Computerworld Apple News

At Google I/O, developer services hogged the spotlight

(Zach Miners) — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:37:00 GMT

Forget Glass, self-driving cars or a smartwatch. Developers, not physical consumer products, were Google's darlings at the company's annual I/O conference this week.

Wall Street Beat: Market stokes tech IPOs, as Tableau and Marketo debut

(Marc Ferranti, Joab Jackson) — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:17:00 GMT

A strong stock market could open the floodgates for more tech IPOs in the wake of Friday's solid debut of Marketo and Tableau, but not all segments of IT may be able to ride the wave.

Windows 8 is an enterprise 'non-starter' because IT sees no value in changes

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:26:00 GMT

Windows 8 faces a number of hurdles in the enterprise, but the biggest reason it won't replace the current corporate champion, Windows 7, is simple: IT shops don't think it's worth the upgrade hassle.

Why a Blackberry Is Better Than an iPhone

(Rob Enderle) — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:18:00 GMT

The BlackBerry has always been a business phone. The iPhone wowed us all--and it nearly put BlackBerry out of business--but it emphasizes entertainment and not productivity. If you're an IT executive, it's finally time to put function before form, CIO.com columnist Rob Enderle writes.

New Mac spyware found on Angolan activist's computer

(Lucian Constantin) — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:04:00 GMT

Previously unknown Mac OS X spyware, signed with a valid Apple Developer ID, has turned up on the laptop of an activist from Angola at a human rights conference in Norway.

Progress at Foxconn factories, but working hours still exceed Chinese laws

(Michael Kan) — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:03:00 GMT

Employees at the Chinese factories of Apple supplier Foxconn continue to work beyond the country's legal limit of 49 hours a month, according to a report from the Fair Labor Association (FLA). But the Taiwanese manufacturer is making overall steady progress in improving the working conditions at a select group of factories in China, it said.

Google steals march on Apple in music subscription

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:34:00 GMT

Google beat Apple to the music subscription service punch this week, perhaps the doing of record labels who wanted to put Apple in its place, an analyst said

Google has 'lapped Siri' with sci-fi-like search

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Google laid out its plan for the future of search at Google I/O, talking about a search engine for mobile and desktop that not only answers your questions but has a conversation with you and offers information before you even ask for it.

Windows 8 isn't New Coke, says top Microsoft exec; it's Diet Coke

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:47:00 GMT

Frank X. Shaw, Microsoft's head of corporate communications, defended his company's Windows information disclosure strategy, denying that Microsoft has adopted Apple's "cone of silence" approach to imparting news.

Lenovo and Apple grew as bottom fell out of PC market in Western Europe

(Mikael Ricknäs) — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:49:00 GMT

PC shipments in Western Europe declined by 20.5% during the first quarter: The only vendors to see shipments grow were Lenovo and Apple, which returned to the top five.

Mobile management morphs

rmitchell@computerworld.com (Robert L. Mitchell) — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Customers are pushing the limits of the software -- asking it to manage and do many more things than it was originally created to do -- and vendors are happy to oblige.

In e-book case, Apple says publishers had already taken measures to counter Amazon

(John Ribeiro) — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:52:00 GMT

Concerned about Amazon.com's low pricing of e-books, publishers had taken measures as early as 2009 such as "windowing," a practice of delaying e-book releases to benefit sales of hardcover editions, Apple said in a filing in an e-book price-fixing lawsuit.

Foxconn's Hon Hai reports Q1 revenue drop, likely on weak iPhone 5 demand

(Michael Kan) — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:12:00 GMT

Foxconn's Hon Hai Precision Industry posted a 19.2 percent year-over-year decline in revenue for the first quarter, with sales likely affected by weak demand for Apple's iPhone 5, according to an analyst.

7 steps to securing Java

(Susan Perschke) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:32:00 GMT

Java, the popular OS-independent platform and programming language, runs on just about every kind of electronic device imaginable, including computers, cell phones, printers, TVs, DVDs, home security systems, automated teller machines, navigation systems, games and medical devices.

Does your cloud vendor protect your rights?

(Thomas J. Trappler) — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:57:00 GMT

When an organization's data is in the cloud, requests to provide access to it for legal reasons are more complicated.

