Microsoft will unveil its new Xbox on Tuesday. What’s underneath the hood of the latest videogame console represents a multiyear odyssey of trying to figure out how to keep the machine “cool” in the age of smartphones and tablets.
Tag Archives: Microsoft
Android has become a hedge against Microsoft and Windows
Posted by Gsurface
on May 19, 2013
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HP, in a way, is putting Microsoft and Windows on notice with its new Android offerings. [Read more]
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New Microsoft Xbox first round in technology war with Apple, Sony
Posted by Gsurface
on May 18, 2013
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Computer viruses on rise for first time in years, Microsoft warns
Posted by Gsurface
on May 17, 2013
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Computer viruses are on the rise worldwide for the first time in years, according to Microsoft security expert Tim Rains.
FOX News
Google issues YouTube ultimatum to Microsoft as Hatfield-McCoy feud heats up
Posted by Gsurface
on May 16, 2013
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Google yesterday sent a cease-and-desist letter to Microsoft, demanding that its rival remove the YouTube app built for the Windows Phone platform.
Computerworld News
Asia ‘sources’ chat up smaller Microsoft Surface tablet
Posted by Gsurface
on May 16, 2013
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More talk of a smaller Surface tablet is coming from Asia. The report claims an 8-inch class tablet. [Read more]
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Google demands Microsoft pull Windows Phone YouTube app by next week
Posted by Gsurface
on May 16, 2013
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On January 2, Microsoft‘s Vice President Dave Heiner posted a rather lengthy admonishment of Google on TechNet, claiming the company is intentionally trying to harm Windows Phone, with one of the biggest reasons cited being the lack of a full-feature mobile YouTube app, forcing the company to offer a weaker sub-par option. Not to be
Microsoft Windows 8 update will be free when it comes later this year
Posted by Gsurface
on May 15, 2013
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Microsoft votes for free Windows 8.1, collects kudos
Posted by Gsurface
on May 14, 2013
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Microsoft today announced that Windows 8.1, the update later this year for Windows 8, will be free to current users of the operating system, confirming analysts’ expectations.
Computerworld News
Microsoft Patents “Cartoon Face Generation”
Posted by Gsurface
on May 14, 2013
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theodp writes “The latest round of patents granted by the USPTO included one for Cartoon Face Generation, an invention which Microsoft explains ‘generates an attractive cartoon face or graphic of a user’s facial image’. Microsoft adds, ‘The style of cartoon face achieved resembles the likeness of the user more than cartoons generated by conventional vector-based cartooning techniques. The cartoon faces thus achieved provide an attractive facial appearance and thus have wide applicability in art, gaming, and messaging applications in which a pleasing degree of realism is desirable without exaggerated comedy or caricature.’ A Microsoft Research Face SDK Beta is available. Hey, too bad Microsoft didn’t have this technology when they generated Bob from Ralphie!”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Microsoft to squeeze more devs into BUILD
Posted by Gsurface
on May 14, 2013
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Microsoft today said it has increased the head count for its June developers conference, and will sell the extra tickets Wednesday.
Computerworld News
Microsoft updates SkyDrive with faster uploads and photo timeline
Posted by Gsurface
on May 14, 2013
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Microsoft has given SkyDrive another update, this one tailored towards the type of content it says it is primarily used for – photographs. With this update, which is rolling out now and will reach users within the next 48 hours, there’s a new photo timeline, as well as faster uploads, a switched up thumbnail layout,
Quickoffice In The Browser: The Reason Why Microsoft Is Suddenly So Scared Of Google’s Productivity Tools
Posted by Gsurface
on May 13, 2013
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We’re just a few days away from the start of Google I/O, the search giant’s annual developer conference, and while we actually know very little about what Google plans to announce during its massive, three-hour keynote on Wednesday, there is something brewing in Mountain View that has Microsoft’s Office division on edge. Over the course of the last week, Microsoft started a very negative anti-Google Docs campaign that fits the mold of its more general Scroogled anti-Google ads. But why the sudden focus on Google’s productivity tools? That reason, I believe, is Quickoffice in the browser.
TechCrunch
Microsoft responds to ‘extreme’ Windows 8 criticism
Posted by Gsurface
on May 11, 2013
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Microsoft sends gamblin’ Pete Rose to the plate in swing at Google Docs
Posted by Gsurface
on May 11, 2013
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Microsoft today took another shot at rival Google, calling its rival’s online application suite, Google Docs, “too big a gamble.”
