Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT)
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A Lofty Perch For Google
As I know from my own experience as an entrepreneur, Google's online ad competitors are a joke.

Financier Icahn to run board slate for Yahoo: sou
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has elected to move ahead with plans to run a dissident board slate at Yahoo Inc , sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

Xbox 360 First Gaming System to Reach 10 Million
Xbox LIVE tops 12 million members globally as Xbox 360 console sales hit more than 19 million worldwide. REDMOND, Wash., May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft

Microsoft sells 10 million Xbox 360s in US
NEW YORK (AP) - The Xbox 360, Microsoft Corp.'s gaming console, has sold more than 10 million units in the U.S. through April, the company said Wednesday.

Microsoft says Xbox 360 is the first to sell 10 m
Microsoft Corp. said it's sold 10 million Xbox 360 units in the U.S. -- a volume that it said will crown its product the winner in the gaming console battle with competitors such as Nintendo of America's Wii or Sony's PlayStation 3.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates sells shares
NEW YORK (AP) - Bill Gates, the chairman of software company Microsoft Corp., sold 3 million shares of common stock, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings Tuesday.

President of Panama and Head of Microsoft Researc
Expansion of the programs is aimed at strengthening region's research community. PANAMA CITY, May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Research today

From Bezos to Buffett, Microsoft draws crowd
Don't be surprised a few months from now if some blockbuster corporate deal traces its origins to the hallways of Microsoft's conference center.

Gates shows Microsoft 'TouchWall' prototype
At Microsoft's CEO Summit in Redmond this morning, Bill Gates showed a prototype called TouchWall, which the company described as a vertical version of its Microsoft Surface tabletop computer. Gates gestured across the screen with his hands to browse digital files on the screen, using a companion software prototype that the company calls Plex.

Extra: Quizzing Microsoft's newest president
Former Macromedia CEO Stephen Elop has kept a low profile since starting his new job as Microsoft Business Division president earlier this year, succeeding longtime Microsoft executive Jeff Raikes. I sat down with Elop in his Redmond office Tuesday afternoon to talk about his background and his plans for the division, which includes the Microsoft Office applications and the Microsoft Dynamics line of business software.

Microsoft reports Mac Office sales increase
Microsoft said today that the latest version of its Office for Mac program, released in January, has been selling at nearly three times the rate the company saw after the launch of the previous version. The company declined to provide actual sales figures, but the increase makes sense given the continued growth in Apple Mac shipments.

Notes on the Gates Foundation's next leader
Longtime Microsoft executive Jeff Raikes will finally serve as chief executive under Bill Gates -- but not at the company where they've spent more than 25 years together.

WorldWide Telescope: A Microsoft blueprint?
Microsoft says the intent is to keep WorldWide Telescope free, but product groups may be able to learn from and apply some of the technology used in the program.

Microsoft exec Raikes named Gates Foundation CEO
Bill Gates, preparing to shift to full-time philanthropy at the end of June, has chosen one of his longtime Microsoft lieutenants as the chief executive of his foundation. Jeff Raikes, the retiring Microsoft Business Division president, was named the next CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today. Raikes is expected to start in September, succeeding Patty Stonesifer, herself a former Microsoft executive, who had announced plans to leave her CEO position earlier this year.

Next up: A Microsoft-Google antitrust fight?
Microsoft's Yahoo bid is over, but the aftermath might prove just as interesting. And it looks like Google could play a significant role.

News Corp. says no MySpace-Microsoft talks
Executives at MySpace parent company News Corp. apparently have a more nuanced understanding of differences in the terms "conversations," "discussions," and "talks" than the average person does. Or maybe they don't. At any rate, the bottom line is that a Microsoft-MySpace deal doesn't look likely right now, at least not based on comments made during News Corp.'s conference call yesterday afternoon. Here's an excerpt:

Poll: Whom should Microsoft pursue next?
As the dust settles from Microsoft's thwarted Yahoo acquisition bid, there's lots of speculation about which company or companies Microsoft should try to buy next. Facebook? Digg? Time Warner's AOL, perhaps? Or maybe Microsoft should go it alone and focus on organic growth. Bill Gates is being criticized for delivering mixed messages on the issue -- saying yesterday that the company wasn't ruling out partnerships, and today that it would stay focused on its independent strategy.

