Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Steve Ballmer's Windows 8 rig measures 80 inches, so... does that do anything for ya?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/26/steve-ballmer-windows-8-rig-measures-80-inches/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/26/steve-ballmer-windows-8-rig-measures-80-inches/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/26/steve-ballmer-windows-8-rig-measures-80-inches/#comments Steve Ballmer's Windows 8 rig measures 80 inches, so... does that do anything for ya?

To all the executives out there, consider what you have hanging on the walls of your office. Perhaps it's a fine work of art -- maybe even an original -- but it most certainly isn't an 80-inch Windows 8 computer. That curious distinction belongs to Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, who has eschewed use of his phone, notepad and a more practical email solution in the name of awesomeness (or, perhaps compensation for those lagging Windows Phone sales.) Initially said to be a machine that'd be marketed and sold by Microsoft, the company has since clarified that no such effort will take place -- although the door remains open for independent vendors to step in and sell similar behemoth Windows 8 setups. Unlike most tablets, we've a hard time imagining ol' Steve throwing this one under his arm as he scoots out of the office... but then again, the man can afford some mighty good chiropractors.

Steve Ballmer's Windows 8 rig measures 80 inches, so... does that do anything for ya? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 May 2012 07:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computercomputersmicrosoftoperating systemOperatingSystemsteve ballmerSteveBallmertablettablet pcTabletPctabletswindowswindows 8Windows8Sat, 26 May 2012 07:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Kinect coming to Windows on February 1st, up for pre-order now!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/microsoft-kinect-coming-to-windows-on-february-1-2012-ces/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/microsoft-kinect-coming-to-windows-on-february-1-2012-ces/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/microsoft-kinect-coming-to-windows-on-february-1-2012-ces/#comments Straight out of the horse's mouth: Kinect is oh-ficially coming to Windows starting on February 1st! We've seen Microsoft's PrimeSense-sourced motion sensing system used for just about everything outside of gaming, but proper Windows compatibility is bound to mean huge, huge things for its future. Wondering what's next for Kinect? So is Microsoft, and in just a few weeks, it'll make it even easier for you to answer that.

Update: It's up for pre-order now! The $249.99 price tag ain't pretty (consider this -- the standard Kinect, with games, is but $120), but it'll probably be a premium that many hackers are willing to pay. Thanks, Mary Jo Foley!

Microsoft Kinect coming to Windows on February 1st, up for pre-order now! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newscesces 2012Ces2012kinectkinect for windowsKinectForWindowsmicrosoftmicrosoft kinectMicrosoftKinecton saleOnSalepre-ordersteve ballmerSteveBallmerwindowsxboxboxxbox 360Xbox360Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Live from Microsoft's CES 2012 keynote with Steve Ballmer!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/microsoft-ces-2012-keynote/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/microsoft-ces-2012-keynote/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/microsoft-ces-2012-keynote/#comments MicrosoftAre you ready for the end of an era? Microsoft has said this will be its last keynote at CES and you know what that means: Steve Ballmer will be pulling out all the stops to really knock our socks off. Or maybe not. Still, it's sure to feature plenty of Windows 8 love and maybe, if we ask real nice, Steve will give us one last battlecry of "developers!" Join us for a heartwarming liveblog you won't want to miss.

Continue reading Live from Microsoft's CES 2012 keynote with Steve Ballmer!

Live from Microsoft's CES 2012 keynote with Steve Ballmer! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2012Ces2012keynotemicrosoftsteve ballmerSteveBallmertablettabletswindows 8Windows8Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Ballmer announces LTE Windows Phones coming to AT&T]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/ballmer-announces-lte-windows-phones-coming-to-atandt/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/ballmer-announces-lte-windows-phones-coming-to-atandt/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/ballmer-announces-lte-windows-phones-coming-to-atandt/#comments LTE Windows Phone Well, it's been a long time coming, but Windows Phone has finally been granted LTE compatibility -- officially. AT&T trotted out Steve Ballmer who talked up the "blindingly fast" 4G service that'll be coming to Mango. Hopefully there will be more information coming at the live blog tonight.

Ballmer announces LTE Windows Phones coming to AT&T originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4GATTballmerbreaking newsltemangomobilepostcrossSteve BallmerSteveBallmerwindows phonewindows phone 7windows phone 7.5WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7WindowsPhone7.5Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's CES 2012 keynote won't deliver 'significant news,' more of 'a wrap-up']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/microsofts-ces-2012-keynote-wont-deliver-significant-news-m/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/microsofts-ces-2012-keynote-wont-deliver-significant-news-m/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/microsofts-ces-2012-keynote-wont-deliver-significant-news-m/#comments After learning of Microsoft's plans to stop holding CES keynotes following the 2012 edition, the immediate attention turned to this: would it use its last opportunity on the main stage to make a lasting impact? Evidently, that answer is "no." We've confirmed with the company that Steve Ballmer will be "focusing quite a bit on Windows Phone and the its Xbox / entertainment story," while also sharing "momentum from across the company for Windows, Office, Bing, etc." Ultimately, we're told that there "won't be significant news, but more of a wrap up of the strong year the company has had in consumer." We've got a call out for further clarifications (as well as questions on whether or not another BUILD, MIX or some other spinoff event will take the theoretical place of CES), and we'll be sure to update as we learn more.

Update: While Microsoft can't confirm specifics, we're getting the impression that the company's partners will be the ones leading and driving announcements in the CES events to come. And while it wouldn't comment specifically on the future of MIX or BUILD, we're told that "it will continue to invest in those kinds of owned venues going forward."

Update 2: The CEA, also known as the entity that puts CES together, has officially responded to the news. It also affirmed that Microsoft will not reserve the massive Central Hall exhibit space that it has used in past years, but it seems pretty unconcerned about the whole ordeal. The full statement is after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft's CES 2012 keynote won't deliver 'significant news,' more of 'a wrap-up'

Microsoft's CES 2012 keynote won't deliver 'significant news,' more of 'a wrap-up' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bingbreaking newsceacesces 2012Ces2012consumer electronics showConsumerElectronicsShowmicrosoftofficesteve ballmerSteveBallmerxboxxbox 360Xbox360zuneWed, 21 Dec 2011 12:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft replaces Andy Lees as Windows Phone head (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/microsoft-replaces-andy-lees-as-windows-phone-head/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/microsoft-replaces-andy-lees-as-windows-phone-head/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/microsoft-replaces-andy-lees-as-windows-phone-head/#comments Andy Lees AllThingsD is reporting that Microsoft is replacing Andy Lees as head of its Windows Phone division... sort of. It looks like Terry Myerson, who has headed up engineering efforts for the group, will take over many of Lees' responsibilities, though, he won't be inheriting his title. At least not just yet. In a memo seen by AllThingsD, Ballmer announced that Lees would be taking on a new position with the company, though it's not entirely clear what that might be -- describing it only as "time-critical" and "focused on driving maximum impact in 2012 with Windows Phone and Windows 8." (So, it's safe to assume he's not becoming a janitor.) The shakeup isn't terribly surprising, especially considering the CEO's own admission that Windows Phone 7 was not performing as well as expected in the market.

The division's interim leader, Myerson, has been with Microsoft since 1997 and previously headed up the team in charge of Exchange. For now he will continue to report to Lees, who will remain the president of the Windows Phone group, even if that is in name only.

