David Needle

A few years ago, the idea of downloading a third-party browser to a mobile device was something only mostly tech savvy users would even consider. Nowadays, particularly with the popularity of Apple’s App Store for the iPhone, customizing your mobile device is far more common. Bolt is a great example of this brave new software […]

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — What’s new with Microsoft Outlook? Not much, in serial entrepreneur Todd Miller’s view, and that’s the problem. He recalls being frustrated by how time-consuming it was to update contact information in Outlook when he was an active user back in 2001. “It’s pretty much the same now,” he said here at […]

PALM DESERT, Calif. –- In today’s multitasking world, it’s pretty quiet in the background, save for the sound of fingers typing. A startup called Vokle, presenting at the DEMO conference here, wants to bring in the noise and change it up. Vokle is offering a video collaboration service that enables instant video chat sessions over […]

Avaak is among the 40 companies hoping to make a splash at DEMO this week. The company today launches its Vue Personal Video Network, a network of small, battery-powered wireless cameras that stream videos directly to the Internet. The $299 package includes two of its tiny “peel and stick” cameras and a network hub designed […]

PALM DESERT, Calif. — The mood here at the upscale Desert Springs hotel is upbeat. And why not? There was plenty of sushi, fancy hors d’oeuvres and drinks to be had at the warm Sunday evening reception. And DEMO attendees seemed happy to see old acquaintances and contacts still gainfully employed or at least acting […]

What’s next? The DEMO conference has long reigned as a launching pad for the hottest startups in emerging technology. But something bigger is at play this year: the lousy economy. Organizers might be hoping that less is more. The conference kicks off Monday with 40 new tech products and services on tap, down from 70 […]

UPDATED: Yahoo’s new CEO wasn’t kidding. Carol Bartz laid out the portal giant’s expected management shakeup in a blog post today that outlined her management team’s plans to turn the company’s fortunes around. The title of Bartz’s blog post set the tone for the changes: “Getting our house in order.” Bartz wrote that she’s creating […]

A German software company says it’s developed an application that turns the Apple iPhone or the iPod Touch into the equivalent of a smart card for securing access to a desktop or notebook computer. Charismathics, a player in cryptographic middleware, said it expects its iEnigma software to receive approval by Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) for distribution […]

Google has released a new service designed to help users check the status or availability of its online applications. The Status Dashboard shows the service availability for Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Google Docs, Google Sites and Google Video for business. The search giant announced the service late Wednesday in a blog post, just a […]

Steve Jobs was a no-show at Apple’s annual shareholder’s meeting today. The Apple co-founder and CEO is on a five-month medical leave due to end in June, so his absence wasn’t a big surprise. It’s believed to be the first time as CEO Jobs hasn’t attended a shareholder’s meeting. Apple execs consistently kept to their […]

In the second major glitch this month for Google, the Internet search giant’s popular Gmail e-mail service went offline for several hours earlier today. The downtime knocked Gmail offline for about two and a half hours, according to Google. “Shortly after … 9:30am GMT our monitoring systems alerted us that Gmail consumer and businesses accounts […]

What’s next for Yahoo? The embattled Web giant may be banking on a ‘less is more’ strategy if reports of pending management reorganization are true. Over the weekend, rumors swirled that new Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) CEO Carol Bartz is set to announce a management reorganization designed to speed the company’s operational efficiency. A memo Bartz […]