code Division Multiple Access is not supported.

A5 Processor

This is a new generation of phone we're talking about, so we also expect the iPhone 5 will be powered by Apple's new A5 processor, built on ARM's Cortex A9 architecture.

FaceTime 3G

Rumors also indicate that a 3G-enabled FaceTime will come with iPhone 5, ensuring smoother video transmission for the video-chat application.

Media Stream

The iPhone 5 may support Media Stream, a photo-gallery feature that's appeared in code for the iOS 4.3 beta 2. The perk appears to let users invite other users to view pictures as they are taken and uploaded to a service. The 9-to-5 Mac Apple intelligence site offersthis proof.

Redesigned Hardware?

Engadget believes the iPhone 5 will be completely overhauled from a hardware standpoint, which is impressive considering the high bar Apple CEO Steve Jobs and his team have set with the iPhone 4 and previous versions.

Redesigned Antenna

Late in 2010, eWEEK's Nicholas Kolakowski nailed this one as a potential improvement. After the hilarious Antenna Gate fiasco saw the iPhone 4 drop calls everywhere, he believes Apple's iPhone 5 should offer a working antenna. Then Antenna Guy dissects theiPhone's antenna location.

Serious Intelligence

One thing Google has been doing of late is boosting the intelligence of its voice commands. Last year Apple added voice actions to let users call up a business listing from their Android handset by speaking into the phone. Apple bought Siri last April. Siri’s AI capabilities never made it into the iPhone 4, so we expect Apple will add the capability in the iPhone 5 this summer.

A Rival to Google Goggles

Apple in September picked up Polar Rose, which makes facial-recognition software that Apple could leverage in its new iPhone. This application would go where Google's Goggles application, which searches 2-D images only for now, currently doesn't.

LaLa

We want to see the cloud-based iTunes service! Apple bought Web-based music service LaLa in December 2009. But we still haven't seen the fruits of that deal. ReadWriteWebexpects to see a streaming service leveraging LaLa technology for the iPhone 5. We agree.

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Adobe Labs: The 10 Hottest Projects in the Works

Adobe Labs is the home for experimental and early-stage projects where developers and designers can experience and evaluate new and emerging innovations, technologies and products from Adobe engineers. Adobe Labs fosters a collaborative software development process, allowing users to become productive with new products and technologies faster and allowing the Adobe development teams to respond and react to early feedback to shape the software to meet the needs and expectations of the community. At Adobe Labs, visitors get access to resources such as pre release software and technologies; code samples and best practices to accelerate the users' learning curve; early versions of product and technical documentation; and forums, wiki-based content and other collaborative resources to help them interact with other developers and Adobe. Recently Adobe came up with a new Flash-to-HTML5 tool, known as "Wallaby," that enables Flash developers to build apps with greater reach. Adobe introduced Wallaby in a demo at the Adobe MAX 2010 conference in October and released it on the Adobe Labs site March 8 as an experimental technology for developers to try out. Adobe customers called for a closer look at the technology following that MAX demo. Wallaby is an Adobe AIR application that allows designers and developers to convert Adobe Flash Professional files into HTML5 with a simple drag and drop of the mouse, quickly expanding the distribution of creative content across platforms.

Adobe AIR Launchpad

Adobe AIR Launchpad beta is a new desktop tool that helps Adobe Flex developers get started building desktop and mobile applications deployed on Adobe AIR.

Packager for iPhone

The Packager for iPhone, a feature of Adobe Flash Professional CS5 software and the Adobe AIR SDK 2.0.1, offers Flash developers a fast and efficient method to reuse existing code from ActionScript 3 projects to deliver iOS applications for devices, including the iPhone.

ColdFusion Builder 2

ColdFusion Builder 2 is the second generation of the Eclipse-based IDE for ColdFusion application development. This public beta release provides developers with the opportunity to test-drive new code editing and customization features, try out or create community extensions, or support existing applications.

Flash Builder 'Burrito'

The Adobe Flash Builder preview release is code-named "Burrito." The preview release introduces new cross-platform development features and enhancements to Flash Builder and provides support for the preview release of the Adobe Flex SDK, code-named "Hero."

