Microsoft

Nokia and Microsoft schedule September 5 event to talk Windows Phone 8

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 20, 2017

We've known for awhile that Nokia and Microsoft were planning to counter Apple's iPhone 5 launch with an event of their own. It's official now as Microsoft issued media invitations for a Windows Phone-focused presser in New York City on September 5, just a week before Apple is expected to take the wraps off its next iPhone. Talk about preempting what analyst Gene Munster likes to paint as "the biggest consumer electronics launch in history".

With Nokia close to being on life support and Microsoft's market share in mobile still eroding, there better be some darn exciting announcements if smartphone buyers are to consider upcoming Windows Phone 8-powered Lumia phones this holiday season...

Apple licensed its prized design patents to Microsoft with an “anti-cloning” agreement

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

A surprising revelation from the Apple v. Samsung litigation as Apple patent licensing director Boris Teksler took the stand today to testify before a San Jose court, revealing that Apple licensed its design patents to Microsoft, but with an "anti-cloning agreement" to prevent copying of the iPhone and iPad.

To make this matter more interesting, we're talking about essentially the same design patents that Apple is asserting against Samsung in the high-stake trial...

Nokia’s inaugural Windows Phone 8 has some familiar design

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 26, 2016

One of the most common complaints I keep hearing about the yet-unreleased next iPhone is a sense of dissapointment over its overly unchanged appearance, even if from the design standpoint the iPhone 5 is much more than a rehash of the existing iPhone 4/4S design.

Is you know, Apple's upcoming device is said to sport a two-tone metal backplate (58 percent like it), a taller four-inch screen with new display technology, a relocated headphone jack and a much smaller dock connector with MagSafe-like functionality at the bottom.

But it ain't just Apple. Nokia, once a leader in cell phones and now an also-ran, figured its inaugural Windows Phone 8 handset shouldn't change the design formula established with the sleek Windows Phone 7.5-powered Lumia 710. Heck, if the above leaked photo is the real deal, Nokia may not be willing to change the overall Lumia design much with the new handset...

Acer warns against Surface, Microsoft already working on a sequel

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2017

Acer is the most vocal opponent of Microsoft's Surface tablet. Its founder Stan Shih went on the record two days following the Surface's announcement, opining that the gizmo was just a ploy to drive Windows 8 adoption.

Today, Acer CEO JT Wang drove the point home by begging Microsoft to "think twice" about the Surface because tablet making is is not something the Redmond company is good at. Meanwhile, Microsoft is speculated to be already at work on a Surface tablet sequel...

We really like Microsoft’s new mice and keyboards for tablets

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 2, 2017

There's no denying that Microsoft's Hardware division makes some compelling and nice-looking peripherals which sport high build quality (usually something you don't associate with Microsoft) and just work, well, as advertised. Too bad Microsoft's latest lineup of mice and keyboards focuses on Windows tablets as these new peripherals look really, really solid, almost too good to be true.

Take, for example, the Wedge Touch Mouse, a futuristic-looking pointing device that responds to touch and features four-way navigation. As you could imagine it's optimized for tablets, of course specifically to slates running Windows 8, such as Microsoft's own Surface tablet due to land on October 26.

Or how about the Wedge Mobile Keyboard, a really sleek and pro-looking Bluetooth keyboard which also quickly converts into a tablet stand and lets you just snap the cover back on the keyboard to quickly power it down.

Can we have these for our iPads, please?

Microsoft’s Surface tablet arriving on Friday, October 26

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 30, 2012

Microsoft revealed in its filing with the Security and Exchange Commission that come October 26 it will launch both Windows 8 operating system for consumers and the Surface tablet which was announced a month and half ago. Apple, of course, is expected to unveil a rumored cheaper, smaller iPad at a media event this fall (iLounge says in November) and launch a fourth-generation iPad some time during the first quarter of next year...

Microsoft admits Surface competes with PC makers

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2017

In a surprising reversal of its position on competition related to the Surface tablet, Microsoft admits in an annual report its tablet competes with PC makers after all, going as far to note that the Surface might even hurt Windows 8 sales. Redmond has been criticized a lot for entering the hardware game to compete with vendors who make various Windows devices.

PC makers are unable to compete with Microsoft on level ground because their already thin margins are stretched even thinner as they must pay license fees to Microsoft to use Windows 8 on tablets, an added cost that makes their gadgets more expensive...

Microsoft job listing suggests iOS Office apps in the works

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Microsoft recently announced the latest version of its popular Office suite, Office 2013. And while there was no mention of whether or not the software would make it to iOS, the tech world seems pretty convinced it's coming.

A recently discovered job listing on Microsoft's website adds fuel to the fire, as it calls for a new software development engineer for the company's Office division to "be part of Microsoft's next move on the Mac and on iOS..."

Updated Xbox Live app brings 360 control to iPad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

Last month, Microsoft released an update to its My Xbox LIVE application that brought Xbox 360 control to the iPhone. The feature gave users the ability to control their consoles with an Apple-branded handset.

Yesterday, Microsoft released another update that brings that console control to the iPad...

Poll: is Microsoft launching Office for iPad today?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 22, 2018

Microsoft is unveiling something today, but the company would uncharacteristically release no agenda for today's presser, which begins at noon Pacific time. A media release only mentions that Microsoft will be making an announcement today and teases "news live from San Francisco via webcast".

It's gotta be some kind of a biggie as Steve Ballmer, the CEO, "will share the news", per the release. But what exactly is it? Office for iPad, anyone? It's a simple YES/NO poll so cast your vote now...

The Woz speaks up on Microsoft’s Surface tablet

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 4, 2018

The outspoken Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak usually has an opinion on many things, be it Siri and her reliance on a network connection, Facebook IPO (he said he'd invest regardless of opening price), patent war fallout, the iPhone 4S battery life and Android march and what not.

His latest comment from a a press conference at Entel Summit in Chile last week concerns Microsoft's Surface tablet, unveiled with much fanfare on June 18...

Microsoft snaps up Perceptive Pixel, maker of badass multitouch displays

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 27, 2017

Microsoft's boss Steve Ballmer just announced during his keynote talk at the Worldwide Partner Conference that Redmond has acquired touchscreen technology company Perceptive Pixel for an undisclosed sum. The company already makes a monstrous 82-inch multitouch surface that runs Windows 8.

We also know Steve Ballmer has an 80-inch Windows 8 tablet of sorts hung on the wall of his office. This acquisition of a hardware vendor that makes Gargantuan multitouch displays is another indication that Microsoft is now becoming a hardware vendor. But there's more to this acquisition than meets the eye...