Opinion: A Microsoft shareholder's manifesto
This unsolicited piece is by Michael G. McDonald of Atlanta, a retired advertising executive and a Microsoft shareholder since 2000, the year Steve Ballmer became CEO. His opinion is his own. It caught my attention because it reflects, in clear terms, a general sentiment that other shareholders sometimes express in e-mails and phone calls. For Microsoft's perspective, I'm also including excerpts from Bill Gates' comments on Fox Business this week, and Ballmer's remarks during Microsoft's 2007 annual meeting. -- TB

Excerpt: Warren Buffett, Bill Gates on Yahoo
Fox Business Network had an extensive on-air interview yesterday with Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett and Microsoft's Bill Gates, Buffett's friend and a Berkshire board member. They covered a range of topics, and given the timing, Microsoft's decision to walk away from the Yahoo acquisition bid naturally came up. Here's an extended excerpt from that part of the discussion, reprinted with permission of Fox Business News.

Microsoft's new automotive deal: Hyundai-Kia
Microsoft said late Monday that it has struck a deal with Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group to develop new automotive "infotainment" systems.

Microsoft adds NBC, other TV shows to Zune
Confirming the rumors, Microsoft says it will start selling downloadable television shows for its Zune device -- including selected programs from NBC, the network that split from market leader Apple.

Reports: Yahoo still 'open' to Microsoft talks
In interviews with Bloomberg News and Reuters today, Yahoo Chief Executive Jerry Yang said he wasn't necessarily closing the door on further talks with Microsoft. The comments came as Yahoo's shares closed down more than 14 percent today following Microsoft's announcement Saturday that it was withdrawing its acquisition bid.

Manufacturing, Housing Data On Tap
Wall Street posted comfortable gains despite a late fade, thanks to a mild April inflation report.

How To Make Security And Privacy Fit Together
Improving security and still guaranteeing a big measure of privacy is not a pipe dream. But it will take significant cooperation.

How To Protect A Company's Data
To prevent data breaches, security companies are trying forgoing firewalls and embedding security into information itself.

Making Social Sites Safer
A new task force that includes MySpace, Facebook, Google and Microsoft is mulling ways to make social networks safer places for kids.

Stocks Rise On CPI Figures
This is a transcript of the Market Update: Close video report.

A Lofty Perch For Google
As I know from my own experience as an entrepreneur, Google's online ad competitors are a joke.

Late Slip Doesn't Erase CPI-Sparked Gains
An encouraging April inflation report gave the Street a boost.

Inflation Moderates; Investors Start Buying On Wall Street
April CPI figures were better-than-expected, and stocks started higher.

Sony Looking To Make Amends For Surprise Stumble
The conglomerate posted an unexpected net loss for the January-March quarter but promises strong operating profit gains in the fiscal year to come.

Verizon Joins Android Competitor
The LiMo Foundation is trying to outrun Google's Android by signing up new members and launching its own developer contest.

Yahoo! Deal: Enter Icahn
Internet portal's shares jump on report that the billionaire is building a stake.

Yahoo! For Icahn?
Internet portal's shares jump on report that the billionaire is building a stake.

Oil Climbs As Iran Mulls Cut, Trips Up Wall Street
Crude flirted with $127 as the OPEC member considers a production decrease.

Why Apple Can't Kill The BlackBerry
The BlackBerry Bold may look like an iPhone wannabe but Research In Motion won't give up any customers without a fight.

AIG, Citi Rekindle Credit Fears; Stocks Tumble
The insurer reported a woeful first quarter, and the bank is expected to sell a hefty chunk of its assets.

Google Speaks
The Internet giant's top executives say no search-advertising partnership yet with its competitor. But it would have campaigned against a MicroHoo merger.

A Landscape Of Giants
Sure, we have more media choices than ever. But there's not more competition.

Wall Street Shrugs Off Falling Financials
Stocks move modestly higher but unexplained weakness in finance persists.

Mining Stocks Shine; Tech Pushes Higher
This is a transcript of the Market Update: Afternoon video report.

Japan's 40 Richest
The wealthiest in the world's second-largest economy make gains.

Grand Theft Auto Breaks The Bank
Squashing sales records, Rockstar's "GTA IV" pulls in $500 million in its first week.

The Stall-Out In Mega-Caps
No more Valium at the bedside, so now where do we make money?

Microsoft-Yahoo! Saga Isn't Over
The deal is off, but lots of questions remain for both players.

Disney Profits Surge, Fannie Gets A Boost
This is a transcript of the Market Update: Close video report.

Record Oil Can't Hold Back U.S. Upswing
Wall Street finished with gains Tuesday, even after crude raced past $122.

