Author Archive
Carlos A. Soto
Carlos A. Soto is a former GCN Lab technology analyst.
Digital Government
Neighboring States Hit By Ransomware Attacks in Two Weeks
Virginia’s legislature and Maryland’s Department of Health both fell victim to cybercriminals. Although one security expert says the incidents are likely not linked.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Cybersecurity
What OS X Mountain Lion can do for the enterprise
As more agencies adopt Apple's mobile devices, the new OS' security, messaging and synch-ability could make the workplace more efficient and enjoyable.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
9 top tablets graded for government
The GCN Lab has put the latest tablet computers through their paces to test how suitable and secure they are for government workers.
- By Greg Crowe, Carlos A. Soto and John Breeden II
Digital Government
The iPhone 4S: Rise of the machines
Despite a few beta-related flaws, Apple's latest phone reveals the future of human/machine interaction.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
Kindle Fire: A great 2nd tablet, with good features for the job
The Kindle Fire isn't an iPad killer, but instead can complement it and many others. It's the tablet to have if you have more than one.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Emerging Tech
The standard keyboard goes virtual
The Celluon Virtual Laser Keyboard with Magic Cube uses an optical sensor to follow the exact positions of your fingers as you type on a laser-projected keyboard.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
You Gotta See This! But don't rush.
Apple's new photo collage app takes great shots but then gets too amateurish for government.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Cybersecurity
LaCie's Rugged Safe is a secure fortress for data
The LaCie 500G Rugged Safe earns a reviewer's choice pick for its low price, durability and sophisticated protection against would-be hackers.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
How to use Twitter without getting fired
These tips on tweeting could keep employees from running afoul of agency social media policies, and perhaps irritating major news organizations.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
NetScaler load balancer can squash network latency
The Citrix Netscaler MPX 9700 ensures network availability, improves security and lowers costs by offloading stressed-out servers.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Cybersecurity
How to use Facebook without getting fired
Government employees can safely use Facebook if they follow some simple guidelines concerning people they know -- and people they don't.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Emerging Tech
Xerox takes a leap forward in solid-ink printing
The ColorQube 8870DN produces terrific text and images, and Xerox has eliminated many of the traditional flaws of solid-ink printers.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
Skyfire adds Flash content to iPhones, iPads. How well does it work?
With the Skyfire app, Flash content is converted in the cloud into HTML 5, which lets users view some, though not all, videos on iPhones and iPads.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
BlackBerry Bold 9650 is an easy-to-use workhorse
With Version 5 of the RIM Blackberry operating system, the Bold ushers in a new set of features including a high-end, 3.2-megapixel camera with flash and 3G, Code Division Multiple Access or Wi-Fi capabilities.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
HTC Evo’s 4G service takes smart phones to new dimensions
The Evo is hands-down a Reviewer’s Choice winner in this roundup because of two crucial things: the device's bountiful jaw-dropping features and the outstanding performance of those features on the device.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
Palm Pre Plus has the tools but can be a drain
The Pre is a sleek flip phone that conceals an easy-to-use QWERTY keyboard and runs on the intuitive webOS, which in some ways is better to use than the iPhone’s operating system.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
Samsung Captivate makes good use of its Android OS
For most agencies, the Captivate would be a perfect mobile device because it walks a careful balance between the easy-to-manage BlackBerry and the power and capabilities of the Evo.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
iPhone 4.0 a great device that deserves better reception
Despite its problems with AT&T, the iPhone’s easy-to-use navigation and sleek construction makes it easy to overlook the antenna nightmares. I reviewed a $199, 16G unit running Version 4.0.1 of Apple's iPhone operating system and found it hard to criticize anything else about the phone.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Digital Government
5 smart choices in smart phones
The GCN Lab tests five new models, including one with 4G capabilities, and finds they have a lot for offer on-the-job users. Android phones come out on top.
- By Carlos A. Soto
Emerging Tech
5 technologies that will change the market
A guide to the promise, peril and disruption that these technologies will bring to the government market.
- By Carlos A. Soto