Business

PC maker Hewlett-Packard (HP) has unveiled a line of new notebook PCs designed with two things in mind: mobility and preparation for Microsoft's upcoming operating system (OS), Windows 7. The latest additions to HP's line of notebooks includes the ... HP ProBook 5310m and the HP Pavilion dm3. Both boast powerful processors, ample memory, and HP says they'll be ready for Windows 7 when it's released on October 22, 2009. HP Blends Notebook with Netbook The HP ProBook 5310m lives up to its name by including dimensions optimized for mobility, making working on the road much easier. Unlike those ... (view more)

Microsoft has begun confirming which members of the public will be hosting Windows 7 Launch Parties . In return for holding the promotional event, hosts will get a free copy of the Ultimate edition of the new system. Microsoft is organizing the ... events through houseparty.com, a site known for coordinating corporate events. The hope is that enthusiastic Windows users will help promote the new system and convert any skeptics. Host Selection Process There has already been some confusion with the host selection process. Microsoft's plan was to send out an email to selected finalists, who were then ... (view more)

Rumors have it that Microsoft is developing a new PC concept described as being "tablet-sized" and loaded with many touch-sensitive features. Although the new product is reported to be in the "late prototype" stage of development, insiders believe ... that Microsoft is looking to attempt to attain status for their product early within the market, keeping with Windows 7 Touch technology in mind. Tablet PC to be Named 'Courier' The device resembles a booklet and is rumored to be named 'Courier.' The new PC concept boasts dual 7-inch screens that are touch sensitive and can be used in conjunction ... (view more)

It seems as if Microsoft investors will be receiving more than just dividend checks in the near future. The company will soon give shareholders the opportunity to voice their opinion on executive salaries. Shareholders will be allowed to vote every ... three years on the fairness of financial compensation doled out to Microsoft executives. The first vote is set for the company's annual meeting in November. "Say-on-Pay" Votes The decision to adopt the system, known as "say-on-pay" votes, comes after a call for more shareholder involvement in certain aspects of the company's affairs, ... (view more)

Among the more publicized points of Microsoft's highly-anticipated operating system Windows 7 is the touchscreen technology. But there's some debate about how much impact it will have on the majority of user experiences. There's no doubt that ... touchscreen technology has been boosted in the past few years thanks to cellphones and other portable devices. Many people who'd previously seen a touchscreen as futuristic and unrealistic will have become regular touch users through the likes of the iPhone. As reported in March , Microsoft revised the touchscreen technology of Windows 7 to make it ... (view more)

The U.S. Justice Department says it has legal concerns over a proposed deal between Google and American book authors and publishers. While not a killer blow to the deal, the comments significantly decrease the likelihood that it will ever receive ... court approval. The deal would settle a long-running case in which the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers sued Google for scanning books without permission. Pages from these books then appeared as results in the Google Books search service. The proposed settlement would include setting up a registry of copyrighted books, ... (view more)

Are you a student on a tight budget? If you are, you're probably a bit worried about the prospect of upgrading your Vista notebook or desktop to the new Windows 7 Operating System (OS). No need to worry -- Microsoft is now offering students the new ... OS for just $30. The deal, which starts October 1st, was first reported by British tech analysts yesterday, who found that U.K. students could preorder a copy of Win7 for just 30 British pounds. That's a good deal, but U.S. college students will be excited to hear that they're also eligible for the deal, at just $30 USD, if the can prove their ... (view more)

Microsoft is hoping to cleanse the Internet of malicious advertisements after filing a series of lawsuits against five companies accused of tricking innocent people into installing malware and spyware onto their computers. Microsoft has targeted ... DirectAd Solutions, Soft Solutions, qiweroqw.com, ote2008.info and ITmeter, claiming that these companies have used their advertisements to "distribute malicious software that peddles 'scareware' to unsuspecting Internet users." (Source: networkworld.com ) Scare Tactics Trick Users In a nutshell, scareware ads are dubious messages that "scare" ... (view more)

Microsoft has unveiled the next incarnation of its Project Management software. And for the first time, it will be a formal part of the Microsoft Office suite. The product itself is geared toward corporate users and is designed to understand and ... control project schedules and finances, effectively communicate and present project information, and get productive quickly. (Source: microsoft.com ) Project 2010: 3 Flavors Offered Project 2010 will come in three editions: Standard, Professional and Server. A beta edition will be available for testing sometime this year, with the final release ... (view more)

Industry experts are praising a new quad-core processor from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), priced at just $99. The new chip could help reverse AMD's fortunes of late by giving consumers a cheaper alternative when looking to build a Windows 7-capable ... machine. AMD is targeting do-it-yourself "system builders" with the new chip, dubbed the Athlon II X4 quad-core processor. Priced at less than a hundred bucks, the chip, AMD says, blends cost efficiency with performance. (Source: informationweek.com ) Microsoft Impressed Microsoft is also understandably impressed with AMD's attempt to bring ... (view more)