Flash Catalyst 'Panini'

The next version of Adobe Flash Catalyst is code-named "Panini." With Panini, software designers can leverage their skills with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Fireworks to rapidly prototype user interfaces for Flex-based Websites and applications, and collaborate intelligently with developers who use Adobe Flash Builder software. In addition, static artwork can be transformed into interactive projects for the Web or for Websites and applications, all without writing code.

Flex SDK 'Hero'

The Adobe Flex SDK preview release is code-named "Hero." The preview release introduces new support for mobile Flex application development, expands and refines Spark components, and includes some great improvements for large Web application development. The easiest way to explore the new features included in Hero is to use the Adobe Flash Builder "Burrito" preview release.

Flash Player 10.3

Flash Player 10.3 for Windows, Mac and Linux introduces new developer features and enhanced user privacy protection, such as media measurement, acoustic echo cancellation, integration with browser privacy control for local storage, native control panel and auto-update notification for Mac OS.

Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash Player Incubator

The Adobe AIR and Adobe Flash Player Incubator is a technology preview program for more adventurous developers who are willing to experiment with Flash Platform run-time features that are in early development stages.

'Wallaby'

"Wallaby" is the code name for an experimental technology that converts the artwork and animation contained in Adobe Flash Professional files into HTML. This allows developers to reuse and extend the reach of their content to devices that do not support the Flash run-times.

LiveCycle Mosaic ES2 Plug-in for Flash Builder 4

The pre release of the Adobe LiveCycle Mosaic ES2 plug-in for Adobe Flash Builder 4 enables developers to quickly and easily build and debug Mosaic tiles. The plug-in provides tooling support that extends the Flash Builder 4 development environment to support creation and debugging of Mosaic Tiles. The plug-in is part of an overall RIA tooling vision, to enable engineers to rapidly design and develop solutions/applications for their enterprise.

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Apple iPad 2 Aims to Battle Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Others

 

Apple formally announced its next-generation iPad in a San Francisco event March 2. Officially dubbed the iPad 2, the tablet offers hardware upgrades that Apple hopes will sway customers away from new, high-powered competitors such as the Motorola Xoom. Apple CEO Steve Jobs took the event stage to unveil the iPad 2. "Is 2011 going to be the year of the copycats? I think if we did nothing, maybe a little bit," he told the audience. "But we haven’t been resting on our laurels." In addition to being thinner and lighter, the iPad 2 includes a dual-core processor, built-in gyroscope, front- and rear-facing cameras, and the option of either black or white casing. Apple plans on making the device available March 11, with models that will work on both AT&T’s and Verizon’s 3G networks. During his talk, Jobs couldn’t resist a swipe at the Xoom, which runs Android 3.0 and retails for $799. Citing the pricing for the iPad 2’s various models, he said, "Five of these six models are less expensive than $799. We only have one model that’s more expensive than $799." Between keeping the same pricing, and the new hardware and software tweaks, Apple hopes the iPad 2 will hold the company’s line against the tablet competitors due to flood the market this year.

iPad 2

Apple formally announced the iPad 2 in a San Francisco event March 2, ending months of speculation about the features of its next-generation tablet.

Hardware

The 9.7-inch iPad 2 includes a built-in three-axis gyroscope, like the iPhone 4 and latest version of the iPod Touch. It is also 33 percent thinner than the original iPad, which makes it slimmer than the iPhone 4.

iOS 4.3

The company is also tweaking the iPad’s software with iOS 4.3, which includes a speedier JavaScript engine, iTunes home sharing for wireless streaming from PC to iPad, improvement tweaks to Airplay, and built-in Photobooth.

A5

The iPad 2 features a new chip, the A5. Apple hopes its next-generation tablet’s dual-core processor will put it on even footing in consumers’ minds with new and upcoming tablets such as the Motorola Xoom, which boasts a good deal of processing firepower.

Sales

Apple CEO Steve Jobs claimed during the iPad 2 unveiling that Apple has sold some 15 million iPads to date, giving it the lion’s share of the burgeoning consumer tablet market.

Customers

Apple claims some 200 million accounts for its three online storefronts (iTunes, App Store, iBooks).