Determining Microsoft Jet Database Engine vulnerability
Do we need to worry about the recently disclosed vulnerability in the Microsoft Jet Database Engine if we have Windows XP Service Pack 3 installed?

Microsoft opens up the heavens with virtual telescope
Microsoft Tuesday opened the view finder on its free WorldWide Telescope research project allowing Web users to peer into the deep recesses of space through a treasure trove of images.

BlackBerry show fans high hopes
Enterprise BlackBerry devotees gather this week in Orlando for RIM's annual user conference. On their "must see" list: the still missing-in-action BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0, the about-to-be-unveiled 3G BlackBerry 9000 and a possible flip phone model.

Microsoft advances management plans
Microsoft's strategy for building a management platform has changed significantly in the past five years.

Microsoft reportedly inquiring about Facebook's availability
In the wake of collapsed talks with Yahoo, Microsoft reportedly is sniffing around social-networking site Facebook as a possible acquisition target.

Microsoft's infrastructure management aspirations
Microsoft wants to change a key number in the systems management market: the big four.

Bringing the enterprise mobility dream closer to reality
For several years, we have predicted that this will (finally) be the year enterprise mobility services move beyond simple mobile e-mail. Although we are painfully aware of the slow progress thus far, WebMessenger Tuesday announced a product that may help the enterprise mobility dream move a little closer to reality. WebMessenger announced the commercial availability of WebMessenger Mobile for Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS). The first-to-market solution extends the Microsoft unified communications platform to BlackBerry and other enterprise mobile devices including those that support Windows Mobile and Symbian. WebMessenger Mobile for Microsoft OCS will be on-display May 13 - 15 at the Wireless Enterprise Symposium in Orlando.

Microsoft is winning the NAC war, expert says
Security guru Joel Snyder from Opus One recently starred as the guest of a live Network World chat where he discussed the state of network access control. Snyder says that those who are anti-NAC simply don't understand the technology. He answered a slew of technical questions from attendees including why ACLs are better than VLANs, the dirty dark corner of NAC (management) and why some anti-NAC experts have got it all wrong.

XP SP3, Vista SP1 back online for automatic updates
Microsoft Tuesday began offering Windows XP SP3 on its automatic download Web sites and resumed automatic downloads of Vista SP1 after compatibility issues arose last week.

Software maker gets its mobile house in order
One enterprise is using a new hosted service from Visage Mobile to track all of its mobility assets, including carrier service plans for 300 mobile workers. The service, MobilityCentral, blends directory data on users with device inventory data and mobile operators' invoice data to create a complete, accurate picture of the real costs of enterprise mobility.

Is your data center ready for tomorrow's applications?
Click here to see what Gartner, Network World and other experts say about the new data center.

Icahn may launch proxy battle for Yahoo
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn is reportedly loading up on Yahoo's stock for a possible attempt to shove aside the Internet icon's board...

Icahn Decides To Nominate YHOO Slate, Reuters Says (at Barron's Online)

VeriSign wins patent for Internet typo redirection (AP)

Hedge Funds: Activist firm Third Point discloses stakes in Microsoft, Yahoo (at MarketWatch)
Third Point LLC discloses stakes in Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc., adding another activist investment firm to the technology takeover standoff.

Manufacturing, Housing Data On Tap (at Forbes.com)

Google overtakes Yahoo as most popular site, comScore says (at MarketWatch)
Google Inc., long dominant in the Internet search market, has overtaken rival Yahoo Inc. as the most popular Web destination in the U.S., according to forthcoming data from research firm comScore Inc.

Making Social Sites Safer (at Forbes.com)
A new task force that includes MySpace, Facebook, Google and Microsoft is mulling ways to make social networks safer places for kids.

How To Protect A Company's Data (at Forbes.com)

How To Make Security And Privacy Fit Together (at Forbes.com)
Improving security and still guaranteeing a big measure of privacy is not a pipe dream. But it will take significant cooperation.

In Pictures: Companies That Profit From Your Data (at Forbes.com)

Report: Icahn forging ahead with proxy fight (at bizjournals.com)

Icahn moving ahead with Yahoo proxy fight: report (at MarketWatch)
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has reportedly decided to press ahead with a proxy fight to oust Yahoo Inc.'s current board in favor of members who might be more amenable to negotiating a merger with Microsoft Corp.

Icahn to mount proxy fight for Yahoo board: report (at MarketWatch)
Carl Icahn has decided to press ahead with a proxy fight to replace Yahoo Inc.'s current board of directors, according to a report Wednesday from Reuters. Icahn had been expected to make a decision on mounting proxy fight after accumulating roughly 50 million Yahoo shares, according to reports.

