Spain launches antitrust investigation into Microsoft

Spain launches antitrust investigation into Microsoft | Ubergizmo window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : '139683546053659', status : true, // check login status cookie : true, // enable cookies to allow the server to access the session xfbml : true // parse XFBML }); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; e.async = true; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); Network:Ubergizmo English, French, SpanishUberphones Subscribe to RSS Ubergizmo ReviewsMobileGamingAndroidAppleComputersGadgetsConceptsPhoto/VideoEvents |  Jobs Home > Computers > Spain launches antitrust investigation into Microsoft Spain launches antitrust investigation into Microsoft Tyler Lee 09/21/2011 08:48 PDT

It seems like it wasn’t too long ago that Microsoft was under the microscope for alleged antitrust practices with their browser Internet Explorer, but now it looks like the whole antitrust issue might be brought up again, and this time it looks like Spain will be the one launching the antitrust investigation.

The complaints were brought up by a company called Elegant Business SC, who complained to the National Competition Commission that Microsoft allegedly prevented/unreasonably restricted the resale of software licenses. The information collected by the National Competition Commission was enough for them to launch an antitrust investigation that covers not just Spain, but in Ireland as well, which is where Microsoft’s European operations center is based.

The investigation has been given a deadline of 18 months, and with the heavy fines that Microsoft ended up paying in the past, it will be interesting to see if they will end up paying a fine again.

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Microsoft patent reveals idea for a modular phone

Microsoft patent reveals idea for a modular phone | Ubergizmo window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : '139683546053659', status : true, // check login status cookie : true, // enable cookies to allow the server to access the session xfbml : true // parse XFBML }); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; e.async = true; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); Network:Ubergizmo English, French, SpanishUberphones Subscribe to RSS Ubergizmo ReviewsMobileGamingAndroidAppleComputersGadgetsConceptsPhoto/VideoEvents |  Jobs Home > CellPhones > Microsoft patent reveals idea for a modular phone Microsoft patent reveals idea for a modular phone Tyler Lee 09/27/2011 10:28 PDT

While our smartphones can be used for just about anything these days – checking our email, surfing the web, playing games, watching movies, what if one day we had a smartphone that came with interchangeable parts to accomplish those specific tasks? Well Microsoft has recently filed for a patent for what appears to be the Swiss Army knife of smartphones.

Based on the patent drawing above, it depicts a slider smartphone with the area where a keyboard can usually be found being empty. That space which can be used to attach a QWERTY keyboard can also attach a variety of other modules, such as a gaming controller pad, an extra battery pack and even a secondary display. With Microsoft entering the mobile phone market with Windows Phone 7, we don’t think it’s a stretch to imagine that one day we will eventually start seeing devices like these, but for now we can only imagine.

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Microsoft unbans wrongfully banned Xbox 360 consoles

Microsoft unbans wrongfully banned Xbox 360 consoles | Ubergizmo window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : '139683546053659', status : true, // check login status cookie : true, // enable cookies to allow the server to access the session xfbml : true // parse XFBML }); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; e.async = true; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); Network:Ubergizmo English, French, SpanishUberphones Subscribe to RSS Ubergizmo ReviewsMobileGamingAndroidAppleComputersGadgetsConceptsPhoto/VideoEvents |  Jobs Home > Gaming > Microsoft unbans wrongfully banned Xbox 360 consoles Microsoft unbans wrongfully banned Xbox 360 consoles George Wong 09/23/2011 16:18 PDT

In an attempt to crack down on Xbox users who modify their consoles or hack their systems, Microsoft dished out quite a number of bans on users of Xbox Live. However, a number of accounts were banned wrongfully due to a software error. Today Microsoft announced that it will be restoring access to those consoles that were banned by the mistake and will be compensating them with three free months of Xbox Live and 1600 Microsoft Points (worth $20) for the inconvenience.

Fortunately users won’t have to do anything about it – they just need to try and log on to the Xbox Live network again. Since Microsoft knows which individual consoles were affected, the company will be applying everything automatically – no need for keys or redemption tokens. Microsoft will also no longer be using the software that caused the error, so if your console was wrongfully banned in this mishap; it’s unlikely to happen again… hopefully you weren’t one of the few people who purchased a brand new Xbox 360 before Microsoft issued the unbanning.

