Top Technology Stories of 2006
Posted on December 20, 2006
Filed Under Business Computing, IT Industry, Open Source/Freeware, Security, Software, Windows |
Another year has almost passed and in the world of computers, a single year can bring an enormous number of changes. Which of those changes and which stories can be considered significant can be entirely subjective but this year I’ll add my voice with what I see as the most important developments.
Blackberry’s Patent Wars – Back in January the US Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal launched by Research in Motion in it’s patent battle with NTP Inc. For a while there, the fate of RIM, the manufacturer of the de facto standard in wireless handhelds was uncertain.
Fortunately in March RIM was able to reach a $612.5 million agreement with NTP that would see the thumb-flipping gadgets and their massive user base survive the ordeal.
Bill Gates Leaves Microsoft – The billionaire software giant founder left his day to day duties at Microsoft to pursue more humanitarian causes. While he won’t give up his role of Chairman, he will concentrate on philanthropy.
What of Microsoft without Mr. Gates watching the fort?
Microsoft/Novell Agreement – With Bill Gates stepping aside Microsoft has made a deal with those that it once likened to Satan himself Novell sponsors SUSE Linux, an Open Source (free) computer operating system. The deal will also provide for better integration between Microsoft Office and the Open Source OpenOffice.org (free) software packages.
Industry pundits are predicting everything from a revolution in the industry to the gobbling up of Novell by a disingenuous Microsoft.
Macs on Intel – Apple made a huge move and switched their platform from PowerPC to Intel based computers. The move increased Apple’s bottom line by 30% in their fiscal fourth quarter. The door is open for a computer to run the Mac OS and Windows at the same time and companies like Parallels (www.parallels.com) are making that happen.
And let’s face it, who doesn’t like the Mac guy/PC guy commercials?
Notebook Battery Recalls – I gave up on desktop computers some years ago and now work almost exclusively on a laptop. A Dell laptop — one with a recalled Sony battery.
These batteries can catch fire and practically explode. And it wasn’t limited to Dell — Apple, Fujitsu, and a number of other manufacturers recalled batteries as well. It was in fact the largest recall in the history of consumer electronics.
Ubuntu Linux – Possibly one of the biggest potential gainers from the Microsoft/Novell deal aside from OpenOffice.org will be Ubuntu Linux. This operating system has gained notoriety this year as an easy to use product built on a solid Debian Linux foundation.
Windows Vista – What year-end round-up would be complete without a mention of the new Windows operating system? Vista is a major upgrade along the lines of what Windows 95 was. It features a number of security enhancements among other enhancements.
A business version shipped at the end of November but you can expect to see Vista shipping in new computers on January 31st.
All my best in the Holiday Season and Happy Computing in the New Year!
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