Microsoft Corporation

[freedom]

I think by Microsoft consumer devices, most people mean the Nokia acquisition. As you seem to be a shareholder, i'm sure you know what we are talking about.

sorry for the confusion.

I was not trying to make any reference your consumer device. and I haven't finished my post because i just uploaded a wrong attachment.

[CityFarmer]

Microsoft releasing Windows 8.1, a year in the making

LOS ANGELES — Microsoft is releasing its long-awaited Windows 8.1 upgrade as a free download starting today (Oct 17). It addresses some of the gripes people have had with Windows 8, the dramatically different operating system that attempts to bridge the divide between tablets and PCs.

Windows 8.1 still features the dual worlds that Windows 8 created when it came out last October. On one hand, it features a touch-enabled tile interface resembling what’s found in tablet computers. On the other, there’s the old desktop mode where the keyboard and mouse still reign. The update adds some new finger- and gesture-friendly shortcuts for touch-based apps, while restoring some respect for the desktop mode that a billion PC users have become accustomed to.
...
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/microsof...ear-making

[freedom]

I wish Microsoft can have a foresight like IBM to repatriate most of its foreign earnings to US and buy back its shares. Ballmer is a great sale guy, sadly, he is not good at capital allocation.

If Microsoft can buy back its share like IBM, today, Microsoft probably would be $100.

[CityFarmer]

If executed successfully, the new Office online licensing model might improve further on PnL, IMO...

(not vested)

Microsoft beats profit forecasts, shares jump

SEATTLE — Microsoft cruised past Wall Street’s quarterly profit and revenue forecasts yesterday (Oct 24), helped by strong sales of its Office and server software to businesses, sending its shares up 6 per cent after hours.

The world’s largest software company is the latest tech firm to surprise investors with a powerful performance, coming the same day as Amazon.com eased past average revenue forecasts.

Technology is proving one of the most resilient sectors in an uncertain economy, with 84 per cent of tech companies beating analysts’ earnings estimates for the latest quarter.

Analysts had trimmed profit estimates for Microsoft over the past three months, concerned by the launch of an ambitious reorganisation by retiring Chief Executive Mr Steve Ballmer and the pricey acquisition of Nokia’s handset business, even as the company’s core personal computer market ebbs away.

“The earnings report will positively surprise the market, especially in the context of the soft expectations going in and the dismal report last quarter,” said Mr Todd Lowenstein, a portfolio manager at fund firm HighMark Capital.

“Beating on revenue and earnings handily will boost confidence that the reorganisation is pivoting them in the right direction.”
...
http://www.todayonline.com/business/micr...hares-jump

[CityFarmer]

CEO hunt is still on-going...

Microsoft narrows CEO shortlist

NEW YORK — Microsoft has narrowed its list of external candidates to replace Chief Executive Steve Ballmer to about five people, including Ford chief Alan Mulally and former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, according to sources familiar with the matter today (Nov 6).

The world’s largest software maker also has at least three internal candidates on its shortlist, including former Skype CEO Tony Bates, who is now responsible for Microsoft’s business devMr Elopment, and Satya Nadella, the company’s cloud and enterprise chief, the sources said.

Despite the shortlist, the process could still take a few more months, the sources said. In August, Mr Ballmer said he would retire within a year.
...
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/microsof...-shortlist

[CityFarmer]

An interesting promotion initiative from MS on its IE. It seems targeting on youth...

Microsoft unveils anime character symbolising the new Internet Explorer 11

SINGAPORE — In conjunction with the launch of Internet Explorer (IE) 11, Microsoft Singapore introduced today (Nov 6) Inori Aizawa, an original anime character whose backstory symbolises the browser’s transformation.

Created by local art enthusiast group Collateral Damage Studios (CDS), Inori will make her animation debut at Anime Festival Asia (AFA) 2013, held at the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre, from Friday.

The animation will show Inori’s transformation from “a ragtag past to an modern, attractive and powerful young lady” — which is meant to mirror how the Internet Explorer browser had matured over the years.
...
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/microsof...xplorer-11

[freedom]

In the meantime, Microsoft reached a new high since 2000 tech bubble burst. Further upside ahead.

[CityFarmer]

In the meantime, Microsoft reached a new high since 2000 tech bubble burst. Further upside ahead.

I am pretty positive on its online licensing model. I had tried the Office 365 trial license. It is user-friendly, and accessible from desktop, tablet and mobile phone via SkyDrive.

Since I am not willing to pay the licensing fee yet, I am using OpenOffice at the moment.

(not vested)

[CityFarmer]

It is important to get a right CEO...

Gates highlights tough requirements for new Microsoft CEO

WASHINGTON — Chairman Bill Gates said yesterday (Nov 19) he was pleased with Microsoft’s progress in finding a new chief executive but outlined the difficulties in picking the next leader of the world’s largest software company as it seeks to reinvent itself as a mobile computing power.

Mr Gates is part of the four-man committee that gave itself a year to find a successor to Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer after he announced his plan to retire in August. Sources close to the process have said the search is down to a handful of candidates, but the company itself has been largely silent.

“We’ve been doing a lot of meetings with both internal and external candidates and we’re pleased with the progress,” said Mr Gates at Microsoft’s annual shareholder meeting in Bellevue, Washington. “We’re looking at a number of candidates and I’m not going to give a timeline today.”
...
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/gates-hi...rosoft-ceo

[CityFarmer]

The "fairness" is usually gauged base on "China standard", rather than "International norm", IMO

Hundreds of Chinese workers protest after Microsoft-Nokia deal

DONGGUAN (China) — Hundreds of workers shouted slogans today (Nov 20) outside a Nokia factory in southern China to protest against what they called unfair compensation after the company sold its mobile telephones business to Microsoft.

Lack of trust in employers has often led Chinese workers to balk at takeovers they fear will harm employment conditions.

Workers massed outside the factory gates in the industrial city of Dongguan said they were battling new contracts worsening employment terms that they had been forced to sign after the software giant bought Nokia’s unit in a September deal.

“We will definitely continue to fight until we get what’s fair,” said a young male worker wearing a checked shirt, who gave only his surname, Zhang.
...
http://www.todayonline.com/chinaindia/ch...nokia-deal