1. and : T-Mobile and Microsoft finally spoke up to say that they are dealing with problems that caused Sidekick users to lose data and contend with connection issues. Users of the smartphone were having problems for days, so the belated reaction of the companies vexed many of them. Meanwhile, the problems serve as a reminder that it's important to back up data, no matter what device you have it stored on.

2. : Cisco Systems plans to add Internet Protocol-based mobile infrastructure provider Starent Networks to its portfolio for a cool US$2.9 billion. Cisco announced on Oct. 1 that it is buying videoconferencing stalwart Tandberg for about $3 billion. The combination led Computerworld's Matt Hamblen to liken Cisco to a 1930s-era Hollywood mogul, with its fingers reaching into distribution and content, including a steady advance into the mobile Internet space.

3. : CIO took an in-depth look at Oracle's OpenWorld, offering keen insights into the show's highs and lows. Meanwhile ...

4, : While Oracle executives have been talking about various Sun Microsystems technologies, it has been noticed there are some they have not talked about, and some Sun officials involved in those technologies haven't heard much about Oracle's plans, if any.

5. : Most corporate PCs will be able to support Windows 7, but considering that many companies have put update cycles on hold, they'll have to weigh the costs of keeping aging hardware versus the cost of migrating to newer machines and upgrading existing applications, according to a newly released survey. And the weighing has undoubtedly begun in some quarters with the hoopla-laden launch of Windows 7 upon us next week.