Microsoft

Microsoft says it will pay you $200 for your used iPad. Clearly, the firm hopes you will put the money towards buying its own tablet computer, the Surface. The payment comes in the form of a gift card for Microsoft's retail locations, both online ... and off. Although Microsoft suggests you use the money to purchase a Surface, those who take the firm up on its offer could also spend the credit on Windows software or its forthcoming Xbox One video game console. While you can spend the gift card on Microsoft's online store, you'll have to take your old iPad to an actual Microsoft store to get the ... (view more)

A new report from CBS Money Watch questions the viability of Microsoft's recent acquisition of Nokia's phone business. The problem: both firms have fallen on tough times of late, meaning consumer confidence in their products is at an all-time low. ... At the same time, there just aren't enough apps available for Windows Phone devices. The devices division of 150-year-old Finnish communications firm Nokia was recently acquired by Microsoft for $7.2 billion. Many experts see the acquisition as an extension of an existing relationship between the two firms. It's a relationship that has involved ... (view more)

Another monthly Patch Tuesday security update has arrived and this time Microsoft is providing fixes for 'critical' flaws in its Internet Explorer web browser and its Outlook email manager. In total, Microsoft's Patch Tuesday offering includes 13 ... bulletins, four of which have been marked critical -- Microsoft's highest security rating. Many security experts are pointing to the critical bulletin affecting Outlook as the most important security issue this month. Code Execution Flaw Affects Outlook Wolfgang Kandek, chief technology officer at IT security firm Qualys, says it's imperative that ... (view more)

Microsoft will be hoping the second time's the charm for the firm's Surface line of tablet computers. New reports say the Redmond, Washington-based company will unveil the Surface 2 at a September 23, 2013 media event in New York City. It's not yet ... clear what Microsoft has planned for its second version of the Surface. However, early reports suggest the device will, like its predecessor, come in two different versions. New Surface, New Hardware Specifications That means a Surface 2 Pro will come equipped with Intel's new 'Haswell' Core processor, while a cheaper and less powerful version will ... (view more)

A new report reveals that Microsoft won't kill support for all Windows XP users. However, continuing to receive crucial security updates for the aging operating system won't be cheap. Microsoft has repeatedly insisted that users of Windows XP move ... away from the decade-old operating system (OS) by April 2014, when support for the OS officially ends. For most users, that means Microsoft will no longer make or distribute security patches designed to keep the OS safe from hackers. 'Custom Support' Extends XP's Life -- For a Price But not everyone is being cut off in April 2014. According to a new ... (view more)

Who will replace Steve Ballmer as Microsoft's chief executive officer? It's a tough question, but one many people are asking right now. That's why a British bookmaker, or 'bookie', is taking bets on Ballmer's replacement. Ladbrokes is one of the ... leading bookmakers in the United Kingdom. Recently the firm posted its list of the top picks for Microsoft CEO. According to Ladbrokes, it's likely the next Microsoft chief executive officer has already worked for the Redmond, Washington-based firm. Nokia CEO Given 5/1 Odds The current front runner is Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, who served as head of ... (view more)

Microsoft has released its first major update to the Windows 8 operating system, Windows 8.1 (or 'Windows Blue'), to manufacturers. That means the update is on track for its October 18, 2013 release. Microsoft's Windows SuperSite editor Paul ... Thurrott recently took to Twitter to announce that Windows 8.1 had been released to manufacturers (RTM). That means the update has reached Microsoft's quality standards and is ready to be installed on new PC systems. Microsoft had earlier stated that it would reach this milestone by the end of August, meaning the company is slightly ahead of schedule. ( ... (view more)

Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer has announced plans to leave the Redmond, Washington-based firm in the next twelve months. It's a monumental change for a firm going through a difficult period in its history. Ballmer, who is 57 years ... old and originally joined Microsoft in 1980, says his firm has already appointed a special committee to interview candidates for the position. Microsoft co-founder and current chairman Bill Gates is said to be on that special committee. Dramatic End to a Roller Coaster Career Ballmer's tenure as CEO has been a tumultuous one. Ballmer was named CEO ... (view more)

Microsoft's August Patch Tuesday is approaching and once again the company has plans to fix serious security vulnerabilities affecting its Internet Explorer (IE) web browser. This month's Patch Tuesday includes eight security updates -- that's one ... more update than last month . However, August's Patch Tuesday includes just three security updates marked "critical," Microsoft's highest security rating. Last month there were seven of these updates. Two of this month's critical updates are attracting plenty of media attention. All Versions of Internet Explorer Vulnerable The first affects every ... (view more)

A new report says Microsoft's own digital distribution center, the Windows Store, contains roughly half of the world's most popular applications. It's more bad news for Microsoft, which continues its struggle to lure mobile consumers away from the ... iOS and Android platforms. The study was conducted by Nick Landry, a product manager and Microsoft expert at New Jersey development firm Infragistics. Landry, whose company builds user interface development tools, based his "must-have" list on the top 100 iOS apps. He then went to the Google Play and Windows Store digital outlets to see how many of ... (view more)