Microsoft developing software for ... robots? Yes, it's true. And no, despite the timing, it's not a case of the company's engineers taking Microsoft on a crazy tangent now that Bill Gates is shifting away from his day-to-day oversight.
Gates, in fact, helped instigate the new Microsoft Robotics Group, which will announce its first product today -- a software system that robotics developers can use to create the programs that make robots work.
Dubbed the Microsoft Robotics Studio, the system aims to create common technological underpinnings for what is now a relatively fragmented industry. The company says it's intended for use with a wide range of robots, from those in factories to the growing number of robots available to consumers.
Samsung's minitablet PC is finally landing on some store shelves.
The Korean electronics manufacturer said Monday that the Q1--the first brand-name device to use Microsoft's Origami Project software--is now available at all 32 Fry's Electronics locations in the U.S. as well as in some Best Buy stores in Texas.
Until now, the Q1 has been sold online only by Best Buy and CDW. Samsung said in a statement that it has seen "strong initial sales," but the company declined to offer specifics. Samsung launched the $1,100 Windows XP machine last month.
A Microsoft France Web site was hacked and defaced Sunday, and as of Monday, it remained offline. A U.S. security organization said that it had received reports of a previously unknown vulnerability in Microsoft's Internet Information Services 6.0 server software that may have been used by the hackers.
The Microsoft site -- experts.microsoft.fr -- was defaced with "HACK!" and "Your System OwNed By Turkish Hackers!"
Mid-day Monday, the site was unavailable.
The SANS Institute's Internet Storm Center also tentatively tied the defacement with talk of a zero-day exploit against IIS 6.0.
Microsoft's top two executives share their thoughts via company-wide e-mails on Microsoft's 'New Era of Technical Leadership.' Here is the text of the Ballmer and Gates notes.
From: Steve Ballmer
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 1:31 PM
To: Microsoft and Subsidiaries: All FTE
Subject: New Era of Technical Leadership
I wanted to share some important news with you, and talk a little bit about some of my top priorities in the coming months.
Today we are announcing the news that -- effective July 2008 -- Bill will transition to a part-time role at the company. While this is significant news, it's important to note that for the next two years Bill will continue full-time as Chairman, and that even after July 2008 he will continue as Chairman and an advisor on key development and business issues.
Microsoft is scheduled on Tuesday to publicly launch Windows Live Messenger, its next-generation instant messaging program that automatically updates contact information and lets people share files by simply dragging and dropping them onto a contact list.
Windows Live Messenger, the upgrade to MSN Messenger, is the first core application of Microsoft's new line of Windows Live software and services to be launched publicly, said Adam Sohn, director of global sales and marketing public relations.
Windows Live Messenger was released as a public beta in May with international PC-to-PC calls with full-screen video capability.
Microsoft's windows Vista has a date with some of the world's smartest hackers.
The software maker will use the spotlight of the Black Hat security conference Aug. 2-3 in Las Vegas to show off some of the key security features and functionality being fitted into Vista.
Microsoft's appearance on the Black Hat stage is a first on many fronts. Microsoft will be the first software vendor to present an entire Black Hat Briefing track on a prerelease product. It is also the first time a Microsoft representative will make an official presentation at the controversial hacker conference.
A U.S. appeals court has upheld a ruling that Microsoft's Office software infringes on a Guatemalan inventor's technology, lawyers for the inventor said Friday.
Morrison Foerster said that on Wednesday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington affirmed a verdict that Microsoft's Office software infringed on a patent held by Carlos Armando Amado. In June 2005, an Orange County, Calif., jury awarded Amado $6.1 million, ruling that Microsoft's method of linking its Access database and Excel spreadsheet infringed on Amado's technology.
Bill Gates leaves some pretty big shoes to fill.
Think of Ray Ozzie as the left shoe and Craig Mundie as the right one.
As Gates announced his plans Thursday to begin the process that will see him eventually cease full-time work at Microsoft, he also announced that he was dividing much of his technical leadership responsibility among the two software veterans, both of whom have been serving as chief technical officers.
Craig Mundie, a longtime Microsoft veteran, will now handle the company's research units and will serve as Microsoft's external voice on technology.
High Tech Computer (HTC), the world's largest maker of mobile phones that use Microsoft software, on Thursday launched two
new 3G (third-generation) handsets under its new HTC name brand.
The HTC TyTN is aimed at business users on the go because it provides for roaming across Europe, the U.S. and Asia via a variety
of connections, including tri-band UMTS 3G in addition to GSM (Global System
for Mobile Communications), GPRS, EDGE, Wi-Fi, and
Bluetooth.
Bill Gates, the man who started Microsoft and has been its public face throughout its three decades of existence, plans to step away from daily work at the company.
Gates announced on Thursday that he will gradually relinquish his current role, ceding the chief software architect title immediately, while remaining a full-time employee for the next two years. In July 2008, he will remain as a part-time employee and chairman.
Gates' announcement comes as his company battles pressures on all fronts: a sagging stock price, competition from Google and nagging delays in the Vista operating system.