News


Next Version of Office to Ship in 2007

Microsoft gave official word this week that the next version of Office will coincide with the general availability of Windows Vista in January 2007.

Microsoft Developing Handwriting Software

Microsoft Corp. is working with Brown University to develop software that will recognize complex handwriting and gestures.

Microsoft Announces Windows Unit Shake-Up

Office biz exec Steve Sinofsky moved to Windows group.

Azaleos Offers 'Full Fidelity' Disaster Recovery Solution

A firm in Redmond, Washington is claiming it can deliver 99.999 percent uptime on Microsoft Exchange Server with a new service offering available immediately. Here's the surprise – it's not Microsoft.

IDC: IT Spending Will Grow 6.3 Percent in 2006

While the retail mavens may be predicting a dour Christmas over late delivery of Windows Vista, researcher IDC's latest forecasts paint a somewhat sunnier picture.

Check Point Abandons Snort Purchase Due to U.S. Security Concerns

A leading Israeli software company abandoned its plans Thursday to buy a smaller U.S. rival in a $225 million deal because of national security objections by the Bush administration.

One More .NET Exam Goes Live in March

Microsoft releases exam for MCTS: .NET Framework - Distributed candidates this week.

Microsoft Reorganizes Windows Group

Microsoft Corp. announced a broad reorganization Thursday of the unit that produces its flagship Windows operating system, two days after the company said the new consumer version of Windows would not be ready for the holiday season as planned.

New Plastic Semiconductors Break Speed Record

Researchers have developed an ultra-thin plastic that allows an electrical charge to pass through it at speeds never before seen, a discovery that could dramatically drive down the cost of flat-panel monitors and other devices.

Apple, Consumer Electronics May Gain from Vista Delay

Microsoft Corp.'s delay in releasing the consumer version of its new Windows operating system is a blow to companies that make and sell computers, but perhaps good news for others in the electronics industry.

Office Leader Promoted to Windows Hot Seat

Although insisting that a sudden change in top management is not related to news that Windows Vista has slipped its schedule, sources inside the company say that Microsoft has promoted a veteran executive to head its Windows efforts, according to news reports.

Microsoft Stock Hit by Vista Delay

Shares of Microsoft Corp. fell Wednesday after the software maker delayed the consumer release of its new operating system until January 2007, after the holiday shopping season.

Microsoft Offers Rivals Unlimited Interop Tech Support

Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday offered "free, unlimited technical support" to rivals interested in making their software work with Microsoft servers, saying it wanted to comply with a landmark EU antitrust ruling.

Is Windows Vista on a Slippery Slope?

After weeks of being cagey about shipping Windows Vista on schedule, Microsoft did a turnabout late Tuesday. The upshot: Vista will go to corporate customers in November, but all consumer releases are delayed until January.

Brown to Develop Handwriting Software

Microsoft Research puts $1.2 milion into project to develop software that can interpret signatures as well as produce 3-D drawings based on sketches.

Watchdog Group Names Alleged Spyware Violators

A corporate-backed watchdog group that monitors software for deceptive and abusive practices on Wednesday named a widely used file-sharing program and three other applications as violators of its guidelines.

AT&T Dismisses Internet Access Concerns

Ed Whitacre, the chief executive of AT&T Inc., dismissed criticism that its planned merger with BellSouth Corp. will form a near-monopoly for Internet access and give it the clout to dictate terms to Web sites if they want to remain reachable.

Shock and Awe at Cisco's Channel Partner Summit

At its Partner Summit last week in San Diego, Cisco Systems Inc. announced a major restructuring of its Channel Partner Program.

Microsoft To Deliver Internet TV Services in Germany

Deutsche Telekom AG said Tuesday it has formed an alliance with Microsoft Corp. to offer Internet television services to subscribers in Germany this year.

Ruling Sheds Light on Amazon.com's Secrecy

When a New Jersey judge ruled that Amazon.com Inc. breached a groundbreaking contract with Toys R Us Inc., she delivered with the legal blow a public scolding, calling company executives obstinate, arrogant and even childish.