News


Microsoft Reportedly Eliminates Windows Phone Fee for Some OEMs

Two of Microsoft's newest mobile hardware partners will be able to manufacture Windows Phone 8 devices at no cost.

Microsoft Warns of Looming Exchange Server 2003 Support Deadline

Microsoft's 10-year-old Exchange Server 2003 product will reach the end of its "extended support" phase on April 8, the company reminded users in a blog post this week.

Google Courting Cloud Apps Users with Referral Program Launch

Google on Monday kicked off a referral program to promote its Google Apps for Business product in U.S. and Canadian markets.

Reports: Microsoft Slashing Windows 8.1 Costs for OEMs

In a move to alleviate its slipping OS market share, Microsoft is reportedly slashing Windows 8.1 licensing costs for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that make lower-priced devices.

Microsoft Paves Way for Identity Federation Alternatives in Office Apps

Microsoft recently described how it's enabling different approaches to identity federation with Microsoft Office apps and Office 365 apps via Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) 2.0.

Microsoft Unfetters Windows Enterprise from Software Assurance

Microsoft recently made available a new Windows Enterprise edition "standalone upgrade" offering that does not require Software Assurance (SA) coverage.

Reports: Windows 8.1 Update 1 Now at RTM Stage

Windows 8.1 Update 1 is now at the final stages of development, according to several reports on Tuesday.

Microsoft Dangles Free Migration Tool for Windows XP Stragglers

For users who have still not moved off Windows XP, Microsoft plans to offer Laplink's PCmover Express tool for free.

IDC: After Rough 2013, PC Growth To Flatten Through 2018

After having "the most severe contraction on record" in 2013, the worldwide PC market is expected to remain mostly stagnant over the next four years, according to IDC.

Microsoft Sketches Out Dynamics Roadmap at Convergence

Microsoft on Tuesday kicked off its Convergence 2014 event in Atlanta, Ga. by spotlighting several key Dynamics releases expected this year.

Next Versions of Exchange, SharePoint Coming 2015

The next releases of Microsoft's Exchange Server and SharePoint Server products will not arrive until next year.

Microsoft To Offer OneDrive for Business as Standalone Service

Microsoft will release its OneDrive for Business product, formerly named SkyDrive Pro, as a standalone service in April.

Microsoft Loses Reller and Bates, Gets New Strategy Chief

Two senior Microsoft executives, Tami Reller and Tony Bates, are leaving the company as CEO Satya Nadella reshapes his leadership team, according to reports.

Microsoft Talks Up Office 365 Collaboration Tools, Demos 'Oslo'

Microsoft is using this week's SharePoint Conference to make some broader announcements, including two new social networking technologies for Office 365 and SharePoint Online that are planned for release sometime this year.

Windows XP Holdouts Get Ready To Go Over Support Cliff

Partners, Microsoft campaigns and upgrade cycles got most users off Windows XP. The holdouts appear resigned to riding the OS into the abyss of non-security support.

iOS Users Get First Crack at OneDrive for Business

Microsoft on Thursday gave a few details about OneDrive for Business, the company's business-grade document storage service based on SharePoint Online technology.

IBM Adds MDM Support for Windows Phone To Meet IT Interest

Big Blue is adding support for Windows Phone to its newly acquired MaaS360 mobile device management (MDM) platform, an IBM official said this week.

IDC: Windows Phone Will Be Fastest-Growing OS in Slowing Market

Among the top three smartphone operating systems, Microsoft's Windows Phone will have the fastest-growing market share over the next four years, according to IDC's latest projections.

Lync Users Unsure if They're Saving Money, Dell Survey Finds

A recent Dell-sponsored survey shows that many organizations that have adopted Microsoft's Lync unified communications (UC) product are uncertain how much money they have saved -- if any -- on travel, teleconferencing and meeting expenses.

SP1 for Office 2013, SharePoint 2013 and Exchange 2013 Released

Microsoft on Tuesday announced that Service Pack 1 for Office Office 2013, Exchange 2013 and SharePoint 2013 is now available.