Microsoft

Get ready, Apple. If Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer is to be believed, the Redmond, Washington-based software giant is coming after you like never before. In a recent interview with CRN, Microsoft's CEO acknowledged that his company ... has "ceded some of the boundary between hardware and software innovation" to Cupertino, California's Apple in the past. But he asserted that trend is about to come to a dead end. "We are trying to make absolutely clear we are not going to leave any space uncovered to Apple," Ballmer said. (Source: washingtonpost.com ) Microsoft Touts Windows 8 ... (view more)

Last week, Microsoft announced it would offer Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users the option to upgrade to Windows 8 for just under $40. To many onlookers, this offer appeared to be a desperate move designed to arouse more interest in a ... not-so-anticipated upcoming operating system (OS) due later this year. However, it appears there may actually be good reason to make the upgrade: according to recent speed tests conducted by PC Magazine's Michael Muchmore, Windows 8 is legitimately faster than Windows 7 in several key areas. To perform the tests, Muchmore used a single PC: a Toshiba ... (view more)

Former Microsoft chief executive officer Bill Gates recently sat down with PBS interviewer Charlie Rose to discuss his opinion of current technology market trends. Out of that interview emerged one popular topic of discussion for both interviewer ... and interviewee: Microsoft's upcoming Surface tablet computer. Gates made no effort to hide his excitement about Surface, the Microsoft tablet scheduled for release later in 2012. Gates: Surface No "Compromise" Referring to Surface as an "exciting" opportunity for Microsoft, Gates suggested the new device would blur the line between PC and ... (view more)

Microsoft will permit upgrades to Windows 8 Pro from any previous version of Windows for just $40. However, it's a limited-time offer and the price is good only for those downloading the new software from Microsoft's official site. Those who don't ... want to download the upgrade will be able to buy an upgrade DVD from stores for $69.99. There are only two versions of Windows 8 that can be bought outright: the basic Windows 8 and the more advanced Windows 8 Pro. Naturally, the 'Pro' version has features not found in the basic edition, including enhanced security. It's also better equipped for ... (view more)

According to a new report, users of Microsoft's three-year-old Windows 7 operating system (OS) are the only ones who will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 without losing files or custom settings. For users of an older Windows OS, such as Windows XP ... or Windows Vista, this news may make the upcoming debut of Windows 8 somewhat less attractive. In a report released late last week, ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley showed off a Windows 8 upgrade guide which she says is based on information gleaned from sources within Microsoft. Full Upgrades Easy for Windows 7 Users Foley has learned that users of the home- ... (view more)

A European court has upheld a $1 billion fine on Microsoft, originally imposed four years ago. The penalty was punishment for Microsoft refusing to share vital information with rival software developers. Microsoft's financial problems with the ... European Union date back to 2004, when it was fined 497 million euros for abusing its market position. That case was based on the conflict of interests arising from Microsoft producing both an operating system (Windows) and individual applications (such as Word and other Office products). Microsoft Accused of Hiding Information At the time, officials ... (view more)

While the prospect of Microsoft manufacturing its own tablet computer will bring about a number of firsts for the software giant, one in particular will present an unusual dilemma: this will be the first time Microsoft competes against its very own ... hardware partners. Here's the issue: Microsoft will be trying to sell its Windows 8 operating system (OS) to hardware makers at the same time it will be trying to convince consumers to buy its Surface tablet computer, instead of PCs and slate devices made by those same hardware partners. As shown in a recent product unveiling, Surface will come in ... (view more)

A new Microsoft want ad indicates that the Redmond, Washington-based software giant is planning to bring Windows 8 and Kinect hands-free technology to the automotive market. In a recent job notice placed on Microsoft's web site, the company notes ... that "for the next generation of the Connected Car Platform, we plan to leverage the full power of the Microsoft ecosystem including Kinect, Windows 8, Windows Phone, Windows Live, Bing, Azure, and Tellme." (Source: cnet.com ) Systems Keep Drivers in Touch Behind the Wheel According to the job listing, Microsoft hopes to bring many of the features ... (view more)

Microsoft's much-hyped rival to the iPad, the Surface, may not be as attractive to consumers as it once appeared. Reports from reputable sources indicate the new device may have only WiFi capabilities, and not the ability to use cellphone networks ... to access the Internet. The Surface, officially unveiled last week , is similar in size and shape to the iPad. However, rather than forcing users to rely on a touchscreen, its case houses a built-in physical keyboard. Microsoft's new tablet computer also runs Windows 8, the company's newest operating system (set to launch this fall). Microsoft's ... (view more)

For months, PC makers Asus, Acer, and Dell have talked at length about their plans to build a tablet computer running Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system (OS). But while they talked, Microsoft acted. Now the software giant has unveiled its very ... own slate computer, which may pose the greatest threat yet to Apple's dominance of the lucrative tablet market. In a presentation on Monday, Microsoft formally unveiled what it calls "Surface". It's a tablet computer based on a special "RT" version of the company's upcoming Windows 8 OS. Surface is the first tablet computer directly designed and ... (view more)