Update: Microsoft has released the full text of the memo announcing the leadership transition and we've added it after the break. The company also told us that first assuming the responsibilities before the title is standard practice. Andy Lees himself spent a significant period of time as a corporate VP while heading up the Windows Phone division before assuming the title of president.

Continue reading Microsoft replaces Andy Lees as Windows Phone head (updated)

Microsoft replaces Andy Lees as Windows Phone head (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andy LeesAndyLeesbreaking newsMicrosoftmobilepostcrosssteve ballmerSteveBallmerTerry MyersonTerryMyersonWindows PhoneWindows Phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7wp7Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft: Ballmer didn't say Windows 8 is coming to phones]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/microsoft-clarifies-that-windows-8-isnt-coming-to-phones-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/microsoft-clarifies-that-windows-8-isnt-coming-to-phones-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/15/microsoft-clarifies-that-windows-8-isnt-coming-to-phones-video/#comments Oh, what a difference punctuation makes. Speaking at the company's shareholders' meeting earlier today, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made a remark that set more than a few geek hearts aflutter. According to various reports, he said "We've got broad Windows initiatives driving Windows down to the phone with Windows 8."

Turns out, that's not how he said it. A Microsoft rep confirmed to us that if transcribed correctly, Ballmer's remarks (documented in the recording below) should read, "We've got broad Windows initiatives driving Windows down to the phone. With Windows 8, you'll..." By "Windows," then, he meant the overarching family of software bearing the Windows name, and not Windows 8 specifically. Says Redmond's PR team:

"He was making a statement along the lines of what we've already publicly stated around providing a consistent experience across various devices but all carrying the Windows name."

Makes sense to us, seeing as how Windows 8 already makes good use of WP7's Metro UI. Still, we'll be curious to see how Windows 8 influences Windows Phone once Win 8 gets the final seal of approval, likely sometime next year.

Continue reading Microsoft: Ballmer didn't say Windows 8 is coming to phones

Microsoft: Ballmer didn't say Windows 8 is coming to phones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MangoMicrosoftmobilepostcrossoperating systemoperating systemsOperatingSystemOperatingSystemsOSSteve BallmerSteveBallmervideoWindowsWindows 8Windows PhoneWindows Phone 7Windows8WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft signs Compal deal, now takes money from half of all Android ODMs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/microsoft-signs-compal-deal-now-takes-money-from-half-of-all-an/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/microsoft-signs-compal-deal-now-takes-money-from-half-of-all-an/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/microsoft-signs-compal-deal-now-takes-money-from-half-of-all-an/#comments Despite Steve Ballmer's apparent disdain for the Googly OS, he must love it really. He's now making money from ten separate Android and Chrome licensing deals, having just inked yet another agreement with Compal -- a large Taiwanese original design manufacturer (ODM) that builds tablets and smartphones for brands like Lenovo. From this point on, a "reasonable and fair" chunk of Compal's $28 billion annual income will be diverted to the coffers at Redmond. Overall, this means that Microsoft's tentacles have spread across 55 percent of the Android ODM industry and -- more importantly -- are poked firmly into two different mobile OS pies. As cut-throat as this approach might seem, however, it's surely better than freezing the market with cold and ceaseless waves of litigation. PR after the break.

[Thanks, Majed]

Continue reading Microsoft signs Compal deal, now takes money from half of all Android ODMs

Microsoft signs Compal deal, now takes money from half of all Android ODMs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidCompalGooglelicensinglitigationMicrosoftmobilepostcrossODMoriginal design manufacturerOriginalDesignManufacturerpatentpatent licensingPatentLicensingSteve BallmerSteveBallmerMon, 24 Oct 2011 07:49:00 EST<![CDATA[CE-Oh no he didn't: Steve Ballmer lays into Android]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/19/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-steve-ballmer-lays-into-android/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/19/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-steve-ballmer-lays-into-android/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/19/ce-oh-no-he-didnt-steve-ballmer-lays-into-android/#comments "You don't have to be a computer scientist to use a Windows Phone," said Microsoft's Steve Ballmer, "but you do to use an Android phone." He was addressing the Web 2.0 summit in San Francisco, where we guess his audience must have included a large but silent population of Android-loving non-scientists. In any case, the Redmond CEO also revealed that he just can't get "excited" about Android phones, which proves that anything can be boring if you're rich enough -- including raking in up to $15 per Android handset in cross-licensing deals. On a serious note, though, HTC's latest Titan handset shows off the Mango experience at its best and it is simpler than Google's OS. If Windows Phone sales eventually pick up despite the buzz over Android 4.0, then the point beneath Ballmer's bluster might not seem so unreasonable.

CE-Oh no he didn't: Steve Ballmer lays into Android originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidBallmerce-oh noce-oh no he didntCe-ohNoCe-ohNoHeDidntCEOGoogleMicrosoftmobile OSMobileOsmobilepostcrossOSSteve BallmerSteveBallmerWindows PhoneWindows Phone MangoWindowsPhoneWindowsPhoneMangoWed, 19 Oct 2011 08:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft doles out the dough to Nokia and Samsung, plans Mango marketing bonanza for year's end]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/microsoft-doles-out-the-dough-to-nokia-and-samsung-plans-mango/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/microsoft-doles-out-the-dough-to-nokia-and-samsung-plans-mango/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/microsoft-doles-out-the-dough-to-nokia-and-samsung-plans-mango/#comments Know who loves it when other OEMs call him big poppa? Ballmer, that's who. So much so that he's opened up the company's coffers to Nokia and Samsung for a holiday blitz of Mango marketing. Hold onto your hats though, it's no carte blanche access to Redmond's Gringotts. According to a report on Mobile Magazine, inside sources claim MS has set aside ₤28 million (about $44 million) for the endeavor, with about ₤20 million of that reserved for Nokia's first Windows Phone 7.5 handset. This joint marketing effort is reportedly a broader extension of the cooperative agreements all parties agreed to, ensuring future WP devices get the media saturation they deserve. So, keep your eyes peeled this upcoming winter. We have a feeling you won't be able to escape the commercial onslaught, anyway.

Microsoft doles out the dough to Nokia and Samsung, plans Mango marketing bonanza for year's end originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MangomarketingMicrosoftmobilepostcrossNokiapartnershipsamsungsteve ballmerSteveBallmerstrategicstrategic allianceStrategicAlliancestrategyWindows Phonewindows phone 7.5Windows Phone MangoWindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7.5WindowsPhoneMangoFri, 14 Oct 2011 15:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft finalizes acquisition of Skype, Tony Bates shares his thoughts (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/microsoft-finalizes-acquisition-of-skype-tony-bates-shares-his/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/microsoft-finalizes-acquisition-of-skype-tony-bates-shares-his/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/microsoft-finalizes-acquisition-of-skype-tony-bates-shares-his/#comments
Well, it's finally happened -- Microsoft's acquisition of Skype has just been finalized, a little more than five months after it was first announced. Under the $8.5 billion deal, Skype CEO Tony Bates will be named president of the new Skype Division of Microsoft, and will have to report directly to Steve Ballmer. Many Skype employees, meanwhile, will stay onboard at offices around the globe, including at outposts in Estonia, the Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden, the UK, Luxembourg, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and the US. In a post on the Official Microsoft Blog today, Bates seemed unsurprisingly enthusiastic about the acquisition, describing it as a marriage of two "disruptive, innovative, software-oriented companies." The exec was less specific about the role his company would play within Redmond's new architecture, but assured that Skype would be at the forefront of future communications initiatives across a variety of platforms. "Microsoft is committed to the ubiquity of the Skype experience - communication across every device and every platform will remain a primary focus," Bates wrote. "And we've only scratched the surface." Head past the break for Microsoft's full PR, as well as the video address from Bates.

