Microsoft

Microsoft turns to retailers to help flagging Surface sales

Ed Sutherland ∙ December 12, 2012

Microsoft's Surface tablet just isn't selling. But the company knows - or thinks it does - the reason. The problem with sales is that the Surface just isn't available in enough stores, the software giant turned tablet maker says. Currently, the Surface is mainly sold in about three dozen Microsoft's own retail outlets in the country.

After being stung by reports that its tablet wasn't even selling in Microsoft-owned stores (are you reading this, Oprah Winfrey?), the company announced it will put the Surface on the shelves of third-party retailers, such as Staples. If 'build it and they will come' isn't working, will 'stock it and they will buy' be any better?

Microsoft pressing Apple to take smaller cut on Office for iOS sales

Cody Lee ∙ December 11, 2012

Apple has just rejected the latest update to Microsoft's iOS SkyDrive app, a client for its popular cloud-based storage service. The reason for this is that the update includes the ability for users to purchase more storage through the app, and Microsoft isn't giving Apple its 30% cut of the sales.

Apparently the two companies are at serious odds over the commission fee, and the situation may not be resolvable. Microsoft has even offered to remove all subscription options from the app, but to no avail. And according to a new report, the beef has spilled over into Office for iOS discussions...

Microsoft’s Surface just a blip with 0.13 percent of tablet traffic

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Apparently, more of Microsoft's Surface tablets are showing up in commercials and television episode placements than online. Despite an aggressive push, the Windows device accounted for just 0.13 percent of advertising served to tablets during November, according to one mobile advertising network. The dismal numbers are just the latest sign the much-heralded Surface just isn't selling.

Microsoft's outspoken boss Steve Ballmer acknowledged as much when he recently called Surface numbers "modest". By comparison, 0.91 percent of Google's Nexus tablets displayed ads between November 12 and November 18. The percentages come just a day after a report that the iPad mini saw ad impressions climb 28 percent daily during the November...

How Bluetooth can make Apple TV more than a ‘hobby’ device

Ed Sutherland ∙ December 11, 2012

News that the Apple TV software will support Bluetooth could make the streaming device largely viewed as a "hobby" into something more. Much more. More than simply replacing the Apple remote with a keyboard, the new software potentially does for video what the iPhone did for grainy phone snaps.

While speculation is rampant (and likely quiet wrong) about when Cupertino will enter the television business, the Apple TV box is a gold mine just gathering dust, here's why...

References to Office iOS apps spotted on Microsoft’s support site

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Microsoft's long-rumored Office suite for iOS and Android is like a unicorn: everybody's talking about it and yet no one but a rare few have seen it. The Redmond-based Windows maker may have just "inadvertently" (conspiracy theorists, rejoice!) leaked another solid proof that Excel, PowerPoint and Word apps are coming to both the iPhone and iPad.

It's interesting because previously we were wondering whether the mobile Office suite would only run on the iPad or target all form-factor iOS devices. This looks to be the case as Microsoft appears adamant to give Apple and its iWork productivity apps a good run for their money...

Microsoft announces pricing for Intel-powered Surface Pro

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

When Microsoft unveiled the Surface, its first in-house foray into the tablet market, back in June, it said that it would consist of two versions: a lower-end RT model built on ARM's architecture, and a Pro model powered by Intel.

The RT version officially launched in October, in 32GB and 64GB flavors priced at $499 and $699 respectively, and has thus far seen modest sales. And last night, Microsoft finally divulged some information about the Surface Pro...

RIM lost Nokia suit, now faces BlackBerry ban

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated June 13, 2016

An interesting opportunity has presented itself to Microsoft following news that Canada-based Research In Motion has lost a legal dispute with Nokia over wireless technology patents. As a result, RIM could see BlackBerry handsets banned unless it agrees to pay royalties to Nokia. As things stand, Nokia has already filed cases in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom to enforce the ruling, a move that could see all Blackberry smartphones removed from store shelves.

"In order to enforce the Tribunal's ruling, we have now filed actions in the US, UK and Canada with the aim of ending RIM's breach of contract", Nokia said in a statement. If the courts enforce the sales ban, consequences for the ailing BlackBerry maker could be devastating while opening door to Microsoft's Windows Phone becoming the #3 mobile platform...

Microsoft amps up Surface advertising with new ad titled ‘Groove’

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 26, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgzzQUvNm8U

Microsoft's inaugural ad for the Surface tablet initially captured our attention, with its pro dancers performing all sorts of crazy moves with their tablets certainly helping a great deal with that. The software maker then followed up with the somewhat subdued teaser on the eve of Surface's launch.

On Cyber Monday, Microsoft has stepped up its game with a new television commercial seen above. It kinda looks familiar. Pretty sure I saw a similar concept involving jumping gadgets somewhere before...

Apple Stores outsold Microsoft Stores nearly 5 to 1 in Black Friday purchases

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX1eTBeWoyw

A quick side-by-side video MacWeekend.com shot early morning on Black Friday at Lone Tree's Park Meadow Mall where both Apple and Microsoft have their respective retail stores shows one is packed and the other is not. Apple's place is much smaller versus Microsoft's so it feels busier, of course. And over at the Apple Store in the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster and his crew counted heads at both Apple's store and the Microsoft Store directly across the hall.

Although non-scientific, their comparison survey tells us that shoppers picked up nearly five times as many items per hour at the Apple store. We already knew the iPad dominated mobile shopping on Black Friday. And if you ask kids, Apple's tablet is the #1 item on their holiday wish list. Looks like Apple's gonna own Christmas this year...

UK bank Barclays buys 8,500 iPads, calls Apple’s tablet ‘the best solution’

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 26, 2016

Another significant win for Apple's popular tablet brand: British multinational banking and financial services company Barclays has confirmed it's purchased 8,500 iPads “to assist our branch colleagues to interact with customers, improving the customer experience”.

The announcement couldn't have come at a worse time for Microsoft, whose Surface tablet hit store shelves on October 26 but so far has generated only "modest sales", per CEO Steve Ballmer...

Rumor: Microsoft’s Apple TV-killer is called Xbox TV, coming in 2013

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

I see a pattern emerging here. Apple comes up with the iPad and Microsoft launches the Surface. Then, Apple makes the iPad mini while Microsoft is allegedly readying a gadget code-named Xbox Surface, basically a seven-inch Surface tablet focused on gaming. And now, word on the street is that Redmond is working on its own set-top box to take on the Apple TV and others in the living room space. Aptly named Xbox TV, it's aimed at casual gamers and regular couch potatoes...

Oh, boy: Oprah tweets Surface raves from an iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 20, 2017

Billions of marketing dollars can't hide the obvious disconnect and lack of creativity plaguing Microsoft's PR department. Windows Phone commercials are boring as hell, annoying, heavy on celebs and short on imagination. And now comes this. Oprah tweeting her love for the Surface this morning isn't out of character: she's well-known for endorsing stuff.

It reads: "Gotta say love that SURFACE! Have bought 12 already for Christmas gifts. #FavoriteThings”. She unfortunately sent that tweet, which Microsoft's Corporate Communications immediately retweeted, from her iPad.

I know Oprah hosts regular giveaways of favorite products, but boy did that stupid PR stunt backfire. Besides, she previously professed her love for Apple's tablet to the whole world. This is nothing if not way too clueless marketing on Microsoft's part. Speaking of clueless...