Saturday, December 17, 2011

Microsoft to Auto-Upgrade Internet Explorer Users



Microsoft announced Thursday that starting next month, it will begin automatically upgrading its users to the most recent version of its Internet Explorer browser.
Customers on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 with automatic updating enabled via Windows Update will be bumped up to the latest version of IE in the coming months. For Vista and Windows 7, that's IE9, and for XP, that's IE8. The upgrades will start for customers in Brazil and Australia, and roll out gradually to the rest of the world, Microsoft said in a blog post.
If you want to upgrade at your own pace or keep your current browser, Microsoft has an IE8 and IE9 Automatic Update Blocker toolkit, which prevents automatic browser upgrades. There's also the option to block the full upgrade.
If you've declined a previous installation of IE8 or IE9 via Windows Update in the past, meanwhile, you will not receive the auto-update. There's also the option to uninstall updates and return to the browser that came with your copy of Windows. Future versions of IE will also allow an opt-out for automatic upgrading.
Why does this even matter? Basically, having an up-to-date browser is the safest way to surf the Web. Updates include security patches and fixes for bugs that might make your browser vulnerable to attacks. But many people don't take the time to update their browser or, in some cases, even realize such an option exists. That's one of the reasons why so many people are still running IE6, despite Microsoft begging for people to ditch the aging browser.
Google's Chrome provides automatic upgrades for its users, usually with regular, incremental updates. Mozilla's Firefox recently switched to a more Chrome-esque fast-release cycle, and back in May, it automatically upgraded Firefox 3.5 users to 3.6.
Microsoft, however, has stuck to its longer release cycle: IE8 made its debut in 2008, IE9 debuted earlier this year, and IE10 is currently in the works. Part of the consideration for Microsoft is its enterprise clients. In a separate blog post, Microsoft said the IE Blocker Tool will also be available to businesses.
"The IE9 Blocker Toolkit helps ensure that IE9 is introduced to PCs at the right time. This way you can still test any updates before they are pushed out to your users," Microsoft said. "For non-managed environments, this will improve safety and security of the browser experience as well as performance and standards compliance."
For more, see PCMag's full reviews of IE8, IE9, and our hands on with Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 1 (slideshow below).
For more from Chloe, follow her on Twitter @ChloeAlbanesius.

How to Buy a Cell Phone

Here's what you need to know to get the cell phone and service plan that are right for you.
By PC World Staff, PCWorld Nov 30, 2011 8:45 am

Few tools of modern technology have become as prevalent as the cell phone, which allows you to be in touch (almost) all the time, (almost) anywhere. And you can do more than just talk--today's phones let you send and receive email and text messages, surf the Web, and play music and videos. Sifting through the sea of service plans and handsets can be difficult, but we'll walk you through what you need to know to get the phone and service plan that are right for you.

If you don't have to own the latest and greatest smartphone, there’s no time like the present to buy a new one. From the newest iPhone to an Android superphone to a business-friendly Windows Phone, you can find the right phone for you. Before you hit the stores, however, do a bit of research and read our guide so that you'll know exactly what to look for.

Features to Consider: What should you look for when you're shopping for a new phone?

Picking the Right Plan and Choosing the Right Carrier: Deciding on a plan and carrier is a daunting process, but we have some useful tips.

Shopping Tips: Arm yourself with knowledge before checking stores.

Features to Consider
When you're shopping for a phone, you can do some simple hands-on tests in the store to make sure that the handset has everything you need.

Call quality: What good is a phone if it can't make calls? Some of the most simple, bare-bones "feature" phones offer the best call quality--and on the flip side, some fancy smartphones offer dismal calling. When evaluating phones, be sure to make a few test calls. In PCWorld's hands-on tests, we generally make some calls in a quiet room and several calls in a noisy environment. You might not be able to replicate such tests indoors, but try your best. Take note of static, tinny voices, or any interference. Ask the person on the other end of the line if they can hear a disruptive amount of background noise.

Design: Your choices range from phones with large touchscreens to slider-style handsets with full-QWERTY keyboards. Whichever type of phone you select, check its ergonomics. Is it comfortable to hold against your ear, and can you hear callers without constant adjustment? Can you use the phone with one hand? Consider hands-free use: Can you comfortably hold the phone to your ear by scrunching your neck and shoulder? Can it fit comfortably in your pocket or bag? You also want to make sure the phone is durable enough to handle some roughing up. A solidly built phone should be able to withstand getting banged around in a handbag or pocket, as well as a bit of moisture and a short-range drop. You should think about investing in a case or display protector, as well--especially if you’re accident-prone.

Operating system: If you're looking to do more than make calls and send text messages with your phone, consider the platform on which it runs. The mobile operating system you choose will greatly affect the capabilities of your phone. The most popular platforms are Google's Android (found on multiple devices), iOS (found only on iPhone models), BlackBerry OS (found on BlackBerrys of various designs), and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7. Each has its advantages and disadvantages; you should definitely familiarize yourself with all of the platforms before settling on one.

Display: If you intend do a lot of Web browsing or movie streaming, make sure that the screen is up to snuff. Is it big enough for you to take full advantage of the phone's features? If you're going to surf the Web or edit office documents on your phone, a screen that measures less than 3 inches diagonally will feel cramped.

Consider the screen's resolution: The higher the resolution, the better the screen will look--an important factor if you plan to use your phone to watch videos or view photos.

AMOLED displays perform well in sunlight, but many people think they make colors look oversaturated. qHD displays (whose resolution is one-quarter of a full-HD 1080p frame and three-quarters of a 720p frame) generally look the best in video playback and games.

Being able to take control of the screen's contrast and backlight settings can also be important, as phones have noticeable differences in their default display settings. If your phone allows you to adjust contrast and brightness, you can make text and graphics more easily viewable in well-lit places, and you can also save battery life in a pinch.

4G support and availability: After a lot of buzz, the next generation of wireless networks, 4G, has arrived. The two main technologies are WiMax and Long Term Evolution. Though Sprint’s network currently uses WiMax, the carrier will begin deployment of an LTE network at the end of 2011 and will release LTE devices in mid-2012. 4G's faster download speeds significantly improve streaming video, and allow features such as videoconferencing and network gaming.

If you decide to buy a 4G phone, first confirm that your area has coverage. Verizon currently offers 4G coverage in 175 U.S. cities (check the carrier's coverage map). Sprint has a complete coverage map of its WiMax network, too. AT&T has launched 4G LTE in 15 cities, and plans to reach 70 million people by the end of 2011.