Continue reading Microsoft finalizes acquisition of Skype, Tony Bates shares his thoughts (video)

Microsoft finalizes acquisition of Skype, Tony Bates shares his thoughts (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionballmerbatesbusinesscommunicationsdealfinalizeindustrymicrosoftmobilepostcrossmoneyMSMSFTredmondskypeskype microsoftSkypeMicrosoftsteve ballmerSteveBallmertony batesTonyBatesvideovoipFri, 14 Oct 2011 02:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Ballmer: Windows Phones aren't selling very well, but we're not worried]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/ballmer-windows-phones-arent-selling-very-well-but-were-not/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/ballmer-windows-phones-arent-selling-very-well-but-were-not/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/15/ballmer-windows-phones-arent-selling-very-well-but-were-not/#comments Microsoft's Steve Ballmer was his usual frank self when he met financial analysts yesterday, admitting that the world isn't yet as keen on Windows Phone as he'd hoped. To be precise, AllThingsD reported him as saying: "We haven't sold quite as many as I would have liked in the first year." His cunning plan? Well, that's easy: make it all Nokia's problem. Or, as he put it: "With Nokia we have a dedicated hardware partner that is all-in on Windows Phones." Indeed, the Finnish manufacturer has now staked far more than Microsoft on the success of this "third ecosystem" and, if its imminent Mango handsets fail to turn things around, we may eventually see Stephen Elop standing behind that silent cash register.

Ballmer: Windows Phones aren't selling very well, but we're not worried originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BallmerElopfinancial analystsFinancialAnalystsMicrosoftmobilepostcrossNokiasalesStephen ElopStephenElopSteve BallmerSteveBallmerWindowsWindows PhoneWindows Phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7WPWP7Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve Ballmer touts 500,000 Windows 8 downloads in less than 12 hours]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/14/steve-ballmer-touts-500-000-windows-8-downloads-in-less-than-12/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/14/steve-ballmer-touts-500-000-windows-8-downloads-in-less-than-12/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/14/steve-ballmer-touts-500-000-windows-8-downloads-in-less-than-12/#comments We've already heard that quite a few of you have downloaded Windows 8 since the developer preview became available last night, and it looks like plenty of other folks have as well --- about 500,000 in the first 12 hours, to be specific. That's according to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer himself, who took to the stage at Build earlier today to dish that particular bit of news and recap the past two day's events. Hit the source link below for a video of the full keynote if you missed it (Ballmer's appearance is around the 2:32 mark).

Steve Ballmer touts 500,000 Windows 8 downloads in less than 12 hours originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerbuildbuild 2011Build2011microsoftminipoststeve ballmerSteveBallmerwindowswindows 8Windows8Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Ballmer: Microsoft will launch Xbox Music this fall (update: not true)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/12/ballmer-microsoft-will-launch-xbox-music-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/12/ballmer-microsoft-will-launch-xbox-music-this-fall/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/12/ballmer-microsoft-will-launch-xbox-music-this-fall/#comments Steve Ballmer revealed a new service yesterday that should be, ahem, music to your ears when it starts spinning this fall. During Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in Los Angeles, the Windows chief mentioned Xbox Music -- a MS-branded music streaming service, with over 11 million songs and Kinect compatibility. That last feature will let you shout your music selections across the room, and could result in some pretty gnarly sibling battles whenever music tastes don't match. Unlike the console's current last.fm offering, we can only hope that Music will support multitasking, allowing you to settle those musical differences in the virtual boxing ring as the beat goes on, rather than on the living room floor.

Update: The Business Insider editor who reported the quote tweeted a correction and updated the article, explaining "No new Xbox Music service coming this fall. Just voice command to existing service. 'Xbox. Music.' Correction posted."

Ballmer: Microsoft will launch Xbox Music this fall (update: not true) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consoleentertainmentgamingkinectlast.fmmicrosoftmicrosoft musicMicrosoftMusicmusic streamingMusicStreamingSteve BallmerSteveBallmerstreamingxboxxbox kinectxbox musicXboxKinectXboxMusicTue, 12 Jul 2011 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Steve Ballmer says '400 million Windows 7 licenses sold']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/11/microsofts-steve-ballmer-says-400-million-windows-7-licenses-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/11/microsofts-steve-ballmer-says-400-million-windows-7-licenses-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/11/microsofts-steve-ballmer-says-400-million-windows-7-licenses-s/#comments So much for not keeping pace, huh? We heard back in June of last year that Microsoft had blown through 150 million Windows 7 licenses, and just a few months later, it had surpassed 240 million. At this year's Worldwide Partner Conference, head honcho Steve Ballmer took great pleasure in announcing that said figure has now swollen to beyond 400 million in under two years. Not surprisingly, that makes Win7 the fastest-selling operating system in history, and Tami Reller -- corporate vice president and chief financial officer of Windows and Windows Live -- made clear that it's "the path to Windows 8." The outfit also announced that 100 million copies of Office 2010 have flown off the shelves since launch, and while no one really came out and said it, we're counting on seeing a Windows 8 build at the BUILD event this fall. Head on past the break for a whole heaping of (deserved) self-congratulations.

Continue reading Microsoft's Steve Ballmer says '400 million Windows 7 licenses sold'

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer says '400 million Windows 7 licenses sold' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerlicensesmicrosoftofficeoffice 2010Office2010operating systemOperatingSystemOSsoftwaresteve ballmerSteveBallmerwindowswindows 7windows 8Windows7Windows8WPCWPC 2011Wpc2011Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve Ballmer to deliver CES keynote, Windows 8 will be the real star]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/steve-ballmer-to-deliver-ces-keynote-windows-8-will-be-the-real/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/steve-ballmer-to-deliver-ces-keynote-windows-8-will-be-the-real/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/07/steve-ballmer-to-deliver-ces-keynote-windows-8-will-be-the-real/#comments Windows 8 and Steve Ballmer It's hard to believe, but with the show still six months away, we're already getting bombarded with CES-related e-mail. We do have one piece of intriguing news to report at this early stage of the game: Steve Ballmer is set to kick off the festivities with the preshow keynote on January 9th and it's a safe bet the presentation will be loaded with Windows 8 goodness. Now, what exactly we'll see when the reliably excitable Microsoft CEO takes the stage is still a mystery, but WinRumors' little birdies have been whispering about a public beta of the upcoming OS and demos of both Intel- and ARM-based tablets -- predictable, but still exciting prospects. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Steve Ballmer to deliver CES keynote, Windows 8 will be the real star

Steve Ballmer to deliver CES keynote, Windows 8 will be the real star originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceacesces keynoteces preshow keynoteCesKeynoteCesPreshowKeynoteconsumer electronics showConsumerElectronicsShowkeynotemicrosoftpreshow keynotePreshowKeynoterumorrumorssteve ballmerSteveBallmertablettabletswin 8Win8windows 8Windows8windwos 8Windwos8Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft turns to crowdsourcing service to swat away patent trolls]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/microsoft-turns-to-crowdsourcing-service-to-swat-away-patent-tro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/microsoft-turns-to-crowdsourcing-service-to-swat-away-patent-tro/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/microsoft-turns-to-crowdsourcing-service-to-swat-away-patent-tro/#comments
We've seen the havoc that patent trolls can wreak on tech companies and Microsoft clearly wants no part of it. That's why Ballmer & Co. have joined forces with Article One Partners -- a New York-based research firm that crowdsources scientific expertise to figure out whether or not patented ideas or inventions are as innovative as they claim, based on prior art. By subscribing to Article One's new Litigation Avoidance service, Redmond hopes "to reduce risk and reduce potential litigation cost" brought by nonpracticing entities (NPEs) -- companies that collect thousands of patents, in the hopes that one may lay a golden egg. No word on how much the service will actually cost, but we're guessing it'll be worth at least a few legal headaches. Full presser after the break.

