Notebook Laptop news
Tech News

Microsoft is looking at alternatives to ultra-low-cost laptops in the drive to arm people in developing nations with a way to communicate and access the Internet, and the company is turning its sights on cheaper devices that can give people a start in computing, such as smartphones and shared computing.

The world’s largest software maker has a few projects in the making, including a push to use mobile phones in computing and microfinance. Mobile phones have already made an impact in nations across the developing world, from India to Zimbabwe, enabling people such as farmers and fishermen to find better markets and prices. Handsets also give a person a way to be reached for jobs.

We’re all for the end of evil things like child pornography and terrorism on the internet. But news that Microsoft’s latest piece of hardware allows the police to quickly break through a PC’s security to scan through the hard drive has to be described as a little Orwellian.

The USB device can be plugged into a PC and used to break through password and decrypt protected files, allowing the police to do quick on-site scans of suspects’ computers for insidious files, conversations and emails.

(more…)

Microsoft has announced that it will cut the price of its XP operating system for ultra-low cost PCs that are built for emerging markets.

Although it has yet to confirm that XP will be handed a stay of execution for PC manufacturers, the OS will remain for the ultra-portable market and for projects that are trying to build ULCPCs for the likes of India and China.

Linux

Currently Microsoft is competing with the likes of Linux, which is freeware, but the prospect of $16 XP could lure manufacturers into plumping for the tried and tested software from the Redmond company.

(more…)

The deadline Microsoft gave Yahoo for making a deal or facing a proxy fight came and went this weekend without a word from either party. But even if Microsoft doesn’t succeed now in its bid for Yahoo, the company made clear last week, both in private meetings with reporters and in public comments, that it’s determined — come hell or high water — to move forward with its services strategy.

In the thick of its battle for Yahoo, some Microsoft executives made time to host reporters at the Redmond, Washington, campus, and provided a snapshot of the company’s strategy. A common thread woven through many of the meetings, which included discussions about Microsoft’s evolving development platform, Windows Server, virtualization and security, was Microsoft’s “software plus services” strategy.

(more…)

Microsoft on Saturday issued a letter to Yahoo’s board of directors saying that it is tired of waiting for the online firm to start negotiations. It will give the company three weeks to come to an agreement before it makes its case to shareholders.

The letter from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer claims that since the bid was placed for Yahoo, the latter has done nothing to help progress the negotiations. To make matters worse, “public equity markets and overall economic conditions have weakened considerably”, lessening Yahoo’s value to Microsoft since it offered a 62 per cent premium on Yahoo’s stock.

(more…)

Microsoft’s Robbie Bach has announced new updates to the Windows Mobile platform, including threaded text messaging and ‘desk-grade’ web browsing.

With the likes of Apple’s iPhone OS - a version of their OSX - wowing many with its simplicity and usability, Microsoft is keen to respond by improving its own Windows Mobile platform in version 6.1.

Bach, the president of the entertainment and devices division at Microsoft and one of the most powerful people in the company, told the CTIA Wireless conference that Windows Mobile 6.1 would have more security features, be easier to navigate and more suitable to people’s everyday lives.

(more…)

Microsoft hopes to beef up its security capabilities with the acquisition of Komoku, a developer of rootkit detection products, announced last week.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Microsoft plans to add Komoku’s technology into its Forefront and Windows Live OneCare products. Forefront is Microsoft’s suite of enterprise security software that includes malware protection for PCs, security tools for Exchange and SharePoint servers, and gateways that secure remote access to corporate data.

(more…)

Even though Apple and Microsoft are enemies on the PC side where they compete in the OS market, it hasn’t stopped the two companies from collaborating on a number of projects, including Office, for example. And according to one report from Fortune, it may happen again.

Fortune is reporting that Microsoft has spent a significant amount of time with the iPhone SDK and has determined that it may be a suitable framework within which to develop Office and other Microsoft products. And considering the fact that Microsoft is the Mac’s largest developer outside of Apple itself, the idea doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch.

(more…)

PlayReady is all part of Microsoft’s mobile strategy - but it’s aimed at those who want entertainment on their phones, not spreadsheets. The corporation has gained some support from networks, such as O2-owner Telefonica as well as Nokia.

Jim Alkove, senior director of Technical Strategy at Microsoft’s DRM group gave us an update of where PlayReady is at. Alkove’s area of work within Microsoft gives more than a little clue about what PlayReady is designed to uphold - digital rights.

(more…)

Microsoft’s president of platforms and services, Kevin Johnson, has offered his employees words of reassurance to quell their unrest and give some insight into the company’s proposed merger with Yahoo.

When Microsoft attempted to acquire Yahoo for $44.6 billion (£22.4 billion) earlier this month, many wondered if the drama was over after Yahoo said it would not accept a deal that was “grossly undervalued”. But, after rumours suggesting that Yahoo might try to merge with News Corp, and the possibility of a proxy fight over the Board, it looks like the fun has only just begun.

(more…)