05/25, 9:00pm
Five year support costs 70 percent more than first year
A Microsoft-sponsored IDC report released yesterday claims that annual support costs for Windows XP systems are five times higher than a Windows 7 system, as part of the software maker's latest effort to push users to move to its most recent Windows version. Last month, Microsoft (with uncharacteristic frankness) issued a statement that told organizations that if they have not started "the migration to a modern PC, you are late." Windows XP will finally be completely orphaned by Microsoft with no further support or patches in April 2014, nearly 13 years after it launched.
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05/24, 11:15pm
Microsoft adds Nokia map enhancements to Bing maps
Following last year's Microsoft partnership with Nokia, Bing Maps is the latest product to see a benefit. Starting today, users in 24 countries will be able to view active traffic data in Bing Maps as a result of Nokia services integration. United States traffic coverage will include side street traffic as well as freeway information. Behind the scenes, Nokia's geocoding services are now being used to offer improved turn-by-turn directions.
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05/24, 7:45pm
Modifications to Android needed, Motorola expected to appeal
The Munich Regional Court has found Motorola to be in violation of Microsoft's text-messaging patent involving "communicating multi-part messages between cellular devices using a standardized interface." The judgement follows an International Trade Commission-ordered import ban against Android-based Motorola devices that infringe on a different Microsoft patent for event scheduling.
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05/23, 5:22pm
More MS apps expected by end of October
Microsoft is planning on releasing two new native iOS apps using a Metro-style interface by the end of October, an AppleInsider source claims. The first is the Outlook Web App for Exchange 2012 users, also reportedly known as the "OWA Mobile Client for iOS." The app will require both iOS 5 and an Exchange 2012 mailbox, though some offline functions will be supported. Versions for Windows Phone 7.5 and Android 4.0 are planned, but Microsoft documentation is said to list their features as "to be determined," while the iOS app is expected to provide the "best" mobile support.
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05/23, 4:22pm
Office for tablets set to arrive in November
Microsoft is preparing to release tablet versions of its Office suite for both Apple's iOS and Google's Android platforms, a source familiar with the software has told BGR. The company had been previously rumored to be bringing its Office suite to the iPad, and the new details, if true, will see the productivity suite arriving on tablets in November.
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05/23, 1:20pm
Boot menu redesign due to promised fast boot times
Windows 8 will have an improved pre-boot menu screen, to avoid constant reboots and stop the user from repeatedly tapping F8 or another key to interrupt the process before Windows loads. An MSDN blog post by Microsoft's Windows engineering team explains in detail how the system will work if the BIOS is needed due to a problem, and how to get to the same screen when there isn't an issue.
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05/23, 5:31am
Xbox 360 ITC ban caused by H.264 patent infringement
The Microsoft Xbox 360 S is to be banned from sale in the US following an International Trade Commission ruling. In a court document released on Monday, ITC Judge David Shaw recommended the sale of both 4GB and 250GB versions of the console be blocked. His recommendation related to a ruling made last month that Microsoft was infringing on four patents owned by Motorola relating to the H.264 video format.
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05/21, 9:35pm
Kinect gets new capabilities ahead of Windows rollout
Microsoft has updated the software development kit for its Kinect sensor, adding facial expression recognition and other capabilities to its 3D camera system. The update comes ahead of Microsoft's release of the Kinect for Windows SDK, which will bring the Kinect's feature set from the Xbox 360 to Windows desktops and notebooks. The update is largely in keeping with what Microsoft previously revealed as forthcoming features for Kinect.
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05/21, 12:32pm
New social-networking tool designed to help informal learning
Microsoft has launched its previously detailed social-networking site So.cl. The software giant bills the site as an experiment, and has no immediate plans to release it as a commercial product.
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05/21, 12:04pm
Microsoft shows evolution from Windows 1 to Metro
Microsoft has blogged about the history of Windows user interface changes in preparation for the expected Windows 8 release later this year. The post explains how Windows has morphed from the original release in 1985 through to present day, and the jump from "Aero" UI elements in Windows Vista and 7 to "Metro" in Windows 8.
