Virtualization — creating logical pools of IT resources not linked to physical devices — can reduce spending on new server and storage hardware, increase application uptime and simplify IT management. But organizations will only get those benefits if they follow some key steps, according to IT managers, analysts and other industry observers.

1) Understand virtualization

Some users purchase storage virtualization for only one purpose without realizing the other benefits it can provide them, says Mike Karp, a senior analyst at Enterprise Management Associates, a research group in Boulder, Colo. For example, “It does not necessarily pay to buy file-based virtualization… Continue Reading»

The rumored Sidekick LX, otherwise known as the Sidekick 4, has been as hidden and stealthy as a ninja, but now it’s been outed by the FCC. There aren’t more details or images, but supposedly is a Sharp device (like the 3), has Danger OS v4.4, a 400 x 208 pixel screen, EDGE, and a bigger battery.

But all that info comes by way of forums and leaked docs, so who knows what the final will look like. The FCC docs do mean it’s real… Continue Reading»

This concept for a combination shower head/MP3 player definitely falls under the unnecessary gadgets category, but that doesn’t make it any less cool or imaginiative. The concept consists of a speaker/charging base/shower head holder mounted to the shower wall while the detachable shower head has control buttons for the MP3 device.

While no specifics were given as to how MP3s would be loaded on the device, one would assume an SD card, or similar removable flash media, would be the storage method of choice. If this ever comes out, consider me in, because just… Continue Reading»

The sun may be the bane of basement-dwelling geeks everywhere, but Sole Mio doesn’t care. Designed for office workers who have regular access to sunlight (via windows, etc.), this environmentally friendly mouse is currently undergoing testing to see if it can charge itself during normal daily activities. The designers admit its success is likely dependant upon users adjusting their mouse-using habits to include plenty of downtime in the sun for the sake of saving a few precious watts. Cubicle monkeys, this is your ticket to a window seat (or maybe a giant skylight)… Continue Reading»

Just days after the 80GB PlayStation 3 hit the online marketplace, GameStop seems to be clearing out the defunct 20GB iteration for the low, low price of… $449.99. Yeah, that’s not nearly as low as we’d like to see either, but it is still $50 lower than your next available option (that’d be the 60GB flavor). Still, we’re sure these things will sell like hotcakes for one reason or another, but unless you simply must have a PS3 today regardless of HDD size, we’re just not feelin’ the value here.[Via… Continue Reading»