News

Nice while it lasted: Apple shares tumble below $500

Chris Nerney — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:10:09 +0000

Shares of Apple ended a two-day run above $500 on Wednesday following a sharp sell-off prompted by no discernible news. What's up with that?

Microsoft sees Skype linking all its products, CFO says

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:54:30 +0000

Microsoft will aggressively and broadly integrate Skype across its product portfolio, the company's CFO said on Wednesday, the same day that rival Cisco Systems raised concerns about Microsoft's Skype integration plans.

LightSquared vows to keep seeking a GPS solution

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:09:49 +0000

LightSquared said Wednesday it still wants to find a solution to the GPS interference issue that has probably already doomed the fledgling carrier's plans for a nationwide mobile broadband network.

4 components of a social media governance model

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:05:31 +0000

Even as social media presents unprecedented business opportunities for marketing, customer service, brand building and consumer relationships, many organizations are still struggling to embrace it for fear that it negatively effects worker productivity or puts the company at risk. A 2011 survey by Society for Human Resource Management reveals that 43% of businesses block access to social media on company-owned computers or handheld devices.

Event shows the many faces, challenges of big data

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:04:40 +0000

The burgeoning tech industry movement around big data is churning up a variety of new applications, but remains an evolving field that faces lingering challenges, judging from an event held Wednesday at a Microsoft research facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

HP CEO: Google-Motorola deal could close-source Android

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:29:28 +0000

WebOS could be an important player in the long run as an open-source mobile OS because Android could become closed source with Google's purchase of Motorola Mobility, Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman said Wednesday.

Private app stores and tablets: Notes from an early adopter

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:08:41 +0000

Mobile devices and apps are everywhere -- including the workplace. But while users reap benefits, IT departments struggle with risks. Cisco's AppHQ running on its Cius tablet promises a controlled environment. One of the first to test the private app store is tech reseller and consulting company CDW.

FCC cracks down on telemarketing robocalls

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:43:59 +0000

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has approved new rules requiring telemarketers that use autodialed or prerecorded telephone calls to sell products to get written approval from customers before sending them the robocalls.

HP assigns dedicated tech support for Elite PCs

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:37:20 +0000

Hewlett-Packard has expanded technology support options for its premium Elite PC customers, who will now be able to select a single tech support person to deal with over the life of a PC, the company said on Wednesday.

Cisco to appeal Microsoft-Skype deal in European court

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:27:19 +0000

Cisco will appeal the European Commission's approval of Microsoft's US$8.5 billion Skype acquisition, saying the agency should demand that the companies support standards for interoperability with other collaboration platforms.

Rackspace soon to partner with developers of private OpenStack distros

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:23:18 +0000

Rackspace expects to soon announce commercial private OpenStack distributions that it will support as part of its Rackspace Cloud: Private Edition set of services.

Zynga makes dramatic shift from public cloud

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:18:49 +0000

The social games company sees Amazon Web Services as a 'four-door sedan' and its own network as a sports car

Motorola Android phones not getting Ice Cream Sandwich until second half of year

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:28:52 +0000

Apparently being owned by Google doesn't mean Motorola will get its devices upgraded to Android 4.0 ("Ice Cream Sandwich") any more quickly.

Zynga loses much of its 'Facebook bounce'

Chris Nerney — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:28:16 +0000

Shares of social games maker Zynga fell nearly 16% after the company reported a Q4 loss, erasing much of the gains made by the stock since Facebook's IPO plans became public in late January.

Telenor seeks compensation from Indian partner for loss of 2G licenses

IDGNS staff — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:17:24 +0000

Norwegian mobile operator Telenor said Wednesday that it has issued a notice to its Indian joint venture partner seeking indemnity and compensation after the cancellation earlier this month of its 22 2G licenses by India's Supreme Court.