Focusing On Victory
First off, the war. Solution providers CRN spoke to expressed optimism not only for a quick and successful conclusion of hostilities, but also for subsequent improvement in economic conditions and business spending here at home. Look for more coverage of the war's effects in Monday's CRN, available online this evening.
In New Orleans, wireless solutions were the focus at the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association's CTIA show. Sony Ericcson showed off new products and developer tools; Verizon announced its support for Wi-Fi technology; and Toshiba and Accenture showed off their own Wi-Fi services. Find all the news in our Wireless News Center.
Microsoft Moves
Microsoft was all over the map this week, literally. In New Orleans, at the Microsoft Mobility Developers Conference, chairman Bill Gates announced Microsoft's intention to "invest, invest and invest to make our [mobile] platform the most popular platform."
In Las Vegas, at its Systems Management summit, Microsoft executives discussed plans for the company's Systems Management Server 2003 and Operations Manager 2004. In Orlando, at Convergence 2003, the company previewed the Microsoft Business Network and launched the Microsoft Business Portal, as part of its larger SMB applications strategy.
A little less travel, perhaps? Okay. Microsoft is combining its Fusion and Stampede partner shows, as it blends Great Plains partners into its main solution provider program.
Other News
The big corporate move of the week was Cisco's plans to acquire home networking vendor Linksys. Sun Microsystems talked about its upcoming web services platform plans, while HP and Red Hat expanded their Linux alliance, and Apple launched it's Xserve clustering solution. EDS CEO Dick Brown is stepping down from his leadership post at the computer services giant.
Is 'Hail To the Chief' On His iPod?
You've got to admit, it really does sound like a match made in heaven. Former Vice President and first geek Al Gore was elected to the Apple Computer board of directors this week. Can a 'Tipper' model iBook be far behind?