Mobile Devices

Via goes mainstream with new Isaiah processor

Paul Mah — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:24:56 -0400

Via Technologies is preparing its first high performance x86 chip, targeted squarely at the mainstream. Historically, Via focused in niches like that of ultra-compact PCs, or small mobile devices such as the OQO. Codenamed Isaiah, the new processor is thrifty in the area of power consumption, yet features superscalar, out-of-order execution on just 3.5 watts of power. Three years in the making, it is designed by Via subsidiary Centaur Technology and packs between two to four times the performance of Via's current C7 processor. The vice president of corporate marketing at Via, Richard Brown, noted that the Isaiah is "very, very close" to Intel's Core 2 Solo offering.

For more on Via Technologies:
- check out this CNET News article

Forrester predicts tech 'populism'

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:59:58 -0500

A new Forrester study says there will soon be a proliferation of "technology populism." That means that IT professionals will be rethinking how they currently evaluate, provide and support collective and collaborative software and services. Forrester says this change will increase the pressure to throw out the traditional methods by which technology is deployed. "Technology Populism is driven by people's needs to interact," said Forrester Research Principal Analyst Matthew Brown. "For many employees, the telephone and email are being replaced by text messaging, instant messaging, and mobile devices, such as iPhones and BlackBerrys, and Social Computing tools like Facebook and Wikipedia," Brown said. Is this true at your workplace? Let us know what is happening and what you think of this new trend in the comments.

For more on this trend:
- See this Fox Business article

Motorola mulling spin-off of handset unit

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:59:55 -0500

As unlikely as the rumors may have seemed, it looks like they were true: Motorola is considering spinning-off its handset division into a separate business. "We are exploring ways in which our Mobile Devices Business can accelerate its recovery and retain and attract talent while enabling our shareholders to realize the value of this great franchise," Motorola CEO and President Greg Brown said in a statement. Motorola's handset unit lost some $388 million this quarter, compared to $341 million in earnings just one year ago. If the company were to sell its handset business, Motorola would effectively become a government and enterprise vendor.

For more on the news:
- see this Engadget article

Tech spending to slow, not crash

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:59:59 -0500

The prospects for technology spending this year are not too bad and analysts say that's because IT has become embedded in the world of the corporate economy. During the last recession, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, there was far more corporate pain and technology was part of the downward cycle. This year, there is a guarded optimism. Buyers like Monte Ford, the CIO at American Airlines, say that their spending on technology will slow, but it won't stop. But there could be a downside, with some managers delaying the replacement of personal computers and upgrades for mobile devices or putting off purchasing new desktop software.

"You adopt the mentality of a small-business owner for those kinds of things - you just want to avoid writing a check," said Jack Santos, an analyst at the Burton Group, a technology research firm. CIOs, remember that timing is everything and that every corner of your operation must be scrutinized for the best value. We'll have more on this in upcoming issues, and we'd like to hear what you have planned to make your budget lean, mean and efficient.

For more on technology and the economy:
- See this New York Times article

ALSO NOTED: Red Sox Face Wireless Slump; China Takes on Web 2.0;

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 20:01:38 -0400

> Red Sox IT Chief Contends with Wireless 'Weird Stuff' at Fenway Park. Article

> China takes on Web 2.0. Article

> Patent Reform in the Spotlight. Article

> Oracle takes on Mobile Workforce. Article

And Finally... Indian Outsourcer TaTa Plans to Hire 5,000 Employees...in Mexico. Article

Mobility has its price

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:01:38 -0500

As mobile devices become more prevalent in the corporate world, it has become critical to ensure that these devices are fully secure and compatible with the rest of the corporate infrastructure. While the issues for the most common of these devices, such as laptops and Blackberrys, have been worked out, new mobile devices are entering the mainstream, challenging IT departments. Examples include Apple's iPhone and OQO's Model 02 mobile PC--a laptop replacement with a 5-inch display that can run either Windows Vista or Windows XP Professional. CIOs should do what it takes to ensure that the security and compatibility issues that these consumer-oriented devices introduce into the enterprise are addressed.

Read more about consumer-oriented mobile devices in a corporate world:
- read the article at ComputerWorld

What the analysts see coming in 2007

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 19:01:35 -0500

IT industry pundits spend their days talking with tech leaders and business executives about the current technology in play, new technology hitting the ground and the direction IT is headed in. Sometimes industry analysts get caught up in all the hype from vendors hoping to break new ground. Yet, while we all should be taking analysts' insight and guidance with a small grain of salt, their viewpoint remains valuable. That's why Gartner Research's expectations for the coming year caught my attention. Their list of predictions includes everything from outsourcing viability to the poor networking spend habits of many enterprises. Some are common sense--mobile technologies will obviously keep rolling out, user adoption will increase and yes, Virginia, IT security won't get any easier. But it's also interesting to hear what Gartner believes will happen with corporate social responsibility and how IT fits into that puzzle.

For more on what the analysts see in the new year:
- read the feature at eWeek

Data left behind poses a big risk

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 19:01:36 -0500

While it may seem that laptop data theft is primarily due to thieves and disgruntled ex-employees, it looks like plain old user forgetfulness is the major reason mobile devices go missing. A new report from Pointsec Mobile Technologies states that over 10,000 devices such as PDAs, cell phones and laptops were left behind in taxi cabs, in the Washington, DC area alone, during a six month period. While the majority of these devices found their way back to owners, it's still clear that tons of confidential data--from contact information and messaging content to files on corporate initiatives--could potentially end up in the wrong hands.

For more on the real threat to mobile data:
- read the news at CSO online

Related Article: Picking the right mobile device for road warriors. Article

SPOTLIGHT: Laptop security in three simple steps

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 19:01:34 -0500

Despite a recent article about how road warriors can work without a laptop at their disposal, most of today's mobile staffers still need the device to get their job done. Given the continuing news of laptop thefts and data loss, it's critical to make sure that users know how to best secure and protect their handy mobile PC. There are three simple steps that can make that happen and that can also improve remediation and response if the unthinkable happens. Article

New handheld meets business needs

Thu, 26 Oct 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Choosing the right mobile handheld device for your enterprise can be a challenge but it's getting easier and easier as vendors release more mobile technologies that fit corporate needs. One such device is the new HP iPAQ hw6920, which boasts a full QWERTY keyboard, a digital camera and a three-inch screen with a resolution of 240x240 pixels. The Windows Mobile 5.0 device provides pocket versions of Word, Excel, Outlook, and even Windows Media Player. But the very best part is that it lets your software developers design specific applications for your users' needs. The device lets you run third-party applications to cover requirements ranging from project management to product tracking. According to analysts, that's what makes it a true high-end business device.

For more on the new corporate handheld device:
- read the article at CIO Today