Microsoft Slimming Future Windows ·
Microsoft will ship a slimmed-down Windows in the future, replacing much of the software previously included in its OS with Web-based services. Software chief Ray Ozzie says Windows will be used to optimize hardware performance rather than to add software. (InfoWorld)
October 30, 2008
Microsoft
CTOs Still Shun The Cloud ·
Enterprise technology leaders remain leery about trusting the cloud with mission-critical applications and sensitive data, despite the major bets placed in this arena by the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle and other large companies. (InfoWorld)
Microsoft Planning New Silverlight Features ·
Microsoft is planning to significantly upgrade its Silverlight platform for rich Internet applications in 2009. The upgrade includes runtime features, data support, and the ability to run applications outside a browser, putting it in competition with Adobe Air. (InfoWorld)
New Lenovo Server Line Supports Windows, Linux ·
Lenovo introductory line of servers can be pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Novell's SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) 10, and comes with cross-platform management software. (Computerworld)
Internet Giants Ink Rights Deal ·
Microsoft, Google and Yahoo agreed to a global code of conduct pledging to resist government intrusion to free speech and created the Global Network Initiative. New guidelines limit what types of data the companies will share with authorities. (BBC)
Microsoft Gives Windows 7 A New Look ·
With Windows 7, the successor to Vista, Microsoft unveiled the most radical overhaul to its user interface since the introduction of Windows 95. It has not changed the underlying architecture of Vista, but has integrated lessons from reams of customer use-data. (Ars Technica)
Microsoft Delivers Office Online ·
Microsoft introduced Office Web Applications, an online version of its Office 2007 productivity tools. The services will be available to consumers through ad-funded or subscription options, and to business as a hosted subscription and through existing volume licensing agreements. (ReadWriteWeb)
Netbooks Presage End of Windows Era ·
Microsoft explained that Windows Client business grew only 2% last quarter because of a shift in the mix of the PC market away from "traditional PCs" toward "net books." Netbooks use Linux and Web-based operating systems because they don't have enough memory to support Vista. (Silicon Alley Insider)
Microsoft Open-Sourcing ‘M’ Language ·
Microsoft will open its "M" application modeling language - also known as Oslo - via the company's Open Specification Promise. This means Microsoft will not assert legal rights over patents on applications developed using its new declarative modeling language. (InfoWorld)
Instant-On Computers Looming As Windows Threat ·
A growing number of PCs are shipping with Splashtop, technology that allows customers to use their computers without waiting for Windows to boot, leading customers to grow accustomed to working without Windows. (NYT)
Microsoft Launches Windows Azure Cloud OS ·
Microsoft introduced the Azure platform, where it will both run its own Web applications and allow developers to build and run apps using any language and environment. The announcement is Microsoft's admission that, "the truth is evident: Cloud computing is here." (Rough Type)
Microsoft Well-Positioned For Cloud Take-Over ·
Microsoft dodged a bullet by losing out on Yahoo, its customers feel safe with its Software Assurance program, and will prefer its branded, commercial cloud computing offering to "free" but risky open-source alternatives. (Microsoft Watch)
Amazon Cloud Service Open For Business ·
Amazon added support for Microsoft Windows and SQL Server and took its Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) cloud computing service out of beta Thursday. Amazon is offering an SLA with 99.95% up-time. (InfoWorld)
Microsoft Boosts Earnings, Cuts Outlook ·
Microsoft beat first quarter earnings estimates by a penny thanks to strong software sales, but lowered its full-year earnings forecast due to the "likelihood of a continued economic slowdown." (Forbes)
Office 2007 SP2 Coming In Spring ‘09 ·
Microsoft will release service pack 2 of Office 2007 between February and April 2009. The enhancements include support for Open Document Format (ODF); the XML Paper Specification (XPS) competing with Adobe's PDF; a more reliable calendar; and improvements to Excel 2007 charting. (Computerworld)
