The VAR Guy

While the mobile world was caught up with what RIM’s new CEO wasn’t doing, Motorola published its Q4 2011 financial results. Although most numbers were positive, Motorola did post mobile losses ahead of its impending acquisition by Google. Here’s a quick look …

There is a list of competitors to Apple’s Siri that have evolved since Siri’s unveiling, but Evi particularly caught my eye, thanks to its near-Siri-like quality. Evi also caught the eye of the rest of Internet, which pretty much drove its servers into the ground. Oops. But what can we learn about how voice recognition assistants work? Here’s the scoop …

Once upon a time, Intel created a mobile OS called Moblin. At the time, Nokia was also creating a mobile OS it called Maemo. Intel and Nokia then merged their resources and built MeeGo, the unified answer to both mobile operating systems. After delays and a completely unenthusiastic release of the one and only Nokia MeeGo phone, the Nokia N9, MeeGo was usurped by Tizen, which, as you may remember, is a new mobile OS venture by Intel that incorporates MeeGo technology. Now, Tizen is going to be merging with Samsung’s mobile OS “bada.” So, now what?

Samsung, one of the companies that first jumped on board to produce ChromeBooks, is improving on its design and also launching something completely different: the ChromeBox. Are there channel implications? Oh, yeah.

Google wants to make sure Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) is as tasty as possible, and has instituted a policy that all Android devices accessing the official Google Marketplace must be running an unmodified Android 4.0. So say goodbye to custom GUIs and modified launchers. Why? According to Google, it’s all about consistency. Read on for the details …

Welcome to 2012. The first IT trend of the New Year:  Many high-tech companies enter 2012 with new or recently named CEOs (examples include AMD, Apple, Google, Hewlett-Packard and IBM). Plus, a lengthy list of prominent CEOs (representing Cisco Systems, Dell, Microsoft, Oracle and Research in Motion) are under pressure to boost sales, profits and channel partner success. Here’s what channel partners should expect.

We cover a lot of Apple Mac-related news here on The VAR Guy, especially when it comes to management of Apple computers and devices. And while companies such as Centrify, Sophos and Dell KACE have been at the forefront of device management, it looks as though a new challenger has appeared: Google. As unlikely as it may seem, Google has actually stated it is developing some Mac management software internally …

Many of us have no issue with carrying around a smart phone, but what about wearing one? What about wearing a ‘smart watch’ or a piece of digital jewelry that augments your existing reality and life? Would you sign up? Apple and Google seem to think so, which is why rumor has it they’re both working to develop such devices right now.

Google finally launched a completely native Gmail client for the iOS ecosystem, promising to bring the push notifications and search capabilities you enjoy with Gmail but couldn’t get using Apple’s Mail App. But just moments after it launched the app, Google pulled it down. What happened? And is the app all Google wants it to be? Read on for the review …

As Motorola Mobility gears up for a complete acquisition by Google, it’s undergoing a few housekeeping measures. Sadly, that includes putting 800 jobs on the chopping block. Here’s the rundown on the future of Motorola Mobility, and Google’s new mobility arm …

In July 2011, Logitech slashed the price of their Google TV unit, Revue, to $99. I asked if that was really enough to gain adoption, even with a Google TV Android upgrade on the way. Now, since Ice Cream Sandwich has launched, Google has announced a Google TV update. Still, I’ve got to repeat my question: Are Google TV enhancements enough to keep the platform relevant, especially amid the near certainty of a new, killer, Apple TV offering?

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich has finally arrived with a bucketload of fresh features, user interface tweaks and a sexy flagship phone. But in this Android vs. iOS world, does this new version of Android set the stage for two completely different camps of mobile computing? Here’s the scoop and the perspective you can only get here …

Do you remember back when you paid almost $300 for that once-sexy, uber-popular silver or black flip phone? It was called the Motorola RAZR, and like all the other cool kids on the block, I had one. Now Motorola is stirring up those old RAZR feelings for the Droid RAZR. But will this version make the cut?

That was fast. Just last week we covered how Android Ice Cream Sandwich was likely slated for an Oct. 11, 2011, release, according to the YouTube Android Developer account. Now Samsung has released an official statement telling us to hold our horses. Android dessert is coming soon, but not quite yet …

Remember way back in August 2011 when Google purchased Motorola Mobility? Fears about how Google would use the phone manufacturing arm of Motorola swept the ‘net, setting the stage for internal competition between Google and other Android OEM partners. Despite the very real potential of this happening, Google’s Eric Schmidt says to not worry. Should we believe him?

Microsoft and Samsung have partnered to bring cross-licensing of each company’s patent portfolios for use in mobile device development. Microsoft is making every effort to ensure Windows Phone 7 is successful in the marketplace. Here’s a breakdown on the latest mobile moves …

Rewind to June 2011, and you’ll find my lengthy speculation on how an Amazon-based tablet could be the one true contender to the iPad. Now, with the leaves turning brown, Amazon has officially sent out invitations marking Sept. 28, 2011, as a special media occasion. Will the Kindle tablet be there? Here’s the scoop …