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Latest Gear Live Videos
Microsoft to Discontinue Encarta
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Microsoft, Software,
Those of us who remember the happiness of finding Encarta included in our early PC purchase are somewhat saddened by the announcement that it will soon no longer be available. The software will cease after June and most sites will shut down by October 2009. Japan will cut theirs off in December. Microsoft commented, “People today seek and consume information in considerably different ways than in years past.”
We know they mean Wikipedia, yet the concept of one disc replacing an entire set of encyclopedias was certainly high tech at the time. And the better images used by Encarta will definitely be missed.
Read More 
| MSN
Gallery: Microsoft to Discontinue Encarta
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Microsoft Adds Partners to Windows Marketplace
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Microsoft,
At the CTIA wireless show in Las Vegas this week, Microsoft announced new software partners for its Windows Marketplace. Pandora, Electronic Arts and Facebook have joined the team that already includes Gameloft, Accuweather.com and MySpace. All told, the company expects more of its 20,000 mobile partners to offer software when it launches later this year. Apps will work on phones with Windows Mobile 6.5, also due out towards the end of the year.
Read More | eWeek
Gallery: Microsoft Adds Partners to Windows Marketplace
Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 Price Slashed
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Hot Deals, Microsoft, Software,
It may be almost the end of the term for most, but if you are a student, Microsoft has a deal for you. Their Office Ultimate 2007 is priced at $59.95, as opposed to the usual $679.95. That 91% savings is good for anyone who has a viable .edu addy and is enrolled in school or is taking a credited class. The pricing will remain through the end of 2010 and you can grab a copy on its “Ultimate Steal” site. Windows Vista Ultimate (PRODUCT)RED Upgrade w/SP1 and Microsoft Office Visio Professional 2007 are also available at reduced prices.
Read More | Microsoft Ultimate Steal
Gallery: Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 Price Slashed
We have mentioned Conficker before and how Microsoft is seeking help to find the source. Apparently, it is still unaccounted for and there may be a serious problem as of April 1. The program turns off security settings in Microsoft Windows and the fear is that infected computers may contact a control system on that date. Dan Kaminsky, a consultant for IOActive, says that it might go after corporate networks, especially if they run older Window versions.
Read More | ABC News
Gallery: Conficker to Come Out April 1?
There is already lots of feedback on Microsoft comments pages after the launch of IE8, with some it negative, from disappearing images, printing on Web sites and searching issues. One user complained about dragging Facebook applications and photos while others complained about the install. On a positive note, one user said it “felt like Firefox, but hey, it’s functional.” We also found that IE8’s release really hasn’t affected Firefox as their users are eagerly awaiting 3.0.
Read More | Gadgetell
Gallery: Feedback About IE8
Internet Explorer 8 now available
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Internet, Microsoft, Software,
We ask that you try and contain your excitement on this one. You ready? Microsoft has just released the final version of Internet Explorer 8, the company’s home-grown web browser. According to Microsoft, IE8 is “one of the fastest browsers on the market today.” Of course, that really can’t mean much, as there are really only a handful. Being “one of” the fastest doesn’t sound like too confident a statement. A few things you can expect out of IE8 are Web Slices, Accelerators, and Instant Search.
IE8 has been in beta for over a year, so let’s hope this final release is as good as it should be, at least as it pertains to security, and, you know, displaying websites correctly.
Read More | Internet Explorer 8
Gallery: Internet Explorer 8 now available
Microsoft Calls for Marketplace Apps
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Design, Microsoft,
Microsoft has released more details for developers that want to build and sell applications through their Windows Marketplace for Mobile. Those who want to design something for the 6.5 operating system will receive 70% of the revenue from sales and can set their own price or offer it at no cost. Up to 5 apps can be submitted with a registration fee of $99.00, which will be waived for students enrolled in the Microsoft DreamSpark program. More details will become available this spring and if you would like to give it a go, applications will be out this summer.
Read More | Microsoft
Gallery: Microsoft Calls for Marketplace Apps
Microsoft has unveiled a Notebook Cooling Base with flip-up stand, a first for the company. Only 1.16-inches thick, it is curved so that it will fit on a desk or lap if adjusted 90º. The USB-powered fan has a built-in height adjustment, comes in black and white, and is lightweight and compact at a size of 11.4 x 11.4-inch. It should be out around November at a price of about $30.00.
Read More | Microsoft
Gallery: Microsoft Notebook Cooling Base
Video: A look at 2019 through the eyes of Microsoft
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Design, Handhelds, Microsoft, Videos, Wireless / WiFi,
The clip above was shown at the Wharton Business Technology Conference. It’s called 2019, and it’s Microsoft‘s vision for what the year 2019 will look like as it pertains to technology and how it will be completely integrated into our lifestyle. While 2019 looks like a far away number, this is just 10 years away, people. Do we think things will look like this by then? No, not so much…but we will be well on our way. Check out the two-minute version above, and if it strikes your fancy, click on through to watch the five-minute version. It makes me cry with glee.
Read More | istartedsomething
Gallery: Video: A look at 2019 through the eyes of Microsoft
Cuba launched Linux Nova last week at a Havana computer conference on “technological sovereignty.” The government feels that Microsoft systems are a potential threat to their country because they say U.S. security agents have access to codes. Besides that, they say that the trade embargo makes it difficult to get the software legally and update it. Dean of the School of Free Software, Hector Rodriguez, claims that about 20% of the computers are currently using Linux but feels that that figure could climb to more than 50% in 5 years.
Read More | Reuters
