In Search Of Innovation

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In This Issue:
1. Editor's Note: In Search Of Innovation
2. Today's Top Story
    - Oracle Patches 36 Bugs, Risk Ranked At '10'
3. Breaking News
    - Google Extends Search To Enterprise Apps, Upgrades Search Hardware
    - HP, IBM Tout Blade Server Advancements
    - Wipro Posts Big Gains, But Outsourcer's Growth May Finally Be Cooling
    - SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 Brings SAP Hooks, Text Search
    - Mobile Browsing Seen Changing Face Of The Web
    - Software Reportedly Tracks Internet Mood Swings
    - Novell Acquires e-Security
    - Russia Calls For Unity To Fight Internet Crime
    - Report: Americans' Mobile Phones Becoming Transaction Devices
    - Minnesota Standards Bill Could Affect Microsoft Word, Adobe
    - Brief: Microsoft To Aid Indian Software Startups
    - AMD, HP, IBM, Sun Want To Make It Easy To Be Green
4. Grab Bag: Skype And China; Apple
    - Skype Says Text Messages Censored By China (Monsters and Critics.com)
    - Apple Headed For Strong H2 Despite Likely Q2 Miss (Forbes)
5. In Depth: Apple Computer
    - Has Apple Purposely Slowed MacBook Pro Graphics?
    - Apple Countersued By Digital Media Developer
    - Blog: Apple's Secret Plan For Global Domination
    - Gartner Analyst Downplays Apple Boot Camp Security Issue
6. Voice Of Authority
    - Handicapping The Open-Source Shakeout
7. White Papers
    - Making The Business Case For IP Communications
8. Get More Out Of InformationWeek
9. Manage Your Newsletter Subscription

Quote of the day:
"Innovation has nothing to do with how many R&D dollars you have. When Apple came up with the Mac, IBM was spending at least 100 times more on R&D. It's not about money. It's about the people you have, how you're led, and how much you get it." -- Steve Jobs

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1. Editor's Note: In Search Of Innovation

For years, we've seen far too little in the way of innovative enterprise applications or major hardware and networking advances. Arguably, more innovation is taking place in the consumer space, although much of that is incremental rather than revolutionary. There's more evidence this week that innovation in the IT industry is now being driven from the search engine outward, both for consumer and business applications.

One of the more novel applications of search is in experimental mode at Microsoft. The technology would make it possible to take a picture of an object with a camera phone, then use that image to search a Web-based database for more information. A user could take a picture of a product in a store, then conduct a price comparison on the spot. Though this could be a bad thing for compulsive shoppers, it sure would beat typing in Froogle queries from the phone or, worse yet, writing down the product specifications, taking them home, then going online and conducting your analysis. The technology is a long way from commercial availability, and Google no doubt has something similar or competitive in the works, but it's encouraging to see Microsoft--a search market share laggard--pushing the envelope with new technology and features in this space.

On the corporate and enterprise applications front, Google is stepping in where those companies that house reams of corporate data probably should have years ago, helping frustrated business users find information in transactional and other systems with technology called Google OneBox for Enterprise. Google officials cite at least two compelling examples of partners whose data they'll be able to search: Oracle and Cisco. A business user could view financial data in Oracle Financials through a query entered into the Google search box. A user of Cisco's MeetingPlace Express conferencing system could access information from the conferencing system, such as contact and presence information.

These are just two of the latest examples of the big search engine providers filling the innovation void, expanding their footprints to become the ultimate interface to information and, now, the ultimate data query and access tools. Will your company look to Google's OneBox to facilitate data access? What are the drawbacks to using Google technology in this way?

Please weigh in at my blog entry.

Tom Smith
[email protected]
www.informationweek.com

2. Today's Top Story

Oracle Patches 36 Bugs, Risk Ranked At '10'
Security vendors Symantec and Guardium are warning users that several of the vulnerabilities are significant, and patching is "essential."

