Business

Using Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) to browse the Internet is one of the worst decisions someone can make. It's the browser equivalent of Swiss cheese, used by hackers and malware goons time and time again to circumvent its extremely weak ... security controls and infect users with malicious software. Thus, it's no surprise that Microsoft has announced a deathwatch for the decade-old Internet Explorer 6, which surprisingly still maintains a 12 per cent share of global usage (with half of that number coming from China). Microsoft says it wants to drive down IE6's share of the browser pie ... (view more)

In an effort to capitalize on the rising popularity of smartphone apps, Microsoft is now allowing their employees to moonlight as self-directed entrepreneurs to help improve the image of the company in the mobile market. To make smartphones that ... house their Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system more marketable in an industry dominated by iPhone and Android-based devices , Microsoft is planning to offer their prospective customers more apps than any other smartphone on the market. App Rules Relaxed in Light of Development While an admirable endeavor, putting the plan into practice still ... (view more)

For the most part, Microsoft has kept a tight lid on its plans for Windows 8. It's not surprising, since the Redmond-based firm remains committed to its current operating system (OS), Windows 7. But recent rumors suggest that could change in June, ... when Microsoft will reportedly unveil a special Windows 8 tablet OS. The report comes from Business Insider, which says its evidence is based on a source within Microsoft. According to Business Insider, "Microsoft is taking a more Apple-like approach to interface design this time around, and will also be using concepts from the 'Metro' interface ... (view more)

Google has restored access to email for around 40,000 customers whose accounts were mistakenly wiped clean this past Sunday. It says the delay in sorting the problem was because it had to restore from a physical back-up. The problem began on Sunday ... afternoon when some customers found either they were unable to access their Gmail accounts, or that the accounts appeared as if they were open. That is to say, there were no messages whatsoever in the archive, except for a welcome message from Google. Google said it was working on the problem and noted that in cases where users were unable to log- ... (view more)

As of February 22nd, 2011, Microsoft is officially in the process of rolling out Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to all Windows 7 users via the Windows Update (automatic) feature, as well as through Microsoft's website. Why a Windows Service Pack is ... Imperative In general, a Windows Service Pack is a method of bringing together multiple changes to the operating system. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 ("SP1") is a single download (also available on DVD) that includes all major and minor security and bug fixes since the original release of Windows 7, up to the last software update made available ... (view more)

Apple has set aside March 2nd, 2011 for a major media event, where it's expected the Cupertino, California-based company will unveil a totally new iPad. (Source: mercurynews.com ) iPad2: Thinner, Lighter Body Likely What we don't know, however, is ... when the device itself will ship. It's hoped that will be one of the points of discussion at the upcoming media event, along with reasons why consumers should be bothered to purchase an iPad 2. Experts speculate that the new iPad will feature a thinner and lighter design, more memory, and a front-facing camera. These features seem a lock, but ... (view more)

Despite only a having a marginal impact on the data storage market in the past, Microsoft has revealed their desire to help improve flash memory. Current plans call for the creation of software that uses solid-state storage (such as a solid state ... drive, or "SSD") in conjunction with RAM and hard disk, while eliminating random writes and other wasteful operations. Calling the program "FlashStore," Microsoft will be able to use flash storage as a bridge between RAM (primary storage) and hard drives (secondary storage). The current software would essentially fit between a hard drive ... (view more)

Back in late November 2010, Dell released a dual tablet/netbook computer called the Inspiron Duo. Netbook Similar to Apple iPad, but Runs Windows 7 The Inspiron Duo features a vertically rotating screen that switches between two independent modes: ... one that runs Windows 7 and the other a proprietary tablet mode which operates Dell software. At the time of release, the device raised lots of eyebrows -- but its $550 asking price was a bit steep for many. That is, perhaps, until Microsoft recently slashed that cost dramatically on its Microsoft Store website. Inspiron Duo Features Dual Core ... (view more)

Last week US President Barack Obama met with several big tech names, including Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison and Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg, at a much-talked about dinner party in Silicon Valley. The ... point of the get-together was to discuss current technological innovations and how can they could improve the sliding United States economy. (Source: com.au ) One would think that a dinner meeting of such big names in the tech field would also include Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, but it did not. Ballmer Not the Only Odd-Man-Out The ... (view more)

Reports suggest that Microsoft is planning to invest a vast amount of their resources in helping to make the Bing search engine a more "personalized experience" for its users. The new direction is further proof that Microsoft is serious in ... challenging Google's stranglehold on the search engine market. Memory Recollection and Geographic Location The "personalized experience" is centered around two concepts: memory recollection and geographic location. The memory recollection feature benefits those that search for similar results on multiple occasions. If an individual types in "car dealerships ... (view more)