Microsoft

Microsoft’s Bing search engine is popularly regarded as something of a joke. Despite powering searches for both Yahoo and Facebook, its hardly anybody’s go-to search engine outside of those spheres — and is seen by many as an icon of CEO Steve Ballmer’s difficulty launching really great, popular products on a consistent basis. That being Continue Reading →

When Asus released the Transformer Book line of tablet-laptop hybrids, it grabbed a lot of attention — and a lot of headlines. It was the first device from a major manufacturer to try to bridge the gulf between the fun and convenience of a tablet, and the use and productivity of a traditional laptop. Now Continue Reading →

Michael Dell has finally wrestled control of Dell, the company he founded, back from its shareholders. A board vote this morning ends month of speculation on whether it would approve Michael Dell’s multibillion-dollar offer to take the company private. Dell’s offer saw strong competition in the form of a counteroffer from “activist investor” Carl Icahn, Continue Reading →

Back in June, screen shots of an early Windows Phone operating system build leaked (via a Lumia phone allegedly purchased on eBay). At that time, next-to-no attention was paid to an app, listed as “zCortana,” that was on the phone. But that Cortana app (with the “z” indicating it was a test build) is central Continue Reading →

Microsoft recently announced that its Xbox One will hit store shelves in 13 markets on November 22 for $499. For those keeping track at home, that’s one week after Sony’s PlayStation 4 goes up for sale in the United States and $100 more expensive. The Xbox One launches in Europe on the same day, comes Continue Reading →

The times they are a-changin’ at Microsoft, and we are not just talking about the company’s executive leadership: Xbox Music, the company’s Spotify-like music subscription service, is launching on iOS and Android Monday, making it the first Microsoft-owned entertainment service to launch on the two leading mobile platforms. And speaking of firsts: Microsoft is also Continue Reading →

Microsoft released invites on Monday to its forthcoming Surface 2.0 event in New York City. The shindig, taking place in Chelsea on the 23 of September, will show off new Surface hardware, though Microsoft remains coy about just what it will put onstage. Let’s be frank: Microsoft would not invite us all over for a Continue Reading →

When the last generation of game consoles launched, you would have been hard pressed to get your hands on limited launch-day stocks without an early pre-order. This time around, Microsoft hopes to combat that problem by managing hardware stock and shipments so that retailers have systems available for walk-ins on November 22. “You want people Continue Reading →

Microsoft executives have dropped hints in the past that the company would be making a combined keyboard/cover for its Surface devices that would include a built-in battery. The latest anonymously sourced reports from Neowin.net and the Windows SuperSite indicate these new covers are, indeed, in the pipeline. The so-called Power Covers will extend the battery Continue Reading →

Dig out your camping gear and stake your spot in line now, ladies and germs. The Xbox One is hitting stores on November 22. And for those keeping track, that’s almost a full week after the PS4’s November 15 retail launch. Because that matters. Don’t live in the U.S.? No problem. Microsoft has said that Continue Reading →