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05/18, 8:25pm
Legal battle focuses on ActiveSync tech
Microsoft has won an International Trade Commission ruling that may result in an import ban on several Motorola devices. The companies are involved in several separate intellectual-property disputes, though the latest ITC ruling focuses on a lawsuit filed by Microsoft over patented Exchange ActiveSync technology.
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05/18, 3:04pm
Would continue global R&D expansion
Apple is one of several parties in talks with Russia's Skolkovo technology park about possible research and development facilities there, according to local publication Izvestia. Other interested companies are said to include Google and Facebook; agreements are reportedly already in place for firms such as Microsoft, IBM, General Electric, and Cisco. Skolkovo's organizers are said to be aiming at making the park a Russian equivalent of Silicon Valley.
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05/18, 12:43pm
Comments follow concern over Nokia
AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega suggests the Windows Phone platform may see a significant boost from Microsoft's Windows 8 OS when it arrives on the market. Speaking at the JP Morgan technology conference, the executive noted that he was "very upbeat about what they are bringing to the market."
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05/17, 5:19pm
Patent finds comparable apps for migrating from Android
Microsoft filed a recently uncovered patent application in November 2010 for a service allowing users to transfer apps and app data between devices, even if those devices run on different operating systems. The technology could prove to be a selling point as Microsoft looks to draw users away from iOS and Android.
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05/16, 6:30pm
Venstar Wi-Fi key for thermostat allows for cloud-based control
Venstar has outed its Skyport Wi-Fi key for the ColorTouch thermostat. The key connects the thermostat to Skyport Cloud Services, run by the company, allowing users to monitor and adjust the thermostat from a phone or tablet. The key is a $100 upgrade to the $300 thermostat, with iOS, Android, and Blackberry apps free to download.
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05/15, 9:57am
Finns take new approach to woo US smartphone buyers
Nokia's Lumia 900 represents the pinnacle of the company's new smartphone strategy, pairing premium components with a unique design and Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system. In our full review, we try to determine if the LTE radio, large display and other high-end features will help Nokia and Microsoft fulfill their dream of finally reestablishing themselves in the US smartphone market.
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05/14, 7:15pm
Judge says patent conduct of Motorola not in good faith
Motorola's patent demands and conduct were condemned by a judge overseeing a preliminary ITC ruling against Microsoft. Administrative Law Judge David Shaw wrote an initial determination, entering public records in a redacted state last week, stating that assurances on reasonable licensing of standards-essential patents "were misleading."
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05/14, 2:50pm
Windows 8 Pro upgrade to be $15 option on Windows 7 PCs
Microsoft will soon begin offering a promotion to buyers of Windows 7 PCs that will allow them to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just $15, WinSuperSite reported. The special offering will kick off on June 2, with the idea being to 'future-proof' computers and motivate buyers who may otherwise hold off on a new purchase as they await the latest software to come out. In previous, similar promotions, however, Microsoft offered equivalent versions of the software to the one they've purchased, but this time it seems to be upgrading them to the Pro version.
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05/14, 5:05am
New system tracks and shuts down infringing torrents
Microsoft has joined with a Russian startup in an effort to crack down on online copyright infringement. The resulting partnership could prove a boon for Hollywood, which has long sought to curtail illegal filesharing on the Web. Pirate Pay, as the startup calls itself, may be the answer to copyright holders' prayers, as it targets torrents directly and takes them down.
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05/14, 4:30am
Mozilla says lack of browser choice takes users back to dark ages
The Mozilla Foundation, maker of the Firefox web browser, is calling out Microsoft for anticompetitive practices with regard to browser capabilities on the upcoming Windows RT. In a blog post, Mozilla's General Counsel Harvey Anderson takes Microsoft to task for programming decisions that will limit the power and feature set of non-Internet Explorer browsers in the next version of Windows.
