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Microsoft has launched an online news aggregator called microsoft/web that aggregates the most popular stuff from various web sources. It is basically an internet news channel that aggregates news & popular articles from internet on various topics like IT, finance & inspirational. Much like the RSS feeds that we use on a daily basis, but this news aggregator comes along with the power of Microsoft.
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Let me be very straightforward about it because I don’t want to put you under any wrong impression. Microsoft will indeed launch an Operating System this week. This Operating System wont be doing the usual stuff, it would rather be an OS for the designers who want to create web based applications which derive the power of cloud computing.
It is being called “Windows Cloud” for now and Steve Ballmer mentioned about this OS in a tech conference held in London. He refused to say anything more on that.
Microsoft have provided the first look at the next version of its developer tools and platform, which will be named Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4.0.
Microsoft described the next release through the following five prime areas:
Microsoft Thursday floated a trial balloon on a new PowerPoint prototype that starts with a single view and uses a zoom feature for highlighting text, pictures and other details.
This is being called pptPlex, the prototype is what Microsoft calls a “canvas,” allowing users to put together various elements in a single place, then highlight sections using a zoom feature.
Microsoft to offer single download for Windows Live suite. Microsoft will offer a Windows Live “installer” that will download and install software to access multiple online services, as per the president of Microsoft’s Platform and Services Division Kevin Johnson, mentioned his presentation at Microsoft’s Financial Analysts Day on Thursday, Johnson mentioned the Windows Live installer, saying that the company would begin beta testing it this summer.
It will be a single download that will let consumers connect to multiple Live-branded hosted services, such as e-mail and messaging. People will be able to access these services from different devices, including PCs and phones. We will keep you updated when this is available live. This post is based on a report from news.com
Microsoft’s Research annual summit with university in Redmond have announced plans for its next research grants to colleges and universities.
Everyone is keen to know about the subjects that the Microsoft chooses as those will highlight the areas they considers most vital and worth exploring.
One such interesting category is a $500,000 commitment for research in “sustainable computing.” The company defines that as “research in innovative approaches toward power-optimized system architectures, and adaptive power management solutions for maximizing the energy efficiency of computing infrastructure.” (more…)
I just read in news, Microsoft Corp. has agreed to modify Vista operating system in response to legal complaints that its desktop search function has brought Google and other potential competitors in problem. The U.S. Justice Department and Microsoft are expected to provide details of the proposed changes in a joint report filed in federal court later on Tuesday, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The source provided no details on what changes Microsoft had agreed to make. In a complaint filed with the Justice Department in December, Google said a feature built into Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system that allows users to search a computer’s hard drive did not leave room for competition from other desktop search applications.
Google claims that feature violates the consent decree that monitors Microsoft’s conduct as part of its settlement with the U.S. government in its landmark antitrust case against the company. The New York Times reported earlier in June that some state officials were alarmed by Google’s complaint
With the increase fondness for the Blackberry phones, BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. is introducing a software application that can make Palm Treos and other Windows-based mobile devices made by rivals work like a BlackBerry.The software, due in the fall, is designed to extend BlackBerry’s dominance by offering an option to individuals who may not want to switch devices to get the service, and to companies that would like to give employees a wider selection of handhelds without being forced to support multiple mobile e-mail platforms.
The application replaces the Windows layout and icons on the display with the look of the BlackBerry interface, customized to the specific buttons and screen size of that device.
A non-BlackBerry device would then be able to connect with BlackBerry servers for e-mail, calendar, address book and other applications written for the platform by RIM and third-party developers.
A user would be able to toggle back and forth between the two platforms if they want, for example, to use the Windows Media Player to listen to music.
Its likely that some Hackers have already exploited Windows Vista activation , according to SecurityFocus.com, Experts are blogging on how can this is propogating and how can it be controlled, one technique that requires a special editor for the the software that acts as the interface between the PC hardware and the operating system, BIOS. By editing a special value that PC manufacturers use to pass the product activation test, a hacker can run Windows Vista, said Alex Kochis, senior product manager for Microsoft, stated on the Windows Genuine Advantage blog, this technique could easily result in an inoperable PC if done wrong.
A second hack uses emulation to attempt to defeat product activation and is easier to pull off, but also easier to detect. Microsoft’s Kochis said the company will consider the impact on customers of any change to the anti-piracy software.
Microsoft is making efforts to expand the Xbox 360 feature set by announcing new instant messaging functions for users of the popular gaming device.
With expanded HD video content and a new HDMI-enabled Xbox 360 Elite, the Microsoft now provides the ability to run Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360, allowing them to easily connect and chat directly from their television with a network of more than 260 million active users.
This facility is expected to be available beginning the week of May 2007, the Xbox 360 Spring Update will add the ability to text chat in addition to video and voice chat functions with up to six people on a user’s contact list at one time while playing games, listening to music or watching movies.
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