With the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) craze hitting enterprises, universities, hospitals, and everywhere between, IT administrators may find a checklist a good option to take charge of what’s coming their way. As millions of employees walk into the new year with devices received as holiday gifts, what better time to buckle down and successfully implement a plan for 2012?

An illustrated depiction of poll results from other MORE Webinars will give you the insight needed to respond to the influx of employee-owned tablets and smartphones at your place of business.

The BYOD party has started, folks. Now its up to IT leadership to decide how it will be handled. It would be wise to act on what the latest statistics say about emerging trends in mobility. To get started on the right track, submit your request for a free evaluation of MaaS360 mobile device management (MDM).

First smartphones, then tablets…now ultrabooks. The mobile computing space has never been as dynamic and exciting as it is now. Over the course of recent years, mobile computing has improved in such a way that it has almost become a lifestyle.

Ultrabooks are nothing new, and by no means an innovation in mobile computing. They have always been around. Thanks to Apple‘s MacBook Air, the trend has gained considerable momentum. PC manufacturers have always wanted to give slim and high performance devices to the consumer, but Apple laid the foundation.

So what are these ultrabooks?

Ultrabooks can be defined in a few simple words: portable, slim stylish, and fast, with responsive computing interfaces. Like the MacBook Air, the ultrabooks are also powered by Intel low core voltage processors for efficient power consumption and long battery life. However, the two factors that distinguish the MacBook Air from ultrabooks are:

1. Displays. Ultrabooks have a resolution of 1366 x 768 whereas the MacBook Air 13 has a resolution of 1440 x 900.
2. The Ultrabook Intel Core Processors are embedded with security and anti-theft protection technology. Mid-2012, Intel has plans to introduce the Ivy Bridge processors for powering ultrabooks. Not only will the Ivy Bridge processors ramp up performance, responsiveness, and visual display of the ultrabook, but it will upgrade the mobile computing security component. Intel plans to embed McAfee in its core processors for increased malware protection.

Different ultrabook vendors have their own unique selling propositions to market their products. For example, Lenovo’s IdeaPad Yoga can be twisted to behave like a tablet; Dell’s XPS13 is 128GB solid-state drive and has a backlit keyboard; and Acer claims to have built the world’s thinnest ultrabook. In spite of different flavors of ultrabooks available to suit one’s needs, some of the factors that may hinder ultrabook adoption are:

1. High prices. Ultrabooks are priced between 800 dollars and 1300 dollars. If the ultrabook manufacturers can keep a benchmark of 600-700 dollars, it will influence the number of consumers adopting ultrabooks.
2. Support for Windows 8 in workplaces: The 2012 ultrabooks are powered by the Microsoft Windows 8 operating system. Has your IT started or is considering supporting Windows 8?
3. If you like a heavy dose of CDs, DVDs and flash drives, ultrabooks aren’t for you. Ultrabooks, by definition, do not have any built-in hard drives; are powered with solid state drives (SSDs) for better speed and responsiveness; and have low power consumption.
4. The ultrabooks have no outlet or port for LAN support but the mini display port allows you to connect to any type of PC display.

Many industry experts have deemed ultrabooks tablet contenders. But I believe the ultrabooks will eat away at desktops and notebooks. Reason being, tablets and ultrabooks serve different purpose for different user groups. For example, tablets are great reading and entertainment devices for travelers, while the ultrabooks are an ideal pick for students or professors who are always on the move and are looking for high performance boxes. However, I believe, ‘device price’ and technology innovation will play a pivotal role in defining the future of each of these devices.

As the ultrabook revolution picks up the pace, I am already watching the market for new additions to pick one for myself. Are you too ready to dump your netbook or desktop for an ultrabook? Or maybe you own one–if so, please share with us your experiences and any ultrabook vendor recommendations.

Part of what made the iPhone 4S so great was timing. It was released right on cue with upgrades to iOS software and shortly before the passing of a legend in Steve Jobs (and unexpectedly so). One of many ways people chose to pay tribute to Jobs was by purchasing his last great device. Others wanted to take full advantage of the iOS 5 software…more specifically, Siri. The timing and its influence on consumers is what lead to a record-breaking 4 million sales 3 days after its release.

So the question is, how will Apple carry this momentum into 2012? What factors will weigh in on our decision to buy their iPhone 5?