Currently AT&T and T-Mobile are promoting their HSPA+ networks--which essentially use a more advanced version of 3G protocols--as being capable of achieving 4G-like speeds. If you’re looking into buying a 4G phone on AT&T, confirm whether it supports an LTE network or an HSPA+ network. Generally a 4G LTE phone will have faster data speeds, but it may also have limited coverage. We have seen “4G-like” speeds on HSPA+ phones.

Cameras: If you intend to take a lot of photos with your phone, you'll definitely want to pay attention to the camera specs. For mid- to high-level smartphones, 5 megapixels is now pretty much the standard. Some phones ship with 8- or 12-megapixel cameras, but a higher megapixel count doesn't necessarily mean a better camera. Verify that the phone camera you're interested in has a flash--dual-LED or Xenon flashes work the best--or else any pictures you attempt to take indoors or at night will come out looking like blurry messes. Try to take a few pictures in the store to get a good idea of the camera's photo quality.

Most cell phone cameras also have video-capture capabilities; some high-end phones can even capture high-definition 1080p video. If video is your thing, make sure that the OS provides an easy way to upload your videos to services such as Facebook or YouTube.

Many modern smartphones have front-facing cameras. These are mostly good for making video calls; but some camera apps, such as photo-booth apps, use the front-facing camera too.

Processor speed: We’ve heard a lot of buzz about phones that use dual-core processors, but such power is really not necessary for the average user. Unless you’re doing a lot of app multitasking or playing games with 3D graphics, you’ll probably be fine with a 1GHz processor. Aside from the processor speed, other factors--such as the version of software your phone is running (Android 2.3 is faster than Android 2.2, for instance) and the speed of your network--contribute to speedy, fluid phone performance.

Battery life: There’s no easy way to predict how long a phone’s battery will last. In our PCWorld Labs tests and our hands-on evaluations, we’ve found that 4G phones have a shorter battery life than 3G phones do. Ultimately, however, it depends on how much you use your phone. You can download task killers or battery-management apps that may alleviate some of the drainage. You can also buy a case with a built-in wireless charger, or carry around an extra battery for your phone. For a complete guide to extending your phone’s battery life, check out our "How to Boost Your Smartphone Battery Life" article package.

Picking the Right Plan
While shopping for a new plan, be completely realistic about how you will use your phone. The national phone plans that the major carriers offer will let you send and receive calls anywhere in the United States (and even in parts of Canada) at no extra charge. You may be able to sign up for a local or regional plan that limits the areas where you can originate a call and still pull from your monthly pool of minutes; this option might be worth considering if you use your phone for local calls exclusively. If you have a world phone and plan to use it in other countries, choose service with international roaming.

As you're selecting a plan, it's best to overestimate the number of minutes you'll be using for every sent and received call. Because one carrier's definition of off-peak may be different from another's, ask the carrier to specify the times for its peak, off-peak, and weekend hours.

You should also take into account your data usage (for email, video, connected apps, and Web browsing) when picking your cell phone plan. Most carriers bundle voice and data plans together. Customers on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are capped at how much data they can use before extra charges kick in. Sprint is the last U.S. wireless network to offer new customers an unlimited data plan.

Choosing the Right Carrier
Tired of your current carrier, or shopping for your first smartphone ever? Choosing a carrier is a daunting task. Most likely you've heard of the Big Four: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. You'll also encounter smaller, regional carriers such as Cellular One and U.S. Cellular, as well as prepaid carriers like Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, and MetroPCS.

Before you start examining plans, find out whether you can get solid coverage in your city, town, or area. Ask your neighbors about the carrier they use, and whether they have reliable service. If you don’t have good coverage in your home, you’ll be in for a frustrating two years. You should also check the coverage for any other areas where you spend a lot of time, such as your office or a friend's or relative’s house.

Customer service is another factor to consider. Every year, PCWorld polls readers on carrier service and support. In last year’s Reliability and Service survey, T-Mobile excelled in phone support. According to the survey, T-Mobile's average hold time was 4.6 minutes--significantly lower than the others, which had times ranging from 5.2 minutes (AT&T) to 6.1 minutes (Verizon).

And 84 percent of T-Mobile customers reported that they were satisfied with the voice-call reliability of the carrier's network, second only to Verizon's 86.7 percent.

If you’re not into the idea of signing up for a two-year contract with a carrier, try a prepaid plan. These days you can find full-featured Android or BlackBerry smartphones with prepaid plans that offer unlimited minutes, text messages, and data, plans that cost less than half of what the equivalent ones would cost with AT&T or Verizon. For more information, check out our comparison of prepaid plans, as well as some reviews of smartphones available for a prepaid plan.

Shopping Tips
You can purchase a new phone directly from a carrier store; if you're not sure what to buy, however, we recommend going to a third-party retailer. Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, and even Walmart sell phones, as well as carrier plans. A big advantage of buying a phone or a tablet from a third-party seller is that you have dozens of phones from multiple carriers at your disposal. If your contract is up and you're trying to choose between the iPhone 4 (AT&T) and the T-Mobile MyTouch 4G, for instance, you can compare the two phones side by side in the store. You can't do the same at a carrier store, because those phones are on different networks.

If you're considering buying a phone as a gift, definitely consult with the recipient before you go shopping--and although it will ruin the surprise, you'll probably want to bring them along on your shopping trip. We recommend getting as much hands-on time as possible with multiple phones before settling on one.

When dealing with store representatives, ask them to be as straightforward as possible. Tell them exactly what you're looking for, and what kind of phone or plan will fit your requirements. If you're completely unsure, ask the representatives what phone they use, or which phones impressed them this year. Don't let them jump into a sales spiel, or else you'll end up spending way too much time in the store. And remember, they're human beings too, and they're working during the holiday rush--be courteous, and you'll receive the same treatment in return.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Review: Sleek and Speedy


Samsung Galaxy Nexus Review, by Ginny Mies December 16, 2011

We’ve been clamoring to get our hands on the Galaxy Nexus ever since its unveiling in Hong Kong back in October. Finally, at long last, the U.S. version of the Galaxy Nexus has landed in our office. So is the Galaxy Nexus, the first phone to run Android Ice Cream Sandwich, everything we hoped it would be? Mostly, yes. The Galaxy Nexus ($300 with a two-year contract, as of December 16, 2011) impresses with lightning-fast performance, strong data speeds, a thin design, and, of course, all of that Ice Cream Sandwich goodness. It isn’t perfect, however. The camera isn’t outstanding, and the handset has no expandable memory slot. But as it stands, the Galaxy Nexus is the best Android phone currently available.

