Computerworld: Preston Gralla

Preston Gralla: Jeff Bezos hates you

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 16:45:00 GMT

But he's quite fond of your credit card.

Preston Gralla: Memo to Nadella: Copy IBM

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 10:30:00 GMT

Microsoft's situation in 2014 is eerily similar to IBM's in the late 1980s, and it can save itself the same way.

Surface Pro 3 deep-dive review: Has Microsoft finally got it right?

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Fri, 30 May 2014 10:30:00 GMT

Microsoft's new Surface Pro 3 is supposed to work as both a tablet and a laptop. After working with it for a week, does our reviewer agree?

Preston Gralla: Straight A's for Microsoft CEO Nadella at the 60-day mark

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 05 May 2014 10:30:00 GMT

What we've seen so far suggests that Microsoft's new CEO is his own man and willing to buck the company's traditional ways.

Windows 8.1 Update deep-dive review: An OS that makes more sense

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 13:39:00 GMT

In Windows 8.1 Update, Microsoft may be finally getting it right: The latest version of its operating system finally bridges the gap between touch and traditional computing.

7 all-in-one security suites: Anti-malware for all your devices

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 10:30:00 GMT

Today's security suites try to protect all (or most) of your devices, and provide Web-based management. We examine how seven major applications compare in terms of features, ease of use and which devices they actually protect.

OneNote vs. Evernote: A personal take on two great note-taking apps

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 10:30:00 GMT

Now that Microsoft has made OneNote free for consumers, can it compete with the well-known Evernote? Preston Gralla offers his take on both.

Preston Gralla: With Comcast deal, say goodbye to the Internet as we've known it

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 10:30:00 GMT

With little or no competition, Comcast will have little reason to increase speed or lower the cost of broadband, or any impetus to preserve Net neutrality.

Preston Gralla: Patents don't equal innovation

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 11:30:00 GMT

Today, lawyers at times have as much influence as engineers, if not more, and patents are used to fend off competitors and to force them to pay licensing fees that can run to billions of dollars annually.

The votes are in: Which mobile data provider is best?

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 11:30:00 GMT

Computerworld asked readers to rate their mobile data providers on connection speed, reliability, customer service and more. We name the best and the worst services -- and throw in some fun facts about how people use their mobile data networks.

Preston Gralla: There's time to fix Net neutrality

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:39:00 GMT

Yes, the ruling is a disaster for advocates of a free and untrammeled Internet, but not quite an unmitigated one.

Preston Gralla: Can Amazon drones save the economy?

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:30:00 GMT

As the federal government abandons funding primary and applied research, companies like Google and Amazon can pick up the slack.

Dell Venue 8 Pro review: A Windows 8.1 tablet for the rest of us

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 19:50:00 GMT

Dell's new Venue 8 Pro Windows 8.1 tablet offers users a fine display, good features and impressive audio -- at a reasonable price.

Preston Gralla: Apple still making it hard to think differently

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 13:44:00 GMT

Apple repeatedly bows to censorship demands in places like China.

How to boost Windows 8 performance

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 11:30:00 GMT

Want your Windows 8 machine to run faster? Of course you do. These tools and techniques can help.

Microsoft Surface 2 deep-dive review: Better hardware, but still with Windows RT

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 17:20:00 GMT

Microsoft has upgraded its Windows RT tablet: The new Surface 2 offers a well-built case, better performance, a great display and the same old operating system.

Preston Gralla: Why Ford's CEO is wrong for Microsoft

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Alan Mulally is a savvy manager and a smart engineer. But Microsoft's big problem is vision, and that's where Mulally falls short.

Preston Gralla: Time to break up Microsoft? Not so fast

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 10:00:00 GMT

There are increasing calls for Microsoft to sell off Bing and walk away from mobile. Would those moves be good in the long term?

Preston Gralla: Why Bill Gates Can't Save Microsoft

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 12:31:00 GMT

CEO Ballmer and his predecessor shared a vision of how Microsoft could stay on top by focusing on Windows.

Preston Gralla: Microsoft has derailed for lack of an engineer in chief

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:00:00 GMT

The tech companies that have surged since Steve Ballmer took over at Microsoft from Bill Gates are headed by engineers.

Windows 8.1 deep-dive review: Well, it's a start

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Although the preview of Windows 8.1 fixes some of the problems users complained about in the previous version of the OS, is it enough? We take a close look at Microsoft's update.

Image gallery: Windows 8.1 deep dive review

Tue, 02 Jul 2013 10:00:00 GMT

The preview of Windows 8.1 reveals an operating system that corrects many, but not all, of its previous mistakes.

Preston Gralla: Microsoft's mobile corpse stirs with signs of life

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:00:00 GMT

The numbers Microsoft is posting in mobile aren't at the level it is accustomed to in areas like desktop operating systems and productivity suites. But they're on the rise.

Preston Gralla: Microsoft's smartwatch: Been there, didn't do that

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Vendors are falling all over themselves to develop smartwatches. Will this be yet one more example of Microsoft getting to a market first and then failing to cash in?

10 nifty Windows 8 apps -- all free

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Need help negotiating the corporate landscape? Want to track your network usage? Just looking for a fun little time-waster? These free apps for Windows 8 can help.

Limiting the feds' snooping

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:56:00 GMT

Recent developments could portend the demise of National Security Letters, which allow the FBI to get private customer information without a judge's approval.