It may not be what the phone brings the people that drives them to buy it. This time around it could be more simple; the phone will be brought to the people. Present day, there are only 3 carriers that offer the iPhone to customers. Combined, these networks contract with the majority of our country’s smartphone users, but that’s not to say the iPhone’s reach can’t and won’t expand. What if all 3G and LTE networks across the world could offer their customers an iPhone?

Katy Huberty of Morgan Stanley reports the iPhone 5 could arrive as early as Q3 2012, feature a slimmer design, and a “quad-mode chip from Qualcomm that would allow for 3G and LTE functionality across all ‘network flavors’”. If this holds true, Apple would have no problem picking up their success right where they left off when they introduced the 4S. Imagine how many people wanted to buy a 4S but couldn’t because their network didn’t offer it. Hubety added if Apple signs a deal with China Mobile–the world’s largest mobile phone operator–the inclusion of the chip in the iPhone 5 would be all the more likely. We will have to wait and see.

What do you think Apple will do to continue the success they had in Fall ’11? The phone will undoubtedly boast its share of new features, that we can always be sure of. But going back to my point about bringing the phone to the people, adding a few hundred million potential subscribers to the mix couldn’t hurt. It could be what really “does it” for them this time.

by John Harrington, Fiberlink

It’s been about a year since BlackBerry first rolled out the PlayBook, which is a while when considering RIM left its flagship tablet’s users without a native mail client that whole time. PlayBook users will be relieved to hear this is due to change when version 2.0 OS upgrades are released in February (Business Insider reports). Other upgrades to email will include the popular all-in-one inbox feature and rich text editing. Finally, it seems RIM has chosen to step up their tablet game to keep up with the competition.

So what does this mean for you? If you’ve been tethering to your BlackBerry device to access mail on your PlayBook, you’ll soon be able to cut cord and work solo on either device…and those who never had a BlackBerry in the first place will be able to get some real work done on the go.

RIM has taken the opportunity to address other shortcomings in this software update by making improvements to messaging and contact management. Once these features are enabled, the contacts on your PlayBook will be synchronized with corresponding account information on social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. So if one of your LinkedIn connections is attending our next webinar, you will know about just by viewing your calendar. Similarly, if your co-worker sends out an event invite for a Superbowl party to everyone at the office on Facebook, you will be able to see who RSVP’d (and coordinate on what to bring).

How do you feel about this upcoming software release? Will it put the PlayBook in better position to compete with up-and-comers in the tablet market? Or do you feel these moves will be insignificant in the long-run?

Attention all iPhoners and iPadders: Microsoft has just launched the SkyDrive app for iDevices, giving you 25 GB of free space to store and share your photos, documents, and other files between your phone, tablet, and computer. The idea of free cloud storage and sharing capability may sound familiar to you, as Dropbox and Box.net have been in this space for quite some time (and more recently, Apple’s Cloud). If you are an iPhone or iPad user, making the swap to SkyDrive should be a no-brainer. In a world where nothing’s free, Microsoft offers the much better deal, giving you 20 GB more space than Box.net and iCloud, 23 GB more than Dropbox.

So, if you’re tired of removing files from your online storage unit to make room for more, it may be worth your while to make the switch to Microsoft’s SkyDrive.

Just be aware that the SkyDrive app is only available for iPhone, iPad, and Windows Phone users. If you have a browser on your phone, you can access your SkyDrive at www.skydrive.com, but if you like the convenience of an app you’ll have to wait. (Dropbox and Box.net allow access to their service via app on the iPhone, iPad, Android, and BlackBerry)

Check out how to set up SkyDrive on your iPhone…and let us know in the comments which free cloud storage method you use. Are you thinking of making the switch to SkyDrive?

by John Harrington, Fiberlink

As if there wasn’t enough drama between these two tablets, get ready to make room for more. According to a Digitimes report we’ll soon meet the newest member of Apple’s tablet family, the iPad 3.

The new device won’t arrive in time for holiday shoppers (March-April 2012) but will undoubtedly impact tablet sales before this year comes to a close. As with all Apple product introductions, subsequent generations see a significant drop in price at the outset of a new release. Those rushing to buy a Kindle Fire may pump their brakes and decide to hold out a couple months for a more affordable iPad 2. Similarly, those rushing to buy an iPad 2 may wait a few months for a more advanced alternative. News of this release first broke in China, where most of Apple’s devices are manufactured. As the report states, Apple has already begun receiving parts from suppliers and should begin the production process of 10 million Q1 devices in January.