Computerworld News
Microsoft YouTube App Strips Ads; Adds Download
Posted by Gsurface
on May 11, 2013
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An anonymous reader writes “Microsoft appears to be sticking a finger in Google’s eye with the launch of its new YouTube app for Windows Phone. The app, ReadWrite has confirmed, strips out YouTube ads when it plays back videos and allows users to easily download video by way of a prominent ‘download’ button.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Boston Replacing Microsoft Exchange With Google Apps
Posted by Gsurface
on May 10, 2013
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netbuzz writes “The city of Boston, which employs 20,000 people, has become the latest large organization to switch from Microsoft Exchange to Google Apps. The city estimates that the move will save it $ 280,000 a year. Microsoft’s reaction? ‘We believe the citizens of Boston deserve cloud productivity tools that protect their security and privacy. Google’s investments in these areas are inadequate, and they lack the proper protections most organizations require.’ More and more customers aren’t buying that FUD.” Hopefully they’ll be more satisfied than Los Angeles was (PDF).
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Microsoft issues emergency ‘fix-it’ for browser flaw
Posted by Gsurface
on May 10, 2013
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Microsoft reportedly considering Nook Media purchase
Posted by Gsurface
on May 9, 2013
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Word has it Microsoft is considering a $ 1 billion purchase of Nook Media LLC’s digital assets, which encompass its preferred units and leaves the rest – ebook and ereaders and such, that is. The information comes from the folks over at Tech Crunch, which says it has received an internal document on the matter. Also
Microsoft Mulling Nook Media LLC Purchase For $1 Billion
Posted by Gsurface
on May 9, 2013
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Microsoft is offering to pay $ 1 billion to buy the digital assets of Nook Media LLC, the digital book and college book joint venture with Barnes & Noble and other investors, according to internal documents we’ve obtained.
TechCrunch
Microsoft releases fix-it for Internet Explorer 8 vulnerability
Posted by Gsurface
on May 9, 2013
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Microsoft has released a temporary fix for a zero-day vulnerability in Internet Explorer 8, which was used by hackers in a prominent attack against the U.S. Department of Labor's website.
Computerworld News
Microsoft to boost Office Web Apps features
Posted by Gsurface
on May 8, 2013
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Microsoft plans to accelerate improvements in Office Web Apps, the browser-based version of the Office suite, adding features like real-time co-authoring of documents and the ability to run in Android tablets via mobile Chrome browser support.
Computerworld News
Microsoft Office Web Apps’ upcoming improvements to include Android support
Posted by Gsurface
on May 8, 2013
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Microsoft has published a roadmap of sorts for its Office Web Apps, detailing the enhancements and improvements it plans to roll out over the next year and what kind of features users can look forward to. Among them, perhaps most notably, is support for tablets running Android, which will be made possible via Chrome. Users
Microsoft Windows 8.1 ‘Blue’ public preview will be released at Build in June
Posted by Gsurface
on May 7, 2013
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On the fence about heading to Build? Microsoft’s annual conference is scheduled from June 26-28, and developers in attendance will likely hear quite a bit more about the latest version of the company’s OS. MS will also make a public preview available during the event, Julie Larson-Green shared at the Wired Business Conference in New York City today. A final version of Windows 8.1 “Blue” is expected by the end of the year, bringing cosmetic updates and other features, such as a new side-by-side app view and Internet Explorer 11. In March, we managed to dig through pre-release build 9364 — it sounds like we’ll be able to take a much closer look at the new operating system this summer, but you can click through our gallery of screenshots for an early preview, right now.
Filed under: Software, Microsoft
Source: Microsoft
Microsoft sells more than 100M Windows 8 licenses in 6 months
Posted by Gsurface
on May 7, 2013
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The sales milestone is on par with the number of Windows 7 licenses sold in its first six months on the market. [Read more]
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Microsoft to reveal Windows Blue pricing, availability soon
Posted by Gsurface
on May 7, 2013
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Software giant is ready to fire up the Windows Blue disclosure machine. Here’s what to expect and when, according to company officials. [Read more]
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Microsoft tops 100 million Windows 8 licenses sold, promises Windows Blue update in 2013
Posted by Gsurface
on May 7, 2013
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For many observers, the real story for Windows 8 was never going to be the 60 million licenses sold during the holiday rush — it was always about the long term. The first indications of its post-launch impact are here, and show mixed results. In an interview on the company blog, Microsoft CMO/CFO Tami Reller says that it “recently” sold its 100 millionth Windows 8 license since the OS launched in October. That’s a healthy figure, but sales of about 10 million units a month between its January stat update and today show adoption hasn’t picked up again since the initial dropoff. The usual post-holiday lull no doubt played a part, although estimates of a much steeper drop in PC sales than usual suggest more was afoot. Microsoft doesn’t see an immediate problem however, touting both brisk Windows Store adoption — downloads of both free and paid apps surged from 100 million in January to 250 million — and the pending arrival of more affordable convertible notebooks, touchscreen laptops and all-in-ones later this year.
Oh, and about that Windows Blue update everyone’s been talking about? It’s at last official. Microsoft isn’t mentioning details beyond the Windows Blue codename, but it does promise that the upgrade should be available before 2013 is over. We’re looking forward to that extra level of personalization already.