Design
The Galaxy Nexus is one fine-lookin’ piece of hardware. The glossy display, piano-black bezel, and textured back are all standard Samsung design elements. But unlike other Samsung Galaxy phones I’ve reviewed, the Galaxy Nexus feels high quality. At 5.1 ounces, it has a nice substantial weight to it without being too heavy. As you can see from the photos, the Galaxy Nexus has a subtle curve, which nicely contours to the hand. If you have small hands like me, however, you might find the Galaxy Nexus a bit large (it measures 5.33 by 2.67 by 0.37 inches).

The Galaxy Nexus has no physical hardware keys on its face. Instead, the touch-sensitive Back, Home, and Search keys are built into the display as soft keys.

Super AMOLED Display (No Plus)
The Galaxy Nexus has a high-def Super AMOLED display--not to be confused with the Super AMOLED Plus technology found in the Samsung Galaxy S II line of phones. This 1280-by-720-pixel display is actually based on a PenTile pixel structure in which pixels share subpixels. Engadget points out that the Galaxy S II phones have full RGB displays in which the pixels have their own subpixels. This means that the Galaxy Nexus has lower overall subpixel density, reduced sharpness, and degraded color accuracy than the Galaxy S II. But according to site FlatpanelsHD, the Galaxy Nexus has 315 pixels per inch, which is slightly lower than the iPhone 4/4S at 326 ppi.

To be quite honest, the only quality difference I saw between the Galaxy S II, the Galaxy Nexus, and the iPhone 4S was in color accuracy. Colors on the Galaxy Nexus had a slight yellowish tint, mainly in pictures or websites with a white background. Otherwise, blacks looked deep, while fonts and details appeared sharp. Unless you’re crazy about pixel density or have insanely sharp eyes, you probably won’t notice the slight display downgrade.

The display is a roomy 4.65 inches, but really only 4 inches of that real estate is usable. The remaining 0.65-inch space is occupied by a customizable shortcut bar that appears at the bottom of the home screens as well as some other internal screens. Even so, the screen feels plenty spacious for all of your gaming, video, and other multimedia desires.

Ice Cream Sandwich: Simply Sweet
We’ve written extensively on Ice Cream Sandwich, and will be doing much more in-depth coverage in the next few days. For this review, I’ll focus on how Ice Cream Sandwich performs on the Galaxy Nexus.

The Recent Apps screen. If you’re familiar with Android Honeycomb on tablets, you’ll find a few familiar features in Ice Cream Sandwich. As in Honeycomb, widgets in Ice Cream Sandwich are now resizable on the home screen. You'll also find a dedicated on-screen Recent Apps button for seeing all of your open apps; just as on Android tablets, it displays a scrollable list of running apps with thumbnail images. Flicking through and switching between apps is not as speedy as I would like it to be, however--I encountered a noticeable delay when going from one app to another.

You’ve probably heard a lot of buzz about the ability to unlock your phone with your face. The front-facing camera snaps a picture of you and then uses facial recognition software the next time you unlock your phone. It's cool, most definitely, but it's not the most secure way of protecting your phone. As Google warns, somebody who looks similar to you can unlock your phone with their face. Nevertheless, face unlock works well, and it is a pretty neat--although somewhat gimmicky--feature.

The Android software keyboard in Ice Cream Sandwich has larger, more square keys so it is easier to type on (though I still made a few errors here and there). You now have an option to verbally dictate your text, as well, though I didn’t always find it accurate. For example, “This is a test of the auto-dictate feature” translated into “Types of the otter dictate feature.”

Developers will delight in the dedicated “Developer options,” which let you access tools such as a CPU usage meter and controls for touchscreen feedback and the background process limit. It is features like this that truly make Android a standout operating system. There’s something for everyone.

The Core Apps
The new Gmail with the Action Bar. Gmail gets a face-lift, with a new context-sensitive Action Bar at the bottom of the screen. The bar changes depending on where in the app you are. For example, when you’re looking at an email message, you see options to archive it, trash it, label it, or mark it as unread. When you’re viewing your inbox, the bar changes to display options for composing new messages. Adding attachments from your gallery or other folders is now much easier as well. If you’re a heavy Gmail user like me, you’ll really appreciate these updates.

The browser in Ice Cream Sandwich is just about as close as you can get to a desktop one. You can now set the browser to request full desktop versions of sites, not the lesser mobile versions. You can also sync your bookmarks from the desktop Chrome browser to the Browser app in Ice Cream Sandwich. Google has added support for tabbed browsing, and you can quickly view which tabs are open, each with a live preview of that page.

Google Calendar pretty much runs my life, so I was pleased to see a cleaner, easier-to-read version of it in Ice Cream Sandwich. I also appreciate the fact that you can pinch-to-zoom in on a particular calendar event to see more information about it; previously you had to tap on the calendar event, and it would open a new window. Like all of the other core-apps updates, Google has made everything in the Calendar more efficient and easier to use.

Unfortunately, Google Wallet is not supported on the Galaxy Nexus--despite the fact that the phone’s hardware supports NFC.

Performance
The Galaxy Nexus is powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 processor, with 1GB of RAM and 16GB or 32GB of storage. The Galaxy Nexus scored well on all of our benchmark tests (which includes the Sunspider JavaScript benchmark and the GLBenchmark). Interestingly, the Nexus’s overall score was about the same as the mark of the Motorola Droid Razr, which has a 1.2GHz TI OMAP 4430 processor. The Samsung Galaxy S II for T-Mobile scored slightly higher overall than the Galaxy Nexus.

We also ran the Qualcomm-developed Vellamo benchmarking app, on which the Galaxy Nexus earned a score of 803. (The Droid Razr got a score of 1040, which put it ahead of the Samsung Galaxy S II.) This score puts the Galaxy Nexus ahead of the Samsung Skyrocket and the HTC EVO 3D. Because Vellamo was made by a competitor to Texas Instruments, we tend to take these results with a grain of salt.

We’re lucky enough to get very strong 4G LTE coverage here in San Francisco. In my tests using the FCC-approved Ookla Speedtest app, the Galaxy Nexus achieved download speeds ranging from 6.69 to 12.11 megabits per second and upload speeds of 21.18 mbps. In other words, the Galaxy Nexus is blazingly fast.

Call quality over Verizon’s network in San Francisco was consistently good. I had great coverage everywhere I went in the city. My friends and family sounded natural, with an ample amount of volume. One of my friends remarked that my voice sounded “hollow,” but other people I spoke with were pleased with the quality.

We have not yet finished our formal battery life tests, but the Galaxy Nexus survived through a whole day of heavy use before I needed to charge it again.

Camera
At the Hong Kong unveiling, Google bragged that the camera on the Galaxy Nexus has zero shutter lag. In my hands-on tests, I found these claims to be accurate: It processes your photo almost instantly after you press the shutter key. Another nice feature is the ability to access the camera from the lock screen rather than having to unlock and then dig through menus.