Report: Icahn Will File Yahoo Proxy Board Slate (TechTicker)

Stocks Rise On CPI Figures (at Forbes.com)

Financier Icahn to run board slate for Yahoo: sources (Reuters)
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has elected to move ahead with plans to run a dissident board slate at Yahoo Inc , sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

[$$] Consumer-Price Data Boost Stocks, But Rally Fades In Final Hour (at The Wall Street Journal Online)

A Lofty Perch For Google (at Forbes.com)
As I know from my own experience as an entrepreneur, Google's online ad competitors are a joke.

CORRECT: Microsoft says Xbox U.S. sales top 10 mln units (at MarketWatch)
Microsoft Corp. said late Wednesday that U.S. sales of Xbox 360 video game system have topped 10 million units since its launch. Worldwide, the system has sold more than 19 million units, the company said.

Xbox 360 First Gaming System to Reach 10 Million in U.S. Console Sales This Generation (PR Newswire)
Microsoft Corp. today announced that the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system has sold over 10 million units in the U.S., making it the first current-generation gaming console to break the 10 million mark in the U.S.

Late Slip Doesn't Erase CPI-Sparked Gains (at Forbes.com)

Xbox 360 First Gaming System to Reach 10 Million in U.S. Console Sales This Generation
Xbox LIVE tops 12 million members globally as Xbox 360 console sales hit more than 19 million worldwide.

President of Panama and Head of Microsoft Research Address Scientific Research Opportunities in Latin America
Expansion of the programs is aimed at strengthening region’s research community.

Nursery Picks Microsoft Dynamics NAV to Reap Benefits From Integrated Data
Bordine Nursery expects to improve its production, sales and reporting processes with Microsoft’s advanced management ERP technology.

Microsoft Announces Public Preview and Pricing for Windows Essential Server Solutions
Customers and partners begin evaluating pre-release versions of Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008.

Microsoft Releases Insurance Value Chain β€œFactory” for ACORD Standards
New IVC Software Factory helps insurance companies integrate applications and Web services in both property and casualty and life and annuity businesses via ACORD industry standards.

New Microsoft LifeCam Bends Over Backward for You
LifeCam VX-5000, LifeCam VX-500 and LifeChat LX-2000 deliver fun features and great performance at affordable prices.

Technology Plays Critical Role for Insurance Firms Seeking to Recruit and Market to Millennials, Reports New Insurity-Microsoft Survey
Graying industry faces β€œbrain drain” as nearly 60 percent of employees are now over age 45.

Microsoft Mac BU Delivers Strongest Launch in History of Office for Mac
Group releases Service Pack 1, announces the return of Visual Basic for Applications in next version.

Updated Microsoft Health Common User Interface Furthers Clinical Effectiveness, Increases Patient Safety
New elements include platform updates and product road map for developers.

WorldWide Telescope Brings Space Exploration to Earth
A service free of charge from Microsoft lets students and lifelong learners tour the night sky using high-resolution images from the world’s best land- and space-based telescopes.

Microsoft and HOYA Enter Into Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement Covering Digital Cameras and Other Consumer Products
Companies enter into agreement to enhance their innovation efforts in the field of consumer products including digital cameras.

Media Alert: Bill Gates Kicks Off 12th Annual Microsoft CEO Summit
Gates to discuss the next wave of business productivity, demonstrate new pioneering technologies and share insights into Microsoft’s culture of innovation.

Media Alert: Microsoft Showcases Collaboration and Productivity Technologies for Insurance Industry at 2008 ACORD LOMA Forum
Microsoft Silverlight, Unified Communications and Virtual Earth help create connected experiences between consumers and their insurance carriers.

Microsoft and RIM to Bring Windows Live Services to BlackBerry Smartphone Customers
Agreement will enhance the communications experience on BlackBerry smartphones through popular Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger services.

Microsoft Named Preferred Technology Partner in β€œCity of the Future” Project
Songdo, a new Korean city currently under construction, will offer ubiquitous technology for citizens, government, education.

Microsoft Expands Commitment to Accessibility and High-Quality Education Across Asia Pacific Region
Bill Gates announces new partnerships that broaden the impact of technology at the local level.

Microsoft, DAISY Make Reading Easier for People With Print Disabilities
Using Office Open XML files, users of Microsoft Office Word can now produce content in the world’s most widely used assistive technology format.