[Image courtesy of Robert MacNeill]

Continue reading Microsoft turns to crowdsourcing service to swat away patent trolls

Microsoft turns to crowdsourcing service to swat away patent trolls originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 05:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>article onearticle one partnersArticleOneArticleOnePartnersballmerbusinesscourtcrowdsourcingdealindustryinventionlawsuitlitigationmicrosoftmoneymsftpatentpatent trollPatentTrollredmondscientiststeve ballmerSteveBallmertrollWed, 01 Jun 2011 05:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer says Microsoft is too 'controlling' of Windows tablets, restrictions 'troublesome']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/acer-says-microsoft-is-too-controlling-of-windows-tablets-res/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/acer-says-microsoft-is-too-controlling-of-windows-tablets-res/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/31/acer-says-microsoft-is-too-controlling-of-windows-tablets-res/#comments A web of rumor and suggestion has been spun in recent weeks about a new tablet-oriented version of Windows. But when major players like Acer start moanin' and complainin' about how they're going to make hardware to run the new OS, that's when you know something has to be afoot. According to Bloomberg, Acer CEO J. T. Wang spoke up at Computex to berate Microsoft for being too restrictive in what processors it will permit to carry its new baby, saying it is "really controlling the whole thing, the whole process." And he wasn't just speaking for Acer either, because he added that chip suppliers and PC makers "all feel it's very troublesome." It begs the question, if Steve Ballmer is borrowing Apple's approach and becoming a control freak, why doesn't he just go whole hog and build a Microsoft Tablet from start to finish?

[Thanks, Tiago]

Acer says Microsoft is too 'controlling' of Windows tablets, restrictions 'troublesome' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 May 2011 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AcerJ. T. WangJ.T.WangMicrosoftoperating systemOperatingSystemosSteve BallmerSteveBallmerWindowsWindows 8windows tabletwindows tablet oswindows tabletsWindows8WindowsTabletWindowsTabletOsWindowsTabletsTue, 31 May 2011 15:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Live from Microsoft's Windows Phone VIP preview event!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/live-from-microsofts-windows-phone-vip-preview-event/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/live-from-microsofts-windows-phone-vip-preview-event/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/24/live-from-microsofts-windows-phone-vip-preview-event/#comments
Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 VIP Preview Event is when you'll finally find what's coming next for Microsoft's biggest little operating system yet. Are you ready? Sure you are. Come, join us at the times below

04:00 - Hawaii
07:00 - Pacific
08:00 - Mountain
09:00 - Central
10:00 - Eastern
15:00 - London
16:00 - Paris
18:00 - Moscow
22:00 - Perth
22:00 - Shenzhen
23:00 - Tokyo
00:00 - Sydney (May 25th)

Continue reading Live from Microsoft's Windows Phone VIP preview event!

Live from Microsoft's Windows Phone VIP preview event! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 May 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>liveblogmangomicrosoftnew york cityNewYorkCitysoftwaresteve ballmerSteveBallmerwindows phonewindows phone 7windows phone 7.5WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7WindowsPhone7.5wp7Tue, 24 May 2011 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Windows Phone VIP preview happens tomorrow, liveblog happens here!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/microsofts-windows-phone-vip-preview-happens-tomorrow-liveblog/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/microsofts-windows-phone-vip-preview-happens-tomorrow-liveblog/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/microsofts-windows-phone-vip-preview-happens-tomorrow-liveblog/#comments Microsoft has some Mango-flavored updates in store for its Windows Phone operating system, and we're going to be there live to see whether they're really ripe. Really juicy. Steve Ballmer has promised over 500 new features in this next major release of the OS and we can't wait to hear him list them all out. One by one. In excruciating detail. Bookmark this page right here and come on back tomorrow at the times below to join in the fun.

04:00 - Hawaii
07:00 - Pacific
08:00 - Mountain
09:00 - Central
10:00 - Eastern
15:00 - London
16:00 - Paris
18:00 - Moscow
22:00 - Perth
22:00 - Shenzhen
23:00 - Tokyo
00:00 - Sydney (May 25th)

Microsoft's Windows Phone VIP preview happens tomorrow, liveblog happens here! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 May 2011 20:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eventmangomicrosoftsmartphonesoftwaresteve ballmerSteveBallmerwindows phonewindows phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7Mon, 23 May 2011 20:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Ballmer: 'next generation of Windows systems' coming next year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/ballmer-next-generation-of-windows-systems-coming-next-year/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/ballmer-next-generation-of-windows-systems-coming-next-year/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/ballmer-next-generation-of-windows-systems-coming-next-year/#comments
The name "Windows 8" may have been tossed around a lot as of late, but Steve Ballmer himself has only just now uttered the name for the first time in public at the company's developer forum in Japan. What's more, while he didn't divulge a ton of specifics, he did say that the "next generation of Windows systems" will be coming out next year, and that "there's a whole lot more coming," including "slates, tablets, PCs, a variety of different form factors." As ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley notes, the distinction between "slates" and "tablets" as two separate form factors is certainly an interesting one, as is the fact that he curiously didn't use the name Windows 8 in connection with those next generation Windows systems. What does it all mean? Perhaps Microsoft's Windows chief, Steven Sinofsky, will have more to say during his appearance at the D9 conference next week -- Winrumors is reporting that he may even be set to demo the company's Windows 8 Tablet UI. And, yes, you can count on us being there to bring it all to you live.

Ballmer: 'next generation of Windows systems' coming next year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 May 2011 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerd9steve ballmerSteveBallmerSteven SinofskyStevenSinofskywindowswindows 8windows 8 tablet uiWindows8Windows8TabletUiMon, 23 May 2011 17:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve Ballmer promises 'over 500' new features in Mango, teases new WP handsets (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/steve-ballmer-promises-over-500-new-features-in-mango-teases/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/steve-ballmer-promises-over-500-new-features-in-mango-teases/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/steve-ballmer-promises-over-500-new-features-in-mango-teases/#comments Just how big of an upgrade will the Mango release of Windows Phone be? Try "500 new features" big. Steve Ballmer revealed that seductively round number in a speech over in Japan today, where he also said that additional information about "who's going to be building Windows Phones" will be forthcoming at tomorrow's preview event as well. Combine that with an otherwise unsubstantiated rumor (more coverage link below) about Microsoft showing nine new Windows Phone handsets tomorrow, and it does seem like there'll be fresh hardware to go with the ripening software. Neither the Mango release nor any devices on show will be coming to market any time soon, mind you, but it's nice to think we'll get to see what the future of Windows Phone will look like in physical as well as digital form.