Google triples free storage to 15GB

lmearian@computerworld.com (Lucas Mearian) — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:03:00 GMT

Google said it is increasing the amount of free storage for users of its Google Drive cloud storage service to 15 GB.

Microsoft's counter-attack against Windows 8 coverage makes it 'look weak'

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:27:00 GMT

Microsoft on Friday called some media coverage of its plans to update Windows 8 sensationalist and an effort to drive website page views.

No Chrome-Android merger, at least in the next year or two

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:26:00 GMT

Android's new boss hinted of an eventual merger of Chrome and Android but said the two will remain separate "for the short term," in an interview posted prior to Google I/O's opening keynote on Wednesday.

Why Microsoft won't charge for Windows 'Blue' ... this time

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:10:00 GMT

Sometime soon, Microsoft will tell Windows 8 users whether they will have to pay for the upgrade code-named "Blue," and if so, how much. Analysts don't expect it to charge anything for the update.

Microsoft sends gamblin' Pete Rose to the plate in swing at Google Docs

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 10 May 2013 19:54:00 GMT

Microsoft today took another shot at rival Google, calling its rival's online application suite, Google Docs, "too big a gamble."

Analysts challenge Microsoft's commitment to Windows RT

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:00:00 GMT

One of Microsoft's top Windows executives this week said the company remains bullish about Windows RT, but analysts remain suspicious of RT's chances unless Microsoft makes changes.

What CSC Is Doing Right (and Wrong) In Its Turnaround Efforts

(Rob Enderle) — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:13:00 GMT

In the last 15 months, Computer Science Corp. CEO Mike Lawrie has handpicked his executive team and streamlined the CSC product line. This is a good start, but if CSC wants to emulate the turnaround efforts of IBM and Apple, the company should look for a formidable CFO and step up its marketing efforts.

Apple regains fifth spot in Chinese smartphone market, shipments soar

(Michael Kan) — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:24:00 GMT

Apple retook its spot as China's fifth largest smartphone vendor in the first quarter, as the country's market grew to triple the size of the U.S.'s.

Microsoft's drip-drip-drip Windows communications strategy dubbed a washout

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:03:00 GMT

Microsoft's Tami Reller, the CFO and head of marketing for the Windows division, went on a mini publicity spree today. But she didn't say very much.

$300M investment in Nook delivers next to nothing for Microsoft

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:53:00 GMT

Microsoft has gotten little from a 2012 investment of $300 million with Barnes & Noble, analysts said, but it's poised to reap some rewards as it and its partners start to ship smaller tablets.

Apple's privacy policy violates German data protection law, Berlin court rules

(Loek Essers) — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:10:00 GMT

Apple violates German data protection law by asking for users' broad, overall consent in its privacy policy, the Regional Court of Berlin ruled.

Security pros cheer hint of hands-off updates in Windows Blue

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:02:00 GMT

Microsoft's apparent plan to automatically update its own Windows Store apps in the next version of Windows 8 is drawing praise from security experts.

Gates sticks to company line on tablets, knocks iPad

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:40:00 GMT

Microsoft co-founder and chairman Bill Gates today stuck to the company line on tablets, and disparaged rival Apple's iPad for its lack of a keyboard and its inability to run Office.

Researchers create zoomable display for smartwatches

sgaudin@computerworld.com (Sharon Gaudin) — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:46:00 GMT

As developers create tiny computer devices like smartwatches, one question they face is how to make tiny keyboards usable.

Apple breaks into Fortune 500's top 10

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:18:00 GMT

Apple climbed the Fortune 500 this year to the No. 6 spot, its highest-ever ranking, its first time in the top 10, and the top technology company on the influential list, replacing sagging HP.

Preston Gralla: Microsoft's smartwatch: Been there, didn't do that

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Vendors are falling all over themselves to develop smartwatches. Will this be yet one more example of Microsoft getting to a market first and then failing to cash in?

Amazon leaks evidence of first smaller, cheaper Windows 8 tablet

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:59:00 GMT

Details of what could be the first smaller Windows 8 tablet leaked Friday when Amazon briefly published a listing for an 8.1-in. Acer Iconia tablet.