3. Breaking News

Google Extends Search To Enterprise Apps, Upgrades Search Hardware
Google is looking to extend its domination of Internet search into enterprise applications by beefing up its enterprise search appliance, as well as launching a new developer program and new partnerships.

HP, IBM Tout Blade Server Advancements
HP introduced a management software offering for Linux, while IBM announced growth of its Blade.org community.

Wipro Posts Big Gains, But Outsourcer's Growth May Finally Be Cooling
Wipro's revenues increased 30% year-over-year to $2.4 billion, while net income jumped 28% to $456 million.

SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 Brings SAP Hooks, Text Search
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP1 packs a few surprises along with the promised data mirroring and Express management perks.

Mobile Browsing Seen Changing Face Of The Web
The rapid pace of mobile phone installation and the development of wireless networks are together driving robust growth in the use of phones for browsing. People are turning to mobile phones for Internet use more quickly than they're adopting laptops for the same purpose in many parts of the world.

Software Reportedly Tracks Internet Mood Swings
Three Dutch researchers claim they can gauge the mood of the Internet by monitoring millions of blogs with a program called MoodViews.

Novell Acquires e-Security
Novell beefed up its growing security portfolio by acquiring e-Security and its real-time security and compliance monitoring platform.

Russia Calls For Unity To Fight Internet Crime
The Interior Minister tells conference attendees that online attacks are increasing, and that he predicts potentially catastrophic consequences if countries don't work together.

Report: Americans' Mobile Phones Becoming Transaction Devices
Researcher In-Stat is convinced that U.S. consumers will get over their most frequently mentioned barrier to the mobile wallet--added fees for its use--as well as security concerns about loss of the phone and privacy.

Minnesota Standards Bill Could Affect Microsoft Word, Adobe
A bill that requires open documents is gathering support, and some of its provisions--such as no royalty payments and a need for human-readable documentation--may have some interesting ramifications.

Brief: Microsoft To Aid Indian Software Startups
Microsoft programs for startups in that country include areas like idea validation, product building, product planning and architecture, and managing a product company.

AMD, HP, IBM, Sun Want To Make It Easy To Be Green
Tech vendors launch an effort to make it easier for IT professionals and data center managers to create more energy-efficient data centers.

All Our Latest News

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Laurie Sullivan With 'Podcast Pioneers'

4. Grab Bag: Skype And China; Apple

Skype Says Text Messages Censored By China (Monsters and Critics.com)
The Internet communications company Skype, which was bought by eBay in September 2005, has revealed that text messages sent to China are censored in compliance with state law.

Apple Headed For Strong H2 Despite Likely Q2 Miss (Forbes)
Piper Jaffray maintained an "outperform" rating and $103 price target on Apple Computer ahead of its fiscal second-quarter earnings report, scheduled for Wednesday after the market close.

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5. In Depth: Apple Computer

Has Apple Purposely Slowed MacBook Pro Graphics?
One Mac user site reports that the company is trying to cut down on the amount of heat that the portable machine generates. Apple won't comment on the issue.

Apple Countersued By Digital Media Developer
Burst alleges that Apple's iTunes Music Store, iTunes software, iPod devices, and QuickTime Streaming products infringe its patents.

Blog: Apple's Secret Plan For Global Domination
Apple Computer's recent forays into Windows compatibility and Intel hardware architecture raise some interesting questions about the strategic direction of the company.

Gartner Analyst Downplays Apple Boot Camp Security Issue
A partition separates the Windows software in a different file system, preventing the Mac software from being exposed to malware, a Gartner analyst said.

6. Voice Of Authority

Handicapping The Open-Source Shakeout
The long-predicted consolidation of the open-source software market is finally starting to happen. But which path will the market take--disappearance of the pure-play open-source vendors, or a winnowing to a few strong ones?

7. White Papers

Making The Business Case For IP Communications
This white paper describes the factors to consider in developing a strategic and financial business case for Cisco IP communications solutions. It covers the distinct value delivered for different IP communications technologies and deployment scenarios. It also discusses the measurable, highly attractive financial returns and productivity improvements.

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