Founded in 1974 by Paul Allen and Bill gates, Microsoft is among the largest computer technology companies in the world. Microsoft's first major operating system was DOS (Disk Operating System). They released Windows 1.0 in 1984. In 2000, Bill Gates retired and Steve Ballmer became Microsoft's new CEO. Microsoft has since created such products as Bing, Office, Windows Live, Internet Explorer and their latest mobile smartphone OS, Windows Phone 7. Read our Microsoft coverage for the latest Windows Phone 7 news, reviews and videos:
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by Joe Levi | May 17, 2013 12:01 AMRead OnYou may be hearing about Intel's missed opportunity to put their chip inside the iPhone. But what about Microsoft's lost opportunity? It seems like quite a while ago, but it hasn't been that long. Microsoft was on top of the world. They were quickly approaching their goal of a computer on every desk and in every home -- and were pushing boldly outward, finding a welcome spot in briefcases and backpacks. Then they decided to "go smaller". Windows CE Some of you may recall Windows CE, Microsoft's "compact environment" (though they claim that's not what "CE" stood for. Microsoft pushed ...
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by Jaime Rivera | May 16, 2013 7:00 PMRead OnWatch today's Pocketnow Daily as we talk about the white Nexus 4 launch rumors along with a possible launch date for Android 4.3. Then we talk about the recent dispute between Google and Microsoft over the custom-made YouTube Windows Phone 8 app. Then let's talk about Google hangouts and how AT&T is spoiling the fun for everyone. We later go through the rumors of a much cheaper Microsoft Surface 2, though that's the only good news so far. We end today's show talking about the Google HTC One, and how the whole concept was dismissed as quick as we wished for it not to. All this and more ...
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by Stephen Schenck | May 16, 2013 6:40 PMRead OnThose of you who stuck around for the entire Google I/O 2013 keynote address yesterday got to see a hoarse-sounding Larry Page take the stage to wax philosophical, answer questions, and take a few swings at Google's competition. Microsoft found itself on the receiving end of just such a volley, with Page criticizing the company's willingness to let its products interoperate with Google's. Specifically, Page talked about Google offering to have the companies' instant messaging protocols work with each other, and despite Microsoft taking Google up on its offer, it hasn't returned the favor ...
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by Stephen Schenck | May 16, 2013 12:54 PMRead OnOne week ago, Microsoft came out with a really nice overhaul for its Windows Phone YouTube app. It wasn't long after that when we learned of a possibly big problem for this new release, as some of its behavior appeared to conflict with YouTube API terms and conditions. We wondered if Google might go so far as to take steps to disable the app. Sure enough, Google has sent Microsoft a cease-and-desist letter, insisting that Microsoft kill the app. Just as expected, Google takes issue with Microsoft pulling an end-run on content producers that rely on advertising for income, as the Windows ...
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by Anton D. Nagy | May 16, 2013 9:32 AMRead OnAs we've heard at the beginning of the month, Microsoft might be ready to announce it's second generation of Surface tablets in June. Then came those ugly rumors according to which we'd have to wait until 2014 to see some Microsoft slates and we're now, more recently, hearing confirmations that it might still be June for the second-wave Surface RT tablets. Whether our wish-list for the next Surface will be taken into consideration or not, only time will tell. However, Digitimes reports that second-generation Surface RT is expected to land in June. It should be an eight-incher and should ...
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by Adam Doud | May 13, 2013 7:00 AMRead OnOn the eve of their big London announcement, Nokia might have a problem. Once, far and away the favorite to take Microsoft on a ride of profit and swing dancing, Nokia has failed to take advantage of it's position as Fresh Prince of Windows Phone to gain any significant market share. Windows Phone still finds itself an uber-distant third in the smartphone marketplace and while Nokia has done an admirable job making quality hardware, it hasn't quite gotten the job done in the flying off the shelves department. Now Microsoft might have to take the reins and ride this horse to the finish ...
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by Stephen Schenck | May 10, 2013 1:01 PMRead OnMore often than we'd like to, it seems that we're talking about the lack of selection when it comes to Windows Phone apps. Everyone knows that Microsoft doesn't have anywhere near the number of apps that are available on iOS or Android, but just how bad is the situation? Today we get an update on the app population, and it's not very good news. When we told you about the Lumia 928 launch, we mentioned the bonus $25 app credit included. While the announcement we saw from Nokia didn't include this tidbit, Microsoft's own coverage of the launch notes that the $25 can be used towards any of ...
