What recession? Gartner predicts IT spending growth

Worldwide IT spending should top US$3.4 trillion in 2008, up 8 percent from 2007, research firm Gartner is predicting.

But much of that growth is due to the decline in the US dollar. When adjusted for currency issues, worldwide spending is predicted to grow only 4.5 percent.

Software spending and IT services are expected to see the biggest gain, up 10 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively, in 2008.

Analysts attributed some of the software growth to replacement cycles, but noted that "the replacement of systems does not automatically equate to new software market growth".

"Software as a service/cloud computing, service-oriented architecture/Web 2.0, and open-source software are causing huge changes to the software market," wrote Joanne Correia, managing vice president at Gartner in a research note. "Many of these factors are impacting market growth as enterprises replace assets with per-use services."

Hardware spending is expected to rise 7 percent in 2008, thanks to strong Asia-Pacific and Western Europe sales and a global shift to mobile computers.

Via CNET News

More leaks, pics, on Dell's upcoming Netbook

With Netbooks either available or on the way from HP, Lenovo, and Acer (to say nothing of Netbook mainstays like ASUS and MSI), one of the only players yet to join the fray is Dell. We've been seeing leaked pics and specs for a Dell Netbook for some time now, and Monday's flood of new information is a pretty clear indication that we should be seeing something official in the not-too-distant future.

Gizmodo has some allegedly leaked spec sheets for something called the Dell Inspiron 910, which will offer 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB SSD drives, along with an August 22 release date and a starting price of US$299. Engadget describes a system with an Intel Atom CPU, 8.9-inch display, 80GB drive, and 2GB of RAM (which seems unlikely), called the Mini Inspiron.

We're fairly sure at least some of this info is wrong, but few upcoming laptops have garnered the kind of buzz this Dell Netbook is getting. Stay tuned, because we'll no doubt see more rumors and leaks in the coming weeks.

Update: The original Engadget post seems to have been "unpublished" and replaced with one that cites the more believable Gizmodo information.

Via Crave CNET

Lenovo refreshes 13.3-inch ThinkPad

When the Centrino 2-equipped ThinkPad X200 waltzed into our Labs and demonstrated not only impressive performance but also jaw-dropping battery life, we wondered when our other favorite ThinkPad, the X300, would be spruced up with Intel's latest components.

Turns out we won't be waiting long: Today, Lenovo announced the ThinkPad X301, a component refresh to its popular 13.3-inch laptop. The new version will incorporate an ultra-low-voltage Core 2 Duo processor that's expected to be unveiled at the Intel Developer Forum this week. The ThinkPad X301 will also come equipped with DDR3 RAM, which (combined with the new processor technology) will make it "20 percent more powerful than the X300", according to the company.

Other enhancements include support for DisplayPort video output, a 128GB solid-state drive option (available in September), and, later this year, WiMAX connectivity.

Pricing for the ThinkPad X301 starts at US$2,599, and systems will be available from Lenovo beginning August 26 in the US. Asian markets will get the units come August 27 with a starting price of around S$3,900 (US$2,792.50).

Via Crave CNET

Street View throws Japan for a loop

Does Google know judo? Maybe. Google Street View has pulled a sutemi--a judo throw in which you launch yourself at the ground, risking disadvantage, to topple your opponent--on the entire Floating Kingdom. Even though Japan knew that the controversial Google Street View was coming to Japan, the tech savvy country was caught off-guard by Google's willingness to involve itself in yet another privacy imbroglio.

The pattern is familiar. Cars mounted with the Google Street View cameras scoot through a neighborhood, taking 360-degree shots of all they surveil. When the feature finally goes live, amused Netizens find images of people in compromising positions, while others decry the end of innocence--uh, privacy.
Read more »

Green your computer accessories: Laptop bags

Since your laptop is spewing hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions into our atmosphere every year, why not help make up for that by toting it around in a bag made of recycled materials?

Fortunately, in the case of these stylish totes, "recycled" doesn't mean reusing a burlap sack. There's a lot of creativity out there when it comes to materials from which to make laptop carriers.

The penguin/rooster bag from Uncommon Goods above for instance, is made completely from recycled water bottles. Each yard of polyester material for the bags is made from 18 bottles. The carrier 12.5 x 15.25 inches and costs US$48.

The Fellini Pannolini Large Messenger takes used camping gear like tarps and mosquito nets and incorporates them into a carry-all. The outside is recycled mosquito nets, the inside is used tarpaulin for a waterproof lining. At US$75 each, you get a choice of blue, copper, green, silver, or yellow.
Read more »

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