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05/13, 7:03pm
Microsoft's 1995 push patent relevant
On April 20, Microsoft fired the most recent shot in its legal skirmish with Motorola in German court in regards to a series of patent enforcement suits preventing Microsoft (amongst others) from using push notifications. In response to the new MS filing, on Friday morning Mannheim Regional Court Judge Andreas Voss said that his court is not prepared to rule on Motorola's complaint versus Microsoft in regards to push notifications from the Hotmail service. A new trial is expected.
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05/09, 4:04pm
Microsoft takes interest in 3D memory chip technology
Microsoft has joined the Hybrid Memory Cube Consortium. Fronted by Micron, Samsung, and IBM, the HMCC aims to create more efficient memory for high-performance computing and other similar applications, using increased bandwidth compared to what current memory architectures can provide.
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05/09, 12:52am
Six vulnerabilities in both PC and Mac versions
Microsoft has starting pushing security updates for the 2008 and 2011 versions of Microsoft Office for Mac, including an "important" security fix for six vulnerabilities that could allow remote code execution, even on affected Macs. On the Windows side, the problems stretch back all the way to Microsoft Excel 2003, but for Macs only the two most recent versions of Office are affected. The fix is available through the Microsoft Updater.
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05/08, 12:53pm
Joule accessory will measure, record heart-rate
Microsoft is preparing an addition to its Kinect accessory for the Xbox 360 that will track a user's exercises across multiple Kinect games, The Verge learned from its sources. Called Play Fit, it will upload numbers to online storage and thereby be accessible from anywhere. A new hardware accessory will be made available as well, dubbed so far as the Joule.
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05/07, 7:30pm
Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle subsidized by 2 year contract
The previously speculated Xbox 360 bundle deal from Microsoft has been confirmed to exist. A voucher for the bundle has appeared on the Microsoft Store website, showing a 4GB Xbox 360 complete with Kinect for $99 and a two-year, $15-per-month Xbox Live Gold subscription.
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05/07, 7:12pm
Dane-Elec boosts Pro Sport flash drive line to USB3 speed
Dane-Elec unveiled the first products in the Pro Sport USB3 line today. The red 8GB, 16GB blue, and 32GB black USB3 flash drives will be available on Amazon in late May. The Pro Sport flash drive boasts speeds up to 80MB/sec read and 30MB/sec write when plugged into a USB3 host connection.
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05/04, 8:29pm
Researchers turn Kinect, plastic tube into 3D telepresence tool
Researchers at the Human Media Lab at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario have developed a hologram-like teleconferencing model that uses Microsoft's Kinect system to enable live, 3D teleconferencing. In a manner reminiscent of Star Wars' hologram messages, users are able to get a three-dimensional view of their conferencing partner.
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05/04, 11:57am
Cdec costs, decline in habits reasons for no DVD playback in Win 8
On its Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft revealed that its Windows 8 operating system won't play back DVD movies, unless the optional Media Center pack is purchased. The reason is the added royalties needed to pay for the specialized decoders and the cost of hardware to enable this. Microsoft also justified the decision by throwing out numbers that showed a sharp decline in DVD movie sales and broadcast TV consumption. Last year, Microsoft revealed only about 6 percent of users utilized Media Center.
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05/03, 7:10pm
Windows 8 to feature Dolby-friendly APIs
Dolby and Microsoft are partnering to bring Dolby Digital Plus' audio technology to Windows 8 tablets and PCs. The addition of Dolby Digital Plus will allow Windows 8 devices to play Dolby-encoded content. Microsoft has used Dolby encoding since Windows Vista shipped in 2007, but Dolby in 2008 raised the possibility that Windows 8 might not feature Dolby technology.
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05/03, 10:00am
Researchers helping design new research lab
Microsoft has reportedly hired more than a dozen former Yahoo employees to help establish a new research lab located in New York City. The team is said to include algorithmic economist David Pennock, along with machine-learning specialist John Langford, among others.
