New developments in connected devices and smart apps will allow businesses to improve productivity and transform their interactions with consumers, Salesforce.com's Derek Laney predicts. [ + ]

Many business intelligence (BI) tools present a 'one-size-fits-all' solution. But the BI tools of the future might look quite different. [ + ]

Lenovo plans to purchase IBM's x86 server business for a cash and stock package worth around US$2.3 billion dollars under a new definitive agreement between the two companies. [ + ]

While some pundits are questioning the accuracy of a report claiming IoT devices, including a smart fridge, were compromised to send malicious emails, there's little question that the threat is credible. [ + ]

Optus Business has picked up a five-year, $30m deal to manage engineering company UGL Limited's ICT systems and mobile fleet. [ + ]

VMware's planned acquisition of enterprise mobility management vendor AirWatch is expected to stimulate a flurry of consolidation activity in the fast-growing segment. [ + ]

Researchers from Alcatel-Lucent and BT claim to have achieved transfer speeds of up to 1.4 Tbps across existing core fibre. With a spectral efficiency of 5.7 bits per second per Hertz, the researchers believe this is the fastest speed ever achieved in commercial-grade hardware in a real-world environment. [ + ]

Victoria's technology ministry has called for consultation on the next stage of its ICT Strategy project, seeking feedback on ways to benefit from trends including mobility and cloud computing. [ + ]

Frequent use of social networking is subconsciously causing users to reflect on their behaviour and improve themselves, Queensland researcher Dr Theresa Sauter argues. [ + ]

Telstra has acquired network solutions provider O2 Networks in a deal reportedly worth $60 million. [ + ]

Telstra's $454m sale of a 70% stake in Sensis is likely aimed at helping the company pursue its goal of growing through expansions into Asia, cloud services and new digital media. [ + ]

IBM has revealed plans to open 15 new data centres this year, and to make recent acquisition SoftLayer the foundation of its global cloud portfolio. [ + ]

ICANN has approved Monash University to operate the new .monash top-level domain, with the first two .monash sites due to come online in the near future. [ + ]

Intel plans to cut its global headcount of around 107,000 by about 5% this year, equalling a total loss of more than 5000 jobs. [ + ]

Google this week announced it plans to purchase home automation company Nest Labs for US$3.2 billion in what pundits are labelling a move into the Internet of Things. Users, however, have raised privacy concerns about the purchase. [ + ]