Unfortunately, the camera just isn’t of the same caliber as the rest of the phone. The photos I shot with the Galaxy Nexus’s 5-megapixel camera You can apply a variety of filters to your photos.looked a bit flat. Colors seemed a touch washed out, and details were a little fuzzy.

But even if your photos don’t come out perfect, Ice Cream Sandwich has your back with its suite of photo-editing tools. You get an array of filters (like your very own Hipstamatic app), the capability to adjust the image angle, red-eye removal, cropping functions, and more. Any edits you make to a photo will create a copy, in case you ever want to revert to the original.

Bottom Line
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is a superb phone, and a great vehicle for introducing Android Ice Cream Sandwich to the world. Android has clearly come a long way, and the tweaks and updates Google has implemented throughout the operating system make a huge difference in efficiency and ease of use. Right now, the Galaxy Nexus is the best Android phone you can buy.

10 Reasons Why Apple Should Be Worried About RIM’s BlackBerry


A few days ago I mentioned having read some articles that expressed negativity towards RIM and BlackBerry smartphones saying things like they can’t compete, their era is over, etc. It’s very refreshing to see another site put up an article where they defend RIM and even say Apple should be worried, something I’ve said for a while now. In their article, eWeek offers 10 reasons why Apple should be worried about BlackBerry 6, RIM’s upcoming and biggest upgrade to the platform’s operating system:

RIM is finally ready to play
For a while, RIM didn’t seem all that prepared to take on Apple and Google in the mobile market. The company’s BlackBerry devices looked obsolete, and its software worked poorly when compared to iOS. But with BlackBerry 6, all that has changed. The software includes several new features, including social and multimedia integration, that make it a far more viable alternative to anything Apple offers. And given the size of its installed base, that could be a major issue for Apple as it attempts to steal BlackBerry owners away from RIM.
It’s what the enterprise has waited for
The enterprise has been the main benefactor of RIM’s BlackBerry for years. Companies that have wanted more functionality and productivity have opted for BlackBerry devices over anything else. But in recent years, those companies realized that BlackBerry OS is becoming obsolete. And they have started looking elsewhere for their mobile needs. With BlackBerry 6, RIM can finally bring those customers back. The software includes the same level of functionality for enterprise users, but adds some streamlined menus and other features to make it more usable. That alone should make enterprise users happy.
Familiar—to a point
The best aspect of BlackBerry OS throughout the years is that it has remained familiar. Similar to Windows, which has kept its basic functionality throughout the years, RIM’s BlackBerry OS resembles the same look and feel that customers have been working with all these years. BlackBerry 6 will follow that pattern with the same gridlike arrangement and a familiar menu design. But it will also move forward with fresh ideas, thanks to some new graphics built into the software that most users won’t be familiar with at first. There won’t be drastic differences, but they will be noticeable. And for the most part, they will only help users get more out of the software.
Ease of use is now where it should be
A major issue with BlackBerry OS prior to the announcement of the new version of the software was the general lack of usability when compared with the competition. On iOS, for example, users need only tap around the screen to open the applications and services they want. In BlackBerry OS, it requires moving around the screen with the help of a trackpad, clicking on items and sifting through menus to find the right functions. Luckily, RIM has streamlined that to make the operating system more usable than ever. That should make BlackBerry 6 a far more capable competitor to anything Apple offers for the foreseeable future.
Developers will finally have something to like
Currently, Apple’s App Store has more than 240,000 applications available to users looking for everything from social networking to productivity. The BlackBerry App World, on the other hand, has just a fraction of that. And so far, most of those apps are abysmal. With BlackBerry 6, RIM might have finally delivered an operating system that developers, and thus users, will like. Not only is it better designed, but it makes it much easier for developers to create applications for it. Plus, if it’s as successful as RIM hopes, it won’t be long before developers start flocking to the software to capitalize on its growth.
Browsing is finally worthwhile
Browsing on BlackBerry 5 is arguably the worst experience of any smartphone on the market. Scrolling around a page is a nightmare, and simply trying to find content is practically impossible. According to RIM, it has addressed that problem with a new, far more functional browser. Of course, it wasn’t all RIM’s doing. The company acquired Torch Mobile last year for the sole purpose of using its WebKit service on the new version of BlackBerry OS. Upon doing so, it has drastically improved its competitive ability to take on Apple’s Safari browser and Google’s mobile Chrome browser.
Say good-bye to long menus
RIM has added a key feature that could substantially improve its chances of competing with Apple’s iOS: context-based menus. Currently, BlackBerry owners will open a menu in BlackBerry 5 and find several options that they will need to sift through just to find what they’re looking for. In BlackBerry 6, the company has added a feature that examines where the user is in the software, and delivers only the items available in a menu that they might be looking for. Menus will still be very present on BlackBerry 6, but at least they will be easier to use.
Going social
Like every other company in the mobile market, RIM has realized the value of providing social-networking features to its users. In BlackBerry 6, users will be able to view their Facebook newsfeed, see what’s happening on Twitter and more. Users can also update their Facebook status and tweet messages to their Twitter followers. Exactly how well that functionality will work is anyone’s guess, but it’s certainly a good idea on RIM’s part to include it.
The best of both worlds?
With RIM so heavily invested in both physical keyboards and now, thanks to the Storm2, touch screens, it’s not a stretch to say that the software might work with both technologies. If so, both consumers and enterprise customers should be excited. Those who wish to have the “next-generation” experience will find it with an all-touch-screen BlackBerry, while those who want something a bit more familiar will likely have it with a BlackBerry sporting a physical keyboard. BlackBerry 6 allows RIM to offer more options than ever. That’s something that Apple, at least to this point, has been unable to do.
Search will play central role
Search won’t top the list of reasons why customers will buy a BlackBerry 6 device, but rest assured it will certainly put Apple on notice. For once, BlackBerry owners will be able to search for anything on their devices from within the new software. Users can also search the Web. Granted, Apple has been offering in-phone search for quite a while, but that doesn’t matter. It’s yet another example of RIM finding an Apple advantage and eliminating it. The more it does that with BlackBerry 6, the more Apple will need to worry.


Read More: 10 Reasons Why Apple Should Be Worried About RIM’s BlackBerry 6 | BlackBerryRocks.com http://blackberryrocks.com/2010/07/30/10-reasons-apple-worried-rim-blackberry-6/#ixzz1gnnDy7VL
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iPad 2 vs. BlackBerry PlayBook: 7 Enterprise Considerations

CIO — Steve Jobs tried to dismiss iPad's tablet rivals as "copycats" at Wednesday's iPad 2 launch. But whether Steve likes it or not, the tablet wars are officially on. And this battle will be decided not only by consumers and gadget lovers seeking the latest and greatest slates, but also by businesses and corporate workers looking for the next game-changing productivity tool.



