IT Executive news

• IDG Contributor Network: The best holiday tech gifts for your whiz kid

  07-12-2016 23:34
  
  If you are a last-minute holiday shopper like me, here are some great gifts for kids who are into gadgets, or if you want to expose them to the world of creating new things, instead of just playing with apps on their iPad or iPhone.Note: These toys are for girls, boys, AND adults.LittleBits Kit
  One year, my brother gave me an electronics kit that came with a breadboard, 555 Integrated Circuit, two PNP and NPN transistors, speakers, LEDs, diodes and an LDR. That’s all it took to get me hook
  
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• Qualcomm's new chip may be too late as ARM server market fades

  07-12-2016 22:50
  
  After more than half a decade in the making, ARM server chips should have struck gold by now, but they haven't. ARM servers were projected to be approaching a double-digit server market share, but they still are virtually non-existent.Keeping market realities in mind, Qualcomm earlier this year said it would take a wait-and-watch approach before making a splash with its ARM server chips. While ARM servers adoption has been poor, Qualcomm decided to go ahead and launch the chips.In the making for
  
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• Smartwatch user dropout rate is still 29%, Gartner says

  07-12-2016 22:29
  
  Almost a third of smartwatch owners -- 29%, to be exact -- have stopped using them, saying they didn't find the devices useful, got bored with them or they broke.
  Those findings, released Wednesday by research firm Gartner, don't indicate that smartwatches are on their way out. But what's troubling is that the 29% rate of "abandonment" hasn't really changed very much since 2013, said Gartner analyst Angela McIntyre.
  "I'm a little surprised that the abandonment rate is still that high, given all
  
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• NASA forges ahead with robotic space mechanic

  07-12-2016 22:16
  
  NASA is having a robot spacecraft built that will be able to act as a space mechanic, servicing satellites in orbit.
  The space agency announced this week that it awarded a contract worth $127 million to Palo Alto, Calif.-based Space Systems/Loral for the robotic spacecraft, dubbed Restore-L.
  The project is designed to lead to a greener, more sustainable space program since the satellites could be refueled and their lives greatly extended.
  A satellite can work only as long as it has propellant -
  
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• iPhone sudden shutdown problem expands as Apple reacts to Chinese watchdog

  07-12-2016 21:58
  
  Apple on Tuesday acknowledged that an iPhone 6S shut-down problem is more widespread than first believed, and said it will include diagnostic tools in the next iOS update to collect more information on why some phones are shutting down unexpectedly.
  As with the initial admission, yesterday's was posted on the Apple website for the People's Republic of China (PRC) in both Chinese and English. Apple has not repeated the disclosure on its U.S. site.
  Apple's latest missive signaled that the Cuperti
  
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• Democrats unveil bill to probe Russia's role in alleged election hacks

  07-12-2016 21:50
  
  U.S. lawmakers are pushing for a government probe into whether Russia may have interfered with the presidential election by hacking high-profile political targets.  On Wednesday, two Democratic representatives unveiled legislation that proposes to form a 12-member bipartisan commission to investigate the electronic means Russia may have used to influence the U.S. election."Regardless of whether you voted for Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, or anyone else, Russia’s attacks on our e
  
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• November 2016: The month in hacks and breaches

  07-12-2016 21:13
  
  On November 13, the breach notification site LeakedSource disclosed that FriendFinder Networks, Inc., which operates such websites as Adultfriendfinder.com and Penthouse.com, had been hacked and over 400 million customer accounts were compromised.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here(Insider Story)
  
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• Nearly half of residential distributed solar power is owned by private companies

  07-12-2016 20:22
  
  About 44% of all solar power that's installed on residential rooftops, known as distributed solar capacity, is owned by private businesses, such as SolarCity or Vivint Solar, according to new government data.
  Distributed solar capacity in the U.S., which includes all solar power capacity other than utility-scale installations 1 megawatts (MW) or larger,  increased to 12.3 gigawatts (GW) as of September, according to new figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). In compariso
  
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• Amazon replaces cashiers with AI and computer learning