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05/02, 6:36pm
Microsoft cloud services remade for Windows 8 and Windows Phone
Microsoft's official Windows 8 developers shed light on their plan to "reimagine" Windows Live services, which will be rebranded for the upcoming OS. Chris Jones, VP of the Windows Live group, wrote that Windows 8 will provide the company with the opportunity to “design them to be a seamless part of the Windows experience.”
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05/02, 2:00pm
Makeover yields minimalist results page
Microsoft has rolled out a redesign of the search results page for its Bing search engine. Users will now find a less-cluttered results page, bordering on minimalist and dominated by open space.
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05/02, 11:50am
By Justin King
Microsoft is reportedly preparing to offer a $99 Xbox 360 bundle that will include the Kinect sensor, subsidizing the upfront cost and tying buyers to a two-year subscription. Unnamed sources have told The Verge the company will require an agreement that works like a cellphone contract, requiring buyers to pay a termination fee to cease monthly payments before the end of the term.
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05/02, 6:40am
Motorola wins patent ruling, MS unfazed
Motorola has landed a significant blow against Microsoft in Germany after persuading the Mannheim Regional Court to issue an injunction against the sale of the Xbox 360 and Windows 7. Judge Holger Kircher ruled that Microsoft had violated two Motorola patents, one pertaining to H.264 video-compression and the other related to wireless internet connection. However, the bans are subject to appeal and are not likely to be pursued by Motorola initially, the result of several complicating factors according to FOSS Patents.
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05/01, 5:25pm
LG shoots down speculative reporting
Rumors of the demise of LG's Windows Phone 7 line of handsets appear to have been greatly exaggerated. Today, the Korean handset maker, in an interview with Pocket-lint, reaffirmed its commitment to Microsoft's current phone platform, walking back on some statements that appeared in the press yesterday.
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05/01, 1:45pm
New policies reign in infringement, eliminate clutter
Microsoft is taking a harder stance against app developers violating the rules in its Windows Phone Marketplace. In a recent blog post, the Windows Phone team spells out new changes to developer and app policies aimed at cutting down on copyright infringement and clutter in the app store.
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04/30, 8:15pm
Microsoft backs CISPA bill to the end
Microsoft in a statement Monday clung to a firm stance on the proposed CISPA bill. The firm told The Hill that, despite having said it wanted to "honor the privacy" of users, it wanted the bill to continue forward. It would "look forward" to working with the Senate on the bill.
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04/30, 3:35pm
Augmented reality table uses lasers, Kinect, more
NUI Group forum member Bastian has created a touch table that uses a projector and Microsoft's Kinect sensor to make it appear as if a user is touching objects floating in space. According to Hackaday, there are also four infrared laser involved to track the hand, making for an effect of a 3D holographic display. Kinect tracks the user's head in relation to the table, allowing the projector to adjust the image accordingly.
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04/30, 3:00pm
Australian government on digital pricing inquiry
Technology companies, including Microsoft and Apple, are being asked by the Australian government to explain why prices of downloadable content in that country are higher than in the US. The parliamentary inquiry is hoped by some parties to lower the prices of digital goods in the region, as regulators have deemed the existing explanations to be insufficient.
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04/30, 9:15am
LG spokesman downplays Windows Phone
LG isn't looking to produce another Windows Phone in the near future, a spokesman said Monday. While there would still be development, the representative wanted to minimize expectations of anything imminent when asked by the Korea Herald. The Microsoft platform's low market share was put at fault as likely making it difficult to justify going beyond Android.
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04/30, 7:50am
Barnes and Noble gets investment, truce
Barnes & Noble and Microsoft on Monday settled an Android patent dispute through a union. An e-reading partnership, Newco, will see Microsoft take a $300 million, or 17.6 percent, stake in a project that should merge Barnes & Noble's Nook business and its college division. In return for the funding, Barnes & Noble will make a Nook app for Windows 8 to help foster textbooks on future Microsoft-powered tablets.
