Why Android Could Fail
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published November 18, 2009
Google’s Android platform faces colossal challenges in all three of the factors that determine success in the handheld market.

Who Killed Black Friday?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published November 11, 2009
Sure, Black Friday is still a great day for deal, but the Internet has done away with the traditional “one day only” Black Friday concept.

7 Reasons Why Microsoft Should Make PCs
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 28, 2009
The company already sells Microsoft-branded keyboards, webcams and game consoles. Moving into the PC hardware market would boost its prospects for continued dominance.

Why iPhone and Kindle Will Continue to Rule
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 21, 2009
Tech prognosticators are making faulty predictions based on an over-estimation of a link between product "quality" and unit sales, and an underestimation of the power of human nature on the decision-making process.

Do You Have 'Offline Stress Disorder'?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 14, 2009
Fueled by Facebook and the iPhone, Offline Stress Disorder is state of anxiety caused by knowledge that an Internet connection is not available.

Is Microsoft Already Failing with Windows 7?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 7, 2009
There’s great reason for optimism about Windows 7, but a few missteps are beginning to prompt concern.

The Future Has No Moving Parts (Or Hard Disks or Keyboards…)
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 1, 2009
All tech trend lines point to the total elimination of funky contraptions that use gears, wheels, spokes and other industrial-revolution technologies.

Why Microsoft’s ‘Courier' Tablet Will Never Exist
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published September 23, 2009
Despite the hype, there are at least six good reasons why the Microsoft tablet will exist only in the fevered imaginations of A-list bloggers.

Is China Cyber-Stealing Your Secrets?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published September 17, 2009
The US government says China is capable of stealing your secrets -- and may successfully do so, unless you take precautions.

Why the iPod Touch Has No Camera
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published September 9, 2009
It’s all part of the plan to get Windows and Linux users loving pocket-size Apple gadgets – so they'll become "switchers" to more expensive items in the future.

How Facebook Could Rule the World
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published September 2, 2009
Do you support these changes -- like one-button friending -- to the Facebook user interface?

Information Workers Want to Be Free
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published August 26, 2009
Maybe it's best to just get out of the way and let employees do what you hired them to do.

Inside Apple's Incredible Power Grab
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published August 19, 2009
Once a mere niche player, Apple – powered by the iPhone – is on its way to becoming the Microsoft of the coming era.

Why iGoogle's 'Social Gadgets' Should Kill Facebook
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published August 12, 2009
Google's new "Social Gadgets" for its iGoogle site has the potential to shift the online landscape in a major way.

Is the Netbook Dead? Ha! It Never Existed!
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published August 6, 2009
Calling small laptops “netbooks” was just advertising hype. The true netbooks will be the upcoming crop of smartbooks. And guess which vendor will own the market?

The iPhone Is a Disease
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published July 23, 2009
The psychological reaction to the iPhone is something that transcends geeky gadget preference, gadget addiction or even gadget snobbery. It's a full-blown personality disorder.

Apple's October Tablet Changes *Everything*
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published July 14, 2009
The handheld will probably work just like the iPhone, run iPhone apps, have an on-screen keyboard and connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi.

10 Reasons Why Chrome OS Is No 'Windows Killer'
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published July 8, 2009
Current facts about actual human behavior and industry trends, as well as the nature of what Google is proposing, don't support the conclusion that Chrome OS will "kill" Windows.

Why Software Piracy Pays
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published July 2, 2009
When you shell out $200 for your discounted upgrade of Windows 7 Professional, you're actually helping pay for a copy for someone in China.

Six Perfect Tech Products Everyone Should Use
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published June 25, 2009
So good they can actually enhance your career and your relationships -- and your life.

Why Apple Should Dump AT&T
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published June 17, 2009
Thanks to AT&T's slow execution on support for new iPhone features, its horrible customer service, and its high and confusing prices, yet another iPhone launch has been compromised.

Who Killed Twitter?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published June 11, 2009
Statistics about Twitter usage show a far different picture than the media hype suggests. Why did Twitter jump the shark?

Microsoft vs. the EU: When Antitrust is Anti-Competitive
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published June 4, 2009
Microsoft is being unfairly harassed by European Union regulators, argues a tech industry observer.

Why the Palm Pre Will Fail
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published May 28, 2009
Pre is not ready for business, can't top the iPhone for consumers and is entering the market at the worst possible time.

The Trouble with Real-Time Search
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published May 21, 2009
You can expect Google to embrace real-time search. But don't expect that search to be anywhere near as useful as good old-fashioned regular Google searches.