Preston Gralla: iPad vs. PC: Sometimes the accepted wisdom is right

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:00:00 GMT

It's clear that hardware makers are experimenting far more with Windows devices than Apple is with the iPad. But that does that herald a revival of the PC?

Fear of Facebook: 7 free apps that guard your privacy

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:00:00 GMT

Facebook users are constantly being told that their privacy is under siege. Here are seven apps that can help secure your personal data.

Preston Gralla: Does hardware matter anymore?

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Today hardware is often an afterthought in the enterprise, and user preferences count more than IT planning. This all means there will be winners and losers among today's big vendors.

10 Windows 8 tips, tricks and hacks

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:00:00 GMT

Starting to get comfortable with Windows 8? Don't stop now: From invoking 'God Mode' to hacking the lock screen, here are 10 ways to make Windows 8 act the way you want.

Image gallery: Windows 8 tips, tricks and hacks

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:00:00 GMT

From invoking 'God Mode' to hacking the lock screen, make Windows 8 act the way you want.

Office 365 Home Premium review: Is Office better by subscription?

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:00:00 GMT

Office 365 Home Premium, Microsoft's new subscription-based version of Office 2013, lets you use your applications anywhere. But does it really cost less than the client version?

Preston Gralla: Is your fridge an IRS snitch?

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Neither federal and state law nor the courts have come close to catching up with the privacy implications of so much of our data existing in a realm beyond our complete control.

Dell XPS 12 review: Does it succeed as both an ultrabook and a tablet?

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 19:45:00 GMT

Dell's new XPS 12 convertible is one of the first Windows 8 computer to work both as an ultrabook and a tablet. But despite a nice design and great display, it may not succeed.

Will Google go the way of Microsoft? Ask the FTC.

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:08:00 GMT

The antitrust suit that the Justice Department filed against Microsoft in the 1990s left the company distracted and unable to plan for the future. Could the same thing be in store for Google?

Nook HD review: A faster, brighter and better e-reader/tablet

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Barnes & Noble's new Nook HD and Nook HD+ ereader/tablets have great displays, improved software and a new video service -- worthy competitors for Amazon's Kindle Fire.

HTC's Windows Phone 8X review: Fast, bright and sleek

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:00:00 GMT

HTC's fast and well-designed Windows Phone 8X is one of the first to use Microsoft's new Windows Phone 8 smartphone operating system.

Windows 8 cheat sheet

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Windows 8 presents a radically new interface to users, but never fear: Our comprehensive guide will help you find your way around the new OS and make the most of its features.

Windows 8 cheat sheet: Visual tour

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:00:00 GMT

With Windows 8, Microsoft introduces a brand new interface that feels designed more for tablets than for laptops and desktops. We'll help you find your way around the new OS and make the most of its features.

Preston Gralla: Tech talk seems to be taboo on the campaign trail

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Discussions about technology issues are complex and not amenable to sound bites. But they are quite important nonetheless.

Preston Gralla: Is Microsoft out to kill online advertising? Let's get real

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Do Not Track in Internet Explorer 10 won't kill online advertising. Microsoft, as much as anyone else, has its eye on that multibillion-dollar prize.

Kindle Fire HD review: A better Kindle, but not a better tablet

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Amazon's newest Kindle, the 7-in. Kindle Fire HD, is a great buy if you're an Amazon customer, but it falls short as a general-purpose tablet.

4 security suites that protect all your devices

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Security suites from McAfee, Symantec, Trend Micro and Webroot offer protection for all your devices along with Web-based management.

PowerPoint 2010 cheat sheet

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Whether you're upgrading from PowerPoint 2007 or an earlier version, we've got the goods on how to find your way around Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 and make the most of its features. Insider (registration required)

Preston Gralla: Lawyers are taking the tech crown from engineers

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Billions of dollars are at stake as tech companies use their patents to seek competitive advantage.

Windows 8 review: Still a two-headed beast

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:00:00 GMT

The two faces of Windows 8 -- the Desktop and the interface formerly known as Metro -- still coexist uneasily in the final RTM version of the OS. But some of Windows 8's native apps are great.

How to clear your data off a device

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Before you ditch a device, you need to make sure none of your data is retrievable. Here's how to do it.

How to recycle your phone, PC and other tech gear

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Recycling has become mandatory in many states -- here's how to choose the many different ways to sell, recycle, or give away all your unused or unusable gadgets.

Office 2013 beta review: Microsoft (almost) nails it

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:30:00 GMT

The beta version of Office 2013 gets a needed facelift and adds a host of useful features, but its cloud integration leaves something to be desired.

Preston Gralla: June 2012: The month the cloud got real

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Microsoft, Apple and Google have long seen that their future is in the cloud. Now they see their present there as well.

Preston Gralla: Microsoft can innovate, but it falls short on capitalizing

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Too often, the company tries to force-fit its innovations into its Windows universe.

Windows 8 Release Preview: Updated but still uneasy

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Microsoft's recently available Windows 8 Release Preview has a few interesting tweaks but still seems caught between its tablet and PC interfaces.

Preston Gralla: Windows 8 tablets in the enterprise: A disaster in the making

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Microsoft has revealed that Windows 8 tablets powered by ARM chips will be no easier to manage in the enterprise than iPads are.

Google Drive review: Adding cloud storage to the mix

preston@gralla.com (Preston Gralla) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:55:00 GMT

The new Google Drive cloud storage service offers 5GB of storage and some nice features, but it's not yet an undisputed winner.