Tag: Microsoft
Microsoft looking to buy 5% stake in Facebook
Talk of Microsoft buying some part of Facebook isn’t new, and as you’d expect, there’s already at least one Facebook group dedicated to the subject, but the Wall Street Journal reports today that a deal could be nearing completion.
Fortunately, and despite all of their cash, Microsoft are only looking to buy a minority stake — up to five per cent — of the popular, independent social networking site. It could cost them between $300m and $500m, according to analysts.
It looks like Google might be interested in a stake as well, and we know what rivalry goes on between those two giants.
Patent reveals Microsoft's amazing plans for Zune playlist sharing
Despite shifting more than a million units of its first-generation Zune player, Microsoft is constantly fending off accusations that the device has been a flop. However, with Zune 2.0 on the horizon, some genuinely groundbreaking new features might help it turn the corner.
Check this patent out. It was filed by Microsoft last year, and describes two features that could make Zune a contender. First: a system to analyse your music listening habits, and push new stuff down to your Zune (with permission, obviously).
New Microsoft Zune 2s, the 'Draco' and 'Scorpio', to be launched October 16th?
Authentic photos of the upcoming Microsoft Zune 2? Sure, we’ll believe it when we see it. Which, err, might be now, as both Gizmodo and Zune Scene are claiming the above image of the next version is genuine…
Celebrate the Halo 3 launch in a week with some personalised Master Chief M&Ms
Or any launch, for that matter. I’ve just discovered that on the M&Ms website, chocolate-fans can upload graphics, logos or messages, pick between 22 colours, and order any amount they want. With prices starting at just $2.90 for a 1.75oz bag with a bow…
Google may be developing offline version of Gmail, challenge to Microsoft?
According to "highly placed sources", Google is currently working on an offline version of its highly popular web-based Gmail email service, making it possible to read and reply to emails even when not connected to the Internet, just as with…
Nokia N94i running Windows Mobile? Our fakeometer just exploded…
You might think the idea of Nokia releasing a Windows Mobile smartphone is ridiculous when it has its own Series 60 operating system. The vast majority of geeks would agree.
But if you’re the sort of person who’d rather trust obscure Thai auction sites offering blurry snaps of prototype handsets…
Well, you might want to check out this supposed N94i, which besides running Windows Mobile, apparently has a touchscreen’n’stylus, two-megapixel camera and MP3-playing capabilities. It’s up for sale on the Sanook auction site.
P2P file sharing could cut up to 95% off video hosting costs
A new study suggests that video publishing services such as YouTube and MSN Video could save up to 95% of their bandwidth costs by implementing some kind of peer-to-peer file sharing system. Researchers from Microsoft in collaboration with the Polytechnic…
UK Government backs BBC Trust's commitment to make iPlayer available on other platforms (eventually)
The Government has responded to an online petition calling for the BBC to make its iPlayer software, currently available for beta testing – available to more than just Windows XP users, by backing the BBC Trust's commitment to making the…
Opinion: HMV need more than gimmicks to attract kids to "cyber store"
Quick quiz now – do you still buy CDs on the high street? I rarely do these days, unless it’s an impulse buy in a sale as I browse, but then I don’t get much time to do that either like I used to. Let’s face it, we’re a cash rich, time poor society now and that means one thing – the Internet!
I’m not going to spit out the obvious downloading facts and figures that we all already know, digital music is big business and only a miniscule percentage of people reading this will never have bought or “found” a music track via the web…
Microsoft cuts $50 off the price of a Zune
Yesterday, no doubt to capitalise slightly on Apple’s iPod frenzy, Microsoft announced on its official Zune blog that the decent media player is getting its price hacked down to $199 with immediate effect.
Zune Insider also reports that “customer satisfaction” with the 30GB Zune…