Apple's (AAPL) iPad 2 Atop the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet from RIM

You can expect to see many Android-based tablets from the likes of Motorola (MOT) and Samsung, just to name a couple of manufacturers. Two of the most anticipated tablets of 2011 are Apple's iPad 2; and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion's (RIM) (RIM) BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.
While Apple is traditionally known as consumer-oriented company, RIM has in the past mostly catered to businesses, with a secondary consumer focus. And like these two technology giants, their respective tablets are worlds apart when it comes to enterprise features and functionality.
Similar to this Article
Do iPad 2, iOS 4.3 Make Enough Gains for Enterprise?
First Look at Apple iPad 2: What's New, Unchanged and Still Missing
Why BlackBerry PlayBook May Be "Totally Useless for Enterprise"
Which tablet is best for your business? Here are seven key considerations that enterprise IT staffs and business users should take into account when comparing Apple's shiny iPad 2 to RIM's workhorse BlackBerry PlayBook.
1. iPad 2 v BlackBerry PlayBook Security
Perhaps the most important factor that any organization thinking about a tablet deployment must take into account is security.
The PlayBook tablet was designed with security in mind, according to RIM, and though the company hasn't revealed exactly how future versions of the PlayBook will secure corporate data--more on this subject coming up--the initial, Wi-Fi only version won't store any corporate data on the device at all. Instead, the PlayBook will access corporate resources by tethering to a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES)-connected BlackBerry smartphone.
In other words, the Wi-Fi only BlackBerry PlayBook will need to connect to a corporate BlackBerry smartphone for secure access to enterprise mail, calendar, tasks, etc. And while corporate data will be accessible via a smartphone-connected PlayBook, no enterprise data is ever stored on the tablet, making it an ideal option, at least from a security perspective--no sensitive data on-device means no data leaks if that device is lost, stolen or hacked.
However, the need for a BlackBerry smartphone is a clear disadvantage for organizations that don't already use RIM handhelds, and this fact will no doubt lead some companies to opt for the iPad 2 or another tablet over RIM's offering.
Organizations that already have BES should feel relatively secure in deploying PlayBooks, since no additional security measures are necessary and no sensitive information is every stored on the PlayBook.Apple's (AAPL) iPad 2 Atop the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet from RIM

You can expect to see many Android-based tablets from the likes of Motorola (MOT) and Samsung, just to name a couple of manufacturers. Two of the most anticipated tablets of 2011 are Apple's iPad 2; and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion's (RIM) (RIM) BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.
While Apple is traditionally known as consumer-oriented company, RIM has in the past mostly catered to businesses, with a secondary consumer focus. And like these two technology giants, their respective tablets are worlds apart when it comes to enterprise features and functionality.
Similar to this Article
Do iPad 2, iOS 4.3 Make Enough Gains for Enterprise?
First Look at Apple iPad 2: What's New, Unchanged and Still Missing
Why BlackBerry PlayBook May Be "Totally Useless for Enterprise"
Which tablet is best for your business? Here are seven key considerations that enterprise IT staffs and business users should take into account when comparing Apple's shiny iPad 2 to RIM's workhorse BlackBerry PlayBook.
1. iPad 2 v BlackBerry PlayBook Security
Perhaps the most important factor that any organization thinking about a tablet deployment must take into account is security.
The PlayBook tablet was designed with security in mind, according to RIM, and though the company hasn't revealed exactly how future versions of the PlayBook will secure corporate data--more on this subject coming up--the initial, Wi-Fi only version won't store any corporate data on the device at all. Instead, the PlayBook will access corporate resources by tethering to a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES)-connected BlackBerry smartphone.
In other words, the Wi-Fi only BlackBerry PlayBook will need to connect to a corporate BlackBerry smartphone for secure access to enterprise mail, calendar, tasks, etc. And while corporate data will be accessible via a smartphone-connected PlayBook, no enterprise data is ever stored on the tablet, making it an ideal option, at least from a security perspective--no sensitive data on-device means no data leaks if that device is lost, stolen or hacked.
However, the need for a BlackBerry smartphone is a clear disadvantage for organizations that don't already use RIM handhelds, and this fact will no doubt lead some companies to opt for the iPad 2 or another tablet over RIM's offering.
Organizations that already have BES should feel relatively secure in deploying PlayBooks, since no additional security measures are necessary and no sensitive information is every stored on the PlayBookApple's (AAPL) iPad 2 Atop the BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet from RIM

