Today’s topics include a new music service from Apple, an update to Microsoft Office Web Apps, Cisco adding security throughout networks and the launch of Flow Optimizer from Brocade.
Apple is again working to change how consumers get their music by launching Apple Music, its streaming music service, while also unveiling a next-generation operating system for Apple Watches. Apple Music, which will launch June 30 in 100 countries, including the United States, will join the iTunes store and give music lovers access to a huge catalog of music in one destination, according to Apple CEO Tim Cook. The service will be compatible with iOS 8.4 on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch and as an update to iTunes on Mac computers to start, though Windows and Android versions will be available later in the fall.
Microsoft has released an update to its Office Web Apps, allowing users to carry on Skype for Business conversations without switching to another application. Nick Robinson, a Microsoft Office 365 senior product marketing manager, explained that people will now be able to start an instant message, voice and/or video conversation with one or several colleagues right from their inbox.
Cisco Systems is adding security throughout the network, from the systems running in data centers, within campus networks, out on the cloud and on devices in users’ hands. On the first day of the Cisco Live 2015 event in San Diego June 8, company officials outlined a strategy that they said will bring greater threat visibility into every part of the network, an important capability that comes as the Internet of everything and what they called the Digital Economy creates a broader attack surface for increasingly sophisticated cyber-criminals.
Brocade on June 9 launched its Flow Optimizer application, which is designed to work with OpenDaylight-based controllers for software-defined networks to analyze the traffic flowing through the network and address a range of performance issues, from cyber-attacks to congestion. The application, when used with Brocade’s MLXe routers, can help customers better understand the traffic running over their networks. They can also flag anomalous patterns and behaviors while providing the means to proactively mitigate problems that may hurt the end-user experience.