Filed under: Desktops, Tablets, Software, Microsoft
Source: Blogging Windows
Apple fail should be a lesson for Microsoft
Posted by Gsurface
on May 5, 2013
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By market-acceptance standards, failures of Apple hardware products are rare. And even if the potential for weak demand is evident, the company is pretty good at fixing the problem. That’s a good lesson for Microsoft. [Read more]
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Microsoft admits zero-day bug in IE8, pledges patch
Posted by Gsurface
on May 4, 2013
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Microsoft late Friday confirmed that a “zero-day,” or unpatched, vulnerability exists in Internet Explorer 8, the company’s most popular browser.
Computerworld News
Microsoft has smaller Surface tablets in the works, report says
Posted by Gsurface
on May 2, 2013
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A new line of Surface devices may make their debut at Microsoft’s Build Conference in June, according to an Asia-based report. [Read more]
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Microsoft reportedly working on Mohoro, an Azure-hosted virtualization service
Posted by Gsurface
on May 2, 2013
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Microsoft is plumbing the depths of cloud computing yet again with the development of what could be a pay-per-use desktop virtualization service called Mohoro. According to ZDNet‘s Mary Jo Foley, Mohoro is essentially Azure‘s answer to Remote Desktop, but as a hosted service. Intended for “companies who want thin clients or to run legacy apps on new PCs,” her source states that, “With Mohoro, you click a few buttons, deploy your apps, use Intune to push out configuration to all of your company’s devices, and you’re done,” thus skipping the need for server infrastructure. As Foley points out, however, Azure-hosted virtual machines aren’t currently set up to run Windows clients under Microsoft’s licensing terms. What’s more, Mohoro development is reportedly in its early days, and as such, Foley speculates that it won’t be a reality until much later — she’s guessing the latter half of 2014.
Filed under: Networking, Microsoft
Source: ZDNet
Microsoft shares hit five-year high despite Windows 8 flop
Posted by Gsurface
on May 1, 2013
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With solid earnings and big growth in corporate sales and cloud-computing technology, Microsoft’s stock reaches levels not seen since 2007. [Read more]
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Microsoft IllumiRoom project turns room into video game
Posted by Gsurface
on April 30, 2013
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The IllumiRoom project from Microsoft Research turns a living room into a video game with projected images that extend and complement the main television screen. The realistic effect, if commercialized, could propel Microsoft’s gaming business far beyond its competition.
Computerworld News
Microsoft previews Skype for Outlook.com
Posted by Gsurface
on April 30, 2013
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Microsoft is rolling out a preview version of Skype for Outlook.com, allowing users to make calls and send instant messages from within the webmail service using a browser plugin.
Computerworld News
Microsoft Launches Preview Of Skype For Outlook.com
Posted by Gsurface
on April 30, 2013
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Microsoft has announced that it is launching a preview of Skype for Outlook.com starting in the UK. The service will be made available in the U.S. and Germany in the coming weeks before it is rolled out to the rest of the world.
Microsoft working on redesigns for Xbox, Yammer, Skype and Bing
Posted by Gsurface
on April 28, 2013
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Considering Microsoft’s efforts to rebrand, redesign and rebuild its Windows platform, it’s no surprise to hear the company is tweaking the visual aesthetics of its other brands, too. Speaking at Design Day 2013, Wolff Olins creative director Todd Simmons and Windows Phone design studio manager Albert Shum talked about the challenges of rebranding a company like Microsoft. “We’re still trying to figure out how to put a consumer face on this brand, as an ecosystem,” Simmons said, explaining how the team wanted to get away from the idea of Microsoft being a top-down, monolithic entity. The discussion touched on the creation of the Windows 8 logo, but also shed light on efforts to revamp other Microsoft brands. “Other brands are coming along too,” Simmons explained, teasing the audience with a pair of sketches. “Bing, Skype, Yammer, Xbox — everything is under development.” With Microsoft’s next generation gaming hardware lurking just around the corner, the time for a new logo might just be nigh. Read on to see the pair’s full 45-minute presentation for yourself.
