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Microsoft in Greenfield Online $486M buyout deal

Microsoft has announced that they have agreed a buyout deal for GreenField Online, in a deal that is worth $486M. It is hoped that the deal will help to bolster the software giants search and e-commerce business in Europe.

This new deal tops an earlier proposal from buyout firm Quadrangle Group, where they wanted to purchase the company for $15.50 per share. This is Microsoft’s first deal since their failed attempt to buy Yahoo. Read more

Microsoft reveals details of IE8 Beta 2

Microsoft is now one step closer to releasing an update to Internet Explorer Web Browser, on Wednesday they introduced a preliminary of IE8 Beta 2. If the beta version proves popular then there is no reason why Microsoft will not launch the full version by the end of the year.

The other day we went through some of the key features about IE8 Beta, it seems that Microsoft’s new browser is all about privacy and security. There are a number of new tools that will help to keep us safer while surfing the Internet. Read more

New Microsoft Mouse with No Laser

It looks as though the days of the Laser Mouse are up as Microsoft is to launch a new type of Mouse next month.

Microsoft is to unveil their latest product line-up on September 9, hold on isn’t that the same date as Apple’s new product line-up. Read more

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8: all about privacy

Microsoft have a lot to work on at the moment, they are already working on Windows 7 as well as the new Internet Explorer 8. Microsoft promises that IE8 will be all about privacy, which many are already calling “porn mode.”

This is being called a great move by a privacy advocate, rival browser Mozilla has already said that they aim to bring some similar features to Firefox. Microsoft says that these features will appear in IE8 Beta 2, which should be with us this month.

There will be three new tools that will share Microsoft’s new “InPrivate” name. The best of these tools has to be “porn mode” or “InPrivate Browsing” as Microsoft prefers to call it. This new feature means that Internet Explorer 8 will not save browsing and searching history, cookies, form data and passwords. The feature will also automatically clear the browser cache at the end of your browser session.

Other tools include “InPrivate Blocking” and “InPrivate Subscription.” This will notify you of third-party content that has the ability to track your browsing history and will then subscribe to a list of sites to block.

Microsoft will also tweak their Delete Browsing History; they are to add an option so that you are able to preserve bookmarked sites, even when you have deleted cookies.

For more information on IE8 visit Computer World

Microsoft Photosynth overwhelmed by demand

Overload for Microsoft Photosynth within hours of launching this new 3D photo manipulation software, completely overloaded with people all trying to use the software.

Luckily the guys at Microsoft had it up and running again by 7pm. But it has been said in a Live Labs Blog from Microsoft that the site Photosynth.com is on a special static/read-only mode for now.

The blog was updated at 4.50pm Thursday, were Microsoft said they were close to resolving the issue and that they would be back up shortly. If you went onto the site before 7pm yesterday you would have been greeted with a message saying that “The Photosynth site is a little overwhelmed just now,”
Finally at 6.40pm Microsoft said that the service was restored, and that Photosynth.com is back online.

If you don’t know what the hell we are talking about with photosynth.com then where have you been? Photosynth.com is the new software that automatically stitches together digital images and re-created a three-dimensional walk through style image, basically it allows you to see you photo’s as if you were back and reliving the memory.

You basically connect to photosynth.com, up load your photos, and with the help of the software and your imagination manipulate them to create the almost virtual 360-degree image.

Source: Computerworld

Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 now offered via the Web to students

As part of Microsoft Corp.’s commitment to education, the company is re-introducing The Ultimate Steal program this school year, inviting students who are actively enrolled at educational institutions to purchase Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 at a low student price of $59.95 (U.S.). This program begins in the United States today with additional countries to be launched throughout the year. The offer will be available to students throughout the academic school year Read more

Limited edition controller pad for the Xbox 360

Good news for all Xbox lovers, Microsoft will launch a new Xbox controller, with a fantastic new d-pad, if you’re waiting to get your hands on one of these you will not be able to until later this year when it comes out in the UK and Europe.