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04/28, 5:35pm
Lenovo investment Eedoo makes costly motion gaming
A recent Lenovo investment, Eedoo, is drawing criticism for the upcoming launch of China's first mainstream motion gaming system, the CT510. Pitched as a family entertainment system, the system is conspicuously like Microsoft's Kinect add-on for the Xbox 360 but is intended more as a general device with HD movie playback, karaoke, and motion-driven exercise apps. At $600, however, it costs more than the $399 US price of Microsoft's most advanced Xbox 360 and Kinect bundle.
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04/28, 10:45am
Steve Wozniak compliments WP7 and Lumia 900
Habitual smartphone experimenter Steve Wozniak in a podcast (embedded below) gave strong compliments to Windows Phone. Having picked up a Lumia 900 weeks earlier, the Apple co-founder still picked the iPhone as his favorite but argued to aNewDomain that Windows Phone was better than any Android phone. It had the "most beautiful" visual experience of any platform, Wozniak said, and its presentation made him feel like he was "with a friend, not a tool."
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04/27, 9:40pm
Tony Fadell says three iPhone ideas tested
Apple had considered one of three core ideas for the iPhone, one of which included a hardware keyboard, former Apple executive and now Nest founder Tony Fadell revealed Friday. Speaking in an evening session with The Verge, he mentioned that the all-touch design that eventually shipped first had come after he wanted to try a virtual keyboard before resorting to the hardware option. The key iPod architect had understood the potential of an on-screen keyboard, which has infinite customization and can disappear when not needed, but didn't rule out physical keys at first.
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04/27, 8:05pm
Microsoft HomeOS now deployed in 12 test homes
Microsoft has published a new white paper (pdf) on its Microsoft Research site detailing how its HomeOS would work to make home-automation a reality. To explain its concept, Microsoft’s researchers frame the HomeOS as being a ‘PC-like abstraction’ for in-home devices. In this paradigm, consoles, routers, PCs, printers, smartphones, air conditioners and light, for example, would all appear to the HomeOS as peripherals connected to a central interface.
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04/27, 9:30am
Foxconn central China plant sees protest
Foxconn saw a return to protests Friday after about 200 workers in the central China city of Wuhan threatened to jump off a roof in protest over working conditions. The details relayed to Reuters from the Information Centre for Human Rights framed the dispute as one over "workplace adjustments" for newcomers. One concern had been sub-par wages.
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04/26, 12:40pm
Special edition hardware first online, then off
Both the look and the release date for the Xbox 360 Celebration Pack were briefly visible online today, as Amazon.co.uk accidentally posted the information online. VideoGamer.com discovered the online leak, now removed, which revealed a Union Jack-skinned console, Kinect sensor, and controller.
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04/25, 4:15pm
Solves potential Outlook database problems
Microsoft has posted a new version of Office for Mac 2011 Service Pack 2, listed as v14.2.1. The update can be installed by all Office for Mac users, but is mainly designed to replace a problematic earlier version of the Service Pack, which caused Outlook database corruption problems. Microsoft was forced to pull the patch from AutoUpdate.
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04/25, 2:50pm
Microsoft said to have offered Bing to Facebook
A new report from the New York Times delving deeper into the Facebook buy of patents from Microsoft reveals that Microsoft at one point considered selling its Bing search engine to the social network. There is speculation in the industry that Facebook wants to start its own Internet search engine fed by the data it gathered from its millions of users in order to make money from online advertising. This would be a threat to Google more so than Microsoft, as the former is more dependent on such revenue.
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04/25, 2:10pm
Pegatron agrees to Microsoft patent licensing
Pegatron on Wednesday became the latest company to reach a patent deal in Microsoft's Android licensing campaign. In a boilerplate statement, Microsoft said Pegatron would pay a royalty on every Android or Chrome OS device it manufactured. The two kept up Microsoft's typical request that the terms of the deal not be made public.
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