FaceTime

Like the iPhone 4 and the newest iPod Touch, the iPad 2 boasts FaceTime video-conferencing.

Cameras

Both front- and rear-mounted cameras can record video, with the rear one capable of 720p and 30 frames per second.

Photobooth

The iPad 2 will also include Photobooth, with all the usual face-twisting effects.

Smart Cover

Apple is offering a "smart cover" for the iPad 2, complete with magnets to grasp and auto-align over the screen. When opened, it will wake the device; when closed, it will put the tablet to sleep.

Video Mirroring

Via an Apple Digital AV Adapter or Apple VGA Adapter, users can project their iPad’s screen onto an HDTV or projector.

Pricing

The iPad 2’s pricing structure will mirror that of the original iPad.

{Source}

Some more Useful Software

 

IncrediMail 2 Build 4918

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 04:19 AM PST

IncrediMail is a free email program that manages all your email messages, communications, contact details, and email transactions. IncrediMail is all about having fun with your email.

Maxthon 3.0.21.1000

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 03:18 AM PST

Maxthon Internet Browser software is a powerful tabbed browser with a highly customizable interface. It is based on the Internet Explorer browser engine (your most likely current web browser) which means that what works in the IE browser will work the same in Maxthon tabbed browser but with many additional efficient features:

Firefox 4.0 RC 1

Posted: 09 Mar 2011 08:37 PM PST

The Web is all about innovation, and Firefox sets the pace with dozens of new features to deliver a faster, more secure and customizable Web browsing experience for all.

Fraps 3.3.2

Posted: 10 Mar 2011 02:23 AM PST

Fraps is a universal Windows application that can be used with all games using DirectX or OpenGL technology. In its current form Fraps performs many tasks and can best be described as:

jetAudio 8.0.12 Basic

Posted: 09 Mar 2011 09:04 PM PST

JetAudio is integrated multimedia software made up of a single compact rack. Not only does it play various music and video files, it also has features such as CD burning, recording, and conversion to other file formats.

Safari 5.0.4

Posted: 09 Mar 2011 08:30 PM PST

At one time, web browsers simply got you to the Internet. But from the day it was released, Safari set the bar higher for web browsers. It introduced sophisticated design elements that made browsing a joy. Easy to use, Safari stayed out of your way and let you effortlessly navigate from site to site.

{Source}

40 Fast Facts on Linux

 

The open source software turned 18 last year, and its maturity is evident to hackers and corporate types alike.

1. Linus Torvalds developed the Linux kernel while still a student at the University of Helsinki in 1991.

2. Last year, 75% of Linux code was developed by programmers working for corporations.

3. In December 2009, IBM announced a new mainframe system designed for Linux.

4. IBM chose Linux for what is expected to be the world's most powerful supercomputer, Sequoia, due in 2011.

5. Linux powers 446 of the world's top 500 supercomputers.

6. Some 95% of the servers used by Hollywood's large animation studios are powered by Linux

7. The first major film produced on Linux servers was 1997's Titanic.

8. Director James Cameron again chose Linux servers for box-office smash Avatar.

9. Google runs its web servers on Linux.

10. GOOG has contributed about 1.1% of the code in the current Linux kernel.

11. Linux has a strong following in smartphones and other devices in the consumer electronics world.

12. Palm's WebOS, Google's Android and Nokia's Maemo smartphone operating systems are built on top of the Linux kernel.

13. TiVo uses a customized version of Linux for its appliances.

14. In 2009, Linux had 33.8% revenue marketshare of servers, compared to Microsoft's 7.3%.

15. As of January 2010, Linux still only has a 1.02% marketshare within desktops.

16. Torvalds created Linux based on the GNU General Public License (GPL).

17. Torvalds wouldn't have written his own operating system if GNU had had a kernel at the time.

18. The GNU Project then a lacked lacking drivers, daemons and a kernel.

19. Under the GPL, any person or group distributing the Linux kernel must make the source code available to the recipient of the package.