You can expect to see many Android-based tablets from the likes of Motorola (MOT) and Samsung, just to name a couple of manufacturers. Two of the most anticipated tablets of 2011 are Apple's iPad 2; and BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion's (RIM) (RIM) BlackBerry PlayBook tablet.
While Apple is traditionally known as consumer-oriented company, RIM has in the past mostly catered to businesses, with a secondary consumer focus. And like these two technology giants, their respective tablets are worlds apart when it comes to enterprise features and functionality.
Similar to this Article
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Which tablet is best for your business? Here are seven key considerations that enterprise IT staffs and business users should take into account when comparing Apple's shiny iPad 2 to RIM's workhorse BlackBerry PlayBook.
1. iPad 2 v BlackBerry PlayBook Security
Perhaps the most important factor that any organization thinking about a tablet deployment must take into account is security.
The PlayBook tablet was designed with security in mind, according to RIM, and though the company hasn't revealed exactly how future versions of the PlayBook will secure corporate data--more on this subject coming up--the initial, Wi-Fi only version won't store any corporate data on the device at all. Instead, the PlayBook will access corporate resources by tethering to a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES)-connected BlackBerry smartphone.
In other words, the Wi-Fi only BlackBerry PlayBook will need to connect to a corporate BlackBerry smartphone for secure access to enterprise mail, calendar, tasks, etc. And while corporate data will be accessible via a smartphone-connected PlayBook, no enterprise data is ever stored on the tablet, making it an ideal option, at least from a security perspective--no sensitive data on-device means no data leaks if that device is lost, stolen or hacked.
However, the need for a BlackBerry smartphone is a clear disadvantage for organizations that don't already use RIM handhelds, and this fact will no doubt lead some companies to opt for the iPad 2 or another tablet over RIM's offering.
Organizations that already have BES should feel relatively secure in deploying PlayBooks, since no additional security measures are necessary and no sensitive information is every stored on the PlayBookThe iPad 2, on the other hand, connects to Microsoft's (MSFT) Exchange infrastructure for most of its corporate security features, as a BlackBerry smartphone would to BES. And a variety of third-party mobile device management (MDM) offerings from companies like BoxTone and Zenprise are available to add additional iPad/iOS-related security features.
So, to sum that all up, the BlackBerry PlayBook should be a no-brainer for companies that are already on BlackBerry, and deploying the PlayBook shouldn't require any additional IT support, beyond basic instruction, since all PlayBook-related IT policies are pushed through BlackBerry smartphones.
Organizations on Exchange but not on BES, or companies that have already invested in tools to help bolster iOS security, may be better off with iPad 2, since deploying BES and BlackBerry smartphones is currently required to access secure corporate data via PlayBook.
Similar to this Article
Do iPad 2, iOS 4.3 Make Enough Gains for Enterprise?
First Look at Apple iPad 2: What's New, Unchanged and Still Missing
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Also, RIM has kept tight-lipped on the subject of how future PlayBook versions--the RIM tablets with cellular radios--will connect to BES, which means organizations may have to address additional security and deployment challenges with those devices. Many industry-watchers believe the process will be significantly different and won't require BlackBerry smartphones, though RIM hasn't offered any solid details.
This could be frustrating for organizations that are anxious to deploy tablets, and it could push those organizations toward Apple and away from RIM and its PlayBook.
2. Apple iPad 2 v BlackBerry PlayBook Size
One obvious difference between RIM's PlayBook and the iPad 2 is size; RIM's PlayBook is significantly smaller, at 7.6 inches in height and 5.1 inches in width, compared to the iPad 2, which is 9.5 inches high and 7.3 inches wide. RIM's PlayBook is significantly smaller, though the iPad is thinner.
As such, the BlackBerry PlayBook suits organizations that value portability over a larger display, and the iPad 2 appeals to companies looking for the most screen real estate available, regardless of portability constraints.
3. Apple iPad 2 v PlayBook Connectivity and Availability
RIM has stated that the Wi-Fi only version of its PlayBook tablet will become available in the first quarter of 2011, meaning before the end of March. However, recent rumors suggest the device will launch on April 10, and that sounds about right to me.
The BlackBerry-maker also announced HSPA+ and 4G, WiMax and LTE versions of the PlayBook, though it didn't offer any launch-date specifics, saying only that the WiMax version should become available to Sprint (S) customers sometime this summer.
Apple didn't beat around the bush with its iPad 2 launch; the company announced a March 11 release date the same day it unveiled the next-generation iPad. And the tablet will be available with a variety of wireless connectivity options on March 11, including a Wi-Fi only version; an iPad 2 with both AT&T 3G support and Wi-Fi; and an iPad 2 with Verizon Wireless 3G and Wi-Fi.
That means Apple's iPad 2 has an advantage over the BlackBerry PlayBook in that it should be available a full month before RIM's tablet. However, the iPad 2 only supports 3G CDMA and GSM wireless frequencies, i.e., no 4G for the iPad 2. The lack of 4G support in the iPad 2 seems to suggest Apple will announce either an upgraded version of the iPad 2, or possibly an iPad 3, in the not so distant future.
So the iPad 2 could be a better option for organizations that don't want to wait until next month for a tablet deployment, even though the device only currently supports "last-generation" 3G cellular wireless. Companies for which cellular data-transfer speeds are a priority, or that don't want their tablets to feel outdated six months down the road, may want to skip the iPad 2 and opt for one of the 4G PlayBooks when they're released this summer.4. Apple iPad 2 v BlackBerry Playbook Pricing
While no official pricing has been announced for any of the known versions of RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook, rumor suggests the entry-level, 16GB, Wi-Fi only PlayBook will sell for the same price as he 16GB, Wi-Fi only iPad 2: $499.99. The 32GB Wi-Fi only iPad 2 goes for $599 and the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad sells for $699.
Similar to this Article
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Apple also announced pricing for its 3G + Wi-Fi iPads: 16GB, $629; 32GB, $729; 64GB, $8.29.
The PlayBook will also be available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions, and RIM could potentially undercut Apple in pricing for its HSPA+ and 4G PlayBook. If it does, pricing could become a competitive advantage for the BlackBerry maker.
5. Apple iPad 2 v BlackBerry PlayBook RAM
In typical Apple fashion, the company left out a number of noteworthy facts from its online iPad 2 technical specifications lists, one of the most glaring of which is the lack of any information on the iPad 2's RAM. While I cannot say for sure exactly how much RAM will be found inside the iPad 2, one U.K. Apple representative recently said that the device would ship with a meager 256MB of RAM--less than the 512MB found in the current iPhone 4 smartphone.
If that is the case, the iPad 2 and its owners are going to experience some performance "hiccups," to say the least, regardless of just how powerful its dual-core processor proves to be. It's more likely that the iPad 2 has at least 512MB, but Apple's silence on the subject is slightly worrisome.
The BlackBerry PlayBook on the other hand packs a full GB of RAM. The iPad 2 could have as much as 1 GB of RAM, but I don't see the device shipping with more than that. So on the subject of RAM, the first-generation PlayBook packs the same amount or more than the iPad.
From an enterprise perspective, the amount of RAM packed into a tablet could be significant, especially if organizations plan to run resource-intensive apps or services alongside each other.
6. iPad 2 v PlayBook Cameras and Video Conferencing
Both of RIM and Apple's tablets have front facing and rear cameras. However, Apple hasn't offered many details about the digital shooters it will ship with the iPad 2, saying only that the back camera is capable of capturing 720p, HD video up to 30 frames per second with audio. The iPad 2's lower-resolution front camera takes VGA video up to 30 frames per second with audio. But Apple didn't offer any solid details on still-camera megapixel counts, specifying only that the rear camera has 5X digital zoom and the front camera takes VGA quality images.
RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet packs a 3MP front-facing camera and a 5MP rear shooter, which can grab 1080P HD video. So for still-image and video capture, which could be valuable to remote staffers in warehouses and businesspeople in boardrooms, the PlayBook appears to have the iPad 2 beat, at least in resolution.
Apple has a slight advantage over RIM when it comes to video conferencing, since it already has its own proprietary video-conferencing application and service, called FaceTime. But RIM must have some sort of video-conferencing offering up its sleeve, so we'll very likely see a related BlackBerry-announcement in the days or weeks following the PlayBook's release.7. Apple iPad 2 v BlackBerry PlayBook Durability
The following speculation should be taken with a grain of salt, since it is just that: speculation. But the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet will very likely prove to be more durable than the iPad 2, due mainly to the smaller size of its display and rubber-like outer casing. And durability will surely be an important consideration for enterprises, especially those with remote workers in less-than-forgiving industries and environments.
Similar to this Article
Do iPad 2, iOS 4.3 Make Enough Gains for Enterprise?
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In general, the most vulnerable part of a tablet PC is its glass display. And the larger that glass display, the larger the likelihood that the display will be damaged.
I have not yet handled the iPad 2, and as such I can't really gauge its durability. However, I have spent quite a bit of time with pre-release versions of the PlayBook tablet and it seems much more durable than the first generation iPad, which I've also had time to handle extensively. The fact that the iPad 2's display is very similar if not exactly the same as the first iPad's screen makes me think the two models will be similarly durable.
Of course, RIM, Apple and countless third-party case manufactures will offer products to help protect your tablet, but those products will often add bulk, and organizations that want the smallest, lightest tablet possible, won't want to sacrifice portability for protection.
So the BlackBerry PlayBook may be better suited for companies with mobile workers in rough or demanding environments.
AS

