Thursday, December 17, 2009 4:22 PM/CST
Microsoft is donating its PhotoDNA technology to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for use in ferreting out online images of child abuse. PhotoDNA works by analyzing the properties of an image and comparing those to other images, allowing a photo to be found even if it's been altered or edited. Microsoft has put up a site about its joint work with NCMEC.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 5:13 PM/CST
Microsoft's strategy in the smartphone arena revolved around October's launch of Windows Mobile 6.5: a placeholder designed to prevent Microsoft's market share in the mobile operating system space from eroding much further before the company can release the supposedly more robust Windows 7 in 2010. But can Microsoft actually turn its mobile OS situation around?
Monday, November 23, 2009 5:15 PM/CST
Twitter may not be a massive revenue generator, but it may find a way of producing some income with sponsored sites such as ExecTweets, funded by Microsoft for an undisclosed sum. Now Microsoft and Twitter have added another part to ExecTweets, called ExecTweets IT, which collates the 140-character "tweets" of IT pros.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 2:26 PM/CST
Microsoft has expanded the technical preview of its Office Web Apps, which allows Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents to be viewed and sometimes edited via the browser. However, users of older Office platforms may find some issues with the Excel Web App, which doesn't seem to allow certain Excel formats to be edited.
Thursday, September 03, 2009 1:03 PM/CST
Microsoft plans to phase out its Zune mobile media player line with the exception of its upcoming Zune HD device. Combined with initiatives such as new Zune software and Zune video on Xbox Live, it seems that Microsoft could be attempting to emulate Apple's music/video/apps ecosystem -- but Redmond nonetheless faces a steep uphill battle in the space.
Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:48 PM/CST
Microsoft may push two versions of its mobile OS, Windows Mobile 6.5 and Mobile 7, as it seeks to compete against RIM's BlackBerry, Google Android and the Apple iPhone. However, even if Microsoft manages to pair its operating systems with white-hot smartphones, its smaller app ecosystem and the porting of mobile Office onto Nokia devices could damage its prospects.
Friday, August 14, 2009 11:55 AM/CST
Microsoft and Nokia's new alliance to port a mobile version of Office onto smartphones may be good for both companies, but it also threatens to erode market-share from Windows Mobile. Microsoft's recent moves in the mobile and portable media device space suggest that the company is throwing every strategy it can into the breach in order to hold or build market share.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 5:11 PM/CST
Microsoft and Nokia are planning a joint press conference in New York on Aug. 12 to announce an "alliance." While the nature of that alliance is being kept under wraps, it could involve linking Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, which features touch-screen technology, to one of Nokia's touch-screen smartphones, particularly the Nokia N97.
Thursday, April 30, 2009 3:09 PM/CST
Commentary. The recession has caused many casualties. Good companies are gone, and talented people are jobless. I've written about many of these casualties. There is just one more story to tell....
Monday, April 27, 2009 6:26 PM/CST
News Analysis. Has Microsoft heard of May sweeps, that time of year when TV networks air their best shows? Sweeps are coming to Microsoft software, some a bit early....
