News


Windows Azure Active Directory Hits General Availability

Windows Azure Active Directory (WAAD), Microsoft's cloud-based identity management solution, on Monday moved from a preview stage to "general availability" as a commercial service for use by organizations.

Microsoft Releases Windows Azure Backup as 'Paid Preview'

Microsoft announced the availability of a "public paid preview" of its Windows Azure Backup service on Monday, during the Microsoft Management Summit in Las Vegas.

Extended Support for SQL Server 2000 To End Tuesday

SQL Server 2000 will lose its "extended support" from Microsoft on Tuesday, April 9, when it reaches the end of its product lifecycle.

Office for Mac 2008 Extended Support Deadline Nears

After April 9, Microsoft will no longer deliver free security patches to users of Office for Mac 2008.

Gartner: Microsoft, Apple To Jockey for 2nd Place in Device OS Race

Falling PC shipments over the next four years will mean tough times ahead for Microsoft, according to new first-quarter data announced Thursday by Gartner Inc.

Google Takes Notes from Apple with Pixel Chromebook

A new high-end Chromebook delivers LTE, touch and an extremely rich display.

Microsoft Releases Exchange 2013 Cumulative Update 1

Cumulative Update 1 (CU1) for Exchange 2013 is now available from Microsoft, enabling organizations to go forward with on-premises deployments that mix Exchange Server 2013 with earlier Exchange Server versions.

Report: Orgs Losing Interest in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

Less than 10 percent of of IT decision-makers in North America and Europe plan to implement virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) deployments, according to a recent report by Forrester Research.

Two of Three Windows Embedded 8 Industry Editions Released

Two editions of Microsoft's Windows Embedded 8 Industry product were released to original equipment manufacturers and enterprises on Tuesday -- Pro and Pro Retail.

Spanish Group Complains to EC over Windows 8 Secure Boot

A Linux developer group in Spain called Hispalinux last week issued a complaint with the European Commission (EC) over Microsoft's "secure boot" feature, according to Reuters.

Microsoft Launches Online Patent-Tracking Tool

Information about Microsoft patents is now available in a searchable form as part of a transparency pledge, Microsoft announced Thursday.

First Exchange 2013 Cumulative Update Due in April

A cumulative update designed to support Exchange 2013 coexistence with Exchange 2010 is set for an April 2 release, Microsoft announced this week.

Microsoft-Google Sync Fight Leaving Windows Users Confused

Some users have reported encountering synchronization problems with various Google Apps while updating their Mail, Calendar and People apps on Windows 8 and Windows RT systems.

Microsoft Scores Three Higher-Education Office 365 Contracts

Three universities recently inked Microsoft Office 365 contracts -- Sacramento State University, University of Miami and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Microsoft Officially Confirms 'Blue' Code Name for First Time

"Blue" is the code name for "a set of plans" that will set the pace for Microsoft products in the near future, Microsoft has now confirmed.

Judge Favors Microsoft over Google in Xbox Patent Infringement Case

Microsoft's imports of its Xbox gaming consoles do not infringe a patent held by Google, according to a ruling by an administrative law judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on Friday.

U.S. Patent Office Switches to 'First To File' System this Month

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has implemented a change in the patent system, enabling the first inventor to file a patent application to get precedence in the granting of patent rights.

Microsoft Publishes Report on Government Requests for User Data

Microsoft on Thursday released its first report on requests from law enforcement agencies to access information on users of Microsoft's online services.

Windows Embedded 8 Hits General Availability; Licensing Options Coming July

Two of Microsoft's Windows Embedded 8 operating system products were released on Wednesday, with a third expected to become generally available in April.

Analysis: The Search for the Perfect Note-Taking App

WEB EXCLUSIVE: In comparing Microsoft OneNote, EverNote and MindManager, Howard finds that there is currently no One Note-Taking App To Rule Them All. The perfect app would be the one that combines the best of the three.