Microsoft

If you buy a standalone copy of Windows 7 or a PC shipped with the operating system (OS) by a big-name manufacturer, it's unlikely you'll get your hands on the highly-anticipated Microsoft OS before October 22nd, 2009. But firms selling custom-built ... PCs will now be able to ship Windows 7 machines from October 13th. Jon Bach, president of Puget Systems, recently revealed that Microsoft told him in writing he has permission to ship the machines nine days before the official release. Microsoft has noted the scheme does apply to all such "system builder" manufacturers, but says the advantage ... (view more)

Microsoft has struggled to make room for itself in the digital media market since the days of iPod -- but now critics are today calling Microsoft's Zune HD the "best portable media player released by any vendor." Early Revisions Lackluster Released ... in time for Christmas 2006, few techies found the Zune hanging in their stockings. Despite wireless capabilities that allowed one user to swap tunes with a friend, the Zune's drab colors (black and brown, mostly) and few other features failed to shake the Apple tree. Experts: Zune HD Put iPod to "shame" But now it seems, Microsoft may ... (view more)

In a remarkable piece of frankness, Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer says the firm has "screwed up" in past efforts to bring Windows to mobile devices. He also reiterated that the firm is not planning to develop its own handsets. Ballmer's comments ... about the Windows Mobile operating system came at an event for venture capitalists. Though journalists were not allowed to attend, one delegate, Paul Jozefak, wrote on his Twitter account: "Ballmer says they screwed up with Windows Mobile. Wishes they had already launched WM7. They completely revamped the team." (Source: twitter.com ) Windows Mobile ... (view more)

High-end digital media device-maker Archos, which has made a name for itself in an iPod-dominated market by selling "entertainment products," is taking a big leap forward with tablet technology by introducing an 8.9 inch machine capable of running ... Microsoft's highly anticipated operating system (OS), Windows 7. The device, dubbed the "Archos 9PCtablet," will feature an on-screen keyboard and a 1.2 GHz Intel Atom Z515 processor. The tiny tablet will also boast high definition video, stereo audio, and non-3G wireless. However, the feature getting most of the attention is its ... (view more)

While the odds of Microsoft forming a corporate partnership with Google are slim-to-none, their respective software is proving just that. According to Computerworld, Internet Explorer 8 running with Google Chrome Frame plug-in runs 9.6 times faster ... than IE8 on its own. Chrome Frame was released earlier this week and is an open source plug-in that seamlessly brings Google Chrome's open web technologies and high-performance JavaScript engine to Internet Explorer. (Source: google.com ) Kind Gesture or Smear Campaign? Instead of taking the high road and leaving the "helpful plug-in" as a kind ... (view more)

Microsoft's new search engine Bing continues to take small but steady steps towards chipping away at Google. Since its release in June, Bing has inch by inch racked up increasing market percentages each month, with August being no exception. Last ... month it was reported that Microsoft's short but impressive gains for July moved to 8.9 per cent of the total market, according to research firm ComScore. That was up nearly an entire percentage point from the days of Live Search, the name bequeathed to Microsoft's search engine before the arrival of the more cutting-edge Bing mid-summer. Bing ... (view more)

PC maker Hewlett-Packard (HP) has unveiled a line of new notebook PCs designed with two things in mind: mobility and preparation for Microsoft's upcoming operating system (OS), Windows 7. The latest additions to HP's line of notebooks includes the ... HP ProBook 5310m and the HP Pavilion dm3. Both boast powerful processors, ample memory, and HP says they'll be ready for Windows 7 when it's released on October 22, 2009. HP Blends Notebook with Netbook The HP ProBook 5310m lives up to its name by including dimensions optimized for mobility, making working on the road much easier. Unlike those ... (view more)

Microsoft has begun confirming which members of the public will be hosting Windows 7 Launch Parties . In return for holding the promotional event, hosts will get a free copy of the Ultimate edition of the new system. Microsoft is organizing the ... events through houseparty.com, a site known for coordinating corporate events. The hope is that enthusiastic Windows users will help promote the new system and convert any skeptics. Host Selection Process There has already been some confusion with the host selection process. Microsoft's plan was to send out an email to selected finalists, who were then ... (view more)

Rumors have it that Microsoft is developing a new PC concept described as being "tablet-sized" and loaded with many touch-sensitive features. Although the new product is reported to be in the "late prototype" stage of development, insiders believe ... that Microsoft is looking to attempt to attain status for their product early within the market, keeping with Windows 7 Touch technology in mind. Tablet PC to be Named 'Courier' The device resembles a booklet and is rumored to be named 'Courier.' The new PC concept boasts dual 7-inch screens that are touch sensitive and can be used in conjunction ... (view more)

It seems as if Microsoft investors will be receiving more than just dividend checks in the near future. The company will soon give shareholders the opportunity to voice their opinion on executive salaries. Shareholders will be allowed to vote every ... three years on the fairness of financial compensation doled out to Microsoft executives. The first vote is set for the company's annual meeting in November. "Say-on-Pay" Votes The decision to adopt the system, known as "say-on-pay" votes, comes after a call for more shareholder involvement in certain aspects of the company's affairs, ... (view more)