Worldwide IT spending is estimated to reach $3.54 trillion during 2016, totalling 0.6 percent growth. While this may seem unsubstantial, overall IT spending fell $216 billion, or 5.3 percent, during 2015. IT spending will finally surpass 2014 levels during 2019. Gartner estimates $1.4 billion will be spent in communications services, $940 billion will be spent…
Apple is now offering upgrade credit for damaged iPhones. In the past, customers were only able to trade in older, undamaged devices. Now, Apple will offer credit for devices with damaged screens, home buttons and cameras. Customers are able to trade in an iPhone 5S for $50, iPhone 6 for $200 and iPhone 6 Plus…
United States and EU officials have reached an agreement regarding new data protection standards for U.S. firms processing European citizens’ information. This new agreement, titled the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield, serves as a replacement for the disbanded Safe Harbor framework. The new agreement outlines requirements for international companies processing European citizens’ data, as well as ramifications…
Microsoft has acquired London-based SwiftKey for an estimated $250 million. SwiftKey is a popular predictive-text keyboard designer. SwiftKey’s AI-based app is installed on more than 300 million Android and IOS products around the world. This keyboard app is capable of learning users’ texting habits, including emojis, and predicting what will be used next in conversation.…
This week marks HOBI’s 24th anniversary! As we celebrate another year of business, I would like to take time to reflect on our growth. In February 1992, we began as an electronics processor focused on the retrieval and resale of electronic components and environmentally sound recycling of midrange and PBX phone equipment. Through the past…
2015 was not the year for tablets. IDC estimates overall tablet shipments reach 206.8 million, a 10.1 percent decrease from the 230.1 million tablets shipped during the year prior. Aside from the negative performance for the overall market, detachable tablet shipments reached 8.1 million, an all-time high. Although being seen as the undisputable market leader,…
Data centers employ some of the most sophisticated and pricey technology so that daily enterprise operations remain up to speed. What happens if there is an outage? Emerson Network Power and the Ponemon Institute released their annual report of Data Center Outages last Tuesday. This report indicates that one minute of a data center outage…
Today is National Data Privacy Day, a day devoted to educating technology users and companies everywhere about proper data disposal and electronics recycling techniques. There are many options for both data erasure and electronics recycling, but some are more secure than others. There are many well-known avenues for recycling and reselling electronics. Major retailers such…
The move to mobile is no longer a second thought. Almost two billion cell phones were sold last year, and 82 percent of the sold devices were smartphones. For this reason, more enterprises are utilizing a BYOD policy. When switching to BYOD, it’s encouraged for enterprises to run a risk assessment to prepare for any…
Samsung’s high-end smart watch is available in China, and will be released worldwide “early this year.” The new device was initially revealed at this year’s CES show. The Gear S2 Classic New Edition is a high-tech, trendy smartwatch that has the option of either a rose gold or platinum finish, with an ivory or black…
Apple’s line of designer smart watches is officially available for purchase online through both the Apple and Hermès online stores. This line has been available in-stores since October, but this is the first opportunity for users to purchase the luxury watches online. The devices come in three options with various colors, the “Single Tour” for…
Fortune reports IBM is looking to increase cloud offerings by acquiring UStream, a live video streaming service. UStream is anticipated to receive $130 million. UStream was one of the first live streaming services on the market, but has not received as much attention as Periscope. Since its creation, UStream has worked with major companies such…
Gartner reports overall hardware device sales will continue to slow throughout 2016. The devices included in these numbers are PCs, tablets, “ultramobiles” and smartphones. Overall end-user sales are projected to reach 2.4 billion in 2016, but this is only a 1.9 percent increase since 2015. Gartner also reports a general decline in overall spending on…
SplashData has finally released their fifth annual list of worst/most vulnerable passwords. Many of the listed passwords may not come as a surprise, such as “password” and “12345.” The top 10 worst passwords of 2015 include: 123456 password 12345678 qwerty 12345 123456789 football 1234 1234567 baseball SplashData compiles the yearly list from more than 2…
If all of the data centers in the world were lined up directly beside each other, they would fill 6,000 football fields. Aside from square footage, data centers use an astounding amount of power. The National Resources Defense council estimates by 2020, U.S. data centers will maintain 140 billion kilowatt-hours. IT directors everywhere are constantly…