Update: We have confirmation from a reliable source that tomorrow's event will be entirely focused on the software, not the hardware. So, anybody looking for a flotilla of new handsets to be deployed had best get their favorite crying pillow handy.

Continue reading Steve Ballmer promises 'over 500' new features in Mango, teases new WP handsets (updated)

Steve Ballmer promises 'over 500' new features in Mango, teases new WP handsets (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 May 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmercarrierseventfeaturesjapanmangomicrosoftoemsmartphonesmartphonessteve ballmerSteveBallmerteaseteaservideowindows phonewindows phone 7windows phone nextWindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7WindowsPhoneNextwp7Mon, 23 May 2011 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's acquisition of Skype for $8.5 billion becomes official]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/microsofts-acquisition-of-skype-for-8-5-billion-becomes-offici/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/microsofts-acquisition-of-skype-for-8-5-billion-becomes-offici/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10/microsofts-acquisition-of-skype-for-8-5-billion-becomes-offici/#comments It was pretty much known about since last night, but Microsoft and Skype have now obliterated any lingering doubt in the matter: the Redmond-based software giant will acquire the internet telephony company for a cool $8.5 billion in cash. Xbox and Kinect support are explicitly mentioned in the announcement of this definitive agreement, as is Windows Phone integration -- both the gaming and mobile aspects being presumably key incentives for Microsoft to acquire Skype. Importantly, this purchase shouldn't affect Skypers outside of the Microsoft ecosystem, as Steve Ballmer's team promises to continue "to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms." Skype was first sold for a relative bargain at $2.5b to eBay in 2005, who in turn sold most of it off to Silver Lake in 2009 at an overall valuation of $2.75b, and now Redmond is concluding proceedings by tripling those earlier prices and offering Skype a permanent home. A new Microsoft Skype Division will now be opened up to accommodate the newcomers, with current Skype CEO Tony Bates becoming president of that operation and reporting directly to Ballmer. The deal is expected to close by the end of this year and you can read Microskype's full announcement after the break.

Update: Microsoft has just disclosed a couple more details about the deal. It was signed last night, May 9th, though the price was finalized on April 18th. You can follow a live stream of Steve Ballmer and Tony Bates' presentation right here.

Continue reading Microsoft's acquisition of Skype for $8.5 billion becomes official

Microsoft's acquisition of Skype for $8.5 billion becomes official originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 May 2011 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acqusitionannouncedballmerbreaking newsbuycallschatcommunicationcommunicationsebaymicrosoftofficialpurchasesalesilver lakeSilverLakeskypesoftwaresteve ballmerSteveBallmertony batesTonyBatesvoipTue, 10 May 2011 08:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Barnes & Noble says Microsoft trying to make Android 'unusable and unattractive,' has a point]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/barnes-and-noble-says-microsoft-trying-to-make-android-unusable-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/barnes-and-noble-says-microsoft-trying-to-make-android-unusable-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/28/barnes-and-noble-says-microsoft-trying-to-make-android-unusable-a/#comments At last, Barnes and Noble is defending itself against the Microsoft lawsuit filed back in March claiming that B&N's Android-based "e-reader and tablet devices" are infringing upon Microsoft's IP. A portfolio strengthened significantly thanks to that little Nokia partnership. We're not going to pick apart B&N's response in detail. However, we'd like to focus on this little nugget of FUD asserted by Barnes and Noble's legal team:
On information and belief, Microsoft intends to take and has taken definite steps towards making competing operating systems such as the Android Operating System unusable and unattractive to both consumers and device manufacturers through exorbitant license fees and absurd licensing restrictions that bear no relation to the scope and subject matter of its own patents.
Grrrowel. But B&N does make a good point about Redmond's intentions. Microsoft has been repeating the mantra that Android is not free for awhile now. In fact, Steve Ballmer told CNN just last year that, "there's nothing free about android... there's an intellectual property royalty due on that whether [Google] happens to charge for that software or not." A tack Microsoft (and Apple) has been keen to pursue through litigation with Motorola and a licensing deal with HTC. And this is only the beginning. Android: free like a puppy. Relive Steve's immortal words in the video after the break.

Continue reading Barnes & Noble says Microsoft trying to make Android 'unusable and unattractive,' has a point

Barnes & Noble says Microsoft trying to make Android 'unusable and unattractive,' has a point originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidb and nb nBAndNbarnes noblebarnes and noblebarnes+microsoftbarnes+noble+microsoftBarnesAndNoblebarnesmicrosoftBarnesNoblebarnesnoblemicrosoftbncountersuitfreeintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertylawsuitlegallitigationmicrosoftnokiapatentsteve ballmerSteveBallmervideoThu, 28 Apr 2011 07:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Rally Ball demo shows Windows Phone 7, Kinect, Xbox Live living in perfect harmony (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-rally-ball-demo-shows-windows-phone-7-kinect-xbox-li/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-rally-ball-demo-shows-windows-phone-7-kinect-xbox-li/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-rally-ball-demo-shows-windows-phone-7-kinect-xbox-li/#comments Though it's billed strictly as a technology demo -- not something we'll necessarily see in any imminent over-the-air update -- Microsoft showed off a pretty cool demo of how Windows Phone 7's Xbox Live integration could take advantage of Kinect down the road at Steve Ballmer's MWC keynote today. How, you ask? Using the Rally Ball game, a Windows Phone user was shown tossing balls to an on-screen character that's controlled by someone else on an Xbox using a Kinect. Simple, yes -- but perhaps as interesting as the Kinect aspect is the viability of real-time cross-platform gaming that Microsoft seems to be throwing its support behind. Seems like a good way to torture your friends into working out from thousands of miles away, doesn't it?

Update: We have a video of this in action after the break!

Continue reading Microsoft Rally Ball demo shows Windows Phone 7, Kinect, Xbox Live living in perfect harmony (video)

Microsoft Rally Ball demo shows Windows Phone 7, Kinect, Xbox Live living in perfect harmony (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerbelfiorejoe belfioreJoeBelfiorekinectmicrosoftmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011rally ballRallyBallsteve ballmerSteveBallmervideowindows phone 7WindowsPhone7wp7xboxxbox liveXboxLiveMon, 14 Feb 2011 10:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows Phone 7's multitasking uses zoomed-out cards to check on your apps]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/windows-phone-7s-multitasking-uses-cards/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/windows-phone-7s-multitasking-uses-cards/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/windows-phone-7s-multitasking-uses-cards/#comments Want to know how the eventual, inevitable implementation of app multitasking on Windows Phone 7 will look? Wonder no longer: it's cards, which seems to be the way a lot of guys are going after webOS showed how to do it right a couple years back, and it looks hot. To see this in action on WP7, simply hold the back button and you'll get a card-like view of all running apps. Pick your app and you're back where you left off in that one. You can multitask even in games, have Slacker playing in the background, and if you press a volume button while on the home screen you'll get a quickie interface for changing track, pausing, and playing.

