IT Executive news

• Judge paves the way for British hacker's extradition to US

  16-09-2016 21:41
  
  A U.K. judge has ruled in favor of extraditing a British man to the U.S. on charges of hacking government computers, despite fears he may commit suicide.Lauri Love, 31, has been fighting his extradition for allegedly stealing data from U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense and NASA.On Friday, a Westminster Magistrates court ruled that Love can be safely extradited to the U.S. to face trial, even though he has Asperger Syndrome and a history of depression.“I send thi
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: Everything you need to know about Nextcloud Box

  16-09-2016 21:04
  
  Nextcloud is teaming up with Canonical and WDLabs (an internal team of innovators to explore new ideas) to bring ‘private-cloud-in-a-box’ devices to the market. It’s the continuation of the work Nextcloud team was doing with WDLabs, before splitting up with ownCloud.
  Nextcloud Box is essentially a reference device that uses Raspberry Pi for compute and network, and WD hard drive for storage. Ubuntu core is the operating system and Nextcloud is the file sync software.To read th
  
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• Node.js upgrades module safety and ECMAscript support

  16-09-2016 20:53
  
  An ambitious roadmap for Node.js was laid out Friday, highlighted by performance boosts, virtual machine agnosticism, and module safety.
  Node.js 7, which moves to a beta release next week, will feature the V8 5.4 JavaScript engine, which is focused on performance improvements linked to memory, said Mikeal Rogers, community manager of the Node.js Foundation, on Friday.[ Use JavaScript in your dev shop? InfoWorld looks at 17 JavaScript editors and IDEs and 22 JavaScript frameworks ready for adopt
  
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• How to tell if your Galaxy Note7 is safe to use

  16-09-2016 20:34
  
  Samsung is offering detailed plans for how you’ll be able to tell the difference between a faulty Note7 or one that’s safe to use.Big blue SThe company says the new barcode features a white sticker with a large, blue “S” at the top right corner and a small, black square on the bottom. If your Note7 box has the big blue "S", it should be safe.Samsung
  Look for the new label on the safe versions of the Galaxy Note7.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, pl
  
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• Tesla to build its largest battery storage plant in southern Calif.

  16-09-2016 20:13
  
  Tesla has just been awarded its largest contract to date to build a 20 megawatt (MW) battery storage facility after the worst methane gas leak in U.S. history left California utilities hunting for new energy backup resources.
  Tesla was awarded a contract by Southern California Edison (SCE) to have the lithium-ion battery storage facility up and running by the end of this year.
  "It is remarkable that this facility is going to be built in just a few months, a technology fix that could never be re
  
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• Mozilla relaunches JavaScript debugger as part of tools transition plan

  16-09-2016 19:45
  
  With its open source debugger.html tool, launched this week, Mozilla is providing a JavaScript debugger that can debug multiple targets and also can work in a standalone mode. The effort is part of a plan to redo Mozilla's developer tools using the React JavaScript library.
  Built as a web application leveraging React and the Redux state container for JavaScript apps, debugger.html ships within Firefox and offers "a completely new take on the debugger," said Mozilla's Bryan Clark, Firefox develo
  
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• Bad migration experiences leave IT bosses gun-shy

  16-09-2016 19:03
  
  Previous migration efforts are often so bad that the majority of IT pros drag their feet on doing another migration project, even if they need it. That's one of the results of a new study by a cloud migration specialist Vision Solutions.The migration survey -- see chart below -- was part of a larger study, the Vision Solutions' 8th Annual State of Resilience report.The problem, however, lies with many IT shops, according to Vision. They either lack expertise to do the job properly, don't plan we
  
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• FBI faces lawsuit because it's stayed mum on iPhone 5c hack

  16-09-2016 19:02
  The FBI’s refusal to reveal how it accessed an iPhone 5c from a San Bernardino mass shooter will face scrutiny in court. USA Today’s parent company and two other news groups have filed a lawsuit against the agency, demanding it turn over the details.In March, the FBI unlocked the passcode-protected iPhone through an unknown third party, for a reportedly large sum that the agency hasn’t officially disclosed.The lack of details prompted USA Today to submit a Freedom of Informatio
  
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• Best Deals of the Week, September 12th - September 16th - Deal Alert

  16-09-2016 19:02
  Best Deals of the Week, September 12th - September 16th - Deal AlertCheck out this roundup of the best deals on gadgets, gear and other cool stuff we have found this week, the week of September 12th. All items are highly rated, and dramatically discounted!Prime Members Get 50% off Microsoft Foldable Keyboard for iOS, Android, and Windows devicesAmazon Prime members get a special 50% discount on this folding keyboard from Microsoft. It pairs with any combination of 2 iPads, iPhones, Android,
  
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• Tech jobs that will get you the biggest raise next year

  16-09-2016 18:52
  
  The biggest raises in 2017 will go to data scientists, who can expect a 6.4% boost in pay next year. That’s well above the average 3.8% increase that’s predicted for tech workers, according to new data from Robert Half Technology.The recruiting and staffing specialist recently released its annual guide to U.S. tech salaries, which finds IT workers will be getting slightly bigger pay bumps than many other professionals. Across all fields, U.S. starting salaries for professional o
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: 6 tips for successfully marketing your first pop-up shop

