Net Neutrality, Smartphones: Hot Topics for CIOs

As the world’s largest search company, most observers expect Google to protect the interests of Web users and small sites. But last week, the company came under fire for a net neutrality proposal that critics say gives undue power to big firms, and leaves Web users and small online services out of the mix. It’s worth noting that Google’s proposal is in no way the new “law of the land” on the Internet, but it could have a direct impact on the way that CIOs run their operations in the coming years.

For example, it is possible that if the FCC follows Google’s proposals, certain services would get preferential treatment online. A proverbial “toll road,” would be erected which allows ISPs to institute tiered pricing based on quality of service. This would directly influence how companies access the growing number of online tools that are quickly becoming essential to their day-to-day business operations.

Google’s net neutrality idea isn’t the only big news. Last week, Apple let go its top iPhone executive, causing some to wonder what the future will look like for that smartphone platform. And Adobe’s Flash, while still catching heat from Apple, is steadily making its way onto smartphones. Meanwhile, Microsoft says that Windows Phone 7 will be ready for the corporate world, and the BlackBerry Torch from Research In Motion (RIM) had its big reveal. Let’s dig into these stories and find out why every CIO should care about how they will turn out.