Microsoft indicated it didn't previously allow for third-party multitasking due to battery life concerns, but those concerns have been mitigated -- somehow. We're not sure of the API-level details that's letting all this magic happen, but we'll look for those later. All we know right know is that it looks great and we can't wait to try it out for ourselves.

Windows Phone 7's multitasking uses zoomed-out cards to check on your apps originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerjoe belfioreJoeBelfioremicrosoftmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011steve ballmerSteveBallmerwindows phone 7WindowsPhone7wp7Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft shows off WP7's future with multitasking, Twitter integration, and IE9, all coming this year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-shows-off-windows-phone-7s-future-with-multitasking/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-shows-off-windows-phone-7s-future-with-multitasking/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-shows-off-windows-phone-7s-future-with-multitasking/#commentsMicrosoft shows off Windows Phone 7's future with multitasking, Twitter integration, and IE9, all coming this year We've just barely begun to get ready with Steve Ballmer's keynote at MWC 2011, yet the company's Twitter and press feeds just scooped its main man. It's confirmed that Windows Phone 7 is getting multitasking for third-party apps and a suite of other updates, including Twitter integration and IE9 Mobile. We're still waiting on details on the multitasking, but the company has confirmed a "new wave of multitasking applications" in this next release, though hopefully that means open to all.

Twitter will be integrated into the People Hub, so you can get your real-time "what's for dinner" updates right there. And, of course, Microsoft confirmed IE9 is coming. It'll deliver a "dramatically enhanced web browser experience" thanks to graphics and hardware acceleration that'll make the most of what your handset has to offer. Sounds tasty to us. We're told to expect the update in "early March," which isn't that far away at all.

Continue reading Microsoft shows off WP7's future with multitasking, Twitter integration, and IE9, all coming this year

Microsoft shows off WP7's future with multitasking, Twitter integration, and IE9, all coming this year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerbelfiorebreaking newsBreakingNewsfeaturefeaturedfeaturesie9internet explorer 9InternetExplorer9joe belfioreJoeBelfioremicrosoftmultitaskingmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011steve ballmerSteveBallmertwitterwindows phone 7WindowsPhone7Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows Phone 7 update with copy and paste, CDMA support coming in 'early March']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/windows-phone-7-update-with-copy-and-paste-cdma-support-coming/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/windows-phone-7-update-with-copy-and-paste-cdma-support-coming/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/windows-phone-7-update-with-copy-and-paste-cdma-support-coming/#comments Though he wouldn't give an exact date, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer whittled down the availability window for the company's first big update to Windows Phone 7 at his keynote address to the crowds gathered at Mobile World Congress today. The latest message is that it'll be available in "early March," which puts us precious few weeks away -- more or less on track with what we'd been anticipating -- bringing support for CDMA radios, copy and paste, and performance improvements. Hopefully that clears the way for the 7 Pro on Sprint, eh?

Windows Phone 7 update with copy and paste, CDMA support coming in 'early March' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmercdmacopy and pasteCopyAndPastemicrosoftmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011steve ballmerSteveBallmerwindows phone 7WindowsPhone7Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Live from Steve Ballmer's MWC 2011 keynote!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/live-from-steve-ballmers-mwc-2011-keynote/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/live-from-steve-ballmers-mwc-2011-keynote/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/live-from-steve-ballmers-mwc-2011-keynote/#comments Woo! Developers! Yeah! Synergy! Steve Ballmer is sure to bring his characteristic enthusiasm to another MWC keynote, though this one should be quite a bit different from the same presentation this time last year. Microsoft is no longer just talking about Windows Phone 7, it's shipping it all around the world, and now it has a major new partner in the form of the world's foremost smartphone seller, Nokia. Stephen Elop might still be around central Barcelona and drop by for a chat, but we suspect Microsoft will have some more goodies up its sleeve. Join us after the break as we liveblog every second of it.

Live from Steve Ballmer's MWC 2011 keynote! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerliveblogmicrosoftmobile world congressmobile world congress 2011MobileWorldCongressMobileWorldCongress2011mwcmwc 2011Mwc2011nokiasteve ballmerSteveBallmerMon, 14 Feb 2011 09:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia Q&A reveals more MeeGo details and tablet plans -- says Android 'risk of commodification was very high']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/11/nokia-qanda-reveals-more-symbian-and-meego-details-android-explor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/11/nokia-qanda-reveals-more-symbian-and-meego-details-android-explor/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/11/nokia-qanda-reveals-more-symbian-and-meego-details-android-explor/#comments The Steve show just ended with both Elop and Ballmer hosting a very informative media Q&A following the reveal of Nokia's plan to use Windows Phone 7 as its "primary smartphone platform." Here are the highlights:
  • No specific announcement for when we'll see the first Nokia Windows Phone. Ballmer mentioned that the engineering teams have spent a lot of time together already.
  • Elop also confirmed that Nokia is a Finnish company and always will be -- they will not be moving to Silicon Valley or anywhere else.
  • Ballmer said that the partnership is "not exclusive" but some things that Microsoft is doing with Nokia are "unique" allowing Nokia to differentiate itself in the market. Elop added that it's important for the Windows Phone 7 ecosystem to thrive, which means that multiple vendors must succeed.
  • Elop didn't believe that Nokia could create a new ecosystem around MeeGo fast enough.
  • Nokia will "substantially reduce" R&D expenditures while increasing R&D productivity moving forward.
  • Nokia did talk with Google about adopting Android but decided that it "would have difficulty differentiating within that ecosystem" and the "commoditization risk was very high -- prices, profits, everything being pushed down, value being moved out to Google which was concerning to us." Microsoft presented the best option for Nokia to resume the fight in the high end smartphone segment.
  • Elop clarified that MeeGo will ship this year but "not as part of another broad smarpthone platform strategy, but as an opportunity to learn." Something that sounds very similar to position Nokia took with its so-called "experimental" Maemo-based N900 last year. After the first (and apparently, only) MeeGo device ships this year, the MeeGo team will then "change their focus into an exploration of future platforms, future devices, future user experiences." Trying to determine the "next disruption" in smartphones.
  • Responding to "hope for a broad MeeGo-based ecosystem," Elop said that Nokia simply wasn't moving fast enough to effectively win and compete against Apple and Google. Windows Phone makes it a "three-horse race," something that Elop says is pleasing to the carriers he's been speaking with.
  • Nokia has different options for its tablet strategy including using something from Microsoft or something that Nokia has developed internally.

Nokia Q&A reveals more MeeGo details and tablet plans -- says Android 'risk of commodification was very high' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcapital markets daycapital markets day 2011CapitalMarketsDayCapitalMarketsDay2011finlandgooglehqmeegomicrosoftmovingnokiaq and aQAQAndAstephen elopStephenElopsteve ballmerSteveBallmertabletwindows phonewindows phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7wp7Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Nokia and Microsoft enter strategic alliance on Windows Phone, Bing, Xbox Live and more]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/11/nokia-and-microsoft-enter-strategic-alliance-on-windows-phone-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/11/nokia-and-microsoft-enter-strategic-alliance-on-windows-phone-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/11/nokia-and-microsoft-enter-strategic-alliance-on-windows-phone-b/#comments
It's happened. Former Microsoft exec and current Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has married his future and his past in the holy matrimony of a "strategic alliance." Windows Phone is becoming Nokia's "principal smartphone strategy," but there's a lot more to this hookup -- scope out the official press release just after the break. Microsoft's Bing and adCenter will provide search and ad services across Nokia devices, while Nokia will look to innovate "on top of the platform" with things like its traditional strength in imaging. Ovi Maps will be a core part of Microsoft's mapping services and will be integrated with Bing, while Nokia's content store will be integrated into (read: assimilated by) Microsoft's Marketplace. Xbox Live and Office will also, as is to be expected, feature on these brave new Microkia handsets. An open letter on Nokia's Conversations site, penned jointly by Stephen Elop and Steve Ballmer, sets out the foregoing details along with the following statement of intent:
"There are other mobile ecosystems. We will disrupt them. There will be challenges. We will overcome them. Success requires speed. We will be swift. Together, we see the opportunity, and we have the will, the resources and the drive to succeed."