The launch of the new pad which is said to be on October 24 will be optimized for Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer game rather than be an update for all users.

Microsoft told gaming website Eurogamer that “The new limited-edition green wireless controller offers enhancements to d-Pad functionality, which will add to the experience of playing games where the d-Pad is the primary control mechanism”

Looks like the Uk is one step ahead of the U.S. in getting their hands on this bright green limited addition controller, it’s said we will be getting it along side Latin America and Asia.

Of course we will be here on hand to give you the latest on its release date in the U.S.

Source: Pocket-lint

Photosynth: turn you photos into a 3D wonderland

There is no denying that technology is moving faster than ever, it wasn’t that long ago we could only get a snap shot of an image, then came video, digital images and of course photo manipulation software, but nothing quite like this, Photosynth is a new service available from photosynth.com that will certainly change the way anyone see’s and shares there photos.

How do you fancy reliving a vacation or maybe going back and looking at that landmark or historical place you visited? And how about doing it all in a three-dimensional, 360-degree experience? So here is how it works, you take a regular shots from your digital camera, upload them to Synth, take your imagination, creativity and Synth will do the rest creating an entirely new visual medium. If anyone sees your synth you have basically given them your shoes, let them share your experience, this kind of image is impossible to achieve in conventional photo’s or video, the clarity, scope and detail is second to none.

Photosynth anaylzes each photo for similarities to the others, then it amazingly uses this data to build a model of where the photos were taken. It will then create a canvas for you to display your photo by re-creating the environment. It’s like just walking into a 3D dimensional photo or video game of your own experiences.

Source: livelabs

StartupNation and Microsoft Search for Top Home-Based Businesses

StartupNation and Microsoft Office Live Small Business have launched the second annual “Home-Based 100” to find the top home-based businesses in the country. Home-based businesses interested in making the list can submit their business profile at startupnation.com/homebased100, with results to be announced in November Read more

Microsoft and Novell address growing customer demand

Microsoft Corp. and Novell Inc. are announcing an incremental investment in their relationship to meet accelerating customer demand for their business model solution, which is designed to build a bridge between open source and proprietary software to deliver interoperability and intellectual property (IP) peace of mind for organizations operating mixed-source IT environments Read more

Global Collaboration Portal With Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007

Microsoft Corp. today announced that HDR Inc., a leading architectural, engineering and consulting firm, has implemented an enterprisewide collaboration portal built on Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 to support its growth and commitment to client service.

With more than 7,500 professionals in more than 160 locations worldwide, HDR relies on the new portal to deliver an efficient and easy-to-use collaboration environment with advanced security features for its people, intellectual property and client relationships Read more

New Microsoft Licensing and Support Eases Path to Virtualization

New licensing, expanded product support policies and a worldwide series of events from Microsoft Corp. help business customers create more dynamic datacenters and enterprise IT systems with virtualization software. Beginning Sept. 1, 2008, customers will be able to move any of 41 Microsoft server applications between servers within a server farm as often as necessary without paying additional licensing fees, and they can take advantage of expanded specialized technical support Read more

Microsoft to preview Windows 7 OS in October

Microsoft knows that Windows Vista was a huge letdown for them, which is why the software giant has been working hard on a new operating system. Windows 7 is hoped to be a huge leap forward over Vista, but what Microsoft has in store for the new OS is anyone’s guess.

Many believe that Windows 7 will be with us in 18-months, that is a long time of but we should see a preview of the new OS in October. We should learn a little more about Windows 7 from two major conferences that are on the horizon.

The Professional Developers Conference (PDC) and the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) will give us a chance to see the new operating system in the flesh.

What we will get to see is anyone’s guess; it could be a technical build of a beta version or something different. One thing is certain it should be far better than Windows Vista.

What we do know so far is that Windows 7 will have touchscreen technology; this is the kind of technology that users have been crying out for. October seems like such a long way off, I will have plenty of sleepless nights until then.