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Microsoft App Store Approach for Windows 8 Metro Apps

Microsoft App Store Approach for Windows 8 Metro Apps | Ubergizmo window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : '139683546053659', status : true, // check login status cookie : true, // enable cookies to allow the server to access the session xfbml : true // parse XFBML }); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; e.async = true; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); Network:Ubergizmo English, French, SpanishUberphones Subscribe to RSS Ubergizmo ReviewsMobileGamingAndroidAppleComputersGadgetsConceptsPhoto/VideoEvents |  Jobs Home > Computers > Microsoft App Store Approach for Windows 8 Metro Apps Microsoft App Store Approach for Windows 8 Metro Apps George Wong 09/16/2011 18:06 PDT

It’s hard to deny that the (Apple) App Store is not a huge success, and it looks like Microsoft is taking a page from Apple’s book, as it announced at the BUILD conference this week that Windows 8 will have an app store that users will have to use in order to purchase/download content for the tablet. Fortunately it’s only going to be for the Metro UI version of Windows 8 – “Classic” Windows 8 will still have apps that don’t have to be purchased from the app store. So if you’re a firm believer of purchasing software that’s still distributed in boxes or apps that probably won’t have a chance of making it in the Windows 8 app store, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Windows is still an “open” OS in that respect.
 In addition to having an app store for Windows 8, Microsoft will also be charging developers for having their paid apps distributed on it – taking a 30% cut just like its own Windows Marketplace for Windows Phone 7. No surprise there, but again – this only applies to apps being sold on the app store. So it looks like, developers who plan to create apps for Windows 8 tablets will be asked to distribute apps on the app store, unless they’re fine with creating apps just for classic mode. Having a closed app store has its benefits (like checking for malware and viruses), having both an open and closed option on the same system is better. The iPad certainly can’t claim that. What do you think of the Store-only distribution mechanism for Metro apps?

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Microsoft launches Signature program

Microsoft launches Signature program | Ubergizmo window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : '139683546053659', status : true, // check login status cookie : true, // enable cookies to allow the server to access the session xfbml : true // parse XFBML }); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; e.async = true; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); Network:Ubergizmo English, French, SpanishUberphones Subscribe to RSS Ubergizmo ReviewsMobileGamingAndroidAppleComputersGadgetsConceptsPhoto/Video |  Jobs Contact About Home > Computers > Microsoft launches Signature program Microsoft launches Signature program George Wong 09/09/2011 12:06 PDT

While both Mac and Windows computers have pros and cons (I’m not going to get into a debate about which one is better) there’s one thing that Macs have consistently been beating Windows in, and that is the “out of box experience” (OOBE). Macs require very little setting up to do, users can basically plug the computer in, turn it on and start using it within a couple of minutes. For fresh computers with Windows, there is a lot of setting up to do, updating of drivers, and removal of bloatware and so on.

This is mainly because Microsoft doesn’t control the hardware that their Windows operating system is on – while Apple is in charge from building the computer all the way to the packaging of the product. Apple’s strictness ensures that users will be able to have a good OOBE. It looks like Microsoft is going to take a leaf from Apple’s books to ensure a similar experience for Windows computers.

No, Microsoft isn’t going to start manufacturing its own PCs, but it has launched the Signature program in hopes of getting the OOBE right. For computers that are sold at Microsoft Retail outlets, they will all carry a Signature tag, which means the computers can be plugged in, turned on, and up and running within a few minutes. Signature PCs will come with no bloatware, all the latest drivers, and the latest version of the operating system, which means that users won’t have to spend a lot of time setting up their computers before use.

That sounds like a great idea, which would be extremely beneficial to users who buy their own PCs instead of building them – this also means that users will all be able to have the same Windows experience no matter what brand of computer they buy (as long as they carry the “Signature”). Find out more about Signature.

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Microsoft sued after collecting WP7 location data without permission

Microsoft sued after collecting WP7 location data without permission | Ubergizmo window.fbAsyncInit = function() { FB.init({ appId : '139683546053659', status : true, // check login status cookie : true, // enable cookies to allow the server to access the session xfbml : true // parse XFBML }); }; (function() { var e = document.createElement('script'); e.src = document.location.protocol + '//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js'; e.async = true; document.getElementById('fb-root').appendChild(e); }()); Network:Ubergizmo English, French, SpanishUberphones Subscribe to RSS Ubergizmo ReviewsMobileGamingAndroidAppleComputersGadgetsConceptsPhoto/Video |  Jobs Contact About Home > CellPhones > Microsoft sued after collecting WP7 location data without permission Microsoft sued after collecting WP7 location data without permission Edwin Kee 09/01/2011 20:46 PDT

Apple was on the receiving end of some heavy handed flak for their location-based tracking services, and Microsoft might be walking in their shoes right now after a recent class action lawsuit that was filed in a Seattle district court claims that Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 operating system also collects users’ location data, and to make matters more intringuiing – this happens despite users being given the chance to opt out.

Why would Microsoft bother to offer users a “choice” which is then ignored? That is certainly a strange move for the software giant to make, and where does the offending code lie? Well, it currently resides in Windows Phone 7's camera application, and this was discovered by Samy Kamkar who determined that location and identifier data were being transmitted regardless of your earlier choice – heck, even beginning before you had a chance to make your decision on-screen.

According to the lawsuit, Microsoft’s actions might be part of a plan to develop a location-aware marketing system which would result in ad generation depending on where you are at the moment. Since Apple was successfully sued for this infringement, it does not seem as though Microsoft’s chances will be any brighter.

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