Nokia and Microsoft enter strategic alliance on Windows Phone, Bing, Xbox Live and more originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adcenterallianceannouncedbingbreaking newsBreakingNewscapital markets dayCapitalMarketsDayconfirmedelopmarketplacemicrosoftnokiaofficeofficialoviovi mapsovi storeOviMapsOviStorepartnershipstephen elopStephenElopsteve ballmerSteveBallmerstrategicstrategic allianceStrategicAlliancestrategyvideowindows phonewindows phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7wp7xboxxbox liveXboxLiveFri, 11 Feb 2011 02:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve Ballmer looking for a few good engineers for Microsoft management?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/07/steve-ballmer-looking-for-a-few-good-engineers-for-microsoft-man/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/07/steve-ballmer-looking-for-a-few-good-engineers-for-microsoft-man/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/07/steve-ballmer-looking-for-a-few-good-engineers-for-microsoft-man/#comments Bloomberg's heard a couple whispers that Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer is looking to fill senior product executive roles with engineers. In other words, people who can really understand the products they're planning, pushing, and promoting -- a smart move, if it comes to pass. An announcement could reportedly be made as early as this month alongside a Courier resurgence. (Okay, not really, but let us dream a bit.)

Steve Ballmer looking for a few good engineers for Microsoft management? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 21:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerbusinessengineerengineersexecexecutiveexecutivesmanagementmicrosoftproduct executiveProductExecutivereshufflesenior product executiveSeniorProductExecutiveshufflesteve ballmerSteveBallmerMon, 07 Feb 2011 21:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Kinect support for Windows in the works, SDK release this summer?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/kinect-support-for-windows-in-the-works-sdk-release-this-summer/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/kinect-support-for-windows-in-the-works-sdk-release-this-summer/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/kinect-support-for-windows-in-the-works-sdk-release-this-summer/#comments
 WinRumors, citing anonymous sources, reports that the official software developers kit (SDK) for Kinect is currently in the works and will be released in beta some time in the next few months. Apparently, support for the device will become a part of Microsoft's XNA Game Studio and also be integrated into Windows 8 in a big way. These details come hot on the heels of CEO Steve Ballmer's statement at CES that the good folks in Redmond would eventually support the device's use on computers, but he set no timetable for the SDKs release. We can't confirm the story, but given the level of detail in the report and the author's confidence in the info, we won't be surprised if Microsoft gives all you Kinect hackers something to cheer about very soon.

Kinect support for Windows in the works, SDK release this summer? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kinectkinect hackkinect sdkKinectHackKinectSdkmicrosoftmicrosoft kinectMicrosoftKinectmotion gamingMotion sensingMotionGamingMotionSensingnatalpcproject natalProjectNatalrumorrumor millRumorMillrumorssensorSteve BallmerSteveBallmersupportwindowswindows 7Windows 8Windows PCWindows7Windows8WindowsPcxna game studioXnaGameStudioWed, 19 Jan 2011 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Ballmer: Microsoft will eventually support Kinect on PC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/ballmer-microsoft-will-eventually-support-kinect-on-pc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/ballmer-microsoft-will-eventually-support-kinect-on-pc/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/ballmer-microsoft-will-eventually-support-kinect-on-pc/#comments Now that Kinect competitors have begun to spring up, Microsoft's tipped its hand -- CEO Steve Ballmer told the BBC that his company will officially support the depth camera in Windows PCs at some undisclosed point in the future, confirming earlier suspicions. Whether that will just be part of a risky new operating system or just another notch in Games for Windows' belt is hard to say, but it's nice to know that there will be uses for those eight million cameras when we're done hacking and dancing our hearts out.

Ballmer: Microsoft will eventually support Kinect on PC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2011ces2011confirmationconfirmeddriversKinectmicrosoftPCsteve ballmerSteveBallmersupportwindowsWindows PCWindowsPcFri, 07 Jan 2011 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft to demo new slate PCs, Windows 8 tablet functionality at CES?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/microsoft-to-demo-new-slate-pcs-windows-8-tablet-functionality/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/microsoft-to-demo-new-slate-pcs-windows-8-tablet-functionality/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/microsoft-to-demo-new-slate-pcs-windows-8-tablet-functionality/#comments
The CES 2010 Ballmernote has become something of a black mark for Microsoft -- the company's delivered almost nothing in the year after Steve demoed the HP Slate and talked about future Windows 7 Slate PCs -- but as one would assume, Redmond's expected to pick up right where it left off in just a few weeks at CES 2011. According to the New York Times, Microsoft's prepping to explain how it will target the iPad with the help of a number of partners, including Samsung and Dell. While the article is quite vague, it looks like the keynote will include a few new tablet demos, including one of a new Samsung device that sports a "slick" slide out keyboard -- we'd put money on that being the 10.1-inch Gloria. The Times says the Samsung tablet (not to be confused with the Samsung Galaxy Tab) will run some sort of software layer when "the keyboard is hiding and the device is held in portrait mode," but Microsoft's is also reportedly eschewing a central app store for native tablet apps and instead encouraging software companies to build HTML5 -based web apps. That certainly sounds a lot Google's Chrome strategy (and a strategy that could backfire since HTML5 apps will work on Chrome OS devices and iPad equally well), but the Times' source didn't know if these "apps" would be ready for CES as they are "still in production."

As far as we can tell, a lot of this is still built upon Windows 7, but it's also rumored that the Redmond gang will tease Windows 8 on stage -- something that sounds extremely plausible to us, since we've heard from numerous sources that Microsoft's real tablet strategy will rely on Windows 8 and a new all-touch interface that the company has been working incredibly hard on. While Windows 8 isn't due out until the later half of 2011 / early 2012, Ballmer would do well to use his CES time to tell us about Microsoft's "riskiest" product bet and finally do something to address Microsoft's notable absence from the modern tablet market. Of course, nothing's for sure, except for the fact that we'll be there, providing live coverage of the entire thing.

Update: We've been thinking about it (as well as keeping an ear on our chatty Tweeps) and there's also a chance that Microsoft could show off its own Windows 7 software layer for tablets. Either way, we're hoping to get some major answers.