  07-12-2016 19:56
  
  Amazon wants customers to be able to leave their wallets at home and still go shopping, as long as they have their smartphones on hand.The online retail giant is opening up a brick-and-mortar store in Seattle called Amazon Go, and the store uses a mix of sensors and computer learning to track what items customers pick up and to automatically add them to their Amazon accounts.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• Jury maakt shortlist genomineerden Tommie Awards bekend

  07-12-2016 19:53
  In de aanloop naar de uitreiking van de TOMMIES (The Outsource Manager Awards), een initiatief van Outsource Magazine, heeft de jury in alle vier de categorieën de shortlist met kandidaten bekendgemaakt. Deze genomineerden zullen vandaag hun kandidatuur tegenover de jury verdedigen.Leader
  In de categorie Most... lees meer
  
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• New MacBook Pros plagued by complaints about battery life and graphics glitches

  07-12-2016 19:48
  
  There’s something strange happening with the new MacBook Pros.
  Some buyers of the recently released 13- and 15-inch Touch Bar-equipped models are reporting problems with their laptops’ GPUs and batteries. The complaints, which have popped up in recent weeks on forums like MacRumors, Reddit, and Apple Support, mention crashes, red and green flashes, boot-up glitches, screen tearing, flickering—you name it, weird things are happening to Pro displays, as you can see in these vide
  
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• Microsoft pushes R, SQL Server integration

  07-12-2016 19:46
  
  Microsoft made another R-in-the-enterprise push today, announcing Microsoft R Server 9.0 with a goal of helping companies"operationalize" data science.
  Users will be able to create models within R, deploy results to SQL Server and turn them into Web services, several Microsoft officials said during a demo this morning. The goal is to make it easier to incorporate data-analysis results in applications that do things like predict airline delays or improve e-mail marketing campaigns.
  "R models do
  
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• Obama's cybersecurity recommendations a small step forward, but need teeth and political willpower

  07-12-2016 19:45
  
  Last week's report by the nonpartisan Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity recommended training 100,000 new cybersecurity professionals and increasing federal R&D funding for cybersecurity by $4 billion over the next decade -- but that's not enough to address the current shortfall, experts say.
  One positive aspect is that the report focuses on the human side of cybersecurity, said Nathan Wenzler, principal security architect at San Francisco-based AsTech Consulting.To read this ar
  
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• How CIOs tackle change management amid mergers and spin-offs

  07-12-2016 19:42
  
  It’s not uncommon for CIOs to grapple with an acquisition or divestiture, which can pose significant challenges for data integration, asset rationalization and talent management. But CIOs rarely find themselves dividing assets to form three distinct new companies or swallowing two similarly sized companies in short order.Ken O’Brien, CIO of R.R. Donnelley, a 150-year-old printer of books, catalogs and marketing materials, and Steve Phillpott, CIO of data storage vendor Western Digita
  
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• BrandPost: How to Secure Big Data Environments with Identity Management and Auditing

  07-12-2016 19:28
  
  Many organizations are deploying Hadoop to help launch their big data projects. Unfortunately, Hadoop runs in non-secure mode by default, which means sensitive data is at risk of both internal and external threats. Given the value of data in Hadoop, it’s critical that organizations secure their big data deployments before moving them into production.As part of that effort, organizations should strictly control user access to nodes in a Hadoop cluster. At the same time, however, they also n
  
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• Now that's a perk: Seattle tech startup offers new parents the miracle of sleep

  07-12-2016 18:39
  
  Ping-pong tables and happy hours are one way to lure new hires, but Outreach is taking a different approach. The sales analytics startup is boosting the parental perks it offers employees as it strives to build a diverse workforce in the competitive Seattle market.
  The tech startup’s most noteworthy new perks are designed to help parents make the transition back to work after a baby’s arrival. Most precious is the gift of sleep: Outreach will pay for a night nurse, Monday through Fr
  
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• 29% off World Travel Power Plug Adapter with Dual USB Charger - Deal Alert

