microsoft

Microsoft, Google swap April Fools' barbs

Microsoft and Google have both gotten in some April Fools' Day zingers against each other.

The two competitors often trade insults about each other's respective search engines, online office suites, and other products. But April Fools' Day inspired them to create a couple of full-blown Web pages to make fun of each other.

Microsoft laid its prank at its Bing search engine.

Surf to Bing and type Google in the search field. A Bing page pops up spoofing Google's pure white and stark home page. Hovering over the small boxes that populate the Bing page displays tips that … Read more

Windows 8 ekes out 3.2 percent of desktop OS market

Windows 8 is slowly carving out a slightly larger slice of the OS market.

The latest flavor of Windows captured 3.17 percent of all desktop OS traffic tracked by Net Applications in March. That was a small gain from the 2.67 percent share in February.

Since its official debut last October, Windows 8 has very gradually risen up the ranks, at least in Net Applications' Web traffic reports.

Starting with a 1.09 percent share in November, the OS carved out a 1.72 percent share in December. It then grabbed a 2.26 percent share in January, … Read more

Two unlikely PC makers emerge: Google, Microsoft

Here's a disruptive technology trend: Google and Microsoft as makers of personal computers.

If I had tried to predict in 2010 that these two companies would make branded PCs -- using PC in the generic sense -- I can imagine the response.

"You're an idiot" (and the usual variations I get on that theme) come to mind. But more-thoughtful readers, I'm guessing, would have made the logical argument that Microsoft would piss off its partners and destroy its business model. And Google? Why in the world would Google make a laptop?

Well, it's 2013 … Read more

New Windows 8 specs could open door for 7-inch tablets

Microsoft's move to relax the minimum resolution for Windows 8 devices could trigger a slew of seven-inch Windows 8 tablets.

An update to Microsoft's Windows Certification Newsletter, uncovered by Ed Bott of CNET sister site ZDNet announced the change in the required resolution for Windows 8 tablets.

To claim Windows 8 certification, a tablet can now offer a minimum resolution of 1,024x768 at a depth of 32 bits. That's a change from the previous guidelines, which specify a minimum resolution of 1,366x768. Microsoft said it isn't encouraging device makers to shoot for such a … Read more

Rumor of Microsoft's plans for Windows RT off the mark

A breathless rumor about Microsoft merging Windows RT with Blue is a misunderstanding of the facts, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The Asia-based rumor last night was that Microsoft would merge Windows RT with its upcoming Windows Blue tech. But technically that's already a given, a source close to Microsoft told CNET.

The codebases are already the same so there's nothing technically to merge, according to the source. There's one Windows Store for both ARM and Intel-based x86 devices, so people don't have to visit a different Store depending on the chip their … Read more

Microsoft debuts Web site to search all its patents

No stranger to intellectual property litigation, Microsoft today launched a Web tool that lets anyone search its entire portfolio of 40,785 patents.

The idea, according to the software giant's general counsel, Brad Smith, is to create greater transparency, giving those who might otherwise illegally use Microsoft's patents without permission a way to find what intellectual property Microsoft owns.

"One of the fundamental objectives of the patent system is to provide notice regarding inventions -- not only the nature of what has been invented but who owns the patent," Smith wrote in a blog post.

What'… Read more

Microsoft opens more 'specialty' retail outlets

Microsoft is continuing to slowly and steadily add more brick-and-mortar stores to its roster -- but with a new twist.

Rather than opening nothing but full-service, large-scale locations, the Softies are adding more small-footprint "specialty store" locations across the U.S. and Canada. These specialty stores are what Microsoft has rechristened its holiday pop-up stores.

On the Microsoft Store Facebook page, Microsoft describes these specialty stores as "scaled-down Microsoft retail stores that carry a curated selection of the best products Microsoft has to offer."

In its full-size stores, Microsoft showcases and sells everything from a fairly … Read more

Windows Phone outships iPhone in some countries

Windows Phone is outshining the iPhone in several countries. But relax, Apple, there is an explanation.

In a blog posted Tuesday, Microsoft corporate communications VP Frank Shaw cited an IDC report revealing that Windows Phone has reached 10 percent market share in a number of countries. Along with that milestone, Windows Phone has outshipped Apple's iPhone in seven markets across the globe.

Shaw didn't divulge the names of those seven markets. But IDC did and explained why Windows Phone has a foothold in those regions.

Speaking with The New York Times yesterday, IDC analyst Kevin Restivo said that … Read more

Windows RT in trouble? Report makes cryptic claims

Windows RT has not gone swimmingly so far for Microsoft, but a new report from Asia is taking this a step further, saying it will be "merged" with Windows Blue.

Digitimes' reporting can sometimes be frustratingly vague. A new report continues the tradition but makes a potentially important claim that Windows RT will be merged into Microsoft's "next-generation Windows, codenamed Blue."

Here's what the Taipei-based news site said is the basis of merging RT into Blue, citing Asia-based suppliers.

Although the PC supply chain had pushed the Windows on ARM (WoA) platform aggressively, the … Read more