The plot thickens when considering the Kindle Fire’s upcoming OTA software update (expected in 2 weeks time). This move could win over those still on the fence about the Fire due to unimpressive consumer reports since the tablet’s mid-November release. Problem areas have consisted of the following:

- Poor volume control
- Weak touch screen responsiveness
- Unimpressive reading experience in comparison to its namesake
- Silk has not lived up to its expectations as a browser

The software update will address most of these problems, such as the Silk browser, touch screen response, and the ability to modify or delete any items that can be found under “Recent Activity” (which has been a privacy/security concern for some).

So, when will a new Fire be released? Perhaps its too soon to ask…but with an iPad 3 around the corner, it could be sooner than you’d expect. Let us know what you think of this news. Have either of these announcements influenced you to go a different direction in your tablet purchasing decision?

Herein lies Round 3 of the tablet showdown, and perhaps the most interesting part of the debate for users themselves. Where our opening rounds covered the physical tablets–how they appear out of the box and their tech specs–this round covers what your interaction would be like with the device in the context of your home or office. After reading this post, you should have a pretty good idea of which tablet is best suited for you in either respect. If you are in the mood to listen rather than read, you can always watch a recording of the event here (Note: Round 3 begins 22 minutes and 10 seconds into the video).

Let’s jump in to how the iPad 2 works in the business world. Jon began this round by describing its maturity…a tablet that has been in the enterprise for well over a year. The iPad 2 features seamless mail integration which is not only easy to set up, but easy to use. This is one way it overshadows its adversary in the enterprise; the kindle fire requires a 3rd party mail client to use Exchange ActiveSync (which I will get into more later on in the post). The iPad 2 also enables you to consume information and content on the screen in a fun and quickly digestible fashion. From a marketplace perspective, there are enough apps that you will never run out (and you’ll find plenty you can use at work). Ensuring all of your bases are covered, if you (somehow) can’t find the right app, Apple has made it easy to develop in-house apps. The iPad’s 3G option is yet another way it excels beyond the capabilities of the kindle fire, allowing you the option of 3G OR Wi-Fi. Lastly, the iPad 2 has a toolset that makes the device “enterprise-ready” from a management and security perspective–something that the kindle fire cannot compete with having been around for half a month.

In your personal life, you’ll enjoy the iPad 2 for its long battery life, its large screen, and its diverse selection of games, music, TV shows, all via iTunes store. If you have Apple TV, the iPad 2 is capable of interfacing with it. With the iOS 5 operating system update came iCloud, which allows you to take a picture on your iPhone and find it right on your iPad 2 (if you enable auto-syncing between your devices over the cloud). Another entertainment advancer is its iTunes match, which matches the music in your library with the music available on iTunes, then permitting you to listen to it over iCloud (pretty nice of Apple, don’tcha think?)

Though there aren’t very many of them, there are still a few cons that come with using an iPad 2. For one, you probably shouldn’t buy it just to replace your laptop. It may be better to keep your laptop and use iCloud to sync all of your files between your devices. People may be getting better at creating content on these devices, but there are limitations…areas where a laptop do still come in handy. Another problem is the gray line between personal use and business use. For some, this is the best thing that ever could have happened (embracers of the bring-your-own-device revolution). For others this is more of a touchy subject. These folks tend to prefer a separation between their time on the clock and their free time. Lastly, the iPad 2 is very expensive (as are its accessories). It lives up to its high price, but it should not be purchased if it won’t be used for what its worth!

To maintain some suspense, I saved the most mysterious of the two tablets for the end. Most of our viewers were anxious to know what will happen when kindle fires enter the corporate workplace…an answer to which may still take time to develop. For now, I can still cover what we know about the kindle fire at work:

This tablet is much more affordable than the Apple alternative. If your business is planning to buy a few tablets to enhance employee productivity, they can go for a larger number of these by going with the fire. When it comes to the fire apps, Amazon took a very well-guarded approach, offering a much less diverse interface from the Android Market (with this argued drawback comes less risk of questionable apps being introduced to your corporate network). If you enable the Silk browser to cache your activity, over time it will improve in speediness as it learns what you are using it for. As far as size, the fire is small and portable enough to throw right in the bag you use to carry around your laptop. And like your laptop, if you want to read your .pdfs, .docs, and .ppts on it–no problem!

