microsof

Microsoft rolling out two-factor authentication

There have been hints for the past week-plus -- courtesy of Liveside.net -- that Microsoft was poised to roll out two-factor authentication for its Microsoft Accounts. On April 17, Microsoft did just that.

The company is calling this security process "two-step verification." Microsoft is making available two-step verification across all products and services accessible via a Microsoft Account. This includes Windows, Windows Phone, Xbox, Outlook.com, SkyDrive, Office, and more. The rollout will be happening over the "next couple of days," according to the company.

(Microsoft Account is the new name for Microsoft's Live … Read more

Steve Ballmer's iPad point: Not affordable for all

Defending the personal computer at the D: All Things Digital conference this week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said "general purpose" PCs will continue to thrive because specialized devices like the iPad may be redundant and not necessarily affordable. Is he right?

Responding to a question about the iPad and whether it's a PC, Ballmer addressed the affordability factor of the iPad and specialized devices: "The real question is, what's a PC? Nothing that people do on a PC today is going to get less relevant tomorrow. There are usage cases. Whether those are done today … Read more

Yahoo's Bartz willing to sell search

CARLSBAD, Calif.--Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz said Wednesday that her company continues to have talks with Microsoft on a search deal and indicated a willingness to sell.

The prerequisites, she said, are the right price, a technology she believes in, and access to the data her company needs.

"There's two parties in all this," she said in a speech at the D: All Things Digital conference here. "The other party has to have boatloads of money and the right technology."

Asked whether Microsoft and Yahoo are actively talking, Bartz said. "Yeah, a little bit.&… Read more