20. Said Torvalds: "Making Linux GPL'd was definitely the best thing I ever did."

21. Torvalds failed to register the name "Linux" when he first started his open source ventures.

22. In 1994, William Della Croce, Jr. filed for trademark in the U.S.and asked for royalties from Linux distributors.

23. Torvalds and his lawyers won the battle for the Linux name in 1997.

24. There are over 300 distributions of Linux actively deployed today.

25. Linux gained traction beyond the coder cult with 1993's Slackware distribution, which was easier for non-programmers to use.

26. The Debian distribution was one of the first truly community-oriented Linux coding projects.

27. Debian's code base remains the foundation for other distros such as Ubuntu, Knoppix and Xandros.

28. Debian v. 4.0's source code containes 283 million lines of code.

29. $7.37 billion: projected cost to produce that amount of code in a commercial environment.

30. The first commercially-produced, live-CD distribution of Linux was Yggdrasil, released in 1992.

31. Red Hat was one of the first commercial Linux distributions to truly cater to the enterprise.

32. Ubuntu was the first Linux distro to be offered by a major OEM (Dell) to desktop users.

33. The Xandros distribution helped make the netbook craze possible when it was chosen by ASUS for the first iterations of the EeePC.

34. Linux-based Apache wasn't named for Geronimo's tribe, it was called "a patchy server" for its cobbled-together source code.

35. In 2002, The Register claimed Microsoft spent $421 million just to fight Linux.

36. In 2003, the SCO Group earned enmity by claiming that IBM transferred UNIX code into Linux and asking for redress.

37. The Indian state of Kerala made it mandatory for all of its high schools to run Linux on their computers.

38. The federal government of Brazil favors Linux operating systems over all others in its PCs.

39. In 2009, Brazil carried out the largest thin-client deployment of Linux to date, with 350,000 nodes.

40. IDC projects that Linux support sales will top $1 billion by 2012.

{Source: BaselineMag}

How To Use Social Media in a Disaster

 

If a fire, an ice storm, or even a terrorist attack struck your organization, would you immediately go online and Tweet about it? No? Well, maybe you should. So says a report from Janco. Yet most companies haven't considered how to deploy social-media tools as part of their disaster recovery and business continuity planning. While many of them have incorporated Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs and YouTube as part of their branding, marketing and customer outreach efforts, they haven't learned how to exploit the same tools to communicate during an emergency. “Social networks are powerful,” says M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO of Janco. “They allow anyone to share – and hear – information transmitted from others in real time from anywhere. We've found that both true and false information is spread via social networks, in fact.” To get the right information into the right hands, organizations must come up with proactive social-media disaster-response plans. For more about the report, click here.

1. Social Media Shortfall
Only 25% of organizations integrate social media into their disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

2. Update Central
Employees, stakeholders and media will want to know an organization's status in real time during disaster.

3. A Common Voice
Social media unify communications; Facebook and Twitter emerge as key resources and influencers for those tracking company progress.

4. Everyone’s Watching
Competitors are tracking you; create a detailed plan to reveal enough information without harming competitive interests.

5. Worst Cases
The plan must include provisions for loss of facilities, and even key personnel due to injury or death.

6. Check Emotions at the Door
Your public face must be sensitive to human concerns, without venting or seeking pity; project authority and command of the situation.

7. Internal Usage
Users inside the organization will regain a sense of normalcy as they learn how to get on with their jobs.

8. Parsing Personal Media
Support for the company on private accounts is positive; criticizing individuals or releasing private information isn't.

9. Blog the Aftermath
An employee or manager blog provides a first-hand account of how your team rose to the occasion.

10. Show Appreciation
Use social media to extend thanks to co-workers and vendors who helped you through a disaster.

Microsoft Tablets Could Borrow Best Parts from Windows Phone 7

 

Lighter UI

Microsoft seems determined to cling to Windows for its tablets currently on the market. However, the OS comes across as ungainly versus Android and iOS. In its place, Microsoft could consider a touch-optimized, "lighter" user interface more in line with what you find on a smartphone.

