Microsoft

Ron Markezich, the new Microsoft sales chief for enterprises and partners in the United States, recently told the media that he believes companies spend six times more than the original cost of Microsoft software in order to get it to operate ... properly. The controversial claim has lead many to believe that Markezich is downplaying the capabilities of the software his company provides. Said Markezich, "Every dollar you spend on software from Microsoft, you spend six dollars trying to get it to do anything." No doubt, this admission is quite surprising, especially considering that Markezich's ... (view more)

The Windows XP operating system is over a decade old, and Microsoft would love nothing more than to see all XP users world-wide upgrade to Windows 7 . To reinforce that message, the Redmond firm has recently released a desktop gadget that counts ... down the seconds to the day it will officially cease support for Windows XP once and for all. Microsoft Treats Windows XP as an Addiction It appears as if the software giant is casting XP users in the same light as those suffering from an addiction and in need of help. On the Microsoft download web site, the message reads as follows: "Looking to get ... (view more)

Microsoft now has an app available for the Apple iPad based on the Bing search engine , with a few interesting features thrown in to make it unique. The iPad already comes with a built-in Safari browser that includes a search bar, but the Bing app ... makes this feature appear larger in comparison. Bing Features Exclusive to iPad With the exclusive iPad Bing app, Microsoft has added voice search to grab the attention of impartial users. (Source: cnet.com ) When conducting a search, a tile pops up on the right side of the screen acting as a tab. However, the tile features a highlight tool that ... (view more)

Credible reports suggest Microsoft users will be able to carry a copy of Windows 8 in their pocket. It also appears personal settings can be synchronized to the web to allow remote access when on the move. The details come through leaked screenshots ... of what's formally known as Build 7850, but commonly referred to as Milestone 1: the first full-fledged developmental edition of Windows 8. Windows 8 Build 7850 was released to developers late last year but details have only just leaked. Of course, Microsoft is keeping quiet about whether the leaks are genuine, so there's no cast-iron guarantee ... (view more)

A Microsoft executive has jumped ship to the company's bitter rival, Apple. Kevin Timmons, general manager of Microsoft's Datacenter Services unit, has reportedly announced plans to leave the Redmond-based firm with rumors suggesting he'll soon take ... a similar position at the Cupertino, California competitor. "Kevin Timmons, general manager of Datacenter Services, has decided to pursue other career opportunities and is no longer working at Microsoft," a Microsoft representative noted in an April 15 email to tech blog, eWEEK. "We appreciate the contributions he made to Microsoft during his time ... (view more)

Windows Vista users might have dodged a bullet when Microsoft decided to cut Internet Explorer 9 support from Windows XP. However, it's not the case with Internet Explorer 10. "Windows Internet Explorer Platform Preview (for Internet Explorer 10) ... does not support any operating system earlier than Windows 7," is the warning message that appears for those who don't run Windows 7 and attempt to install Internet Explorer 10 preview, which was just recently released to the public . Microsoft Imposes Forced Modernization In a release note published earlier this week, a spokeswoman for ... (view more)

Microsoft has signed a deal with Toyota to put WiFi Internet access in electric and hybrid vehicles. But the services will be less about surfing the web and more about improving the driving experience. The two companies plan to develop an ... electronics system for use in both all-electric and hybrid vehicles. The first vehicles to carry the system should be hybrid vehicles released next year, with a goal to have the system in all Toyota electronic vehicles worldwide by 2015. To develop the system, the two companies have invested a combined one billion yen (approximately US $12 million) into ... (view more)

A former Microsoft employee is being investigated for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Redmond-based firm. Reports vary, but the total amount allegedly stolen by the man ranges from $460,000 to $515,000. Robert Curry ... wasn't just an average Microsoft employee. As Director of Business Development in the company's Strategic Partnerships Unit (a division of the Online Audience Business Team), Mr. Curry was responsible for approving payments to various partners based on services rendered. Shell Company Used for Fraud It was in this role that Curry was able to make off ... (view more)

According to a new report, Windows 7 usage has now surpassed that of Windows XP in the United States. It's a major feat for Microsoft's newest operating system, especially considering that Windows Vista barely dented XP market share despite several ... years of availability. The report comes courtesy of market analyst StatCounter, which recently noted that as of April 10, Windows 7's average daily usage in the U.S. had peaked at 32.2 per cent, just above XP's 30.7 per cent. This marks the first time ever that Windows 7 usage has surpassed its ten-year-old predecessor. Down the line is Windows ... (view more)

It's been less than a month since the release of Internet Explorer 9 . Nevertheless, Microsoft has already given a brief glimpse of Internet Explorer 10 and some of its nifty new features. Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) debuted on March 14 ... after months of anticipation. Despite the excitement surrounding its release, IE9 was quickly overshadowed by Mozilla's unveiling of Firefox 4 only five days later. In the hours that followed, Firefox demolished Microsoft's browser in total number of downloads. For some, the relatively lack-luster showing by Internet Explorer 9 is reflective of ... (view more)