Does Google's 'Recent Results' Feature Beat Twitter?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published May 13, 2009
Twitter Search offers more timely results while Google’s “Recent results” are better filtered. The best option is to combine them. C’mon, Google: Acquire Twitter already!

Steve Jobs Gets Pwned
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published May 7, 2009
Apple fumbled hugely by allowing the Kindle to dominate the rapidly growing eBook device market.

Is Windows 7 Really Mojave? (Part II)
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published April 29, 2009
Is Windows 7 really "Mojave" — Vista warmed over and sold with a shiny new package? The answer is: sort of.

Is Microsoft Better Without Bill Gates?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published April 22, 2009
Since the late 1990s it seemed that Microsoft consistently failed to capitalize on the biggest opportunities. Since Gates left last summer, the company seems to be doing everything right.

Inside Google's 'Facebook Killer'
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published April 15, 2009
The Facebook user interface is cumbersome and counter-intuitive. Google (with possible help from Twitter) has a solution.

Stop Dishonest Tech Lingo! (that means you, Apple and Microsoft)
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published April 9, 2009
Tech sites and tech vendors are famous for inventing wacky lingo that stretches the truth. Isn’t it time we stopped the madness?

Why Netbooks Will Run Cell Phone Software
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published April 1, 2009
The next big thing in tiny laptops will be cell phone operating systems, cell phone applications and cell phone data plans. Like all big shifts in the netbook market, this one will surprise the experts, but thrill buyers.

Get Ready for Microsoft's Big Comeback
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published March 25, 2009
Surprise! The combined effect of Windows 7, an improving reputation and $20 billion in cash will bring Microsoft out of its doldrums and into a position of industry leadership once again.

Why We Need More H-1B Workers
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published March 11, 2009
Instead of harming American competitiveness by blocking companies from hiring the world's most skilled workers, let's instead open the floodgates and let American companies hire whomever they please -- and issue the visas that will make that possible.

Apple's Epic E-Book Fail
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published March 4, 2009
Amazon's new Kindle for iPhone represents a massive exploitation of the short-sightedness of Apple. Apple should have read this market better.

Why the Twitter Haters Are Wrong
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published February 25, 2009
Twitter itself is merely a medium, and one that is different and awesome precisely because every user can control exactly who to follow and what to post.

Facebook Thinks You're Stupid
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published February 18, 2009
Basing your communication with users on the idea that you're smart and your customers are dumb will lead to failure every time.

How Social Media Can Save TV News
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published February 12, 2009
Don't expect me to watch television. I'll be getting the real news on Twitter.

Google's Business Model: YOU Are the Product
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published February 5, 2009
To succeed, Google needs you to drop your resistance to being listened to, tracked and monitored at all times. In exchange for great free products, are you ready to go along?

Three Bad Tech Products We Love Anyway
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published January 28, 2009
Facebook, the Kindle and Digg are each horribly designed and conspicuously flawed – yet earn our kudos nonetheless.

Why Are Knowledge Machines Banned In Schools?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published January 21, 2009
The lowly cell phone could be seen as a source of enrichment instead of being banned as a disruption.

'Making It All Work' In 60 Seconds
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published January 14, 2009
The power of concentration, along with a few helpful Web-based tools, can improve your productivity markedly.

How China's '50 Cent Army' Could Wreck Web 2.0
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published January 8, 2009
A mass of paid Internet commentators working for the Chinese government threatens to upend hopes for an improved online community.

How to Stop Bad Predictions -- Or, at Least, Enjoy Them
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published January 1, 2009
A new service allows you to use the Internet to expose, embarrass and shame bad prognosticators for your own enjoyment.

How to Use Twitter Without Typing, Pointing or Clicking
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published December 26, 2008
A new service makes tweeting easier than ever before.

Hard Work is Dead. Call It 'Work Ethic 2.0'
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published December 17, 2008
A person who works with total focus has an enormous advantage over a workaholic who's "multi-tasking" all day, answering every phone call, constantly checking Facebook and Twitter, and indulging every interruption.

Media Companies Have Only Themselves to Blame
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published December 11, 2008
Instead of embracing Web-based distribution, old media artificially propped up the unscalable and inefficient model of shipping content on sheets of dead tree pulp.

Why Are PCs and Gadgets So Slow? (Who's Breaking Moore's Law?)
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published December 3, 2008
The computer industry needs to stop padding products with ever longer lists of features and "improvements," and start focusing on raw performance.

Is Technology Causing Humans to Mutate?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published November 26, 2008
Our brains have mapped out special regions for our mice, keyboards, media players and more. Our brain thinks our gadgets are body parts.

