Big data is likely to quickly become big business, ZDNet reports. The ability to isolate the nuggets of insight inside the huge volumes of structured and unstructured data hoarded by most businesses could improve customer service, make processes more efficient and cut costs. According to analysts Gartner, adoption of big data is still at a very early stage: just eight percent of companies have initiatives up and running, 20 percent are piloting and experimenting, 18 percent are ‘developing a strategy’, 19 percent are ‘knowledge gathering’, while the remainder have no plans or don’t know. But that could change rapidly: the analyst firm is predicting 4.4 million people will be working on such projects within two years, while a recent survey by Harvey Nash found that four out of ten CIOs planned to increase their investments in the next year. However, because big data uses untested technologies and skills that are in short supply inside most organisations, there are number of hurdles for organisations seeking to exploit it…
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Microsoft offers schools free Surface RTs as Bing search rewards
Microsoft has launched a new ad-free search product, Bing for Schools, with an incentive program that rewards schools with free Surface RT tablets, ZDNet reports. The new pilot program, currently for the US only, offers schools a search engine tailored for education, and to encourage interest in joining it, Microsoft is integrating its incentive program, Bing Rewards, which will let schools earn Surface RTs. Given the dissatisfaction that older Windows users seem to have with RTs lack of backwards compatibility, younger students may be one group that have fewer objections to its limitations, and give Microsoft a chance to put its spare Surface RT inventory to good use…
…Read MoreMicrosoft delivers native Outlook Web App clients for iPhone, iPad
New, free Microsoft Outlook Web App clients for iPhone and iPad are available in the Apple App Store. The catch: Users need an Office 365 subscription that includes Exchange Online to make use of the new, free apps, ZDNet reports. Outlook Web App (OWA) is a client with that provides email, calendar and contact functionality. It works the same way that Outlook Web App in the browser does. However, according to a new Office 365 Technology blog post from Microsoft, the native versions provide “additional capabilities that are only possible through native integration of the app with mobile devices.”
…Read MoreTwo Microsofts: Mulling an alternate reality
Thomas Penfield Jackson has died, and the former U.S. District court judge ruled in 2000 that Microsoft was a monopoly that should be broken up into two companies, ZDNet reports. This part of his decision was over-turned, but what might have happened had the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld his decision to break up Microsoft? Jackson took this approach because he couldn’t stand Microsoft. The irony is that many experts over the years believe that had Jackson been allowed to break the company up into “Baby Bills,” Microsoft actually would have done better…
…Read MoreWill Google Glass face adoption challenges due to privacy concerns?
A ZDNet debate: Are the privacy concerns about Google Glass any different than cameras on smartphones? Why or why not? What do you think will happen when prescription Google Glass is being worn in a public event? Will consumers have to carry a pair of dumb glasses?
…Read MoreMicrosoft confirms cheaper Windows 8 mini-tablets coming ‘in months’
Microsoft has confirmed smaller, cheaper Windows 8 touch-enabled devices from OEM partners will be available within months, ZDNet reports. On a call with analysts to discuss yesterday’s Q3 results, Peter Klein, Microsoft’s chief financial officer, said consumers should expect to see more Windows 8 touch devices across more attractive price points. “[W]e also are working closely with OEMs on a new suite of small touch devices powered by Windows. These devices will have competitive price points, partly enabled by our latest OEM offerings designed specifically for these smaller devices, and will be available in the coming months.”
…Read MoreThe five best android tablets
Tablets are everywhere, and while Apple’s iPad commands the most media attention, there’s no shortage of excellent Android alternatives to choose from, ZDNet reports. Here are the top 5 Android tablets for February 2013. All of the tablets features here are very capable, powerful workhorses, and are ideal not only for home users, but also for enterprise users or those looking for a BYOD tablet…
…Read More12 reasons why public clouds are better than private clouds
To see many of the advantages of cloud computing without its risks, many enterprises are turning to private clouds, which are service layers contained within their firewalls that look and feel like public clouds, ZDNet reports. But these private clouds may actually be less secure and reliable than the public services. That’s the view of Jason Bloomberg, who said private clouds often add up to more trouble than they’re worth. In his latest book, The Agile Architecture Revolution: How Cloud Computing, REST-Based SOA, and Mobile Computing Are Changing Enterprise IT, Jason outlined the reasons why public cloud may ultimately be a better choice for enterprises. You may not agree with Jason’s premise about on-premises — in fact, I expect violent disagreement. And this is more of an either/or argument, rather than raising the possibility of blended strategies, such as employing public clouds as test beds, but keeping applications in production within private clouds. That said, here are Jason’s arguments for public cloud and against private cloud…
…Read MoreAmazon’s Kindle Fire HD family: The highs and lows you need to know
There’s no doubt that Amazon’s original Kindle Fire tablet was a huge hit. It earned over 10,000 5-star customer reviews, it remained the number-one best-selling product on Amazon since its introduction, and it captured 22 percent of U.S. tablet sales in nine months, says ZDNet. Amazon hopes to duplicate the success it has with original Kindle Fire with its family of Kindle Fire HD tablets. There’s certainly a lot of high-end technology packed into every Kindle Fire HD tablet. First, there are new displays. The 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD comes with a 1920×1200 1080p HD display with in-plane switching, Advanced True Wide polarizing filter, and featuring a 1280×800 720p display. 254 pixels per inch that Amazon says are “indistinguishable to the human eye” — in other words: it’s a retina display…
…Read More10 excellent iPhone and iPad gadgets and accessories
Looking to spice up your iPhone or iPad while waiting for the next revision to come out of Cupertino? Give some of these gadgets and accessories a try! Says ZDNet. With all the excitement kicking up about Microsoft’s Surface tablet (which comes complete with an unobtrusive keyboard), iPad users may find themselves wanting to get something closer to a laptop experience out of their device. Luckily, that’s just what the CruxCase 360 sets out to do, acting as a protective iPad case that doubles as a stand and a keyboard…
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