Today in Tech

One of the biggest topics in IT right now involves blockchain, the distributed ledger tech that underpins Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. Here's a look at what it is, what it does, and how companies are already using it.

Alexa is the helpful voice in the Echo and Echo Dot that can play music, turn on the lights, answer questions or tell you the weather. But with a little coding, it can be made to do much more than that.

Apple's new iPhone X already has a lot going for it: cutting-edge Face ID security, an incredible OLED display and, of course, iOS 11 – making it a top-notch (if pricey) phone for enterprise users.

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update has officially arrived. Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis and Windows expert Preston Gralla look at two hits and two misses in the new OS.

Google's latest reference smartphone, the Pixel 2, is now available. Reviewer Dan Rosenbaum has the details on what it's like to use and whether it's good enough to tempt an iPhone user to switch.

Computerworld's Android blogger JR Raphael and Apple expert Michael deAgonia get into the weeds as they tackle the basics of which mobile OS is better when it comes to security, updates, app stores, customization and innovation. Can there really be one winner?

Android's latest version, Oreo, has been out since late August and Computerworld's Android blogger JR Raphael is on hand with the details about what's new, what's cool and what's really useful.

Apple on Tuesday unveiled its new smartphone line-up, with the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus available later this month (yay!). But the flagship iPhone X won't arrive until November (boo!).

The collaboration tool offers some unique ways of sharing information from various sources, but never gained traction. Now it's being killed off, though some of its features met yet show up in Office or other suites.

Apple's iOS has long had the reputation of being more secure than Android, but that may not be as true as it once was. Here's how to evaluate each side's claims about mobile security.

Your next corporate computer may well be an iPad Pro, Surface Pro or some other laptop/tablet combo. Here's why.

When it comes to tracking down the bad actors behind malware and ransomware attacks, cybersecurity firms are turning to linguists.

Network World's Brandon Butler checks in from Las Vegas, where this week's Cisco Live is under way. The big story: Cisco's efforts to reinvent itself as it moves from hardware to software, security and "intent-based networking."

Apple's tablet hardware was already powerful enough for the office, but iOS still required workarounds for things to go smoothly. iOS 11 may soon change that.

Companies have finally figured out how to let workers use their own devices to be productive (while ensuring that corporate data remains protected). Credit MDM, EMM, MAM and UEM.

It looks like some changes may be coming to the controversial H-1B visa program in the U.S. But the same can't be said for Facebook Live, which has drawn scrutiny in recent weeks after users uploaded disturbing videos.

Change is coming to the workplace, which means it's coming to IT as well. Here's how IT can prep for the coming robotics revolution at work -- and avoid messing up a big move to the cloud.

Here's one way to re-build the electric grid: Do it piecemeal with microgrids. And once we figure that out, we turn to understanding what Apple is up to with its laggard Apple TV updates and get the lowdown on DJI's new Mavic drone.

Not every smartphone has to skimp on features or cost a small fortune. Case in point: The Moto G5 Plus, which reviewer Dan Rosenbaum says is a bargain buy.

Coming soon to a PC near you: Windows 10 Creators Update. But what's less certain is what comes in the years ahead for future PCs and Macs and mobile devices. Are we headed into a voice-activated future?

Computerworld's Matt Hamblen, just back from this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, details the big announcements from the show. It wasn't just about smartphones.

As companies become more decentralized, collaboration becomes more important -- and harder. So it's good that videoconferencing tech is making it easier than ever. Then it's time to look at 'digital transformation' and what it means.

There's a reason the self-driving car of tomorrow may never really drive itself. We've got the low-down, along with updated info on whether the next iPhone will charge wirelessly. The Magic 8-ball says "maybe."

Our tech trio takes a look at the latest in solar energy -- panels that are installed on waterways and lakes -- and checks in on VR to see if all the recent hype is more hope than anything else. And of course, we tip our hats to the new Super Bowl champs.

Amazon's voice-activated digital assistant Alexa is learning new skills right and left. In fact, she can now deliver the latest tech news from Computerworld.

At CES, you couldn't turn a corner without seeing some kind of virtual reality booth -- or avoid the drone of, well, drones. Our tech trio checks in on this year's show and checks out the latest AirPods from Apple.

Research from our exclusive Tech Forecast 2017 shows what IT skills will be most in demand in 2017. But the hiring picture isn't necessarily rosy for everyone.