Al Sacco covers Mobile and Wireless for CIO.com. Follow Al on Twitter @ASacco. Follow everything from CIO.com on Twitter @CIOonline and on Facebook. Email Al at asacco@cio.com

iPhone 4S launched in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Apple's latest smartphone, the iPhone 4S, will be available in Malaysia from December 16.

Read more: iPhone 4S launched in Malaysia - Local - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/local/iphone-4s-launched-in-malaysia-1.19677#ixzz1gnhAJlbf



Maxis, Celcom and DiGi held their respective launches of the iPhone 4S in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday night.
Maxis is launching the latest iPhone model at 12.00 midnight at the KLCC Convention Centre. Celcom's launch is at the Bangsar Shopping Centre, while DiGi's is at the Digi 360 Solaris Mont Kiara.
The iPhone 4S is the fifth generation of the iPhone, a device that combines a widescreen iPod with a touchscreen, mobile phone, and Internet communicator.
Highlights include a voice recognising and talking assistant called Siri, personal computer independence, cloud-sourced data (iCloud) and an improved camera. A selection of the device's functions can be controlled by voice.
The iPhone 4S comes in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB.
The recommended retail price starts at RM2,190.


Read more: iPhone 4S launched in Malaysia - Local - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/local/iphone-4s-launched-in-malaysia-1.19677#ixzz1gnhVwniJ

sources of data and information

Data and information come from many sources - both internal (inside the business) and external. This revision note summarises the main sources:

Business data and information comes from multiple sources. The challenge for a business is to capture and use information that is relevant and reliable. The main sources are:

Internal Information

Accounting records are a prime source of internal information. They detail the transactions of the business in the past - which may be used as the basis for planning for the future (e.g. preparing a financial budget or forecast).

The accounting records are primarily used to record what happens to the financial resources of a business. For example, how cash is obtained and spent; what assets are acquired; what profits or losses are made on the activities of the business.

However, accounting records can provide much more than financial information. For example, details of the products manufactured and delivered from a factory can provide useful information about whether quality standards are being met. Data analysed from customer sales invoices provides a profile of what and to whom products are being sold.

A lot of internal information is connected to accounting systems - but is not directly part of them. for example:

- Records of the people employed by the business (personal details; what they get paid; skills and experience; training records)
- Data on the costs associated with business processes (e.g. costings for contracts entered into by the business)
- Data from the production department (e.g. number of machines; capacity; repair record)
- Data from activities in direct contact with the customer (e.g. analysis of calls received and missed in a call centre)

A lot of internal information is also provided informally. For example, regular meetings of staff and management will result in the communication of relevant information.

External Information

As the term implies, this is information that is obtained from outside the business.

There are several categories of external information:

- Information relating to way a business should undertake its activities

E.g. businesses need to keep records so that they can collect taxes on behalf of the government. So a business needs to obtain regular information about the taxation system (e.g. PAYE, VAT, Corporation Tax) and what actions it needs to take. Increasingly this kind of information (and the return forms a business needs to send) is provided in digital format.

Similarly, a business needs to be aware of key legal areas (e.g. environmental legislation; health & safety regulation; employment law). There is a whole publishing industry devoted to selling this kind of information to businesses.

- Information about the markets in which a business operates

This kind of external information is critically important to a business. It is often referred to as "market" or "competitive intelligence".

Most of the external information that a business needs can be obtained from marketing research.

Marketing research can help a business do one or more of the following:

1. Gain a more detailed understanding of consumers’ needs – marketing research can help firms to discover consumers’ opinions on a huge range of issues, e.g., views on products’ prices, packaging, recent advertising campaigns

2. Reduce the risk of product/business failure – there is no guarantee that any new idea will be a commercial success, but accurate and up-to-date information on the market can help a business make informed decisions, hopefully leading to products that consumers want in sufficient numbers to achieve commercial success.

3. Forecast future trends – marketing research can not only provide information regarding the current state of the market but it can also be used to anticipate customer needs future customer needs. Firms can then make the necessary adjustments to their product portfolios and levels of output in order to remain successful.

The information for marketing research tends to come from three main sources:

Internal Company Information – e.g. sales, orders, customer profiles, stocks, customer service reports

Marketing intelligence – this is a catch-all term to include all the everyday information about developments in the market that helps a business prepare and adjust its marketing plans. It can be obtained from many sources, including suppliers, customers and distributors. It is also possible to buy intelligence information from outside suppliers (e.g. Mintel, Dun and Bradstreet) who will produce commercial intelligence reports that can be sold profitably to any interested organisation.

Market Research – existing data from internal sources may not provide sufficient detail. Similarly, published reports from market intelligence organisations cannot always be relied upon to provide the up-to-date, relevant information required. In these circumstances, a business may need to commission specific studies in order to acquire the data required to support their marketing strategy.


credit to tutor2u.net

I Heart Them.







I miss my famILY. Why JB too far from Selangor ? :(

P/s: Must be STRONG like SUPERMAN ! <3

Methods of Data Storage

Data storage is the holding of data in an electromagnetic form for access by a computer processor. There are two main kinds of storage:

Primary storage is data that is held in in random access memory (RAM) and other memory devices that are built into computers.

Secondary storage is data that is stored on external storage devices such as hard disks, tapes, CD's.

The table below summarises the main methods of data storage

Method Commentary

Hard disks - Often called a disk drive, hard drive or hard disk drive, this method of data storage stores and provides relatively quick access to large amounts of data. The information is stored on electromagnetically charged surfaces called 'platters'.

