Microsoft

Microsoft has acknowledged that its decision to build its very own tablet computer, Surface, could upset the companies that produce Windows PCs. The firm has also admitted that the rise of tablet devices could dramatically impact the traditional PC ... market. Both comments come in Microsoft's latest Form 10-K, which publicly traded companies must submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an annual report on the company's activity. The form contains a section where companies must detail any potential risks to their business. This helps existing and would-be stockholders to make more ... (view more)

There's no doubt that Microsoft's biggest hurdle in convincing people to buy Windows 8 is showing them why the new operating system (OS) is better than Windows 7. The software giant has been working hard for many months to accomplish this task. Now ... the firm has identified an important way Windows 8, which is officially due in retail stores on October 26, 2012, stands apart from its critically-acclaimed predecessor: better graphics performance. In a recent post on the Building Windows 8 blog, Microsoft graphics group program manager Rob Copeland carefully outlined the performance benefits ... (view more)

Microsoft last week finally revealed the official release date for its upcoming Windows 8 operating system (OS): Friday, October 26, 2012. Unfortunately, few technology insiders or consumers appear excited about the product's launch. Now, one of the ... industry's most prominent analyst firms has referred to the desktop version of Windows 8 with one, ugly word: "Bad". Gartner Research Director Gunnar Berger recently tested Windows 8 and produced a five-part review. Windows 8 Great on Touchscreens Berger's findings: when used on touchscreen devices like smartphones, tablet computers, and all- ... (view more)

Microsoft has announced a $492 million loss between April and June of 2012. It's the first time the software giant has experienced a net loss in a quarter since its stock was first publicly traded in 1986. The good news for the company is that while ... its day-to-day business is slightly down overall, it is still fundamentally profitable. Most of the loss resulted from an accounting technicality linked to a bad investment. The quarterly loss comes because Microsoft took a $6.2 billion writedown to cover its acquisition of Aquantive, the online advertising business it bought in 2007. The purchase ... (view more)

The European Union (EU) is investigating claims that Microsoft isn't providing other browser makers full access to Windows 8. It comes at the same time the EU is deciding whether to punish the company for breaching previous promises to offer new ... Windows users a "browser ballot" that promotes browsers like Safari and Firefox. The newest probe concerns two allegations: the first covers all versions of Windows 8, the accusation being that Microsoft isn't providing full access to application programming interfaces (APIs). Rival Browser Could Have Limited Windows 8 Access In this context, an API ... (view more)

Microsoft recently touted the new features in its upcoming Office 2013 software suite, including enhanced touchscreen and cloud storage capabilities. That was the good news, but here's the bad: the new Office suite will be available only for the ... Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems. Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer offered that revelation at a press presentation in San Francisco on Monday, July 16, 2012. Left out in the cold will be users of Windows XP and Windows Vista; they won't be able to run Office 2013 at all. More Than Half of PC Users Still On XP, Vista Besides the ... (view more)

New reports suggest Microsoft may be planning to force users of build-your-own PCs and machines running non-Windows operating systems (OS) to install the manufacturer version of Windows 8. If true, those users could face some serious drawbacks. ... Normally, the majority of customers buy Windows through one of two routes: either by buying a PC with the operating system (OS) pre-installed, or by upgrading their current computer to the new OS from a previous version of Windows. Those affected by the reported policy change fall into two other, much smaller groups of operating system buyers: people ... (view more)

One of the most visible new additions to Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 operating system (OS) is expanded touchscreen functionality. But it's not just Windows that is getting the touchscreen overhaul, as the firm's Office software is also being ... updated to better accommodate navigation using fingers and styluses. Microsoft recently showed off these new features in a preview of its next version of Office. Touchscreens Supported by Word, PowerPoint, Excel The first thing that stands out about the new Office is the added ability to navigate any program with a touchscreen display. For example, the ... (view more)

Microsoft has revealed that its new operating system, Windows 8, will include a new feature that lets users automatically back up their most important files. If the feature works as advertised, the only data lost in a crash will be whatever is ... produced or saved less than one hour before the unfortunate event. Existing versions of Windows already include a back-up tool, called Windows Backup. However, Microsoft says that fewer than five per cent of home users take advantage of this feature. The company also estimates that, including people who use third-party backup tools on their computers, ... (view more)

Microsoft has acquired a firm that produces massive computer touchscreen displays. According to reports, the company plans to reduce the price of those screens, making them far more affordable for both businesses and home consumers. Perceptive ... Pixel, which was founded in 2006, specializes in designing and manufacturing giant, wall-mounted, touchscreen displays as large as 80 inches across. The screens have advanced capabilities that allow multiple users to operate them at the same time. The company received a major boost four years ago, when CNN used its touchscreens during broadcasts ... (view more)