Five IT Industry Predictions for 2016 from Forrester and IDC

CIO | Bernard Golden | November 20

http://www.cio.com/article/3006976/it-industry/5-it-industry-predictions-for-2016-from-forrester-and-idc.html

“Over the past month, IDC and Forrester Research, two of the largest and most venerable analyst firms, have released 2016 predictions – and many readers will find their reports disquieting indeed (unfortunately, neither IDC’s FutureScape 2016 or Forrester’s Predictions 2016: The Cloud Accelerates are freely available to the general public).”

Predictions include:

1. Legacy Vendors Face a Bleak Future, 2. Cloud Providers Will Be Winnowed Down, 3. Big Data Gets, Well, Big, 4. Enterprises Turn into Software Companies, 5. Developers Are theScarce Commodity.

Which Companies Rank Highest on Global Diversity Ratings?

SiliconRepublic | Gordon Hunt | November 20

https://www.siliconrepublic.com/companies/2015/11/20/dropbox-accenture-prudential-pwc-diversity-ranking

“The Global Diversity List looks at a bunch of things, including leading professionals, consultants and employers – in the latter case, specifically looking at dedicated networks within. It is here that the likes of Dropbox, Accenture and PwC feature, thanks to groups such as PrideBox, LGBT Network and Glee, respectively. The ratings are taken seriously in major corporations, with Dropbox’s Arden Hoffman noting how “proud” her company is to feature on the list.”

More Wash. Students Are Taking STEM Exams — but Computer Science Courses in Short Supply

Puget Sound Business Journal | Ashley Stewart | November 19

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/11/more-wash-students-are-taking-stem-exams-but.html

“Washington students are getting more involved in science, technology, engineering and math or “STEM,” according to data released this week, but the state still has a problem with access. More than 21,000 students took Advanced Placement STEM exams this year – a 40 percent increase compared to five years ago – according to data compiled by College Board, which administers SAT and AP exams.”

T-Mobile’s Data Cap Exemption for Video Gets FCC Chairman’s Approval

Ars Technica | Jon Brodkin | November 19

http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/11/t-mobiles-data-cap-exemption-for-video-gets-fcc-chairmans-approval/

“T-Mobile US drew some criticism for a new program that exempts certain online video services from data caps, but Federal Communications Commission Tom Wheeler today praised the carrier’s zero-rating plan. “Binge On” exempts 24 services including Netflix, HBO, and Hulu from T-Mobile’s high-speed data limits while downgrading quality of video to reduce data usage. The FCC’s net neutrality rules don’t specifically ban such zero-rating schemes, but they allow for complaints with the commission judging on a case-by-case basis whether a practice “unreasonably interferes” with the ability of consumers to reach content or the ability of content providers to reach consumers.”

Tech Industry Coalition Defies Calls for Weakened Encryption

NBC News | Devin Coldewey | November 19

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/tech-industry-coalition-defies-calls-weakened-encryption-n466616

“A coalition of dozens of the largest tech companies in the world is adamantly opposing any form of an official “backdoor” into encrypted devices. The Information Technology Industry Council is a group of more than 60 major tech companies and organizations, including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Intel and Facebook.”

This UW Team’s Wi-Fi Power System Could Have Huge Implications for the Internet of Things

Puget Sound Business Journal | Ashley Stewart | November 18

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/11/this-uw-teams-wi-fi-power-system-could-have-huge.html

“As Seattle companies compete to connect computers and devices through the cloud, University of Washington researchers might have solved one of the Internet of Things’ biggest challenges. The team of computer scientists and electrical engineers developed a new technology using a Wi-Fi router to power devices. It works by harvesting energy from the router’s signal, which the researchers use to run low-power devices.”