At home, the kindle fire continues to impress. It features a large content ecosystem (everything Amazon), Whispersync (which enables picking up your book where you left off on your tablet from your phone), free cloud storage (not unlimited but a huge amount), and email capability.

As I already mentioned, the kindle fire hasn’t been around very long; you’ll find it does have its limitations at work and at home. It has a smaller screen than the iPad 2, a limited suite of business apps, and no 3G option. If you want to access your corporate mail (Exchange ActiveSync) from your fire, you’ll need to do so through a 3rd party mail client. Donna recommends TouchDown by NitroDesk, though alternates do exist. Also, if you were looking for a camera, you may have to go with the iPad 2 because this tablet doesn’t come with one.

So…now that you know what using an iPad 2 or kindle fire would be like seven days a week, which one would you go with? Please share below. Also make sure to check out recaps of Round 1, Round 2, and the final round.

Click to view a recording of the broadcast at CBSPhilly.com

by John Harrington, Fiberlink

Yesterday, Jim Sheward (CEO of Fiberlink) had the opportunity to speak on CBS Philly’s Talk Philly program where he introduced our company, our plans for job creation, and why we were voted one of the Best Places to Work in Philadelphia.

With his iPhone in hand on set, Jim described Fiberlink as a company that makes it easy for companies to embrace personal smartphones and tablets in the workplace. Once corporate data ends up on these devices, the risks associated with losing the device are too high to ignore. Jim stated that, “Like James Bond [our service allows you to] reach out and eliminate that data on the device. We can also make sure they are in compliance with the personal information on that device.”

The industry is explosive; so many people are buying these smart devices and want to bring them to work. Our service makes this possible. Given the high demand for this type of service, Fiberlink has the opportunity to open 100 jobs for qualified sales, marketing, and customer service representatives. If you’ve had success selling to businesses, have the know-how to capitalize on this great demand, or have experience helping customers get on-board with their new product, we’re hiring!

Having recently been selected by the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of the Best Places to Work in Philadelphia, Jim emphasized how strongly we value our employees’ desire to make a difference. “By being born in America, we’ve hit the lottery,” he added. “Here in America, we can decide what we want to do. This is a great place to work for people who like what they do.”

Last Sunday night I attended the Phillies-Mets game and witnessed first hand an example of the power and value of mobility in our lives (and by extension our businesses).  At about 9:45 PM a visible and audible murmur went through the crowd. Simultaneously it seemed, every person in the stadium was frantically reading and sending texts and emails on their smartphones. Of course it was the news regarding Osama Bin Laden.

What happened next was the fascinating part. Chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!”  erupted throughout the stadium. The players looked up at the stands in bewilderment. Why were people suddenly doing this? Why were people cheering something that obviously had nothing to do with the game? There were no announcements made on the scoreboard and of course the players didnt have their phones with them in the dugouts.  It was the flood of information pouring in through the iPhones, Androids, Blackberrys and other smartphones of those in the crowd that brought this news story to light almost instantly.

As I reflected on what had just occurred it hit me just how important mobility has become to our lives. How efficiently information can now percolate from the bottom up to reach everyone instantaneously with little need for top-down information distribution and control. It also became apparent how bewildering the world is when you aren’t connected.

So, if you are wondering about the value of mobility to your business, think about your companies employees in the dugout and your customers and competitors up in the stands cheering and chanting and you dont have the slightest clue what any of it is about. Bewildered is no way to run a business.

Maas360 exists in the cloud to offer solutions for the cloud. Learn more about MaaS360 Cloud-Based Enterprise Mobility Management.
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Highlights from our Twitter feed.  Follow us at @MevolutionBlog.  

• RT @CNETNews: Phishing, worms spike this year, say Microsoft and McAfee http://bit.ly/1fr3Hh
• Targeted attacks possible in the cloud, researchers warnhttp://ow.ly/xKkt
• Juniper Makes Networking Splash At NYSE http://ow.ly/xKi4
• RT @mashable: Happy 40th Birthday, Internet! -http://bit.ly/4EVqwc
• Fiberlink Explores the Value of a Mobility Platform http://ow.ly/xj3K