Satellite Radio Is Dead
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published November 19, 2008
Satellite radio is nothing more than an insanely expensive, limited, proprietary content delivery system that competes head-to-head against the Internet itself. Oh, and Howard Stern gets paid $100 million a year.

Why You'll Buy a Netbook On Black Friday
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published November 12, 2008
Ten tips for scoring a sweet netbook. Because you can never be too rich, too thin or have too many netbooks.

Would You Buy Furniture From Microsoft?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 15, 2008
Redmond is apparently considering developing a multi-touch table-top computer for the mass market, a sort of computerized family dinner table/gaming center.

Three Ways SMBs Can Survive the Economic Meltdown
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 7, 2008
You've heard most of these ideas before, but economic meltdowns have a funny way of making once-unthinkable changes suddenly appealing.

Why Online Product Placement Is a Good Thing
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published September 17, 2008
Product placement will drive development of ever more sophisticated online content, which will further peel eyeballs away from TV screens.

How the Blogosphere Killed the Press Conference
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published September 9, 2008
The Internet – including the Twitosphere – has made announcing information to groups of reporters gathered in a room an obsolete process.

Why Apple and China are Simply Incompatible
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published July 23, 2008
The pristine new Apple store in Beijing masks the very messy reality of a company like Apple trying to do business in a country like China.

Has Apple Lost Its Mojo?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published July 16, 2008
The handful of recent stumbles by Cupertino is just a temporary rough patch, right?

How Google's Virtual World Will Change the Real One
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published July 9, 2008
Google’s just-debuted virtual world is clunky right now, but expect it to grow into a monster success – and play a leading role in business as well as social networking.

Let's Solve Our National Identity Crisis
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published July 2, 2008
Because we don't move forward with a comprehensive, protected ID system, we've instead ended up with a third-rate, insecure system based on social security cards and government agencies collecting data without our knowledge or permission.

The Mouse Is Dead
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published June 25, 2008
Take the time to savor every point and every click. It won't last: several new technologies are in the process of replacing this vintage technology.

Your Privacy: Bring Back the Company Memo!
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published June 19, 2008
In the confusion between private email and official business communication, workers’ rights are being trampled. Resurrecting the company memo could clarify this issue.

Is There a Cure for the 'Distraction Virus'?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published May 22, 2008
The Internet is an incredible productivity tool that offers unprecedented access to information and communication with others. But it's also distracting, and getting more distracting every day.

Lenovo ThinkPad X300 Review (Best. Notebook. Ever.)
By Eric Grevstad | Executive Tech Article Published May 17, 2008
Okay, It costs more than $3,000. Fair warning: You won't care. Lenovo's lightweight goes toe to toe with Apple's MacBook Air -- well, it would if the Air had a DVD burner, a LAN connection, and a sharper screen. Thinkabout a solid-state hard disk, full-sized keyboard, ample battery life, and impeccable green credentials in a 13.3-inch, just-over-3-pound slimline. Now try to be satisfied with your current laptop.

Are There Too Many Women in IT?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published May 13, 2008
The various efforts to boost the number of women in IT are well intentioned but doomed to failure.

Why Steve Ballmer Should Resign
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published May 7, 2008
Microsoft needs the opposite of a tough-talking wimp as CEO. Microsoft needs a sweet-talking killer, one who charms rather than intimidates, then pulls the trigger when required.

When Is International "Shut Up Day"?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published May 2, 2008
Saturday is International Computer Shutdown Day. But I don’t accept the thought that the Internet is some kind of addiction, a dark mental prison that keeps us from living our lives.

Return of the Keyboard Shortcut
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published April 23, 2008
Two Web sites boost your personal productivity by helping you enter computer commands more quickly.

Why Can't Google Catch Easy Spam?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published April 16, 2008
Google: I don't speak Chinese! When I get e-mail that's entirely Chinese characters, it's spam, OK? What could be easier than that?

Why You'll Hate Cell Phone Spam
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published April 11, 2008
Like lambs to slaughter, the cell phone using community (i.e. everybody) has no idea what's coming.

Killing XP: Microsoft's Fatal Error
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published April 3, 2008
What about the millions of people currently using XP? What is their preferred alternative? Microsoft assumes they'll choose Vista. I'm here to challenge that assumption.

How Free Wi-Fi Hurts the Poor
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published March 26, 2008
If cities want to motivate poor people to use Wi-Fi, they need to merely subsidize its use. But don't cut private companies out of the deal. Don't kill competition and block innovation.