Low Cost

The Motorola Xoom and the higher-end Apple iPads represent the top of the tablet market’s price range, at around $800. Most other competitors fall somewhere between $550 and $700. If Microsoft and its tablet partners really want to make an impact, they’ll aim for the lower side of the price spectrum

Hardware

At the moment, tablets are transitioning to dual-core processors to power apps, games and Web cruising. By the time Microsoft begins its big tablet push, the hardware baseline for tablets will doubtlessly have risen into more powerful ranges. Microsoft’s tablet strategy needs to set tough standards for what’s acceptable in terms of screen resolution, processors and other areas.

USB and Peripherals

There exists a tricky line between providing a slimmed-down tablet (truly a "post-PC" device, in Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ words) and something with enough features to cover a wide variety of possible functions. To that end, Microsoft and its partners could err on the side of installing a number of hardware features, such as multiple USBs, on the tablet form factor—something that at least some power users might appreciate.

Regulation

With Windows Phone 7, Microsoft demonstrated that it was willing to impose a strict set of requirements on its manufacturing partners in order to prevent fragmentation and make software updates (somewhat) easier to manage. It could well do the same with tablets.

Other Assets

As with Windows Phone 7, Microsoft could (and maybe should) focus on a tablet experience that bakes other company properties into the tablet UI, including Xbox, Office and SharePoint.

Battery Life

If the current spate of tablets proves anything, it’s that any new competitor on the market needs to place battery life at an absolute premium.

Developers! Developers! Developers!

Windows Phone 7 demonstrated how aggressively courting the developer community to develop apps, months before a platform’s release, can translate into small but steady dividends. While WP7 doesn’t boast an app library the size of Google’s or Apple’s, it has so far managed to avoid the fate of Palm and RIM in that category. With any tablet, Microsoft will need to ensure it has an app developer plan in place.

Xbox Integration

Microsoft’s secret weapon with tablets could be integration with Xbox Live. Easily the company’s most successful consumer franchise, Xbox could give a Microsoft tablet a built-in gamer audience.

Stylus

Fujitsu’s Q550 tablet already boasts the ability to write with a stylus, in addition to touch input. A deeply ingrained ability to treat a tablet’s surface like paper could go far in expanding its user base to writers, artists and designers.

Security

Security features such as an embedded security chip and encrypted SSD could make a Windows tablet that much more appealing to enterprise users.

Carriers

While it’s too soon to tell whether it will ultimately succeed over others in the tablet market, Samsung’s early experience launching the Galaxy Tab on multiple carriers drew a lot of buzz. A similar blanket strategy could also serve Microsoft well, ensuring its tablets get high visibility.

{Source: eWeek}

Enterprise Mobility: Jobs Uses iPad 2 Event to Tout Apple Advantages over Google, Amazon

iPad

The original iPad sold more than 15 million units in 2010, prompting Jobs to claim that Apple had 90 percent of the tablet market. Some analysts quibble on this large figure, but most agree Apple has at least 80 percent share to this date. If that's not a competitive advantage we don't know what is. Devil's advocates will say it's the early days yet and the ceiling for tablet unit sales remains high, giving HP, RIM, and Microsoft Windows 7 and Android tablet makers time to catch up.

The Price Differential

While tablet makers HP, RIM and Samsung race to get new tablets into the market, the iPad is revving its second generation for launch March 11. Motorola launched its Xoom tablet earlier this week, but it costs $799 without a contract, or $70 more than the original iPad. While that was to be expected, the Xoom, which was developed with premium features in anticipation of the iPad 2, is now in a pickle because Apple is selling the iPad 2 at the same prices as the original. With the exception of 4G network upgradeability, Motorola's justification of pricing based on premium features is offset by the iPad 2.

100 Million iPhones and Counting

Android may lead the market in sheer smartphone volume, but Jobs reported that Apple shipped 100 million iPhones since 2007, easily more than any smartphone ever. That's a crowning achievement, showing consumers' affinity and passion for the Apple brand. Apple haters, perhaps including some Android lovers, are gagging on this fact.

The 350,000 Advantage

Can you guess what the 350,000 number in the title refers to? Yes, it's applications, as in Apple's App Store sports more than 350,000 applications. Jobs pointed out that 65,000 of those exist for the iPad, compared with 100 for Google's Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" built for tablets.