  16-09-2016 18:30
  
  For ecommerce businesses and other internet-based brands, pop-up shops are becoming increasingly popular. They allow companies without permanent brick and mortar presences to set up temporary physical locations to drive sales and grow brand awareness.Pop-up shops have been used by companies for decades, but new methods of digital marketing now make them more cost-effective than ever.What is a pop-up shop?
  The term “pop-up shop” is pretty self explanatory, but for those who are totall
  
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• Remote Safe Mode attack defeats Windows 10 pass-the-hash defenses

  16-09-2016 18:15
  
  Microsoft tries to protect user account credentials from theft in Windows 10 Enterprise, and security products detect attempts to pilfer user passwords. But all those efforts can be undone by Safe Mode, according to security researchers.The Safe Mode is an OS diagnostic mode of operation that has existed since Windows 95. It can be activated at boot time and only loads the minimal set of services and drivers that Windows requires to run.This means that most third-party software, including s
  
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• iPhone 7 Plus teardown reveals what Apple did with the headphone jack's space

  16-09-2016 17:55
  
  Apple’s latest round of iPhones have received some criticism as being merely an incremental upgrade, but that hasn’t stopped the iPhone 7 Plus from completely selling out before it hit store shelves. If you weren’t able to grab the iPhone 7 Plus this weekend, you can still experience the device vicariously through the latest teardown from iFixit.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• Why Tesla’s customer loyalty ratings beat Mercedes

  16-09-2016 17:47
  
  I just came back from what is likely the worst trip of my life and, sadly, this was an affinity program for Mercedes Benz.   Affinity programs are put in place to wed the customer to the brand. I get to review them from time to time. This particular program has been around for 50 years, but clearly the program has outlasted those that created it. It would seem that Mercedes no longer understands why the program exists and as a result is increasingly doing potential brand damage.In this
  
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• Bank of England wants next payment system to be blockchain-ready

  16-09-2016 17:22
  
  The Bank of England wants to open its interbank settlement service to blockchain technologies as part of a major revamp of the system.The bank is not suggesting that U.K. banks should begin processing bitcoin payments as a matter of routine. However, it does want the replacement for its ageing real-time gross settlement (RTGS) system to be ready for whatever the industry is likely to throw at it when it goes into service in 2020.It identified five key strategic drivers for the new RTGS system in
  
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• Bigger iPhone 7 Plus outsells smaller sibling

  16-09-2016 17:03
  
  Preliminary data from U.S. sales of Apple's newest iPhones suggested that the larger 7 Plus was outselling the smaller 7, which would be a first, a market research firm said today.
  Of the iPhone 7 online pre-orders during the initial 48 hours of availability, 55% were for the 5.5-in. iPhone 7 Plus; the remaining 45% were for the 4.7-in. iPhone 7. That was the first-ever flip to the Plus size in the three annual cycles since Apple offered a big-screen iPhone in 2014.
  According to Palo Alto, Cali
  
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• Strength in PCs leads Intel to raise Q3 revenue guidance

  16-09-2016 16:33
  
  The PC market is showing signs of recovery, with Intel increasing its revenue guidance based on improved chip shipments.The chip maker has raised its revenue guidance for the third quarter to $15.6 billion, plus or minus $300 million, an improvement from $14.9 million, plus or minus $500 million.That's due to PC makers replenishing laptop and desktop inventory, which means Intel is shipping out more chips. It's likely in anticipation of the holiday season, when PC shipments rocket."The company i
  
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• IBM's Watson IoT hits the skies with Aerialtronics drone deal

  16-09-2016 16:01
  
  AI-powered drones soon will be everywhere, monitoring crowds at major events, checking out traffic patterns on busy roads, surveying disaster sites, and inspecting airplanes.IBM is edging into this airborne safety and maintenance market early, with a deal to bring its Watson internet of things technology to unmanned aircraft systems built by Netherlands-based Aerialtronics.Data captured by high-resolution drone camera lenses will be fed into IBM's visual recognition application programming inter
  
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• Prime Members Get 50% off Microsoft Foldable Keyboard for iOS, Android, and Windows devices - Deal Alert

  16-09-2016 15:42
  
  Amazon Prime members get a special 50% discount on this folding keyboard from Microsoft. It pairs with any combination of 2 iPads, iPhones, Android, Windows tablets, and Windows Phones. Features a water repellent keyset and fabric to protect against accidents. Unfold to turn on, and fold to turn off. Pairs quickly and reliably with Bluetooth 4.0 technology. Its built-in rechargeable battery lasts up to 3 months on a single charge. It currently averages 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon (read revi
  
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• FBI urges ransomware victims to step forward

  16-09-2016 15:38
  
  The FBI has issued a plea for those who have been hit by ransomware to report this to federal law enforcement so that the country can get a better sense of just how bad this problem really is.
  Ransomware refers to malware that encrypts files on computers or locks users out of their computers, and requests ransom be paid to set files free or allow users to regain access. Such malware, often going by spooky names like Cryptolocker or TeslaCrypt, can be activated by clicking on a web link or even
  
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• In video, Samsung apologizes for Note7 battery defects

  16-09-2016 15:09
  
  A top Samsung official issued an unusual video apology over Galaxy Note7 battery-related defects linked to fires and assured owners that replacement Note7 units are safe.
  "With battery cell defects in some of our Note7 phones, we did not meet the standard of excellence that you expect and deserve. For that, we apologize, especially for those of you who were personally affected by this," said Tim Baxter, president and chief operating officer for Samsung Electronics America, in the video, which w
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: What is a sales engagement platform anyway?

