News


Microsoft Credits Partners for Lync's Year 1 Growth

After one year on the market, Microsoft's newest unified communications offering has grown 25 percent -- with no small thanks to Microsoft's partners.

Microsoft-AgreeYa Licensing Pact To Boost Mobile Interoperability

Microsoft has inked a protocol licensing agreement with mobile solutions provider AgreeYa Mobility that will help Microsoft roll out an enterprise product that enables mobile devices to establish connections with Microsoft software and services.

Microsoft Releases Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 4

Microsoft released the fourth version of its Internet Explorer (IE) 10 platform preview Web browser prototype on Tuesday.

Microsoft Issues First Major Office 365 Update, Revamps SkyDrive

Microsoft on Tuesday announced major updates to two of its cloud-based services, Office 365 and SkyDrive.

Windows Tablets Losing Consumer Interest, Forrester Finds

Consumer interest in Windows-based tablets has declined over the past six months, according to a report released Tuesday by Forrester Research.

Microsoft Ranks No. 1 in 'Most-Hated' Software Vendor Survey

Microsoft has claimed the dubious honor of being named the most-hated software vendor worldwide, according to a survey by opinion-tracking firm Amplicate.

Microsoft Releases Windows Phone 7 Connector 2.01 for Mac

Microsoft issued version 2.01 of Windows Phone 7 Connector last week, adding a few fixes and some new features.

Virginia Rometty To Take Top Spot at Big Blue

Thirty-year IBM veteran expected to follow the strategies set by Palmisano, who remains as chairman.

Tribridge Named Third Microsoft Master VAR

Microsoft on Thursday named the third and, for now, final member of its Dynamics Master VAR program: Tribridge, a Tampa, Fla.-based business application partner with 350 employees.

Microsoft Opens Lync for Mac 2011 to Office 365 Users

Subscribers of Microsoft's Office 365 cloud service can now download the Lync for Mac 2011 unified communications solution, which Microsoft broadly released on Wednesday.

Windows Azure Gets Bundled Into Fujitsu's Hybrid Cloud

Enterprises with apps running on-premises will be able to tie them to apps running on Microsoft's Windows Azure service through a hybrid cloud offering launched by Fujitsu this week.

Microsoft Makes SQL Server 2012 Release Candidate Available

Forgoing a beta version, Microsoft issued the release candidate (RC) of SQL Server 2012, formerly code-named "Denali," on Thursday.

Ballmer at Microsoft Shareholder Meeting: 'We Are in the Windows Era'

For the most part, Microsoft's shareholder meeting on Tuesday was the usual, speedy, buttoned-down affair; one shareholder even argued that the event should be 30 minutes longer.

Microsoft Reveals Windows Embedded Roadmap, Announces 'v.Next'

On Monday, Microsoft shared some of its roadmap plans for the next generation of Windows Embedded operating system products, labeled "v.Next."

Windows Phone's Market Share Down Just 0.1 Percentage Point in Q3

Microsoft's beleaguered Windows Phone platform continues to lose ground to the major smartphone OSes, but at a less precipitous rate than in previous quarters, according to the latest market share figures from Gartner.

Former Windows Azure GM Named CIO of Washington State

Bharat Shyam, an 18-year Microsoft veteran, has been named the new chief information officer (CIO) for the state of Washington.

Microsoft Rolls Out System Center Operations Manager 2012 RC

Microsoft issued a release candidate (RC) version of its System Center Operations Manager 2012 solution last Thursday; it's available for download here.

Microsoft Enters Display Ad Deal with Yahoo, AOL

Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL have entered a publisher partnership deal to cross-sell their inventories as part of a collaboration on Web-based display ads.

Adobe Kills Mobile Flash, Slashes 750 Jobs

Adobe is phasing out its browser-based Flash Player for mobile devices, and is planning to cut 750 jobs as part of a financial restructuring, the company announced this week.

Microsoft Talks Cloud (Not 'Software Plus Services') at Investor Event

Charles Di Bona, general manager of Microsoft's Server and Tools Division, offered some perspective on Microsoft's cloud vision on Monday at the CLSA Asia USA Forum for investors in San Francisco.