valuable strategic asset

Google to launch Dropbox rival, according to a rumour
Source: JD Speedy

I think today must be rumour day in the IT biz. Google is not immune to this, and in the 'most likely to be true' rumour of the day, the big G is getting ready to launch it's own secure storage service, Drive.

This would come as a surprise to almost no one, except for maybe the few that ask "but I already use Gmail for that".

For everyone else, this would offer the same kind of experience you know and love, but with dedicated ties to Google Docs, Gmail and - wait for it - Google+. Or at least that's what I figure.

Naturally, Google is a great fit for this type of service, if only for the amount of successful cloud products it's already launched and the fact that anyone familiar with consumer cloud probably already stores stuff with Google.

Reportedly, and by reportedly, I mean it's a rumour, the service would be free up to a certain GB mark for all users - much like Gmail - with premium space available at a premium.

JD
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Reports of iPad 3 announcement in March
Source: JD Speedy

Ok, this one you can file under 'absolutely suspect' and 'completely unverifiable', or create a new file for 'absolutely suspect unverifiable' if you'd like.

According to some Mac blogs, most notably the notorious Cult of Mac, the iPad 3 is not only in the late stages of being designed, but will be announced this March, that's March 2013 and a case for the new unit has already been spotted.

If these rumours are true, and I must stress that they are rumours, the new iPad will look a whole helluva lot like the iPad 2 and get upgrades only on the internals. This means the trade up will be more aligned with the difference between the iPhone 3G and the 3GS and the iPhone 4 (and iPhone 4S).

That said, this would put the iPad release cycle on about the same timeframe as the iPhone. I'm not sure I can believe that, not because I think it's compeltely out of the realm of possibility, but because it's a lot harder to believe that people want to refresh their tablet as often as they do their smart phone.

But, the iPad has only seen two iterations, which means Apple may not know yet how many iTablets the market can bear and a quick update could make enough to cover R&D at the minimum. That, and everything Apple has released that is even rumoured to be the last project of Steve Jobs seems to sell. But that's just my inner cynic. Likely an iPad 3 (and subsequently 3S and 4) will sell because there will be something it does better, does differently or adds besides new hardware (like the iPhone 4S's must-have Siri).

JD
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Playbook OS 3 already in the works?
Source: JD Speedy

Though details are scarce, Blackberry blog, NFBB reports that RIM has already begun work on the follow-up to the as-yet-unreleased Playbook 2.0 operating system.

This, in reality, probably won't surprise many, as OS 2 adds a lot of functionality that users expected would be bundled with the initial tablet release. Email, better integration with your handheld Blackberry, and more are all set to be added when the new OS launch later this month.

So what might RIM be planning for OS 3? It's anyone's guess, but recent moves on the phone front by RIM - to add BBM elements into other apps and make Blackberry server software play nice with other devices - might lead some to believe that more convergence between RIM devices is on the horizon. How about a unified Blackberry account where apps downloaded on a phone could be used on your Playbook? More ties to the Android app store?

I don't want to speculate too much as RIM is probably just readying design docs and feature lists at this juncture while putting the finishing touches on OS 2.

JD
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Reaffirming yesterday's move, Nokia fully backs Windows Phone
Source: JD Speedy

It might not come as much of a surprise to many, with Nokia dropping 4000 production jobs in the U.S. yesterday, but Nokia has completely given up on making its own open-source mobile OS.

Nokia's European manager, Victor Saeij, said that the company's only plan B is that plan A will work. It will fully back Windows Phone as the platform for all of its mobile offerings going forward.

Previously, Nokia planned an open source operating system, much like Google's Android. This puts Nokia in a good position to continue to be as Samsung (or now Motorola) is to Google for Microsoft.

This is a really good sign for Windows Phone, which needs this kind of dedicated backing to get the kind quality smart phone designs that have pushed Android and iPhone adoption.

JD

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Why a company social network is better than an Intranet
Source: JD Speedy

The short answer, from this list of very good reasons to choose a social network over a company Intranet is; people will use it.

From experience, I can tell you that Intranet's are often riddled with permissions problems, convoluted log-ins and hard to remember locations. Part of that, however, is that usually no one uses it. It's all started with the best of intentions and usually some useful, if a bit clunky, functionality.

But social networks promote more real-time interaction, and, by design, foster more of a community because of their emphasis on social.

And, by choosing a social network, you'll also be able to associate yourself with a more current buzzphrase (something not mentioned in the article) which might entice younger newer employees to actually try out your service instead of scoffing at it until it becomes mandatory.

JD
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