Source

Microsoft Introduces Premier Ultimate Support

Microsoft Corp. today announced the worldwide availability of Microsoft Services Premier Ultimate, a new addition to the Microsoft Services Premier Support family. Premier Ultimate offers a new level of collaboration to select customers who have made the conscious decision to direct their technology investments toward a proactive support strategy focused on attaining IT health Read more

Sony PS3 Picking Up Steam: Xbox 360 loses its mojo

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is still a very popular games console but as it ages its becoming clear that the next-generation games console has some major weaknesses compared to the Sony Playstation 3.

When we look closer at Microsoft’s strategy for the Xbox 360 its clear that this needs addressing if the 360 is to get its mojo back. The Sony PS3 has been consistently been chipping away at the 360’s lead in both hardware and software sales in the US.

The PS3 looked like it had no chance when it launched thanks to the Xbox 360 having a hold on the next-gen gamer with better games, and a better online strategy. Microsoft also cornered much of the gaming market by taking some of the largest franchises Read more

Microsoft Surface at Sheraton Hotels & Resorts: Location List

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Microsoft Corp. today introduced an entirely new hotel guest experience with its debut of Microsoft Surface, Microsoft’s first commercially available surface computer. Featuring easy-to-use technology and a natural way of accessing information, Surface units will be placed in the lobbies of select Sheraton hotels in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Microsoft Surface breaks down the traditional barriers between people and technology, providing simple and instant access to information and entertainment. Sheraton will be the first hotel to offer Microsoft Surface, creating a new Sheraton brand experience that will bring interaction, connectivity and a social setting to the lobby, providing guests with an entirely new way to explore local tourist highlights and enhance their hotel stay.

Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch display in a tablelike form factor that several guests can use simultaneously. The intuitive user interface works without a traditional mouse or keyboard, allowing people to interact with content and information in a more natural and familiar way, by using their hands and gestures. Sheraton will unveil Surface today at five hotels: Sheraton Boston Hotel, Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport Hotel and Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

With each unit, Sheraton is offering a customized version of the Microsoft Surface developed suite of applications to provide entertainment and information about local attractions. Surface, and these unique applications, are designed to serve the needs of the brand’s core guests who are social individuals seeking to share the travel experience with one another. The placement of the Surface units in Sheraton lobbies enables guests to leverage and experience the offerings in a social way. Three highlighted applications are the following:

CityTips®. At the guests’ fingertips are the Surface 360-degree satellite maps and tools to search for local restaurants and bars, entertainment, recreation, shopping, transportation and services, such as banks and pharmacies. Guests can discover all a city has to offer by simply moving their hands across Surface.

Sounds of Sheraton. Microsoft Surface also serves as a lobby-based digital jukebox, enabling guests to create personal music playlists by choosing selections from Sheraton’s exclusive offering of Sony BMG artists, including John Legend, Kenny Chesney and Lauryn Hill.

Sheraton Snapshots. Guests can explore Sheraton hotels and resorts throughout the world by simply browsing the Surface photo library of Sheraton resorts and hotel properties to help them plan for future business or leisure travel.

“Sheraton is redefining the hospitality experience by offering our guests technology that will allow them to interact with each other and our hotel in a revolutionary way,” said Hoyt H. Harper II, senior vice president for Sheraton. “We are proud to partner with Microsoft to offer the groundbreaking Microsoft Surface product, which will enable our guests to stay informed, connected and entertained while traveling.”

“We’re excited to be working with Sheraton in its efforts to feature innovation and redefine the guest experience in its hotel properties,” said Pete Thompson, general manager, Microsoft Surface. “Surface takes a common activity, such as looking up information about a local city, and transforms it into an intuitive and social way for hotel guests to plan their visit. We believe this is just the beginning of how Surface will completely change the hotel guest experience.”

