Microsoft

Meet Cortana, Microsoft’s answer to Siri

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 3, 2014

The Windows giant Microsoft will be introducing its upcoming Windows Phone 8.1 update at the Build conference next month.

With it comes Cortana, a Microsoft-branded personal digital assistant that includes functionality provided by Apple's Siri and Google's Google Now voice-activated assistants.

It also has a few nice features not provided by Apple so perhaps competition from Microsoft (and Google) will prompt the iPhone maker to roll out new Siri features sooner than later. The Verge has an exclusive look at Cortana's interface and some of its features, here are the highlights...

Bing iOS app updated with Safari integration, new search features and more

Cody Lee ∙ February 24, 2014

Microsoft has updated its mobile Bing client for iOS today, bringing the app to version 4.4. The update brings about a number of new features and improvements that both current Bing and potential future Bing users might find worth checking out.

Perhaps most interesting of the additions is a new shake-to-discover feature, which allows you to shake your iPhone about to discover random 'Trending' news topics. Microsoft also added the ability to copy URLs and open URLs in mobile Safari...

How to get 3GB of free OneDrive storage (and how to fix it if it doesn’t work)

Oliver Haslam ∙ February 24, 2014

As part of Microsoft's rebranding of its SkyDrive cloud storage solution to the arguably much better "OneDrive," the Redmond firm has set about something of a charm offensive. In an attempt to try and take users away from the hugely awesome Dropbox, Microsoft has already given away 100GB of free storage to the first 100,000 people to sign into the new OneDrive, but if you weren't in on that action then fear not, because you can also snag 3GB of space for absolutely nothing. And that's on top of the 7GB that they offer up right out of the gate.

In order to get your slice of the free cloud-based pie, all you need to do is install one of Microsoft's OneDrive mobile apps – the iOS one, preferably – and enable one little feature. In all honesty it's a feature you're going to want to enable anyway, because Microsoft is giving away 3GB of free storage to anyone that turns on automatic uploading of their Camera Roll.

Now you may be saying the same thing that we said. Why would you want to do that if you already use Dropbox? Well, here's why...

Nokia unveils its first-ever Android handsets: the X, X+ and XL

Cody Lee ∙ February 24, 2014

So the rumors were true. Despite being a long-time parter of Microsoft's Windows Phone platform, and despite being outright purchased by the Redmond company last fall, Nokia has been working on an Android strategy. And tonight, it unveiled that strategy to the world.

At its Mobile World Congress press event in Barcelona, the Finnish handset-maker introduced not one, but three new Android phones: the X, X+ and XL. The X and X+ both have 4-inch displays, and similar specs, and as you'd imagine the XL has a larger 5-inch display...

Microsoft to cut Windows OEM fees 70% to counter Apple and other rivals

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

In an effort to stave off competition from Apple, Google and others, Microsoft is said to be cutting the cost of Windows 8.1 by as much as 70%. Now it sounds like this is for manufacturers only, who pre-install Windows on their devices, but it should still eventually turn into savings for consumers.

You see, Microsoft is hoping that by cutting the cost for manufacturers to install Windows on products less than $250, it'll entice PC makers to create and sell more cheaper models. It's also cutting the requirement for <$250 devices to complete logo certification in an effort to speed up their releases...

How to set up a Hotmail account on iPhone and iPad

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated March 11, 2022

Do you have a Hotmail email account that you want to set up on your iPhone or iPad? This tutorial shows you how to add one to your iPhone and iPad.

Microsoft relaunches SkyDrive as OneDrive, adds referral bonus storage

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Microsoft announced a few weeks ago that it would be changing the name of its SkyDrive cloud service to OneDrive, and this morning the full rebrand went into effect. This doesn't mean much, as existing apps will continue to work with the service.

In fact, the iOS app has already been rebranded, and it looks like Windows, Mac and Android apps will be updated today with the new name. But there are a few changes being made that are worth noting, like the new Dropbbox-like referral bonuses...

Office for iPad reportedly coming in the first half of this year

Cody Lee ∙ February 14, 2014

The long rumored 'Office for iPad' project isn't dead, according to a new report from ZDNet. In fact, the outlet believes that it's likely to make it to market sooner than most people think—ahead of Microsoft's touch-first version of Office.

For years, Microsoft has been said to be working on an iPad version of its popular Office suite, but those rumors have yet to materialize. An iPhone Office app appeared last summer for the iPhone, but it offers limited editing functionality...

Microsoft buys $15 million stake in Foursquare

Cody Lee ∙ February 4, 2014

It's been a pretty big day for Microsoft. Following the news earlier today that Satya Nadella has been named the company's new CEO, and Bill Gates would be stepping down as chairman, comes word that the Windows maker has made a sizable investment in Foursquare.

The deal, which has been confirmed by both parties, is said to be worth $15 million, and it will give Microsoft access to Forsquare's mountain of mobile data. The company plans to utilize the data in its Bing mapping software and various other Windows Phone applications...

Microsoft names Satya Nadella new CEO, Bill Gates steps down as Chairman

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 2, 2017

The search for a new Microsoft CEO following Steve Ballmer's August 2013 announcement of his retirement is finally over as the Windows maker on Tuesday announced major executive changes at the top. Insider Satya Nadella has become the new Microsoft boss and a board member.

He previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group and is the third Microsoft CEO since the company's inception. Also important, Bill Gates will be stepping down as Chairman but will retain a board seat serving as an adviser. Lead independent director John Thompson would succeed Gates as Chairman, the software giant said...

Microsoft’s Bing Rewards program now available on iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Microsoft launched Bing Rewards in September 2010 in a desperate attempt to get people search the web with Bing. Bing Rewards provides credits to users of major desktop browsers through regular Bing searches and special promotions.

Today, Bing Rewards is going mobile as the program has just been extended to owners of iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Rather surprisingly, the Windows maker said that Bing Rewards was “coming soon” to Windows Phone devices. Bing Rewards replaced Microsoft's similarly conceived initiatives, SearchPerks! and Bing Cashback...

Microsoft’s SkyDrive is now OneDrive

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Microsoft's multi-platform cloud storage service SkyDrive has just been rechristened and shall be known henceforth as OneDrive. The rebranding comes following last June's ruling in a trademark case involving Microsoft and British TV broadcaster BSkyB.

As the television broadcaster trademarked the term 'Sky,' the court ordered that Microsoft concede the 'SkyDrive' trademark to BSkyB.

One of the largest pay-TV providers in Europe, BSkyB offers video streaming and has its own online storage service called Sky Store & Share...