Via: Verge, Travis Lowdermilk (Twitter)
Source: Vimeo, Design Day 2013
Former Microsoft Managers Now In Charge of Washington State’s Budget
Posted by Gsurface
on April 28, 2013
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reifman writes “The Seattle Times reports, ‘For the first time in state history, the Washington state budget is being written by Microsofties,’ Representative Ross Hunter has ‘tamed his Microsoft-style head-butting with a politician’s trust-building.’ Senator Andy Hill is ‘the first Senate budget chair ever to request Excel files instead of paper spreadsheets.’ ‘The two must find $ 1 billion in new money for the state’s K-12 system.’ Unfortunately, The Times neglects to mention that Hunter and Microsoft are among those behind the deficit and cutbacks in the first place. Hunter helped pass the amnesty bill for Microsoft’s $ 1.5 billion Nevada tax dodge ($ 4.37 billion if you include impacts from its lobbying to reduce tax rates) that contributed to $ 4 billion in cuts to K-12 and higher education since 2008. The state has resorted to using Yelp to tax dancing to try to make up the shortfall (for real).”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Court sides with Microsoft over Motorola patents used in Xbox
Posted by Gsurface
on April 26, 2013
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Judge determines Motorola is entitled to $ 1.8 million in royalty rates for patents used in Xbox — not the $ 4 billion it had sought. [Read more]
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Microsoft prevails in Xbox patent rift with Motorola Mobility
Posted by Gsurface
on April 26, 2013
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A U.S. judge ruled Thursday that Motorola Mobility is entitled to substantially less royalties than it wanted from Microsoft for the company's use of wireless and video-encoding patents in its Xbox products.
Computerworld News
Microsoft launches Bing Offers to round up local bargains, gives Bing Deals the axe
Posted by Gsurface
on April 26, 2013
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Call it a deal, offer or a bargain — isn’t a discount by any name just as sweet? Microsoft seems to think so, and it recently retired Bing Deals in favor of a locally focused newcomer: Bing Offers. Like its predecessor, Offers culls discounts from a number of sources, but rather than pulling deals from all over the web it focuses on group-discount bargains from outfits like Livingsocial, Groupon and Homerun. The aggregator spreads the discounts across the standard categories: food activities, health and fitness, beauty, travel and retail / services. Although the name has changed, a Microsoft spokesperson told TechCrunch that Offers is essentially the latest update to Bing Deals, noting that the site has gone through “a number of iterations” since it launched in 2011. Hit the source link to start pinching pennies.
Filed under: Internet
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Bing Offers
Washington court rules Motorola can get millions, not billions, from Microsoft for its patents
Posted by Gsurface
on April 26, 2013
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Among the many patent cases currently ongoing between Motorola and Microsoft is one in US District Court in the state of Washington concerning standards-essential WiFi and h.264 patents. AllThingsD reports that while Motorola was requesting billions in royalties for the technology it owns, Judge James Robart — who invalidated a number of its patent claims a few months ago — ruled it’s entitled to around $ 2 million per year. The reason given? There’s so many patents in play, the judge determined that the amount Motorola sought would cost more than the Xbox 360 they’re being implemented in, and also that it hadn’t proven its patents were more valuable than those of other companies included in the same pool. All 207 pages of the decision are available beyond the source link if need more info on the hows and whys of today’s decision.
Filed under: Gaming, Microsoft
Source: AllThingsD
VirnetX targets Skype, Lync in new patent attack on Microsoft
Posted by Gsurface
on April 25, 2013
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Patent holding company VirnetX this week filed a lawsuit in federal court accusing Microsoft’s Skype of infringing six of its patents.
Computerworld News
Microsoft to show off handful of Xbox 720 games at E3
Posted by Gsurface
on April 24, 2013
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We already know that Microsoft will be revealing the Xbox 720 on May 21, which is less than a month away. However, the Redmond-based company will continue to showcase the new console that next month during E3 2013, where Microsoft will show off a handful of new games for the next-generation console at the annual
ZTE agrees to Android, Chrome patent licensing from Microsoft
Posted by Gsurface
on April 24, 2013
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Microsoft has inked an agreement that adds ZTE to its Android and Chrome patent licensing program.
Computerworld News
Windows 8 touch ultrabooks see price cuts at Microsoft Store
Posted by Gsurface
on April 24, 2013
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Touch ultrabooks are coming down from their rarefied pricing tiers at the Micorosft Store. [Read more]
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Microsoft re-releases ‘Blue Screen of Death’ patch
Posted by Gsurface
on April 23, 2013
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Microsoft today re-released a security update that had crashed customers’ PCs and crippled the machines with endless reboots, saying that the revised patch is now safe to install.
Computerworld News
Microsoft shows users how to manage their online privacy
Posted by Gsurface
on April 22, 2013
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Microsoft is launching a new consumer awareness campaign in hopes of informing more users on how to better improve their online privacy. The online awareness campaign involves a series of methods that will inform users about their online privacy, and what technologies and tools they can use to control the type of information that they
Microsoft CFO Quits
Posted by Gsurface
on April 22, 2013
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McGruber writes “NBC News is reporting that Microsoft’s Chief Financial Officer Peter Klein is leaving the company to spend time with his extended family, as Microsoft ‘struggles with sharply declining personal computer sales and a lukewarm reception for its new Windows 8 operating system.’ Klein is the latest in a line of top-level executives to leave the company, following Windows head Steven Sinofsky last November.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
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