Money, Money, Money

So what did some of those 350,000 Apple App Store apps translate to for developers. Oh, just $2 billion in pay-outs Apple made to programmers. The App Store paradigm presents a 70-30 split for Apple to developers, so that would make the App Store incredibly profitable for the company—almost $5 billion.

Attacking Amazon

Jobs didn't just single out Android and other smartphone and tablet platforms. He reserved some stats to swipe at Amazon. For example, he said more than 100 million books have been downloaded from iBooks for consumption on iPads and iPhones. Amazon won't release its numbers, leaving Jobs to suggest Apple had an advantage here. However, it is worth noting that Amazon has sold 115 Kindle books for every 100 paper books, making it easily the largest online book seller in the world.

iTunes

One other significant statistic is that Apple has logged 200 million accounts for its iTunes store, spanning iTunes, iBooks and applications. That is a mobile commerce clearinghouse that dwarfs even eBay's PayPal unit. "Amazon doesn't publish their numbers, but it's likely this is the most accounts with credit cards anywhere on the internet," Jobs said. Meanwhile, Google struggles to build a mobile payment platform to make it more of an e-commerce play.

Jobs

Jobs concluded with this gem: "Our competitors are looking at this like it's the next PC market. That is not the right approach to this. These are post-PC devices that need to be easier to use than a PC, more intuitive. The hardware and software need to intertwine more than they do on a PC." His argument is that tablets based on Android, where the software is developed by Google and the hardware by Motorola, Samsung and others, will never be as good or successful as the iPad. Jobs here essentially applied this same argument for why the iPhone apps platform is so much better compared with devices built with Android, Windows and other systems: that Apple's approach of delivering a tightly controlled system of hardware and software works.

Cloud Computing: 15 Hot New Cloud, Mobile Products That Starred at DEMO 2011

 

PhotoRocket

PhotoRocket is a cloud service that enables users to share photos instantly in one step to all photo destinations. With applications for Windows, Mac and iPhone, a single click simultaneously shares to people, Facebook, Twitter and other sites. Launch PhotoRocket nearly anywhere you have a photo to share. You can right-click, drag and drop, or click on a nearby PhotoRocket button. PhotoRocket eliminates uploading, e-mailing, resizing, attaching and other hurdles.

ApSynth

ApSynth is a new kind of platform as a service (PAAS) that lets developers create and deploy Web applications in a simple way. Once published, applications can be embedded and spread to other Websites, blogs and social networks. Applications authors deliver either free applications or set a price for a monthly number of displays. ApSynth Web applications become monetized Web content just like text, video, et cetera.

Manilla

Manilla is a free, cloud-based personal-account-management service that helps consumers manage all their household accounts, including bills, finances, travel rewards programs and subscriptions in one place.

DataRoket

DataRoket is a cloud-based analytical database for data-warehouse, data-integration and master data management. It gets data from wherever it exists in your company, with your partners or in the cloud, and integrates it into a real-time, highly scalable and high-performance data source that can be used anywhere for any application.

GageIn

GageIn is a business-networking platform powered by content. It is a next-generation platform for gathering information, collaborating with colleagues, and making the right connections to uncover business opportunities and quickly drive measurable results. GageIn provides five key feature functions—explore, receive, connect, collaborate and promote—to help uncover business opportunities.

Embria

Brazil-based Embria has created a patented Web-based operating system that provides flexibility and agility for enterprise Web software development, online collaboration and process governance. This software uses an architecture of prefabricated components that can be configured or customized according to the requirements of each user.

Workface

Workface Inc.'s Workface is a customer-initiated-engagement platform that connects your employees with new customers online in real-time. The idea is to digitally connect business people with customers "in a way that preserves the human experience." Workface software has more than 70,000 users worldwide.

Nimble

Nimble describes itself as "the world's first Social Relationship Manager." The free cloud-based software connects and manages contacts, calendars, communications and social conversations into Nimble's Web-based application and is aimed at transforming social communities into business customers.

V3 Systems

V3 has a short name that could easily seem to get lost, but the company is convinced it has big potential in the marketplace. V3's VDA is a 1U-high rack-mounted appliance that serves as a virtual desktop accelerator and delivers virtual desktop performance from a cloud-based environment.