  07-12-2016 18:36
  
  Get 14% off the highly rated M8 all-in-one world travel power adapter from Orei, plus an additional 15% when you check the "apply coupon" box on Amazon right now. This gadget features built-in sliders that create the right adapter for any country you find yourself in. It's all self-contained -- no additional parts to attach or keep track of. As a bonus, they've included dual-USB ports to keep your devices juiced up as well. The M8 adapter averages 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon from over 2,200 pe
  
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• 36% off OWI Super Solar Recycler Kit - Deal Alert

  07-12-2016 18:06
  
  Before you chuck that CD ROM, soda can or plastic bottle, exercise your kids imagination with this kit from OWI that turns your recyclables into a solar-powered robot, race car, boat, or whatever they can dream up with this kit full of gears, motors, a solar panel and more. The Super Solar Recycler Kit is powered completely by natural light so you never have to worry about batteries. It averages 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, where its typical list price of $24.99 has been reduced 36% to ju
  
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• Google and Slack deepen partnership in the face of Microsoft Teams

  07-12-2016 18:00
  
  Slack and Google have vastly deepened their partnership roughly a month after Microsoft announced its competitor to the popular enterprise chat service.
  Wednesday saw the announcement of several new features aimed at making G Suite, Google’s set of productivity software and services, more useful to people who use Slack. The functionality resulting from the partnership will make it easier to share and work on files stored in Google Drive using Slack.
  Slack and Google were early partners du
  
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• How the tech industry helped elect Donald Trump

  07-12-2016 17:58
  
  Nearly the entire tech industry, with the exception of PayPal founder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel, publicly lined up against Donald Trump and for Hillary Clinton in the recent presidential election. But words are one thing and actions another. And actions taken by the tech industry in the last decades helped seal Trump’s surprise victory.
  Trump won, in large part, thanks to support by blue-collar voters without college degrees in the Rust Belt, particularly in Ohio, Pennsylvania, W
  
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• Fitbit scoops up rival fitness tracker maker Pebble

  07-12-2016 17:24
  
  Fitbit, the maker of popular fitness trackers, has acquired assets owned by rival Pebble, including key employees and intellectual property related to software and firmware development.
  The deal, which was reported last week, closed on Tuesday, Fitbit announced on Wednesday. Amid slumping sales in the overall smartwatch market, Fitbit was interested in the PebbleOS, which has a large number of apps running on it and can be paired with both Apple’s iOS and Android.To read this article in f
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: Is Apple milking the iPhone too much?

  07-12-2016 17:10
  
  Apple is in a strange situation these days, the company is under siege by some in the media and by some of its own customers. Disappointment is probably the key emotion being felt by many long-time Apple observers and customers.Here’s a quick overview of why some people are very unhappy with Apple right now:1. No new Mac mini for three years2. No new Mac Pro for three years3. No new iPad Air for three years4. iPhone design has been the same for three years5. No 4K in the Apple TV6. No more
  
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• Latest Android security update fixes Dirty COW, GPS vulnerabilities

  07-12-2016 16:59
  
  The monthly Android security update released this week fixes the serious Dirty COW privilege escalation attack that can allow malicious apps to take full control of devices.Dirty COW (copy-on-write) is a privilege escalation vulnerability that has existed in the Linux kernel for the past nine years and is already being exploited in the wild. It affects Android because the mobile OS is based on Linux, but it was initially believed that the SELinux security policies enforced by default in Android
  
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• YouTube's top trending videos for 2016

  07-12-2016 16:42
  
  YouTube Rewind, the popular video site’s annual review, is due out Wednesday at 10 a.m. PST. Leading up to the big reveal, the Google-owned property released its list of the top 10 trending videos for 2016 to several news outlets including Variety.
  The list includes the indescribable madness of carpool karaoke, scientific inquiry, John Oliver, and Vlogger Casey Neistat. This year’s list is interesting because while it does have some weird items that are part of the YouTube tradition
  
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• SoftBank gives more detail about $50B US investment

