The VAR Guy

The wait is over … HP launched its webOS tablet, dubbed TouchPad. Believe it or not, it’s much more than an iPad competitor. HP’s level of integration and innovation on this device show a very Apple-like approach to a device ecosystem, and it should come as no surprise, considering Jon Rubinstein (now a senior VP and general manager at HP following its acquisition of Palm in 2010) previously had a successful career at Apple. Although I haven’t actually played with the product, at first blush it looks as through HP hit the nail on the head with the TouchPad. Here’s why:

Qualcomm, chipmaker for mobile devices, has entered a “definitive agreement” to scoop up Atheros. What’s cooking here? Atheros is known for its wireless and wired networking prowess, especially in the consumer electronics industry. What can such a merging of technologies mean for the future of mobile devices? Read on for some perspective …

Around this time in 2009, I did a quick — and admittedly scathing — review of the Barnes and Noble Nook. With the Holiday 2010 season upon us, Barnes and Noble have released their new incarnation, the Nook Color. Should you buy this little Android-powered tablet, or hold off for something else? Read on…

While I try to blog away my jet lag, let your humble correspondent tell you a little bit about my travels in Cologne, Germany for the Open-Xchange Partner Summit. Specifically, here’s the scoop on how a strategic combination of Google cloud services,  Apple iPhone 4, and the Amazon Kindle 2 made me a savvy wayfarer in a far-off land without breaking the bank.

Cloud computing brings with it a boatload of privacy concerns. And as one of the most prominent cloud companies in the consumer eye, Google takes more than its fair share of flak when something goes wrong. That’s why in a blog entry dated October 22nd, Google laid out its roadmap to restore faith in their commitment to privacy. From new positions to new documentation requirements, it’s well worth a read. Here are some highlights.

ShoreTel, provider of “brilliantly simple” VoIP and unified communications solutions, has acquired enterprise mobility solution developer Agito Networks for $11.4 million. The deal gives ShoreTel the ability to extend UC systems to cell phones — a potential boon for any business. Here are some details.

Finally, the first official Verizon-Apple relationship to actually pop up. With the iPad being sold nearly everywhere now (including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and more) Apple has decided it’d be prudent to roll out the iPad where people care about mobile life. AT&T and Verizon retail stores will be Selling the iPad by the end of October 2010. Here’s the scoop…

Motorola is introducing two new tracks to its PartnerEmpower channel program. If you’re a VAR working in the Radio or Mobile solutions space, you might want to read on…

ConnectWise, which provides a professional services automation (PSA) platform for VARs, MSPs, and IT service providers, has announced the launch of native mobile applications for the Apple iPhone, Google Android, and Microsoft Windows Mobile platforms. Here’s the skinny.

A few weeks ago I wrote a tale of woe and misery regarding the status of my iPhone 4. After 3 weeks with this unit, I’m convinced that I was getting a little crazy with it.  My phone, in fact, is just fine. And it’s the best phone I’ve ever had. Read on for my retrospective review…

I recently left the nest of my family’s family plan, branched away from my Droid and saddled up with AT&T for 2 years to get the iPhone 4. It’s really a beautiful smart phone. It does everything it’s supposed to, and no, I don’t have death grip issues. But for the last 24 hours battery life has been abysmal. Read on for the details…

You may remember our coverage of Cymphonix in March. Cymphonix specializes in network security and reporting. Now they’re teaming up with D-Link to create “hospitality and visitor-based network” delivery system. Here’s the scoop on the new collaboration and how VARs working in the advertising, digital signage or  WiFi field might be interested…

Dell officially announced what we already knew — the Dell Streak 5 inch tablet is coming this June 2010. But not on the US side of the pond; it will debut in the United Kingdom first. Dell Streak isn’t so much a tablet /Apple iPad competitor. Rather, it’s more of an intermediary device between a smart phone and a tablet. Here’s the specs on Dell’s new Google Android device and some implications…

Every once in a blue moon, something a bit different pops up in our inbox. This time, it happened to be Cellcrypt. To be clear, Cellcrypt isn’t a place where you toss your dead cell phones, it’s actually a play on words for ‘encryption’. As you might have guessed, it’s encryption for cell phones. Here’s how it works, and why VARs working with the government might be interested…

Back at the end of January we had our first little chat with Astaro and they gave us a heads-up on 3 new products they were working on in the unified threat management (UTM) market. Now that March has started, they’ve got some more official details on what’s coming out. If you’re even a little bit interested in networking, mail or web security, you many want to take a look…

My day job revolves around early-modern European history, which I study in graduate school.  While most of my fellow graduate students know very much about obscure dead people, computers are generally not their forte: many of them remain unsure of the difference between Microsoft Word and Microsoft Windows, for example.

The VAR Guy loves JetBlue. And he’s willing to put up with their flight delays out of JetBlue’s terminal at JFK International Airport. But the “free” WiFi networks within JetBlue’s terminals are beyond bad. They’ve been pathetic for more than a year. Now, it’s time for JetBlue to change course.
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So, you’re about to launch a business. Or perhaps you’re a solutions provider that’s helping an entrepreneur to get a business off the ground. Here are seven IT tools The VAR Guy would recommend for that fledgling business.