Macs in the mainstream: Parallels giving IT staff more control over Apple machines

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Parallels, best known for software that runs Windows on Macs, is announcing a new tool today that further bridges those two worlds. It’s more evidence of Apple machines gaining traction in the workplace, but this particular technology could prove more popular with the IT staff than with the Mac users themselves. The new Parallels Management… Read More…

Pogs, Tamagotchis and Lunchables: New Microsoft IE ad takes a trip down memory lane

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Oh, man. My 22-year-old self just watched the new Microsoft advertisement above and the nostalgia is flowing like a Capri Sun. Everything kids in the 90s grew up with — The Oregon Trail, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Super Soakers — are all featured in a clever new advertisement that hopes convince people to use Internet Explorer again,… Read More…

Apple reigns as 4Q smartphone champ thanks to adopted Android users

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The iPhone is still as attractive as ever — in large part because of adopted Android users — according to a new study released today by Kantar.  During the 12-week period ending Dec. 23, 2012, iOS maintained its lead atop the U.S. smartphone rankings with 51.2 percent of market sales. That’s an increase of more than… Read More…

Analyst: Microsoft Surface estimate cut in half to 1 million

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Analysts have been projecting sales numbers for Microsoft’s Surface and it isn’t looking good for the Redmond software giant. UBS analyst Brent Thill cut his estimate for Surface sales in half to just 1 million units sold this holiday quarter. Earlier this month, J.P. Morgan analyst John DiFucci predicted just 700,000 units sold. If the Surface… Read More…

Attention developers: Here’s a chance to have your Windows app appear on primetime TV

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If you have incredible talent, there are lots of well-known competitions to help showcase your skills. American Idol, Top Chef and X Factor, just to name a few. Now Microsoft wants to give talented app developers just the same recognition with its “Windows Phone Next App Star” contest. It’s a competition that enables developers from… Read More…

Holy moly: Samsung sold 500 handsets per minute and made $8.3 billion last quarter

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How many handsets do you think Samsung sold per minute during October through December of last year? 10? 30? Try 500. That equals 30,000 handsets per hour and 720,000 per day — some impressive numbers indeed. At its Q4 investors guidance, the South Korean company said it expects to make $8.3 billion in Q4 profits… Read More…

Look out, ex-Windows chief Sinofsky is blogging again

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He couldn’t stay away from the keyboard for long. Steven Sinofsky, the former Microsoft Windows president, launched his own blog today called “Learning by Shipping” — promising to share “thoughts and perspectives on product development, management, and the process of bringing new products to market.” Sinofsky was legendary inside Microsoft for his lengthy posts, for both internal… Read More…

Christmas in Redmond: Microsoft employees finally get their Surfaces

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Christmas came a little early for all the Microsofties out there. As we first reported back in September, all full-time, direct Microsoft employees (a.k.a. Blue Badges/FTEs) received a Surface RT machine for use at work and home. And as we can see on the social media feeds, it looks like that happened on Wednesday. Its… Read More…

Ballmer, Sinofsky and the struggle for the soul of Microsoft

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This was the rap on former Microsoft Windows president Steven Sinofsky following his sudden exit last month: He was unwilling to play along with the rest of the company — making him a poor fit as Microsoft looks to integrate its products more deeply and compete more effectively in the fast-paced world of consumer technology…. Read More…