Unlike Apple, Microsoft doesn’t have to convince users to buy its operating system; that happens automatically when they purchase a new PC. Microsoft only has to keep users from removing Windows 7 and backing down to Windows XP, which typically runs faster on the same hardware due to a variety of factors.
 BBC News |
Ballmer Provides Grim Outlook as Economy 'resets'
PC World – 4 hours ago Speaking to financial analysts on the heels of Microsoft's announcement of layoffs and a disappointing second quarter, CEO Steve Ballmer referred to current economic conditions as an entire recalibration that means the economy likely won't return to … Microsoft's ND campus to take small job cuts hit The Associated Press Microsoft job cuts evenly spread CNET News ChannelWeb – ITProPortal – PC Magazine – Wall Street Journal all 1,763 news articles |
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Job cuts enroute for Microsoft, other tech industry giants
Apple Insider – 41 minutes ago By Aidan Malley and Zach Spear Some of tech's biggest and and normally safest players, including Microsoft, IBM, Intel, Sony, and Google, are trimming their workforces in a bid to lower costs and stave off a harsh economy. Microsoft-Intel layoffs take Canadian tech industry by surprise IT World Canada Blogs Microsoft cuts not even a 'hiccup,' Seattle tech leaders optimistic TechFlash Computerworld all 8 news articles |
Barence writes “Microsoft yesterday unveiled its MSN Mobile Music service — and a surprise return to digital rights management (DRM). While companies such as Apple and Amazon have finally moved to music download services free of copy protection, MSN Mobile locks tracks to the mobile handset they are downloaded to. It also charges more than the other services per track, and offers no way to transfer your tracks to your new phone when you upgrade. The company’s Head of Mobile UK spoke to PC Pro about the launch, but his answers are almost as baffling as the service itself. Best quote: Q: ‘If I buy these songs on your service — and they’re locked to my phone — what happens when I upgrade my phone in six months’ time?’ A: ‘Well, I think you know the answer to that.'”
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 BBC News |
Microsoft's days as an unstoppable force are over
Telegraph.co.uk – 42 minutes ago By Jeff Segal, breakingviews.com And it's cutting 5000 jobs, the first big layoffs in its 33-year history. The economic mess has highlighted Microsoft's vulnerabilities. Microsoft resorts to first layoffs, cutting 5000 The Associated Press Microsoft stuns with profit miss, job cuts Reuters Wall Street Journal – BBC News – CBC.ca – New York Times all 1,090 news articles |
 Destructoid |
Does the Xbox 360's 'lack of longevity' matter?
CNET News – 21 hours ago Kaz Hirai, Sony Computer Entertainment America President and CEO, told Official PlayStation Magazine in its latest issue that the Xbox 360 "lacks longevity. How the Xbox and PS3 can take down the Wii TechRadar UK Sony and MS are both right, says analyst News Eurogamer PC World – Ars Technica – Washington Post – The Tech Herald all 291 news articles Langue : Français |
Microsoft, moving up its second-quarter earnings release from this afternoon to right now, said its financial performance took a major hit, with revenue up only two percent, to .63 billion, about 0 million below earlier guidance.
A survey sent out to Windows 7 beta testers indicates that Microsoft is considering developing a software center for Windows. Who wouldn’t want to be able to search for software locally or on the Internet, look at reviews, check requirements, download, install, keep up-to-update, and repair any piece of software from one control panel applet?
snydeq writes “Windows XP, Windows Vista, and (soon) Windows 7 all support SMP out of the box, but as InfoWorld’s Randall Kennedy notes, ‘experience has shown that multiprocessing across discrete CPUs is not the same thing as multiprocessing across integrated cores within the same CPU.’ As such, Kennedy set out to stress the multiprocessing capabilities of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 in dual-core and quad-core performance tests. The comprehensive, multiprocess workload tests were undertaken to document scalability, execution efficiency, and raw performance of workloads. ‘What I found may surprise you,’ Kennedy writes. ‘Not only does Microsoft have a firm grasp of multicore tuning, but its scalability story promises to keep getting better with time. In other words, Windows Vista and Windows 7 are poised to reap ever greater performance benefits as Intel and AMD extend the number of cores in future editions of their processors.'”
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Normally I try to avoid posting straight business news, but I think that these 3 stories combine to something meaningful. Muleguy noted Microsoft is laying off 5,000, Mspangler reports that Intel is cutting 5-6k, while nonyabidness afraid4myjob submitted that IBM Layoffs have begun with no number, but estimates as high as 16,000.
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