Kuggaa

Kuggaa is a cloud-based service that allows its subscribers to create, edit and view their favorite mobile content supported across different devices. Kuggaa unifies all device ecosystems and does not keep subscribers captive to one ecosystem (such as Android, MacOS Windows or others). Subscribers can access any of the content on any of their devices with an application-based desktop.

AboutOne.com

AboutOne.com is a patent-pending, cloud-based service that provides a single location to manage household information. AboutOne.com prompts users to record specific details to be prepared with the information you need to take care of your family. All posts are combined to save time on everyday activities, such as creating family newsletters, scrapbooks and mailing lists for holiday cards, or completing school forms, college applications, caregiver instructions and tax returns.

Ajax.org

Ajax.org's Cloud9 IDE is a cloud-based integrated software development environment that provides a collaboration platform for JavaScript developers in the cloud. It also supports HTML5, Python, Ruby and PHP. The platform enables developers to build applications that can be accessed, edited or shared anytime, anywhere.

HBMG

HBMG Inc.'s Vector is a new product line for this established security and collaboration software maker. Vector is a rapidly deployable, cloud-centric appliance that provides all the IT and network infrastructure necessary for small and midsized businesses or remote offices for enterprises.

Websense

Websense is not a new company, but it’s providing a topical service: security for a key part of the social Web. Its new Defensio for Facebook specifically prevents Facebook page owners from attackers who post unwanted content. It also protects brand reputation, image, customers and prospects from being infected on Facebook.

Zugara

Zugara's Webcam Social Shopper is a cloud-based apparel visualization and social-media-engagement product. Users go online using a webcam to display their own image "trying on" clothing and accessories ahead of time to see if they like the look before buying the items online. This potentially saves shoppers a lot of time and effort returning unwanted goods.

Don't Waste Money on iPad 2: 10 Reasons Why

 

1. The Design Differences Aren’t Major
   Apple’s iPad 2 is certainly a nice-looking device. And the best part is, it’s thinner and features a lighter weight than its predecessor. But the difference is negligible, since chances are, most folks aren’t going to notice the difference between 1.5 pounds and 1.3 pounds. Mobility is undoubtedly important, but the original iPad is just fine for those on-the-go.
2. The Dual Cameras Aren’t Everything
   Much has been made about Apple’s decision to offer dual cameras on the iPad 2. With their help, users will be able to snap photos and have FaceTime video chats with others. But are those features enough to justify buying another iPad? Considering there are many other cameras out there for much cheaper prices, probably not.
3. The White Doesn’t Look So Great
   Apple was quick to point out that its new tablet comes with a white finish. That might appeal to some folks, but when one actually looks at the white version, it quickly becomes clear that the black model looks much nicer. Realizing that, those who own the current iPad and were thinking seriously about the white version should stay away and wait for Apple to offer a nicer look in the future.
4. The iPad 3 Will Be Best
   Let’s face it: the iPad 2 is nothing more than an evolutionary upgrade. It features a better processor, a slightly improved design, and a few other features that customers might like. But it’s the iPad 3 that will feature the biggest change. It will likely deliver the many features the iPad 2 is missing. And it would probably behoove current iPad owners to wait.
5. The Price Is Still the Same
   As mentioned, the update to the iPad 2 isn’t all that groundbreaking. And that’s probably why Apple kept the price of the device the same, starting at $499 and going up to $829. However, consumers need to ask themselves if they really want to pay at least $500 for a device that was updated in largely minor ways.
6. Consider Other Available Options
   The iPad 2 might look like one of the better options on the market, but it’s worth noting that there are several other devices available now, including the Motorola Xoom, which consumers might also want to consider. That device comes with many of the features the iPad 2 offers, but delivers a bigger screen, Android 3.0 Honeycomb, and a future, free upgrade to 4G. It’s a fine alternative to the iPad 2.
7. Think About Future Devices Too
   Aside from current devices, it’s important for consumers to remember that there are scores of tablets scheduled to hit store shelves in the coming months. They range from the LG Optimus Pad to the Research In Motion BlackBerry PlayBook. And they all offer something unique. Rather than opt for the iPad 2 now, maybe it would be best to hold on to the current iPad and see what future tablets might offer.
8. Don’t Fall Into the Annual Trap
   Apple is absolutely the best in the market when it comes to getting customers to buy new devices every year. The company delivers important updates to its products and does so in an arena where everyone finds out about it. The strategy helps it attract customers to its products every year. And it makes for much higher revenue figures. But considering the evolutionary upgrade to the iPad 2, customers would be smart to resist the urge to fall into the annual trap this time around.
9. There’s No 4G
   One of the main omissions from the iPad 2 is 4G. Unlike the Motorola Xoom, which will offer a free upgrade to 4G, the iPad 2 only comes with the ability to connect to 3G networks. It’s a misstep on Apple’s part, given the growing importance of the ultra-high-speed connection. And it should be enough for current iPad owners to wait until the iPad 3 to upgrade from their current tablet. After all, that device probably will have 4G.
10. Where’s the Retina Display?
    Prior to the announcement of the iPad 2, rumors started surfacing, suggesting that the device would come with an improved display. Some wondered if Apple would offer its high-quality Retina Display — which is found in the iPhone 4 — in the iPad 2, as well. But it did nothing of the sort. And the new tablet’s screen is identical to its predecessor. That’s unfortunate. Apple had an opportunity to entice more customers to the iPad 2 by delivering a better display. And it fell short.

