Microsoft names cloud computing chief Satya Nadella as next CEO

Microsoft names cloud computing chief Satya Nadella as next CEO

LOS ANGELES: As longtime Microsoft insider Satya Nadella takes the company's helm, he is declaring a new focus on a "mobile-first, cloud-first world." So far, he only has the latter half of the formula figured out.

 

Microsoft and its new CEO are at a crossroads: They are trying to catch rivals such as Apple, Google and Amazon, which are building a thriving ecosystem for mobile devices. At the same time, the company wants to expand its burgeoning business as a provider of software and services over the Internet.

Microsoft names cloud computing chief Satya Nadella as next CEO

Microsoft names cloud computing chief Satya Nadella as next CEO

LOS ANGELES: As longtime Microsoft insider Satya Nadella takes the company's helm, he is declaring a new focus on a "mobile-first, cloud-first world." So far, he only has the latter half of the formula figured out. 

Microsoft and its new CEO are at a crossroads: They are trying to catch rivals such as Apple, Google and Amazon, which are building a thriving ecosystem for mobile devices. At the same time, the company wants to expand its burgeoning business as a provider of software and services over the Internet.

Bill Gates, five scientists win $250,000 Lasker medical prizes

NEW YORK: Two scientists who illuminated how brain cells communicate, three researchers who developed implants that let deaf people hear and philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates have won prestigious Lasker Awards for medical research and contributions to public health.

The Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation announced the recipients of the $250,000 prizes on Monday. The awards will be presented Sept. 20 in New York City.

Microsoft buys Nokia phone unit to fight Apple, Google

HELSINKI: Nokia said on Tuesday it was selling its beleaguered mobile phone unit to Microsoft for 5.44 billion euros ($7.17 billion) as the US tech giant tries to fight back against rivals Apple and Google.

Investors cheered the news, as Nokia's share price soared by 45 percent in opening trading on the Helsinki stock exchange to 4.3 euros.

Nokia, once the world's leading mobile phone maker, will grant the US software giant a 10-year non-exclusive licence to its patents and will itself focus on network infrastructure and mapping services, which it called "the best path forward for Nokia and its shareholders."

Microsoft joins Google in US spying suit

SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft on Friday said that a battle to shed light on secret US government requests for Internet user data would play out in court after failed peace talks.

Microsoft and Google filed suits in federal court in June, arguing a right to make public more information about user data requests made under the auspices of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

The technology titans agreed six times to extend the deadline for the government to respond to the lawsuits, allowing time for negotiations that "ended in failure," Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith said in a blog post.

Microsoft CEO Ballmer to retire within 12 months

SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer announced Friday he would retire within 12 months, opening a new chapter for a company struggling to keep pace with the fast-changing tech sector.

Microsoft shares leapt as much as nine percent in pre-market trade and closed up 7.3 percent at $34.76, after the surprise announcement sparked a rally in the stock.

"There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time," Ballmer said in a statement.

Microsoft unveils 'far-reaching realignment'

NEW YORK: Microsoft announced a sweeping reorganization of the company Thursday to "enable us to innovate with greater speed, efficiency and capability in a fast changing world."

The US technology giant said the "far-reaching realignment" would help integrate efforts around its software and devices.

"We are rallying behind a single strategy as one company -- not a collection of divisional strategies," chief executive Steve Ballmer said in a memo to employees.

Microsoft to bring "Age of Empires" to Apple, Android phones

SAN FRANCISCO/TOKYO: Microsoft Corp will offer its popular "Age of Empires" game for Apple Inc's iPhone and other smartphones through a tie-up with Japan's KLab Inc, seeking to capture growth in a booming mobile game market.

Microsoft's gaming business is dependent primarily on its Xbox franchise but mobile devices have been eating into the gaming industry, luring consumers away from traditional consoles.

Microsoft to open Windows stores within Best Buy

Microsoft Corp said on Thursday it would open 500 special stores within existing Best Buy Co Inc stores in the United States selling exclusively Windows-based tablets and computers and other Microsoft products, in an effort to revitalize sales of its flagship operating system.

The world’s largest software company, which already has a chain of its own stores, said the initiative would add more than 1,200 Best Buy Microsoft-trained sales associates to help customers.

Microsoft Reboots Windows 8 After Mixed Reception

NEW YORK: Microsoft said Tuesday it will make changes to Windows 8 later this year after a lukewarm reception for the dominant PC operating system released late last year.

Windows chief marketing officer Tami Reller said the company has sold more than 100 million licenses for Windows 8 but that Microsoft was planning an update called Windows Blue after listening to customers.

Microsoft Obtains Upper Hand in Google Patent Trial

Microsoft Corp arrived on the scene on top in the first of two patent trials vs . Google Inc's Motorola Flexibility unit in Thursday, to be a federal determine in Seattle ruled largely inside its benefit.

U S District Judge James Robart inside Seattle stated Microsoft owed only a fraction with the royalties Motorola experienced claimed for by using its technology in Microsoft's Xbox console.

Windows 8.1 Will Bring Back The Start Button

Microsoft will resurrect the Start button in Windows 8.1 (Blue), which is due to be released later this year. This follows last week’s news that Windows 8.1 will let you to skip the Start screen after logging in, allowing you to boot straight to the Desktop.
This news comes from The Verge, which cites the usual “sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans.”
Don’t get too excited, though: As it stands, the resurrected Start button will still open the new, tile-based Metro Start screen.