Why Apple Won't Be Around as Long as IBM

(Rob Enderle) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:39:00 GMT

IBM is 102 years old. At its height, it was almost a cult, with employees dressing alike, speaking a unique language and earning benefits that took care of them for life. Today's tech companies aren't built to last, as Apple's recent earnings report shows all too well.

Retailers didn't do Windows 8 any favors

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:30:00 GMT

Retailers share part of the blame for poor Windows 8 sales and the ensuing decline of PC shipments, analysts contended today.

Mobile Players Offer a Mix of Messages in TV Ads

(Tom Kaneshige) — Thu, 02 May 2013 23:27:00 GMT

Apple, Samsung and Microsoft take divergent paths to selling their smartphones via TV commercials. The winning approach: Focus on your own unique features, and resist potshots at the competition.

Rare working Apple-1 computer to hit auction block this month

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:21:00 GMT

A German auctioneer will put a working Apple-1 computer on the block later this month, and expects the handmade computer to fetch between $261,000 and $392,000 at Thursday's exchange rate.

Apple hijacks OS X devs to keep iOS on track

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:54:00 GMT

Apple may delay the release of OS X 10.9 because it's pulled engineers from the team to help in a final push on the next version of iOS, according to online reports.

Time to say goodbye to Windows RT tablets?

mhamblen@computerworld.com (Matt Hamblen) — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:42:00 GMT

Windows RT tablets grabbed just 0.4% of the tablet market in the first quarter, a dismal result that led some tech experts to urge Microsoft to scrap the platform that's in its six-month infancy.

Think different: Apple's $17B debt offers stark contrast to 1996's junk bonds

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:39:00 GMT

Apple's record-setting $17 billion bond offer this week stood in stark contrast to the company's darkest days, when in 1996 its millions in notes were rated as junk because investors wondered if the company would survive a thrashing by Microsoft

To give back to investors, Apple goes for massive bond deal

(Agam Shah) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:47:00 GMT

In an effort to return cash to investors, Apple is reaching out to the debt market and offering $17 billion in bonds, the biggest non-bank bond offering in history, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Yes Siri, no Siri, for the Mac

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:40:00 GMT

Apple's next version of OS X will probably not include Siri, the digital, voice-activated assistant embedded in the iPhone and iPad, an analyst predicted.

Sandy begets tree-hugging companies

lmearian@computerworld.com (Lucas Mearian) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:48:00 GMT

Severe weather shifts are forcing companies to rethink their energy strategies; they're using both technology and geography to become more energy independent.

Moves, mistakes prove Steve Jobs era at Apple over, say analysts

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:59:00 GMT

Apple is clearly not Steve Jobs' company any longer, analysts said this week, citing examples from Tuesday's earning calls with Wall Street.

Apple to challenge $368M patent infringement verdict

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:35:00 GMT

Apple will challenge a November 2012 jury verdict that awarded $368 million in damages to Nevada patent-holding company VirnetX, a filing with U.S. regulators showed.

LG stages comeback as smartphones outsell feature phones

(Mikael Ricknäs) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:19:00 GMT

LG Electronics more that doubled its sales of smartphones in the first quarter, which was the first time smartphones outsold feature phones, according to IDC.

Apple's WWDC sells out in under 3 minutes

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:10:00 GMT

Apple set a record today by selling out its annual developer conference in under three minutes.

VirnetX targets Skype, Lync in new patent attack on Microsoft

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:36:00 GMT

Patent holding company VirnetX this week filed a lawsuit in federal court accusing Microsoft's Skype of infringing six of its patents.

Amazon plans own set-top box for fall, report claims

(Jared Newman) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:50:00 GMT

After conquering the low end of the tablet market with the Kindle Fire, Amazon may be getting ready to invade the living room with a television set-top box..

Apple CEO defends Mac line; analysts foresee iPad hybrids

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:44:00 GMT

Apple CEO Tim Cook on Tuesday defended the company's iconic Mac line, which saw a second consecutive decline in sales last quarter, and promised that Apple would continue to crank out personal computers.

Apple's WWDC set for June 10-14, hints at fall launch of next iPhone

gkeizer@computerworld.com (Gregg Keizer) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:30:00 GMT

Apple today said that its annual developers conference will take place June 10-14, when it will provide developers with preview builds of the next versions of both iOS and OS X.