Microsoft to demo new slate PCs, Windows 8 tablet functionality at CES? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES 2011Ces2011dellGloriaintel atomIntel oak trailIntelAtomIntelOakTrailMicrosoftOak TrailOakTrailsamsungsamsung gloriaSamsungGloriaslatesSteve BallmerSteveBallmertabletswindows 7Windows 8Windows7Windows8Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Steve Ballmer looking into removal of Drive Extender from Windows Home Server]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/29/steve-ballmer-looking-into-removal-of-drive-extender-from-window/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/29/steve-ballmer-looking-into-removal-of-drive-extender-from-window/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/29/steve-ballmer-looking-into-removal-of-drive-extender-from-window/#commentsSteve Ballmer looking into removal of Drive Extender from Windows Home Server Windows Home Server hasn't exactly taken the consumer market by storm, showing yet again that people are more interested in shiny new toys than protecting their precious data. Still, there's been a huge amount of negative backlash from Microsoft's recent decision to drop Drive Extender from the next release of WHS, currently codenamed Vail. Drive Extender is the tech that enables multiple physical disks to act as a single logical volume, making it easy for even non-techy folks to add more and enable data replication. Terry Walsh over at We Got Served was similarly taken aback by the decision and took the opportunity to drop a note to Big Poppa Steve Ballmer. He got a response:
From: Steve Ballmer
Sent: 26 November 2010 05:30
To: Terry Walsh
Subject: RE: MVP Feedback - Windows Home Server "Vail" Crisis
Let's look into it
Yes, it's a short response, and it course could mean anything or, indeed, nothing, but it is at least a response and a positive sign that the huge outcry among fans of Windows Home Server can indeed make its way to the top of the executive chain. Now we just wait to see what comes rolling back down...

Steve Ballmer looking into removal of Drive Extender from Windows Home Server originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerdisk poolingDiskPoolingdrive extenderDriveExtenderpoolingsteve ballmerSteveBallmerstoragevailwhswindows home serverWindowsHomeServerMon, 29 Nov 2010 09:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Caption Contest: Steve Ballmer goes on kill-crazy rampage at Microsoft Store]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/19/caption-contest-steve-ballmer-goes-on-kill-crazy-rampage-at-mic/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/19/caption-contest-steve-ballmer-goes-on-kill-crazy-rampage-at-mic/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/19/caption-contest-steve-ballmer-goes-on-kill-crazy-rampage-at-mic/#comments In the photo above you see Microsoft's Steve Ballmer performing a ribbon cutting at the company's new store in Bellevue, Washington. Shortly after finishing with the ribbon, Ballmer proceeded to rampage the store and patrons, leaving 17 dead, 6 wounded, and a stunned Miley Cyrus wondering if she had made the wisest career decisions. Ballmer was finally subdued by Dave Matthews, who knocked the CEO unconscious with an 8-foot bong.

Josh: "I'm a PC, and I'm going to mess up your insides so bad, you'll pray for death."
Ben Bowers: "Anyone else want to claim Windows 7 was their idea?"
Chris: "To the cloud! With Windows 7 and Windows Live, Microsoft can mix and match its CEO's best faces until it's able to piece together a photo it's proud to share."
Ross: "Using the power of Control-X while mobile is just one of the many superpowers Ballmer has and Windows Phone 7 users don't."
Darren: "Moments before this tremendous occasion, Ballmer begrudgingly confirmed a prompt questioning his true intentions to dismantle a red ribbon."
Nilay: "Touch my junk and I'll have you arrested."
Don: "There can only be one!"
Vlad: "I love this company! I love it so much I'm gonna cut it up into little pieces and eat it!"
Joe: "Clearly event organizers hadn't planned for every possible emergency."
Thomas: "Baby Ballmer cuts his own cord thankyouverymuch."
Myriam: "Developers! It's time to get cut and paste into Windows Phone 7..."

Caption Contest: Steve Ballmer goes on kill-crazy rampage at Microsoft Store originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmercaption contestCaptionContestccmicrosoftmicrosoft storeMicrosoftStoresteve ballmerSteveBallmerwashingtonwindowswindows 7windows storeWindows7WindowsStoreFri, 19 Nov 2010 13:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft executives get their own public avatars, may never age]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/29/microsoft-executives-get-their-own-public-avatars-may-never-age/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/29/microsoft-executives-get-their-own-public-avatars-may-never-age/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/29/microsoft-executives-get-their-own-public-avatars-may-never-age/#comments Ever wondered what your favorite Microsoft executive would look like if transformed into an Xbox Live avatar? Wonder no more, as the aforementioned company has done the honors for you. Joey B. definitely looks like his real-world counterpart, but Steve's just looks... doctored. Why give the man forehead lines when he's still so young and vivacious? Hit the source link for lots more where these came from.

Microsoft executives get their own public avatars, may never age originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarcharactercomedyexecutivefunnymicrosoftmiisteve ballmerSteveBallmerFri, 29 Oct 2010 18:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Ballmer: next release of Windows will be Microsoft's 'riskiest product bet' (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/23/ballmer-next-release-of-windows-will-be-microsofts-riskiest-p/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/23/ballmer-next-release-of-windows-will-be-microsofts-riskiest-p/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/23/ballmer-next-release-of-windows-will-be-microsofts-riskiest-p/#comments Windows 7 might be a massive commercial success and an undeniably rock solid piece of software, but Microsoft is apparently unwilling to rest on those soft and cozy laurels. Asked about the riskiest product bet the Redmond crew is currently developing, its fearless leader Steve Ballmer took no time in answering "the next release of Windows." His interviewers sadly failed to probe any deeper on the subject, but it might be notable that Steve calls it the next release rather than simply Windows 8, while the idea of it being risky also ties in with previous indications that Microsoft is aiming for a revolutionary leap between iterations. We'll have to just be patient and wait for more on that, though if you'd like a peek at Steve dodging question on tablets and the potential for Windows Phone 7 appearing on them, you need only jump past the break for the video.

Update: It's also worth noting that Ballmer may not have been talking about revolutionary leaps as much as he's referencing the past issues the company has had when it's issued a major OS update (hello, Vista). The idea that making any big change to the operating system most of the world runs would invite a certain amount of high risk makes sense to us.

Continue reading Ballmer: next release of Windows will be Microsoft's 'riskiest product bet' (video)

Ballmer: next release of Windows will be Microsoft's 'riskiest product bet' (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerceofuturegartnergartner symposiumGartnerSymposiuminterviewmicrosoftplansquoteriskriskyroadmapsteve ballmerSteveBallmerwindowswindows 8windows nextWindows8WindowsNextSat, 23 Oct 2010 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows 7 moves 240 million copies in its first year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/21/windows-7-moves-240-million-copies-in-its-first-year/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/21/windows-7-moves-240-million-copies-in-its-first-year/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/21/windows-7-moves-240-million-copies-in-its-first-year/#comments Can you believe it's only been a year since Windows 7 hit the market? So much has happened in the interim, we could swear it's been a decade. Of course, Microsoft is celebrating Windows 7's birthday the best way it knows how: sales numbers. Turns out the little OS has done pretty well for itself, with 240 million licenses sold, giving it a 17 percent global operating system market share, and making it a healthy chunk of the 1.2 billion Windows PCs out there. As for the slow-to-adopt businesses out there, Microsoft still has some work to do, but it says 90 percent of companies have upgraded or "started their move" to 7. So, we've got the cold hard facts out of the way, any precious, personal, heartfelt memories of your time with the OS you'd like to share? We've got dibs on Steve Ballmer dropping by the Engadget Show on launch week.

Windows 7 moves 240 million copies in its first year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birthdaymicrosoftsalessteve ballmerSteveBallmerwindowswindows 7Windows7Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:38:00 EST