Half of the Workday is Wasted

 

Knowledge workers at SMBs spend 50% of their workdays on unproductive but necessary tasks like dealing with spam or scheduling meetings, says a study conducted for cloud-based VoIP and unified communications company Fonality. The impact of inefficient communications shows a need for immediate change, said Steve Taylor, editor-in-chief and publisher for Webtorials, which conducted the 2011 Report on UC and Cloud-based Services for SMBs. The report says reducing a worker’s unproductive time by 25% adds the equivalent of six productive weeks each year; a business with 50 employees making between $40,000 and $110,000 per year could save $950,000 annually. Fonality, a unified communications vendor, unsurprisingly touts unified communications as a way of realizing such efficiencies. “You’re going to see the change toward cloud service – it’s going to start with small business,” said Wes Durow, chief marketing officer of Fonality. “All that time that’s wasted seeking information and trying to connect others can be greatly reduced.”

 

• 36% of worker time is lost scheduling, digging up information, and trying to get in touch with people.
• 74 minutes per day is wasted trying to get in touch with customers, partners or colleagues.
• 67 minutes each day is spent looking up information about the business.
• 33 minutes per day is spent trying to schedule meetings with colleagues.
• 39 minutes each day is spent repeating themselves – by email, chat and/or phone.
• 29 minutes per day is spent dealing with Spam and avoiding phone calls.
• 50% of knowledge-worker time at SMB is wasted on unproductive yet unavoidable tasks.
• The bright side: Reducing unproductive time by 25% can give workers back 6 hours each week to do their jobs better.

Eight Trends Driving IT's Future

 

Data as a Platform
The era of viewing everything through the application lens is over; architectures will be chosen on their ability to manage soaring volumes of data instead of application support.

Analytics Beyond BI
The wealth of unstructured data available to businesses must be tapped with a mix of technologies to fully leverage its value.

Cloud Computing
Hybrid clouds — Saas and PaaS combined with internal apps on both public and private clouds — will cement IT’s role as a driver of business growth and change the face of enterprise computing.

Server-centric to Service-centric
Architecture will shift from in-house servers to a distributed model — inside the enterprise and beyond — to separate infrastructure, systems, applications and businesses processes from one another.

Security Evolves
IT’s fortress mentality is giving way to a security architecture that responds in proportion to threats as they happen; security systems will become more automated.

Risk-Based Data Privacy
Risks around personal data grow with regulation and enforcement; IT must manage risk from data breaches or privacy breakdowns.

Social Network Data Boom
Companies now collect massive amounts of data about individuals and communities; analytics are needed to leverage it.

User Experience Matters
Today, companies are driven by the need to optimize and reduce costs. Tomorrow, they will need to focus application design on the streamlining the user experience.