Business

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is raising a few eyebrows within the tech industry after opting to release US $1.3 billion worth of shares in the company. The move reduces his overall shares by about 12 per cent and marks his first stock sale in the ... past seven years. Not surprisingly, many believe that the sale points to a lack of confidence in the company and creates a strong indicator that the 54-year-old executive is preparing to leave in the very near future. However, Ballmer says nothing could be further from the truth. Microsoft CEO "Fully Committed" In a statement posted on ... (view more)

Just in case there was any doubt that Microsoft desperately needs to oversee the release of several Windows-based slate computers to compete with the Apple iPad, a new report states that, in the fiscal third quarter, the Cupertino-based firm's ... products accounted for 95 per cent of the tablet market. In other words, this is Apple's sphere until a PC maker like Hewlett-Packard or IBM can take it back. The report comes courtesy of Strategy Analytics Inc., a Boston-based research company that also noted an increase in tablet computer shipments by 26 per cent over the previous quarter. It would ... (view more)

There's no denying it: Windows 7 has been a runaway success for Microsoft. Tablets from virtually unknown companies merely running the new operating system (OS) sell out in days and most firms plan to upgrade from Windows XP and Vista in the next ... year or two. But all that success means there's a lot of pressure on Microsoft to produce another winner in a few years time. Windows 8 a 'Risky Product,' Says MS CEO In a recent presentation before an audience of industry analysts, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer noted that Windows 8 -- which some experts have predicted will ship in just two years -- ... (view more)

Two weeks ago Apple unveiled an 11.6-inch MacBook Air for under $999 . The news attracted plenty of attention, but early reviews of the device have not been particularly positive, with critics citing generally underwhelming performance as a reason ... to pass on Apple's first foray into the sub-$1,000 laptop market. Techies will remember that it's been over two years now since the first MacBook Air shipped to retailers. In a way, it was an attempt by Apple to provide an ultra-premium, ultra-portable device for the growing netbook market. Like most netbooks, the MacBook was lightweight, somewhat ... (view more)

A new survey of Information Technology (IT) professionals suggests that business users are not rapidly adopting Microsoft's newest office application suite, Office 2010. However, the very same poll indicates interest remains high in the software, ... and it could be a matter of time before companies change their tune. Dimensional Research for Dell Kace (a software management company) is responsible for the survey, which was conducted in September. Dimensional Research interviewed 935 IT professionals using a web-based poll, with most questions related to their use of Microsoft products, including ... (view more)

When Old Spice deodorant commercials launched earlier this year, they featured actor and former National Football League (NFL) player Isaiah Mustafa. Using quick-witted, edgy writing with cutting-edge computer-generated images, the ads brought lots ... of attention to the long-time and well-known deodorant company. Now, Microsoft is cashing in on the Mustafa fanfare, which they hope will bring the same attention to Windows Phone 7 in Australia. Windows Phone 7 Commercials "Too Weird" Some say the Mustafa ad is a reaction to complaints that Microsoft's first Windows Phone 7 placements ... (view more)

A report this week from industry analyst Gartner suggests Microsoft may face resistance to Windows 8 if the operating system is released in 2012, as planned. Given how many people have desperately clung to the decade-old Windows XP , it's no ... surprise. Gartner: Consumers Have Their Limits According to Gartner researcher Michael Silver, the public's issue with Windows 8 probably won't have much to do with the operating system (OS) itself, but merely exhaustion with being told over and over to upgrade -- in 2006 to Vista, in 2009 to Windows 7, and again, it's expected, in 2012 to some other ... (view more)

With the Windows family still allowing Microsoft to enjoy the lion's share of the OS market, rival companies are forever left to jockey for second place. While the goal for these companies is to one day surpass Windows in popularity, there has ... always been one benefit in playing "second fiddle" to Microsoft: hackers tend follow user demographics. This means that Windows is as much a popular choice for malware attacks as it is for consumers. Such is true for Apple, who listed only 34 known vulnerabilities within the Mac OS family back in 2009. While even one vulnerability should be cause for ... (view more)

Although it continues to languish well behind Windows XP in overall usage, Windows 7 is now the fastest-growing, most widely-adopted operating system in history. A new study has found that a vast majority of new PCs ship with Windows 7 ... pre-installed, helping it vault past its immediate predecessor. Microsoft proudly announced earlier this year that Windows 7 had surpassed Windows Vista. That was expected: Windows 7 has been part of Microsoft's crusade to redeem itself for Vista's many problems, which included -- amongst other things -- compatibility issues and overall poor performance. In the ... (view more)

Microsoft has formally unveiled the most comprehensive online version of its MS Office software to date. "Office 365," as it's called, is currently being beta tested in 13 countries and it's expected to be publicly available in 40 countries next ... year. MS Office 365 Uses Cloud Computing Technology The idea behind Office 365 is that it uses cloud computing technology. It's a service that allows businesses to access Office tools over the Internet, rather than have to physically install the software on a per-machine basis. The concept also means employees can access Office from any ... (view more)