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Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) hard-targeting Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) OS (WallStreetPR)
The mobile war is a never-ending one. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) (Closed: $28.97, Up by 0.98%)’s Terry Myerson, has said that the Windows Phone OS has a chance to attract Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (Closed $793.37, Up by: 1.46%) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) (Closed: $426.24, Up by 1.52%) users. Myerson is vice president of the Windows Phone division and feels that the Windows Phone offers a seamless and exciting experience in comparison to its rivals. He called the Apple interface “boring” and said that the icons that are placed at the bottom of the screen offer very little flexibility or information. He also went on to tagging the Google Android system a “mess” and said that there were just too many versions floating around in the market. A long way to go… Microsoft has been trying very hard to find a foothold in the smartphone market with its Windows phone and is seeking to take advantage of the growing demand for these devices.
Microsoft Corporation: Can Google, Inc.’s Vic Gundotra Succeed Steve Ballmer? (iStockAnalyst)
The CEO succession rumors for Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) intensified after its much-hyped Windows 8 is said to be curtailing the PC market instead of reviving it. As the Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft reports its quarterly numbers on April 18, investors may look for any comments over the succession plans. Analysts have speculated several names who could succeed Steve Ballmer and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Vic Gundotra is one among them. Time for a little background on why Microsoft needs a CEO change. Microsoft’s Bing continues to be a distant second in queries, with a market share of about 12 to 15 percent.
Microsoft Corporation : Malware Infections 5.5 Times More Likely Without Antivirus Software, Finds New Research From Microsoft (4-Traders)
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) today released the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report volume 14 (SIRv14). In addition to analyzing prevalent threats from across the globe, the data revealed an important trend related to antivirus software (Antivirus). The study showed 2.5 out of 10 computers on average do not use up-to-date Antivirus. The report shows that without this vital protection layer, computers are 5.5 times more likely to be infected with malware. Antivirus helps guard against viruses, remove infections and protect people’s privacy. “People intuitively understand the importance of locking their front doors to prevent their homes from being broken into. Computer security is no different. Surfing the Internet without up-to-date Antivirus is like leaving your front door open to criminals,” said Tim Rains, director, Trustworthy Computing, Microsoft. “With the release of this new research, Microsoft is urging people to make sure they have up-to-date Antivirus installed on their computers.”
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) signs mobile device patents with Hon Hai Industries (CrazyJoys)
Recent media reports just revealed that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has signed a global patent license agreement with Hon Hai Precision Industries which will be able to deliver coverage under Microsoft patent portfolio for devices including smartphones, tablets and also that are using Chrome or Android operating systems. Under the current agreement Microsoft will have a stance at the receiving end of royalties from Hon Hai. The detailed contents of the agreement are still confidential. Hon Hai is the parent company of Foxconn, a contract manufacturer for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and other high tech giants. With this development Hon Hai is making significant place among growing contract manufacturers around the world that have something to do with Chrome and Android patent licenses. Microsoft is the renowned software manufacturer and produces big titles including Microsoft Office, Windows and hardware like Kinect and Xbox.
Microsoft focuses on SA (News24)
Microsoft sees Africa in general and South Africa in particular, as a key market for adoption of the company’s software. “We actually think it’s important to bring tier one, globally powerful computing experience to the African continent,” Fred Baumhardt, chief technology officer for Microsoft told News24. Microsoft said that it was demonstrable that the South African market was important to the company in that SA was included in the first group of countries to be included in the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. “With the Windows 8 launch, South Africa was one of 22 countries to get the Windows launch,” said Colin Erasmus, Windows lead for Microsoft.
Microsoft testing smart watch prototype with a Surface connector (NDTV)
Microsoft’s purported smart watch is in prototype stage if a new report is to be believed. According to The Verge, Microsoft has been working on a wearable smart device for more than a year. The website cites a source close to the development to report that the teams who have worked on Xbox accessories and on the Kinect sensor have been involved with the development of the device. It adds that the smart watch prototype features removable bands attached to its 1.5-inch touch display, and includes a five-pin magnetic power connector that can transmit both power and data, which is also found on Microsoft’s Surface tablets. However, the connector might not make it to the final device.
Nokia sales tumble overshadows Lumia pick-up (Reuters)
A sharp fall in sales of Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK)‘s basic phones overshadowed a stronger performance from its Lumia smartphones in the first quarter, sending its shares tumbling. The results renewed pressure on Chief Executive Stephen Elop, who was hired in 2010 to turn the Finnish mobile phone maker around after falling behind rivals Samsung and Apple in the smartphone race. He made the controversial decision to switch to Microsoft’s untried Windows Phone software in early 2011 and had said the transition would take two years, a period that’s now over. Analysts said he was running out of time. “Basically, he has only the second quarter,” said Mikko Ervasti at Finnish investment banking and wealth management group Evli.
Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) Failed To Impress Investors, Share Crashes (CogoNews)
The shares of Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) crashed 10% in pre-market session as the company The Finland-based company expects to trim its operating margin, overshadowed a solid performance from the company’s latest innovation of Lumia. Also, putting further pressure on the stock is an unexpected slump in top line at its previously upbeat equipment venture Nokia Siemens Networks. The company sold 5.60 million units of Lumia handsets in the first quarter, up from 4.4 million in the prior quarter and matched analysts’ expectations. While the overall sales slumped 20% to 5.9 billion euros from a year earlier as phone volumes plunged 30% to 5.8 billion euros on the previous quarter.
Nokia cuts first-quarter loss thanks to cost cuts, but sales tumble in strong competition (WashingtonPost)
Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) continues to take a hammering in the smartphone market, with sales for the handset maker falling by 20 percent in the first three months of the year. Although the Finland-based company managed to reduce its first-quarter net loss to 272 million euros ($357 million) from a loss of 928 million euros a year earlier, mainly thanks to cost cutting, net revenue dropped to 5.8 billion euros from 7.4 billion euros in the same period last year. Mobile phone sales volumes fell across the globe — especially in China which saw a 60 percent drop. Sales of smartphone devices dropped 32 percent globally to 1.1 billion euros.
Lumia handset sales rise puts Nokia back in the smartphone race (Guardian)
Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) appears to be edging back into the smartphone race, after reporting a 27% rise in sales of the Lumia touch screen handsets on which chief executive Stephen Elop has staked the future of the company. Despite competition from the latest Apple phone, Lumia shipments reached 5.6m in the first quarter of this year, and Nokia is forecasting they will rise as much again in the June quarter, reaching over 7m. This would leave Finnish manufacturer with the beginnings of a sustainable smartphone business, although still some way behind the 37m iPhones analysts estimate Apple has sold this year and Samsung’s 62m shipments.
