Microsoft heads in a worrying direction

There’s an excellent article on The Verge where they speak to Steve & Steve about Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia’s handset division. The big question they try and get the assembled Steves to answer is whether Steve 2 (Stephen Elop) is in line to replace Steve 1 as Microsoft CEO.  It’s fairly clear that this has […]

Who’ll give me odds?

I’ve been reading with interest the coverage around Microsoft’s purchase of Nokia’s phone division and it’s got my head spinning (more on that later).  Something that did pop in to my mind when reading TechCrunch’s assessment of what’s left at Nokia, specifically the HERE Services, was that they must be prime target for Apple?  They’ve […]

ASUS backing away from Windows RT

AllThingsD: While not completely ruling out future Windows RT products, Shih said that, when it comes to Windows, he is putting all of his time and energy into devices that use Intel chips. Microsoft really are floundering at the moment.  Sales are down almost across the board, and some of their big bets aren’t paying […]

Redefining “a few”

Neowin reporting on a Microsoft Internal event hosted by Steve Ballmer: During his internal address, Ballmer stated that Windows is not selling well enough, which shouldn’t come as a major surprise, as the company has blamed just about everything under the sun for the slower adoption of Windows 8. On the Surface: We built a […]

Waffle and nonsense

Steve Ballmer talking about the reorganisation Microsoft announced today: “Although we will deliver multiple devices and services to execute and monetise the strategy, the single core strategy will drive us to set shared goals for everything we do. We will see our product line holistically, not as a set of islands,” Mr Ballmer said. Eh, […]

Common sense prevails

Don Mattrick on the Xbox One: Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox […]

Microsoft’s Xbox One indie support: None

The developer of the Oddworld games talking to Forbes: “For Xbox One they’ve granted us a license for New ‘n’ Tasty! but they still say you need a publisher. We don’t have a publisher so we’re not officially on the platform, even though we’re compatible, even though we’ll be ready to do it. Period. Essentially, […]

Microsoft losing the plot

We’re in the midst of E3 and it appears as if Microsoft are gradually losing the plot.  And to Sony’s credit, they’re going for the jugular. The fact that the XBOX One would in fact require an always on internet connection and would use that connection to prevent games from being traded or resold without […]

Speculating on PRISM

PRISM is out.  And there’s been a lot written about it.  From denials at the very top of some of the world’s (nee America’s) biggest internet and technology companies to lawmakers defending the approach.  It’s also emerged that the UK’s GCHQ has access to at least some of the data being collected. There are a number […]

The physical embodiments of failure

Microsoft puts a Windows 8 key on its latest mice: It’s somehow slightly disturbing when you first see it — we’re so used to the Windows key being resigned to sitting quietly between the control and alt keys. Nevertheless, it has a prominent spot on both of Microsoft’s new mice, the Sculpt Comfort Mouse and […]