Sheraton Locations Featuring Microsoft Surface

• Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers – 811 7th Ave. 53rd St., New York
• Sheraton Boston Hotel – 39 Dalton St., Boston
• Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers – 301 East North Water St., Chicago
• Sheraton Seattle Hotel – 1400 6th Ave., Seattle
• Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport Hotel – 600 Airport Blvd., Burlingame

Source - Press release

Other Microsoft Surface News

Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac Students

Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac is packed with easy-to-find tools and features that aid in every aspect of the learning process for all students. The new suite allows students to create great-looking reports and presentations with ease as well as study tools to use on an iPod or iPhone. Several aspects of everyday coursework can cause stress for students, however, a recent education-based study* shows how Office 2008 for Mac can simplify students’ work.

Fact: Today, nearly half of all college students in the United States use both a Mac and a PC to complete their schoolwork, and a majority of students feel it’s important to be able to share and edit documents on both platforms. Read more

Microsoft: Visual Studio 2008 and .NET 3.5 SP1 Framework Upgrades

Microsoft has just made available for download Visual Studio 2008 and .NET 3.5 SP1 Framework Upgrades plus other associated products. Below you will see what Visual Studio 2008 SP1 and .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 delivers.

First up is the Visual Studio 2008 SP1, the new upgrade will give you Improved WPF designers, SQL Server 2008 support, ADO.NET Entity Designer, Visual Basic and Visual C++ components and tools (including an MFC-based Office 2007 style ‘Ribbon’), Visual Studio Team System Team Foundation Server (TFS) addresses customer feedback on version control usability and performance, email integration with work item tracking and full support for hosting on SQL Server 2008 and Richer JavaScript support, enhanced AJAX and data tools, and Web site deployment improvements.

Next up is what the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 will deliver, it will deliver Performance increases between 20-45% for WPF-based applications – without having to change any code, WCF improvements that give developers more control over the way they access data and services, Streamlined installation experience for client applications and Improvements in the area of data platform, such as the ADO.NET Entity Framework, ADO.NET Data Services and support for SQL Server 2008’s new features.

All developers can download these new service packs, for Visual Studio 2008 download please visit here and for the updated .NET 3.5 Framework visit here.

Source

Third-Party Game Confusion: Nintendo Wii or Xbox 360

You got to love results of game sales, it seems that market companies and the brands themselves always get confused and can never agree who is right.

Today we see some confusion over third-party games sales and who sells the most. Is it the Nintendo Wii or Xbox 360?

Nintendo made a claim that the Wii sells more third-party games than the Xbox 360, but now we hear that Microsoft claim the Xbox 360 is the real winner.

NPD sales figures have this to show: The Nintendo Wii has sold 33,394,311 third party games compared to the Xbox 360’s 67,929,999 third party game sales. If those results are right, it puts the 360 well ahead of the Wii.

So whom do we believe if we wanted to know who has sold the most third party games? It looks like things are never that clear with conflicting numbers like this. Read more Nintendo news here and Microsoft news here.

Via Euro Gamer

No Extra Cost: 60GB for Xbox 360 and 80GB Sony PS3

The consumer has to smile when we see prices dropping on next-generation games consoles and also some features increasing.

We are now looking at 60GB hard drives for the Xbox 360 at no extra cost and also 80GB drives for the Sony PS3 at no extra cost.

You can pre-order the Sony Playstation 3 80GB for £299 and that’s the same price as the 40GB. At first this does look like a great deal, but we have to also remember you are not getting 4 USB ports, SACD playback, an Ethernet cable and even more annoyingly there is no compatibility with PS2 games.

The Xbox 360 also gets more hard drive space for no extra cost. The new Xbox 360 Arcade model will cost £160 and comes with five Xbox LIVE Arcade games and 256MB of memory. If you pay £260 then you can get the Xbox 360 Elite that featuring a 120GB hard drive among other things.

Our view is that the price of £299 on the PS3 is welcomed but the extra hard drive space is not, we can easily use an external hard drive or pop in another drive. It would have been better to keep at 40Gb and add extra USB ports and PS2 compatibility.

What’s your view on the new 60GB Xbox 360 and 80GB Sony PS3?

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