Newsweek Predicts: Microsoft to Oust Ballmer in 2010
The Seattle Post and Intelligencer, being the hometown newspaper, is pretty kind to Microsoft. So when its writers put pen to paper and analyze a Newsweek article which suggests that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is on the hot seat, its time to sit up straight and listen... 4FJNGGEZT289
Microsoft Must Stop Selling Word 2007 by Jan 11: Patent Ruling
Ouch – this one has to hurt.
Turns out that Microsoft has been accused of infringing on a patent related to XML in its Word 2007 application. The company has been appealing rulings related to this for some time, however, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has just upheld a decision that would see Microsoft Word and Office banned from sale starting January 11.
The funny thing is the company who is suing, is not a patent troll seeking massive damages. The company, i4i, and is just looking to protect its IP.
Not sure how this will play out. Microsoft says that Office 2010 does not use the technology and seems to be scrambling to remove the seldom used feature from the software in time for the January 11 deadline.
Microsoft, Prioritizing Cloud Computing, Reshuffles Units
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), in a move underscoring the growing importance to its future revenue profile of cloud computing, said it was creating a new business unit to focus on the fast-growing new technology trend.
Great Video: Microsoft TV Ads From Yesteryear
I’m not a big fan of Slate.com, but they did a great job collecting some of Microsoft’s TV Ads of the ages.
BTW – I never got the Seinfeld/Gates ads either.
Despite Line Dancing Employees, Microsoft Stores STILL Not As Cool As Apple Stores
The marketing folks at HQ in Redmond have had some wins and some flops. I can’t imagine who dreamed this up? They guy who writes the birthday songs for Red Robin?
watch the video
PC Sales Spike by 40% During Windows 7 Launch
According to NPD sales data, the launch of Windows 7 triggered a 40% increase in sales as compared to the same week the previous year.
Morgan Stanley analyst Katheryn Hubert declined to predict whether or not the sales spike is evidence of a major trend or simply a temporary burst as those who had waited for Windows 7 buy their new systems. Microsoft’s own CEO believes the OS will have little impact in the long term and that most will simply get Windows 7 in the same time it normally takes them to replace a given PC.
Here at the Microsoft Observer, we believe that while not an early predictor of any success of the Windows 7 product, the spike suggests that consumers may think better of the updated operating system compared to Windows Vista.
