Update 19-July-2017: Microsoft has acknowledged this issue and has agreed to extend the support deadline, delivering security updates for affected devices until 2023. For details, see Microsoft agrees to extend support deadline for Clover Trail PCs. Several portions of this post have been updated to reflect that statement Some PCs that received a free upgrade to Windows 10 less than two years ago are now officially blocked from receiving future updates. [1] [1] By Ed Bott on ZDNet

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Augmented reality is frivolous, we’re told. It’s mainly for gimmicks and games. But an important transformation is about to get under way. Starting next year, AR will begin transforming enterprise communications, logistics, manufacturing, analytics, product design, training, marketing, field service and more. Today’s phones and tablets aren’t quite up to the task. But tomorrow’s will be. [1] [1] By Mike Elgan on ComputerWorld

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When decommissioning hardware, standard and well-documented practices are critical. The steps outlined in this policy will guide your staff methodically through the process. Assets won’t be unnecessarily wasted or placed in the wrong hands, data stored on this hardware will be preserved as needed (or securely purged), and all ancillary information regarding hardware (asset tags, location, status, etc.) will be updated. [1] [1] On TechPro

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A couple of months ago, I wrote an in-depth piece on Microsoft’s Cosmos DB, which is Redmond’s entry into the world globally-distributed cloud databases. The announcement of Cosmos DB’s general availability (GA) took place in coordination with the company’s Buildevent, held in May. The following week, Google announced that the GA of Cloud Spanner, a globally-distributed operational database of its own. [1] [1] By Andrew Brust on ZDNet

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Fileless malware is a dangerous and devious threat–and it’s gaining traction. This ebook looks at what it is, how it could affect your organization, and ways you can protect against infections, reduce exposure, and prevent the damage from spreading to other networked systems. [1] [1] On TechPro

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Don’t look now, but your desktop user interface dates back to the Nixon administration. Is it time to upgrade to the next UI? New technologies revolutionize business. And big shifts like artificial intelligent (AI) virtual assistants and augmented reality seem to have gone from “someday” technologies, to “happening right now.” These technologies are expected to transform business for the better. And I believe they will — far more than we realize. These new systems come with powerful new user interfaces. There’s…

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The Internet of Things (IoT) has its fans and skeptics, both of whom present their cases as to why it will or won’t last. One sticking point: issues related to standard practices and security. Yet, while many people debate whether little computers in wrist devices, clothing, refrigerators and vehicles will truly change our lives, actionable change is already occurring on the business application side of the IoT. [1] [1] By Peter Daisyme on Entrepreneur

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As businesses get more serious about using cloud computing they’re also getting more concerned about security. This may come as something of a surprise to some who were sold cloud computing as being inherently more secure than traditional in-house IT infrastructure, but it also reflects the differing levels of security required by organisations. [1] [1] By Steve Ranger on ZDNet

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Five years ago, this blog would have been appropriately titled “Should IT move to a service culture?” Today, there is no room for debate. IT must move to a service culture to stay relevant. Cloud-based commercial vendors provide users with great service options, and these same users are also accustomed to effective self-service options on their personal cell phones. It is unsurprising, then, that users expect the same level of service from IT. The problem is, they don’t always get…

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If you’ve been following the headlines in the world of AI, you might be fooled into thinking that corporations are doubling down, rather than withdrawing, from pure research. But on the ground, things are considerably more complicated — tech companies are spending more on the development part of R&D while relying more on cash strapped universities to move the needle on research. [1] [1] By John Mannes on TechCrunch

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