With two of the newest MacBook Pro laptops in hand -- these are the ones with the innovate Touch Bar -- it's time to decide whether they're "Pro" enough for most users.

It looks like Apple has the fastest laptop on the market, solar shingles will electrify the market in 2017 and there's lots of holiday shopping options for gadget geeks.

Apple rolled out new laptops this week with a futuristic Touch Bar and a host of upgrades. But some of the specs -- and higher prices -- prompted more than raised eyebrows.

When you marry fingerprint readers and RFID chips with guns, you get...a smarter gun. And Sony rolls out a virtual reality setup that might just hit the sweet spot in terms of price and performance.

With the Google Pixel smartphone, Google Home and Google Wifi, it looks as though someone's trying to build a well-rounded tech ecosystem. Executive News Editor Ken Mingis and Multimedia Editor Keith Shaw weigh the pros and cons.

After a quick update on the latest Apple news, it's time to get gander at the gadget guy's latest goodies -- just in time to prep for the holiday shopping season to come.

Clearly, the new iPhone 7 represents an evolutionary upgrade from the iPhone 6S. But does it evolve enough to tempt Executive News Editor Ken Mingis to upgrade?

As automakers move in the direction Tesla pioneered with autonomous driving, a question arises: Is this really a good thing? Senior Writer Lucas Mearian gets into gear with Executive News Editor Ken Mingis about what's going on.

There's talk on the campaign trail this year about revising the H-1B visa program, but will any changes actually occur? And if so, will that do much to help an IT industry in flux?

If the average roller coaster doesn't scare you anymore, how about one with virtual reality that turns the experience into something different? Executive News Editor Ken Mingis finds out about the ride from Network World's Brandon Butler and Multimedia Editor Keith Shaw.

Executive News Editor Ken Mingis talks with Windows expert Preston Gralla about Windows 10 and what's new from Microsoft in the Anniversary Update.

The public beta of Apple's macOS Sierra is out, so it's time for a closer look at what it offers. But our tech experts -- Executive News Editor Ken Mingis, Apple guru Michael deAgonia and Multimedia Editor Keith Shaw -- can't avoid the Pokemon in the room.

If your autonomous car has to decide who gets to live -- you or the people it's heading for on the highway -- what should it do? Executive Editor Ken Mingis, Senior Writer Lucas Mearian and Multimedia Editor Keith Shaw drive the conversation.

Executive News Editor Ken Mingis, Multimedia Editor Keith Shaw and Computerworld Editor in Chief Scot Finnie deliver instant analysis about Apple's announcements at the company's 2016 Worldwide Developer's Conference.

Intrigued by the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive, but leery of the cost? Turns out you don't have to spend big bucks to try VR. Executive Editor Ken Mingis and Multimedia Editor Keith Shaw don the goggles and hash out the details.

You've heard of 3D printing, but now the industry is touting 4D printing. Executive News Editor Ken Mingis explores the topic with Senior Writer Lucas Mearian and then they puzzle over the mystery gadget guy's mystery gadget.

Executive Editor Ken Mingis, Mac expert Michael deAgonia and Senior Editor Keith Shaw fawn over Apple's upgraded MacBook and debate whether trade shows like Interop and CES are on their way out.

If you're eyeing a Microsoft Surface Book, or want to make sure your next laptop is future-proof, this episode's for you. Executive News Editor Ken Mingis gets the details from Sharon Machlis, Executive Editor, Online & Data Analytics, and Editor in Chief Scot Finnie.

Executive News Editor Ken Mingis, Apple guru Michael deAgonia and Senior Editor Keith Shaw debate the merits of the new iPhone SE and how hard it is to go small when you're used to big. Then it's time for a few rounds of "name-that-device."

Executive News Editor Ken Mingis and Senior Features Editor Tracy Mayor dive into some of the details of Computerworld's latest IT Salary Survey. It's all about the money....

Executive Editor Ken Mingis talks with Computerworld's Apple expert Michael deAgonia and Senior Editor Keith Shaw about Apple's March 21 event and the trials and tribulations of smartphone ownership.

Executive Editor Ken Mingis talks with Computerworld's Ellen Fanning and Tracy Mayor about this year's crop of Premier 100 technology leaders and the struggles they face crafting strategic success from chaos.

Executive News Editor Ken Mingis goes one-on-one with Senior Reporter Lucas Mearian to get the nitty gritty details about 3D printing, MakerBot printers and why Mearian is fixated on Eiffel Towers.