Tuesday, November 17, 2009 4:57 PM/CST
New data from research company ComScore suggests that Bing's share of the online search market held steady in October, reinforcing similar data from Experian Hitwise. Meanwhile, Yahoo's market share degraded despite a massive ad campaign, leading one to wonder: Despite this summer's Microsoft-Yahoo deal over online search and advertising, does Microsoft really need Yahoo in order to present a viable alternative to Google?
Friday, November 13, 2009 4:37 PM/CST
Microsoft announced at the Monaco Media Forum in Monte Carlo that it would roll out branded desktop wallpapers and gadgets in conjunction with media partners ranging from Coca-Cola to Twentieth Century Fox. Although advertising is ubiquitous in modern society, PC users' perceptions of their devices as intensely personal objects may impede certain advertisers from occupying massive amounts of user-interface real estate.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 2:50 PM/CST
Microsoft's share of the U.S. search-engine market gained incrementally in October, reaching 9.57 percent, according to new figures released by Experian Hitwise. Google maintained 70.60 percent, while Yahoo stood at 16.14 percent. New Bing features, including local weather, a boosted video page of Wolfram Alpha search results, could allow Microsoft to maintain or gain its share before the end of 2009.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 5:27 PM/CST
Microsoft rolled out a revised version of its MSN home page on Nov. 4, embracing in the process the same ethos of personalization and streamlining that governed Yahoo's own home page redesign in September. Microsoft also cut down on the number of hyperlinks and seeded the interface with in-line connections to Twitter and Facebook.
Monday, November 02, 2009 5:02 PM/CST
Microsoft's most recent deal, with OpenX Technologies, which will see OpenX promoting Microsoft's Content Ads, is another partnership on Redmond's part designed to more effectively challenge Google in the online space. Just as with its July Yahoo deal, Microsoft could see partnerships as the best way to gain market share in online search and advertising.
Thursday, October 29, 2009 1:40 PM/CST
Microsoft and Yahoo have announced a delay in their search-and-advertising partnership deal, as both sides continue to work out "finalizing the definitive agreements." Despite the agreement to have Microsoft's Bing powering Yahoo's search once the deal is complete, Yahoo is attempting to assert its online identity by rolling out new features for its front-end applications, including Yahoo Messenger and Yahoo Mail.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 10:20 AM/CST
Microsoft decided to pull out of sponsoring a Seth MacFarlane program that would have married "Family Guy"-style humor with Windows 7 branding, over concerns that jokes about deaf people and other topics would be too edgy for their intended audience. However, Microsoft will likely continue its branding relationship with Fox. MacFarlane, meanwhile, is looking for a new sponsor.
Thursday, October 22, 2009 2:03 PM/CST
Microsoft used its Windows 7 launch to brand itself as a warm and fuzzy software conglomerate, running its family-friendly ads and having 5-year-old Kylie, the star of some of those spots, introduce Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Ballmer re-emphasized that Microsoft's ultimate strategy is to create a cloud-based environment for consumers, centered on Windows 7-powered devices.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 12:18 PM/CST
Microsoft and Fox are collaborating with "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane on a Windows 7-themed comedy program that will premiere on Nov. 8. The show, "Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show," will likely make more sense to audiences than the inscrutable Jerry Seinfeld ads crafted by Redmond to help promote Windows Vista.
Friday, October 02, 2009 3:26 PM/CST
Bill Gates had his signature added to a limited edition of Windows Vista, so it's perhaps no surprise that the current CEO will do the same thing with Windows 7. Those who sign up to throw a Windows 7 launch party could very well find themselves receiving a Signature Edition of Microsoft's new operating system.