  07-12-2016 15:59
  
  Masayoshi Son, CEO of Japanese telecom firm SoftBank, plans to invest US$50 billion and create 50,000 jobs in the U.S. by pumping money into startups, he said after a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump.Son gave few details Tuesday after the meeting with Trump, but he said his focus would be on U.S. startup companies. Son came to meet Trump and to celebrate the Republican's election victory.The $50 billion is half of an already announced $100 billion investment by SoftBank in the glob
  
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• Facebook Workplace third-party integration is key to business success

  07-12-2016 15:40
  
  Facebook plans to expand the capabilities of Workplace, its social network for business, with an app platform that lets enterprises integrate third-party apps. These "custom integrations," which allow organizations to personalize their versions of Workplace with familiar productivity apps and other services, was announced at a TechCrunch conference yesterday. Facebook later confirmed the news. 
  When Workplace launched in October, Facebook emphasized its core strengths that draw 1.71 billio
  
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• Finland is a tiny wireless nirvana the U.S. could learn from

  07-12-2016 15:36
  
  Where healthy competition exists, wireless service is cheaper. That may sound obvious, but for U.S. consumers, it's an elusive goal and not a reality. It doesn't have to be that way.Finland, a wireless paradise
  On a recent trip to Finland, where I met with that small country's telecom executives, I learned how well its wireless providers serve its citizens. The United States is an enormous country, so comparisons to Europe can be misleading. However, U.S. consumers should brace themselves f
  
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• BrandPost: The Network Will Drive the Digital Future

  07-12-2016 15:15
  
  "We are at an inflection point as digital transformation efforts shift from 'project' or 'initiative' status to strategic business imperative. Every (growing) enterprise, regardless of age or industry, must become 'digital native' in the way its executives and employees think, what they produce, and how they operate.”Frank Gens, Senior Vice President and Chief Analyst, IDCThat the world is going digital is not up for debate: the evidence is overwhelming, and early adopters are reaping subs
  
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• 10 best sites and services to sell used tech

  07-12-2016 14:40
  
  At the end of each year, many of us attempt to turn the technology we no longer need into cash. You could be cleaning out the drawers or closets to which you banished old gadgets. Perhaps you treated yourself to a Surface Studio or MacBook Pro and need some extra money to pay for that pricey new computer.Whatever your reason, selling used tech is much easier today than in the past. You used to have to make multiple decisions just to create a new eBay listing. Now the process of listing an item f
  
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• The security gift guide

  07-12-2016 14:16
  
  Even more than most IT professionals, security professionals are asked for advice on a regular basis. We are supposed to know not just about computers in general, but how people can protect themselves both online and in the real world. Whether it is getting a printer working, or if it is safe to shop online, we are expected to have the answers.
  At the same time, shopping for gifts can be problematic. You’re never sure what people have. Some people provide gift lists, which are great. But
  
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• How Lean IT impacts business outcomes

  07-12-2016 14:05
  
  In the years since Lean first revolutionized the manufacturing sector, the basic principles have also shown benefits in other industries and other departments, most notably within technology. But new research emphasizes the major impact Lean can have not just in your IT departments, but across your entire organization.
  The ultimate goal and guiding principle of Lean is creating perfect value for customers through a perfect value creation process with zero waste. In the day-to-day implementations
  
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• Playing cyber defense is not enough to win

  07-12-2016 14:00
  
  While the San Francisco 49ers are leading the NFL in defense, the New Orleans Saints currently hold the number one slot for total offense. In the overall league rankings, though, neither of those two teams rank in the top 10. 
  What's the takeaway? Winning isn't strictly about strong offense or impenetrable defense. NFL league leaders advance to the top because they know how to balance the two; they know how to play the game.
  To address the growing number of attacks on the US government and
  
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• Coworking tips to increase your productivity and privacy

  07-12-2016 14:00
  
  The coworking and open-workspace revolutions are upon us.Many modern offices have already switched to open-plan concepts, and dedicated coworking spaces continue to become more and more popular. The general idea is to move office workers from their fixed cubicles to more open environments, to encourage interaction and collaboration. And coworking spaces let employees work from their locations of choice.Today, the sight of workers moving around throughout the day with their laptops is common, and
  
