Editor’s Note: Related tickers: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NYSE:AMD)
Microsoft’s War Against Google (Fool)
I’ve written previously about Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)‘s robust online ecosystem. Through its assets like the Chrome web browser, gmail, YouTube, and its search engine, for many people, Google quite literally serves as the gateway to the Internet. Since 2009, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been trying to replicate much of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s business, and has thus far met with little success. But recently, the company has been targeting Google with an aggressive advertising campaign. Could it work? In 2009, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) unveiled Bing — its first and most obvious attempt at replicating Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s business. Bing has slowly grown in popularity, but remains a distant number two to Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG).
One product line at Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has an undeniably bright future, and it’s not Windows, Office, or Surface tablets. That product line is video gaming and entertainment, and on May 21, the Redmond, Wash.-based software developer unveiled its next generation gaming console, the Xbox One. We’ll briefly look at the technical specs, which blow away the previous generation console introduced in 2005. The device has an eight-core CPU-GPU combo manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NYSE:AMD), a Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)-made 500GB hard-drive, and Blu-ray. On the software side, the GUI reminds one of Windows 8, and navigation is controlled using voice and gesturing via the Kinect add-on.
Microsoft to Add Several Thousand Workers in China, Ballmer Says (BusinessWeek)
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), the largest software maker, will hire several thousand workers in China to support new cloud computing services and smartphones using its Windows operating system, Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer said. The workforce (MSFT) expansion, from a current base of 4,000 staff, will take place during the next year, Ballmer said yesterday at a press conference in Shanghai that was streamed live on the Internet. He didn’t provide a specific number for new workers. China has become the fastest growing market (MSFT) for the company’s smartphone operating system, Ballmer said…
Windows Azure set to launch in China (ECNS)
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) will become the first multinational corporation to provide public cloud computing services in China when it unveils Windows Azure in China next month. Cooperating with the Shanghai government and a Chinese company, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s cloud computing service includes storage, database and integration through online cloud servers, which provides a less expensive and reliable way for people and enterprises to store and share data. The new cloud computing service “re-defines the whole information technology industry in China and represents Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s commitment to China,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), who attended a conference yesterday to announce the launch of the Azure service in Shanghai.
Microsoft and National Football League announce multiyear landmark partnership to enhance the game for fans, players and coaches (SacBee)
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and the National Football League (NFL) today announced a multiyear, landmark partnership that will deliver truly unique interactive NFL television experiences for the next-generation Xbox One and leverage Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) devices and services to evolve the in-game, sideline experience for coaches, players and other personnel. “We love the passion that players, coaches and fans bring to the NFL game; it’s what makes the NFL game-day experience so unique,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) CEO. “We’re excited to apply our passion for technology to the NFL experience, both on the sidelines through the innovative use of Microsoft Surface devices, and for fans through an enhanced NFL viewing experience on Xbox One.”