For Insurance Companies, Technology Could Be Key to Recruiting Millennials, Reports New Microsoft Survey
Q&A: U.S. Insurance Leader Bill Hartnett and Rob Salkowitz, author of Generation Blend, discuss the need to adopt new and innovative technologies to attract younger workers to an industry in which nearly 60 percent of employees are over age 45.

Microsoft Spurs Economic Activity in Asia through Localized Software Initiatives
Microsoft Innovation Centers in Indonesia and Pakistan shed light on how to realize the potential of technology for sustainable economic growth.

New Enterprise Sales Leadership and Strategy Focuses on Customer Connections, Business Value
Q&A: Worldwide Enterprise Sales Vice President Austen Mulinder discusses the strategy Microsoft’s enterprise sales teams are taking to accelerate the evolution from a product sales orientation to a β€œtrusted advisor” role.

Zune Community Brings New Shared Experience to Music
Spring release adds features that inspire people to explore, discover and discuss their favorite music.

Microsoft Research New Faculty Fellowships Help Young Professors Succeed
As the 2008 fellowship award winners are announced, PressPass checks in with two past Microsoft awardees to see how the fellowships have helped them drive breakthrough research.

New Microsoft Services Leadership and Structure Streamlines IT Services and Support for Customers and Partners Worldwide
Q&A: Maria Martinez, Corporate Vice President of Worldwide Services, discusses how restructuring of the company’s Services division provides increased and enhanced IT services and support capabilities to industry partners and customers.

Icahn Is Said to Weigh a Proxy Fight at Yahoo
Carl C. Icahn is considering a proxy fight for seats on Yahoo’s board in hopes of pushing the company to restart talks to sell itself to Microsoft.

Retiring Microsoft Official to Run Gates Foundation
A Microsoft executive has been named the new chief executive of the largest foundation in the world, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Corrections

Microsoft Appeals $1.4 Billion Fine by Europe
Microsoft asked Europe’s second-highest court to overturn or reduce a record fine of 899 million euros ($1.4 billion) from the European Union.

Tip of the Week: Saving a Little Bit of the Earth
You can save electricity by setting your computer’s monitor to turn off automatically after a few minutes of inactivity.

Your Chance to Finish a Movie Microsoft Started
Microsoft Corporation is underwriting an online movie-making contest to stimulate sales and burnish the reputation of its Windows Vista operating system.

How to Convert Uppercase Text
I’d like to convert text in an e-mail message from capital letters to standard uppercase and lowercase letters. Is there a way to do this, or am I stuck retyping?

Yahoo Chief Says Microsoft Was the Stubborn One
Jerry Yang said Yahoo was open to Microsoft all along but said he felt that the company he co-founded was simply worth more than what Microsoft put on the table.

A Mild Retreat as Oil Surges to a Record
Wall Street pulled back on Monday after Microsoft decided to withdraw its bid for Yahoo and oil prices rose to a record.

How Not to Make a Deal
Yahoo may look like the big loser. But here’s a lesson for Microsoft: When you make an unsolicited offer, be prepared to win.

Google Ends Microsoft’s Yahoo Search
Google played the odd dual role of unwitting matchmaker and self-interested spoiler in the failed marriage.

If You Use Outlook E-Mail, Meet Xobni
The free downloadable software can index all of your Outlook e-mail and make messages quickly and easily searchable.

Steve Jobs Stakes Out the TV Den
A lot of us carry a little bit of Steve Jobs around in our pocket, in the form of iPods and iPhones. Now, Apple is after the remaining bit of life-share that it doesn’t already own, the home front.

Yahoo Stock Plunges After Microsoft Backs Off
Yahoo’s shares closed down 15 percent on the first day of trading after Microsoft’s takeover bid fell through.

Microsoft’s Failed Yahoo Bid Risks Online Growth
Without a Yahoo deal, Microsoft faces a problem: its time-tested recipe for success isn’t working against Google.

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT)

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) is an American multinational computer technology corporation with 79,000 employees in 102 countries and global annual revenue of US $51.12 billion as of 2007. It develops, manufactures, licenses and supports a wide range of software products for computing devices.

Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, its best selling products are the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office suite of productivity software. These products have prominent positions in the desktop computer market, with market share estimates as high as 90% or more as of 2003 for Microsoft Office and 2006 for Microsoft Windows. One of Bill Gates' key visions is "to get a workstation running our software onto every desk and eventually in every home"

Corporate Address

Microsoft Corporation

One Microsoft Way

Redmond, WA 98052-7329 USA

Tel: (425) 882-8080

Fax: (425) 706-7329

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com

 

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