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by Stephen Schenck | May 9, 2013 7:56 PM
Read OnIf you've been following our Microsoft Surface Pro coverage, you're already well aware of one of the otherwise impressive tablet's major shortcomings: despite having a pressure-sensitive stylus, the API Microsoft decided to support isn't compatible with software like Photoshop – exactly the sort of programs many users probably thought would be most useful on a device like this. Luckily, it looks like the needed drivers could be just about to arrive. We've been waiting for these for months – we heard back in early February that they could be here "soon," but clearly that didn't come to ...
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by Stephen Schenck | May 9, 2013 7:22 PMRead OnA couple days back we saw Microsoft release a serious overhaul to the Windows Phone YouTube app, bringing a lot of new functionality to an app that was previously a bit of a disappointment. While early reaction from users has been positive, will these good times be short-lived? It's since come to light that Microsoft's new app violates a number of YouTube's terms of service, potentially setting the stage for Google taking steps to disable the app's access to its content. The most glaring violations are the ability of the app to let the user download content to their phones, and that the ...
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by Joe Levi | May 9, 2013 10:59 AM
Read OnAny respectable company wants to grow its user-base. Companies can't stay stagnant, they have to grow, or they will be eaten up by their competition. Microsoft isn't going to be eaten up any time soon, but their smartphone platform isn't growing -- at least not compared to their competition. It shouldn't come as a surprise for anyone who has been following the news: Windows Phone is still a distant third in the smartphone race. What's a mega-corporation like Microsoft to do in this situation? Try to steal Android users, of course! Android and iOS dominate the market, and Microsoft knows ...
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by Stephen Schenck | May 9, 2013 10:57 AMRead OnMicrosoft made some bold, risky choices when introducing its first Surface tablets. Both the Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro Surface models did things sort of differently from competitors like the iPad or any number of Android tablets. For one, Microsoft chose to position these two as premium devices, and avoided the bottom-scratching battle for budget tablet sales taking place in the $200-$400 range. It also gambled on not going with a unified platform for its mobile apps, making its tablets incompatible with apps already developed for Windows Phone. I'll get back to the app situation in a ...
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by Michael Fisher | May 9, 2013 7:01 AMRead OnMost new-device launches go the same way: usually the press gets review units before they’re widely available, and we get to use them for a few days -or a week if we’re lucky- as we work on our review. Then press day arrives. The embargo on media coverage lifts, and everyone posts their reviews and videos at the same time. It’s a huge frenzy, commenters go nuts, and it’s a giant explosion of frantic opinion-sharing activity. For about … a day. And then it all goes away. Sure, there’s followup coverage as people find bugs and hidden features, but after that initial blast, not ...
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by Anton D. Nagy | May 9, 2013 3:01 AMRead OnChances are photo and video backup for Windows Phone 8 wasn't available for you if you've lived outside of the U.S., and other officially supported countries. That has, as of now, changed, thanks to Microsoft and the company's announcement to flip the switch on the feature around the world. The ability to back up full-sized photos and videos is being rolled out worldwide but it might take a little time until you're able to use the feature. However, when it reaches you, you can enable it by going to SkyDrive within the Settings of Photos. There you will have the option to upload good and ...
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by Michael Fisher | May 8, 2013 1:35 PMRead OnAt Pocketnow, we have a responsibility to try the new, the fresh, and the weird - and that latter swamp is exactly the one Managing Editor Anton D. Nagy waded into with his recent review of the ASUS Fonepad - the tablet with an earpiece. Or the phone with a tablet screen. Whatever you want to call it, we've covered it - and Tony has some thoughts about using a seven-inch smartphone in this edition of one of your favorite tech podcasts. After we clear the giant-phone convo, we've got more to say. Lots more. And, doubtless to the relief of thousands, very little of it involves Samsung's ...
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by Jaime Rivera | May 7, 2013 7:00 PMRead OnWatch today's Pocketnow Daily as we talk about Microsoft's new YouTube app for Windows Phone 8, and why this isn't necessarily good. Then we move to the Nokia Lumia 929 and its official landing page, aside from talking about the fact that Nokia shareholders aren't happy with Stephen Elop's performance, and we know why. Acer is next as the company has dismissed building Windows RT products, and we also know why that is. The Samsung Galaxy S 4 Zoom rumors continue as this poses to be the next Galaxy Camera. We end today's show talking about the Google Playground rumors, and why we think this ...