Has Digg Already Picked the President?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published March 19, 2008
The emerging technology of social networking is affecting the political process. Or is it?

Is It Time to Globalize Time?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published March 11, 2008
Don't look now, but business is global. Media is global. Communication is global. So why are we still torturing ourselves with local time?

Inside the Shady World of Spy Gadgets
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published March 6, 2008
A look at the tech gear used by the underworld. Are you being spied on with a spy gadget? (Or are you one of the spies…?)

How Fake Is Your PC?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published February 29, 2008
The ugly truth is that you can never be 100% certain that any PC you buy contains all legitimate components. But you can minimize the risk by shopping for reliability, not just low price.

The Best Free Service You've Never Used
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published February 20, 2008
Zoho isn’t so much a replacement for Microsoft Word as an additional source of fun and useful tools.

Microsoft Invents a Reason to Buy a Tablet
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published February 14, 2008
Tablet PCs tend to be a snooze – overpriced and underwhelming. But that’s about to change.

Why Can't America Vote Right?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published February 7, 2008
Computers can save democracy, if only we give up our affection for paper ballots.

A Digital Camera from the Future
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published January 30, 2008
A Casio unit unveiled at this year’s CES suggests that the future has already arrived.

Learning From Gamers
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published January 24, 2008
By learning from video games in the development of your company's culture, your people will have more fun, they'll become more skilled and -- most importantly -- you'll PWN the competition.

An Open Letter to the Ultraportable PC Industry
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published January 18, 2008
The PC industry needs to wake up and learn how to make a small, lightweight computer. Here’s what they should be doing – now.

Where Annoying Tech Buzzwords Come From
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published January 8, 2008
What do you do when you want to emphasize the cool newness of something that’s not really new? Make a buzzword!

The Most Hated Company In the PC Industry
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published January 4, 2008
One relatively small firm is reviled by competitors across the spectrum. Unfortunately for them, this upstart’s fortunes are headed only higher.

Here Comes the 2008 Beijing Olympic Disaster
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published December 27, 2007
A half million visitors will upload everything they see to YouTube, LifeLeak and Flickr. What happens when the "Great Firewall of China” is breached?

I Want My MPC: The 'Multi-Touch PC' Era Dawns
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published December 19, 2007
Given the failure of Windows Vista, and the embarrassing demo by Dell, Apple appears to have basically no competition short term in the multi-touch market.

The Apple Fanboy Dream Comes True -- And It's a Nightmare
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published December 11, 2007
Against all odds, Apple has moved from “niche” to “mainstream.” But that comes with a downside.

The Kindle: Saving Your Eyes, Wallet, and the Environment
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published December 6, 2007
Amazon’s new electronic reader is easier on your eyes than a computer screen, and offers myriad information delivery advantages.

Cult Watch 2007: Who's Drinking the Kool-Aid?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published November 28, 2007
Many tech tribes – Windows, Linux, Apple, and others – have a deeply tribal status. Which tribes are losing and which are gaining?

Why Everyone Should Use Google Calendar
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published November 21, 2007
Tips on using the free Google calender software: set up reminder emails, get just-in-time information, use it on your cell phone, and more.

A Modest Proposal to Solve the H-1B Visa Crisis
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published November 15, 2007
Rather than raising the H-1B visa cap, let's increase the rights and privileges of skilled worker immigrants, and fast-track them to citizenship.

10 Black Friday Secrets Retailers Don't Want You To Know
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published November 8, 2007
With the right technology – and the best Web sites – the Friday after Thanksgiving can be your day to score great deals.

God Said The New York Times Is Dead
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 31, 2007
The newspaper industry has become a machine that converts forests into spam and pollution. What's an educated reader to do?

Gubbing Things Done
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 24, 2007
Why Gubb is the ultimate "Getting Things Done" productivity tool

How to Predict the Future
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 17, 2007
Why do futurists so often get it wrong? And where's my flying car?

Are People Falling In Love with Computers?
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 9, 2007
We like our PCs, cell phones and robots. We need them. OK, say it with me: We love them.

Apple Arrogance Unleashed!
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published October 3, 2007
Everyone knows Apple is full of itself. But lately the company has been brazenly pissing everyone off – even its most loyal fans.

Don't Believe In Google's 'My World'
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published September 26, 2007
Speculation about Google’s potential new virtual world is a case study in how rumors build in the overheated echo chamber of the Internet.

The Myth of the Solar PC
By Mike Elgan | Executive Tech Article Published September 20, 2007
Computer makers are hyping their "solar-powered PCs." Too bad there’s no such thing.