Google has turned the taps on its update stream after last week's I/O event. You can now talk to your PC's Chrome browser for Google searches, while mobile users get a new version of Google+ to play with that's more in line with the card-based update of the recent PC browser update. 

Our industry event planner gives you the heads-up on what key industry events are coming around the corner. If we've missed something, don’t hesitate to add your event to the list. (You can view the full calendar here.)

The tornado devastation in Oklahoma points to the need for mobile governmental response systems and, this week, Salesforce is releasing such solutions designed specifically for governmental needs. 

What is Xbox One? Is it a games machines, a media center, or an app player? Microsoft wants it to be all three, with near instant-on, voice activation, Skype and many other features, but to do this, it runs a version of Windows 8, a gaming hyper-OS and a media system, highlighting the company's struggles with Windows.

Over the last two years, Gartner considers the ecommerce space to still be dominated by the same leaders named in its last Magic Quadrant report, namely IBM, Oracle and hybris.

Narrative, when done well, is the tail that can actually wag the dog. But let's be clear here and now, post rationalized narratives stink.

Its only been one week since Google I/O, but already some of the functionality that was announced by Google is being offered by third-party vendors. Today, it’s OrangeScape, which is offering a number of quick action buttons in its KiSSFLOW workflow builder.

Understanding the experience that customers value tops the list of most strategic agendas these days. The power of the buyer being in control can no longer be ignored. Sales feel it as their cycles grow longer and become less predictable. Marketing struggles to deliver predictable ROI across a sea of interaction channels where conversations happen without their involvement. Service and Support feel it as customers turn to each other for answers and to share information.

The way customers shop through Google and retailers is changing, as the company begins to phase out Google Checkout in favor of Google Wallet.

Ever feel the need to use the apps already on on your mobile device instead of the work approved ones from your IT department? LogMeIn has developed a tool called AppGuru to help those IT teams organize the mobile apps people can't seem to resist bringing to work.

Balancing the demands of digital marketing isn’t easy, especially if you’re the chief marketing officer. What makes you most successful? No one can deny that leveraging big data to build solid relationships customers is key, but according to a new report by Forrester, most CMOs believe it’s actually an enterprise-wide commitment to brand building that is critical to success. 

The customer experience is still a work in progress. We know that as social and mobile technologies become more advanced, the challenge isn’t necessarily about deploying them, it’s about getting them to seamlessly align alongside human capabilities. The mobile coupon fails to get scanned at checkout. The opportunity to enroll customers in a rewards programs is missed. Consumers receive irrelevant promotions that don’t meet their interests or activities. What if there was a better way to improve the customer experience without having to upgrade the human experience?

The current definition of the Customer Journey seems to consist of some version of Consider/Awareness leading to Research/Evaluate, and then to Purchase. Some models include the Out Of the Box Experience (OOBE) followed by Usage after Purchase. I particularly appreciate models that include those two pieces, as they take into account that the customer's experience needs to be favorable for some time after the purchase. Most customers are not in the market for the next new thing as soon as they purchase one (if so, there’s something wrong with the product!)

Oracle may have outlined how the inability to break-down information silos was negating many of the positive benefits of the cloud yesterday, but today Forbes highlights yet again the business value of the cloud, particularly in facilitation with effective enterprise collaboration.

 Digital marketers have a strong interest in tuning and optimizing the search experience, which is why Sitecore has given search a front row seat in Sitecore 7.

A Pandora for relationship management. That’s how Nimble describes version 3.0 of its social relationship manager platform, because of a Rules Engine that curates engagement opportunities, birthdays, job changes and “people of importance.” Sort of like setting up a station on Pandora, but built around people you want to stay in contact with.

South Korean mega-vendor Samsung keeps churning out the devices to cover every conceivable base and user need, with the new Mega 6.3" screen phablet joining a waterproof S4 model, with an S4 mini confirmed on the way. 

Alongside the Tumblr acquisition, Yahoo is taking off the wraps on one of its earlier acquisitions. Image-sharing service Flickr gets a major hi-resolution makeover with a new app for Android users. 

“Social business” has become a popular buzzword, but what are the processes and best practices that successful social businesses use to boost profits, decrease expenses and increase customer satisfaction? A new report from IBM aimed to find out. 

Navigating social media sites can be quite a task, but Pinterest aims to improve how users use the content sharing website with a new feature that will prove useful to brands and companies: information pins.