  16-09-2016 14:00
  
  In a world where everyone wants to be a platform, do we need yet another? It depends on who you are. For sales, marketing and customer success teams, having a solid platform to manage the customer engagement process from end to end can yield real dividends.As it is, the marketing-sales conversion process is full of leaks. All kinds of stuff just doesn’t happen. According to a CSO Insights-Accenture study, 93 percent of companies close fewer sales than forecast. SiriusDecisions found that s
  
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• Is the Hasselblad True Zoom Moto Mod worth $300?

  16-09-2016 13:05
  
  Hasselblad is to photography what Apple is to consumer technology. Both are luxury brands. Both companies offer top-of-the-line products at top-of-the-stratosphere prices. Both have multi-decade legacies of excellence in their industries, and the two companies are renowned for quality.MotorolaHasselblad's True Zoom Moto modTo read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• Researcher says bad battery design, manufacturing errors led to Note7 debacle

  16-09-2016 13:03
  
  We all want our smartphones to be lighter, thinner and more powerful. At the same time, we want them to run longer.Smartphone, laptop, and tablet designers do their best to deliver all of that, but those contradictory demands may make it harder for manufacturers to build safe batteries. This issue may well be a root cause of the frightening series of fires caused by malfunctioning batteries in Samsung's new Note7 smartphone, according to Hector Abruña, the director of the Energy Mate
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: How to manage shorter weekdays without hurting the bottom line

  16-09-2016 12:35
  
  Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.By that definition, if we aim for four-hour workweek, a la Tim Ferriss, we should at least be able to achieve 30-to-40-hour workweek, a la Amazon. With Amazon trying the 30-hour workweek, talk about shorter weekdays has taken flight once again.
  For those who have been holidaying for the better part of the month, Amazon is piloting a new program for its technical team made of part–time workers. These people will be working f
  
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• Cybersecurity VCs are holding onto their cash – but that’s OK

  16-09-2016 12:33
  
  Cybersecurity has never been hotter. Analysts say that $3.8 billion went into cybersecurity companies in 2015, a year which saw five private companies in the market reach more than $1 billion in valuations, and others – such as Rapid7, Sophos and Mimecast -- filed for IPO.
  The market’s rise has been impressive – CB Insights says that last year’s funding figure represented a 235 percent increase from the $1.1 billion ploughed into 166 deals in 2011. No surprise then that
  
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• What IT needs to know about iOS 10

  16-09-2016 12:08
  
  iOS 10 was released earlier this week and many users have already upgraded their devices. For IT departments, any major OS or software update can bring challenges and opportunities. One challenge is that with users having near total control over their devices IT must respond to these upgrades in real-time rather than planning a controlled rollout. The likeliest exception: devices that are corporate-liable and heavily managed, something typical only in a handful of industries like healthcare, fi
  
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• 7 finger-friendly keyboards for tablets and phones

  16-09-2016 12:00
  
  New devices for touch typistsImage by ComputerworldOnscreen keyboards are fine for quick texts and on-the-go Google searches, but if you need to do some serious composing, thumb-typing can get old really quickly. For any kind of extended typing, you need a real keyboard -- one that can make typing more comfortable, faster and, above all, more accurate.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• US bans using Galaxy Note7 phones on planes

  16-09-2016 08:50
  
  The U.S. Department of Transportation has ordered that Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones can only be carried by crew and passengers on planes if the phones are switched off and are not connected to charging equipment.The order follows an official recall announced Thursday of 1 million Note7 smartphones by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, following concerns about faulty batteries in the devices which could overheat and even explode.People can now travel with the smartphones on aircraft
  
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• U.S. consumer agency issues official Note 7 recall

  16-09-2016 01:53
  
  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) late Thursday issued an official recall of 1 million Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones.
  Samsung had issued its own recall Sept. 2, but there was no formal recall in cooperation with the CPSC until now.
  The recall is necessary because the Note 7 "presents such a fire hazard," Elliot Kaye, the CPSC chairman, said in a news conference.
  Kaye said customers subject to the recall have two options: either to seek a replacement or a refund, "which is t
  
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• Don't pardon Snowden, lawmakers tell Obama

  16-09-2016 01:19
  U.S. lawmakers are trying to stifle any hope that National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden will receive a pardon. On Thursday, the House intelligence committee sent a letter to President Obama urging him to treat Snowden as a criminal.“Mr. Snowden is not a patriot. He is not a whistleblower,” the letter said.The letter was sent amid calls from tech leaders and liberal activists for Obama to pardon Snowden. The campaign, supported by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and celebritie
  
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