The VAR Guy

Paragon Software, whose expertise is in data management and security, is launching  Virtualization Manager 2010 Corporate Edition. The software could help VARs and solutions providers with Windows environment software migrations. Here’s a quick look at the potential benefits.

Not too long ago we chatted about SpringSource. Now they’re back in the news again. SpringSource, a division of VMware and Java app evangelist, has unveiled a new site to help the Apache Tomcat community. Here’s the deal…

Wanova is a software virtualization company that’s making some ripples in the big virtualization pool. Launching today comes some new Distributed Desktop Virtualization software and it’s designed to cut costs and be future proof. Does that sound too good to be true? Here’s the deal on the new offering…

The folks over at PC World Business Center are running an article titled, “Five Features the iPad Needs For Business” by Tony Bradley. Bradley raises some interesting points as to why the iPad isn’t quite ready for the prime-time suit and tie type. Naturally, I disagree. If you want to learn why the iPad is already business ready, read on…

In some pockets of IT, thin clients coupled with virtualization are all the rage. The latest example involves Devone IT, an “alternative desktop computing” company that has launched a thin client leveraging XenDesktop and Citrix technology. Here are the potential implications for VARs.

The next sexy industrially designed thing to come out of Apple might not be something you put in your pocket. It could be something you wear. News is that Apple has hired wearable-computing guru Richard DeVaul to work on some new prototyping for Apple. Here’s the scoop…

It’s official, the iPad is coming. Pre-orders have started. With that comes several factoids worth noting. Here’s the wrap-up from the weekend and how Apple plans on getting these ‘magical devices’ into the hands of consumers ASAP…

Lenovo was kind enough to send me a loaner unit for the ThinkPad Edge — which fits somewhere between the netbook and notebook family. I’ve had it for about a month now. Here’s some thoughts and impressions on the 3-month-old member of the Lenovo mobile computer family…

We’ve always got to hand it to Engadget; they have the most interesting sources. A new report is coming in that the attached picture is indeed an internal Verizon memo about upselling the Verizon MiFi for use with the iPad…but is that such a good idea?

Oh the Tablet buzz never ends. As we all know Apple’s iPad won’t support Flash anytime soon, but the HP Tablet (or Slate) will support Flash, naturally, because it’s running Windows 7. HP and Adobe intend to capitalize on that fact. In fact, Adobe showcased Flash on the HP tablet with it running AIR applications as well, and that got people thinking…

With spring around the corner in North America, it seemed like the right time for SpringSource to ’spring’ into action make their big announcement. SpringSource is unleashing SpringSource Server Spring Edition as “the best place to build and run Spring applications.” There’s a free promotion involved. Plus, this is the first time SpringSource will be offered through the VMware channel. Here’s the skinny…

Wireless mobile giant Motorola has launched their PartnerEmpower Channel Program. Officially, the Motorola PartnerEmpower Program (PEP)  brings together all of Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions (EMS) partners “under a single channel program framework.” Here are additional perspectives from Motorola Channel Chief Janet Schijns (pictured).

Parallels, the virtualization and cloud enabler, has officially announced they’re supporting Chrome OS, Google’s mobile Linux distribution. What does that mean for VARs out there? Maybe nothing, superficially, but…

Friday announcements always tend to get smothered by the weekend. On March 5th 2010 Engadget reported some interesting new details and exclusive pictures about Microsoft’s dual-screen tablet, dubbed Courier. It’s got a lot of work-horse potential and productivity power. Here’s the scoop…

I know what you’re thinking: “Am I reading The VAR Guy or some other tabloid blog?” But let’s face it; no matter what business you’re in, you’re interested in Apple’s business, even if it’s just an ancillary glance. Friday, March 5th came and with it was the announcement that the iPad would be available April 3rd. It kind of slipped under our radar. What didn’t, however, was the fact the iPad is coming a little late. Oh, and Steve Jobs was at the Oscars…

On March 2nd 2010, Apple filed a suit against mobile phone maker HTC for patent infringement. HTC, who notably supports Android and the Google Nexus One is fighting back. What’s more, Google is backing HTC. Is this just another court-spat between companies, or the start of the oncoming mobile wars and Steve Jobs’ increasing hostility towards Google…?

Motorola is rolling out a potential solution to messy wireless networks. Dubbed “AirDefenese Infrastucture Managment” (or just ‘AirDefense’ for short), it’s a vendor-agnostic platform that strives to bring order to wireless access points. Here are the details for channel partners.

Cisco TelePresence: It’s nifty technology, but not everyone can afford it. But that’s where  Starwood Hotels and Resorts steps in. They’ve unveiled their first in-hotel Cisco TelePresence meeting suites. That means they’re ‘public’ to the extent that you’d like to rent one. The flagship hotels?  The W Chicago City Center in Illinois and the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney, Australia. But more are coming, and soon. Here’s the scoop about the new plan and partnerships…

Hewlett-Packard is launching a Google Android-based netbook. Shipping under the Compaq brand, HP calls it the AirLife 100. It will debut in the United Arab Emirates (no word on a U.S. launch). The big question: Is Android for netbooks a good computing solution?

Just when you thought the tablet rumors were over, they’re back. The latest is that February 25 will launch the pre-orders for the iPad. But here’s a twist: rumor has it there are a few extra features that weren’t discussed at the media launch. Read on…

The products aren’t even in the wild yet and the war is already brewing. Hewlett-Packard apparently wants their tablet (the HP Slate) to be cheaper than Apple’s iPad and still include 3G wireless. So, will VARs give the HP tablet a look? Here are some perspectives.

The ruckus began long  before Steve Job’s alleged “lazy” comment about Adobe Flash, but the issue certainly gained some more attention after the fact. Now, in an interview with All Things Digital, Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch has conceded a few criticisms about Flash’s overall optimization and shed some light on the future for the ubiquitous plug-in.

The Mobile World Congress 2010 is taking place this week (Feb 15th-18th) in Barcelona this year and there are tons of surprises, like the Windows Phone 7 series launching. But the latest surprise involves Opera, that ‘other browser’ that people tend to forget about. Opera has an interesting trick up their sleeve. They’ve developed an iPhone browser that’s 6 times faster than anything on the market.