Floppy disks - A floppy disk is a type of magnetic disk memory which consists of a flexible disk with a magnetic coating. Almost all floppy disks for personal computers now have a capacity of 1.44 megabytes. Floppy disks are readily portable, and are very popular for transferring software from one PC to another. They are, however, very slow compared to hard disks and lack storage capacity. Increasingly, therefore, computer manufacturers are not including floppy disk drives in the products as a built-in storage option.

Tape storage - Tape is used as an external storage medium. It consists of a loop of flexible celluloid-like material that can store data in the form of electromagnetic charges. A tape drive is the device that positions, writes from, and reads to the tape. A tape cartridge is a protectively-encased tape that is portable.

Optical disks - An optical disc is a storage medium that can be written to and read using a low-powered laser beam. A laser reads these dots, and the data is converted to an electrical signal, finally converted into the original data.

CD-R - Compact Disc-Recordable ("CD-R") discs have become a universal data storage medium worldwide. CD-Rs are becoming increasingly popular for music recording and for file storage or transfer between personal conmputers. CDR discs are write-once media. This means that - once used -they cannot be erased or re-recorded upon. CD-R discs can be played back in any audio CD player or CD-ROM drive, as well as many DVD players and drives.

CD-RW - Compact Disc-Rewritable (CD-RW) disks are rewritable and can be erased and re-recorded upon over and over again. CD-RW discs can only be used on CD players, CD-ROM drives, and DVD players and drives that are CD-RW playback-compatible.

DVD - A DVD (Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) is a high density optical disc with large capacity for storage of data, pictures and sound. The capacity capacity is 4.7 GB for single sided, singe layer DVD disc - which is approximately 7 times larger than that of a compact disc.

introduction - what is ICT?

You see the letters ICT everywhere - particularly in education. But what does it mean? Read our brief introduction to this important and fast-changing subject.

ICT is an acronym that stands for Information Communications Tecnology

However, apart from explaining an acronym, there is not a universally accepted defininition of ICT? Why? Because the concepts, methods and applications involved in ICT are constantly evolving on an almost daily basis. Its difficult to keep up with the changes - they happen so fast.

Lets focus on the three words behind ICT:

- INFORMATION
- COMMUNICATIONS
- TECHNOLOGY

A good way to think about ICT is to consider all the uses of digital technology that already exist to help individuals, businesses and organisations use information.

ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. For example, personal computers, digital television, email, robots.

So ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt of digital data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other.

In business, ICT is often categorised into two broad types of product: -

(1) The traditional computer-based technologies (things you can typically do on a personal computer or using computers at home or at work); and

(2) The more recent, and fast-growing range of digital communication technologies (which allow people and organisations to communicate and share information digitally)

Let's take a brief look at these two categories to demonstrate the kinds of products and ideas that are covered by ICT:

Traditional Computer Based Technologies

These types of ICT include:

Application Use
Standard Office Applications - Main Examples
Word processing
E.g. Microsoft Word: Write letters, reports etc
Spreadsheets
E.g. Microsoft Excel; Analyse financial information; calculations; create forecasting models etc
Database software
E.g. Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Access; Managing data in many forms, from basic lists (e.g. customer contacts through to complex material (e.g. catalogue)
Presentation software
E.g. Microsoft PowerPoint; make presentations, either directly using a computer screen or data projector. Publish in digital format via email or over the Internet
Desktop publishing
E.g. Adobe Indesign, Quark Express, Microsoft Publisher; produce newsletters, magazines and other complex documents.
Graphics software
E.g Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator; Macromedia Freehand and Fireworks; create and edit images such as logos, drawings or pictures for use in DTP, web sites or other publications
Specialist Applications - Examples (there are many!)
Accounting package
E.g. Sage, Oracle; Manage an organisation's accounts including revenues/sales, purchases, bank accounts etc. A wide range of systems is available ranging from basic packages suitable for small businesses through to sophisticated ones aimed at multinational companies.
Computer Aided Design Computer Aided Design (CAD) is the use of computers to assist the design process. Specialised CAD programs exist for many types of design: architectural, engineering, electronics, roadways
Customer Relations Management (CRM)
Software that allows businesses to better understand their customers by collecting and analysing data on them such as their product preferences, buying habits etc. Often linked to software applications that run call centres and loyalty cards for example.

Traditional Computer Based Technologies

The C part of ICT refers to the communication of data by electronic means, usually over some distance. This is often achieved via networks of sending and receiving equipment, wires and satellite links.

The technologies involved in communication tend to be complex. You certainly don't need to understand them for your ICT course. However, there are aspects of digital communications that you needs to be aware of. These relate primarily to the types of network and the ways of connecting to the Internet. Let's look at these two briefly (further revision notes provide much more detail to support your study).

Internal networks

Usually referred to as a local area network (LAN), this involves linking a number of hardware items (input and output devices plus computer processing) together within an office or building.

The aim of a LAN is to be able to share hardware facilities such as printers or scanners, software applications and data. This type of network is invaluable in the office environment where colleagues need to have access to common data or programmes.

External networks

Often you need to communicate with someone outside your internal network, in this case you will need to be part of a Wide Area Network (WAN). The Internet is the ultimate WAN - it is a vast network of networks.

ICT in a Broader Context

Your ICT course will almost certainly cover the above examples of ICT in action, perhaps focusing on the use of key applications such as spreadsheets, databases, presentation, graphics and web design software.

It will also consider the following important topics that deal with the way ICT is used and managed in an organisation:

- The nature of information (the "I" in ICT); this covers topics such as the meaning and value of information; how information is controlled; the limitations of ICT; legal considerations

- Management of information - this covers how data is captured, verified and stored for effective use; the manipulation, processing and distribution of information; keeping information secure; designing networks to share information

- Information systems strategy - this considers how ICT can be used within a business or organisation as part of achieving goals and objectives
As you can see, ICT is a broad and fast-changing subject. We hope our free study materials (revision notes, quizzes, presentations etc) will help you master IT!


http://tutor2u.net/business/ict/intro_what_is_ict.htm

iPhone 4

iPhone 4

Information Technology- Definition and History

Information Technology – A Definition:

We use the term information technology or IT to refer to an entire industry. In actuality, information technology is the use of computers and software to manage information. In some companies, this is referred to as Management Information Services (or MIS) or simply as Information Services (or IS). The information technology department of a large company would be responsible for storing information, protecting information, processing the information, transmitting the information as necessary, and later retrieving information as necessary.

History of Information Technology:

In relative terms, it wasn't long ago that the Information Technology department might have consisted of a single Computer Operator, who might be storing data on magnetic tape, and then putting it in a box down in the basement somewhere. The history of information technology is fascinating! Check out these history of information technology resources for information on everything from the history of IT to electronics inventions and even the top 10 IT bugs.

From Laura Schneider, former About.com Guide