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• 35% off Fitbit Alta Fitness Tracker - Deal Alert

  07-12-2016 13:52
  
  Motivation is your best accessory with Fitbit Alta-a customizable fitness tracker designed to fit your personal style . Stay motivated by tracking all-day activity like steps, distance, calories burned and active minutes, and get credit for your workouts with Smart Track automatic exercise recognition. At night, track your sleep and set a silent alarm to wake better and get your best rest. No matter where you're headed, the easy-to-read OLED screen keeps your goals in focus with stats, time, and
  
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• How to get creative with your digital transformation strategy

  07-12-2016 13:46
  
  Digital transformation can mean many things and encompass many areas of technology, it will look entirely different from one company to the next. However, there is one common theme -- it requires that creativity and innovation be tailored specifically around your business' needs.
  But many companies suffer from, what Chakib Bouhdary, digital transformation officer at SAP calls, "corporate cholesterol." In other words, businesses are often entrenched in "rigid processes, risk avoidance and a minds
  
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• Android Pay FAQ: Everything you need to know about Google's mobile payment system

  07-12-2016 13:00
  
  The promise of mobile payments is that you’ll never need your wallet again. Just a tap on the payment terminal with your smartphone will get you everything from movie tickets to groceries.
  In reality, we’re nowhere near ubiquity when it comes to ushering in this plastic-card free future. But after more than a year of substantial updates, Google is in a much better position to leverage Android Pay. If you buy in, you’ll find it’s not only a better way to pay for stuff, bu
  
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• 10 hottest tech skills for 2017

  07-12-2016 12:30
  
  Scott Zulpo is facing stiff competition.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here(Insider Story)
  
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• PHP 7 user migrations are well underway

  07-12-2016 12:00
  
  PHP users are slowly but surely migrating over to PHP 7, the upgrade to the server-side web development language that came out a year ago. But issues like incompatibility and IT user policy restrictions are stalling their progress.
  A recent survey of nearly 1,300 PHP users taken by PHP tools producer Zend found that nearly 20 percent had already made the move, 21 percent were in progress, 15 percent planned to move in the next six months, and 17 percent planned to move in less than one yea
  
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• 8 free virtual appliances you’ll love

  07-12-2016 12:00
  
  Despite the fact there’s no such thing as a free lunch, you can download the eight virtual appliances discussed in this article for free. That doesn’t mean you can use any of these in a high-end production environment, but it doesn’t mean you can’t either. Some even have paid and supported versions should you choose to go that route.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here(Insider Story)
  
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• US Supreme Court leaves gap in Samsung-Apple patent ruling

  07-12-2016 08:20
  
  The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of Samsung Electronics and its backers in the industry in a design patent dispute with Apple, when in a 8-0 decision it said that “the term 'article of manufacture' is broad enough to embrace both a product sold to a consumer and a component of that product, whether sold separately or not.”But the top court has left a lot unsaid, including by not providing guidance to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on how the damages
  
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• Malicious online ads expose millions to possible hack

  07-12-2016 03:49
  
  Since October, millions of internet users have been exposed to malicious code served from the pixels in tainted banner ads meant to install Trojans and spyware, according to security firm ESET.
  The attack campaign, called Stegano, has been spreading from malicious ads in a “number of reputable news websites,” ESET said in a Tuesday blog post. It’s been preying on Internet Explorer users by scanning for vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash and then exploiting them.
  The attack is desi
  
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• Why are marketing automation platforms getting so much VC funding?

  07-12-2016 02:32
  
  With Optimove's recent $20 million raise from Israel Growth Partners, industry experts are asking what it is about marketing automation platforms that makes them such magnets for VC funding.Since HubSpot's founding in 2006, marketing automation platforms — software that aims to automate specific touch-points of the customer acquisition and retention processes — have evolved into ubiquitous enterprise tools, employed by marketing departments of virtually every size and industry.To rea
  
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