Microsoft (MSFT) News

Microsoft’s cloud business is still on a tear, hitting a $18.9 billion run rate during Q4

by Tom Krazit on July 20, 2017July 20, 2017 at 3:24 pmComment

We still don’t know exactly how much revenue Microsoft is making from its Azure cloud service, but it grew 97 percent during the company’s fourth fiscal quarter, as part of… Read More

Microsoft beats earnings expectations with $24.7B in revenue as stock reaches all-time high

by Taylor Soper on July 20, 2017July 20, 2017 at 3:28 pmComment

Microsoft this afternoon posted revenue of $24.7 billion, up 9 percent, and non-GAAP earnings of 98 cents a share, an increase of 42 percent, beating Wall Street’s profit expectations for… Read More

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Microsoft debuts new smart thermostat powered by Cortana, Windows 10, and Azure

by Taylor Soper on July 19, 2017July 19, 2017 at 2:16 pmComment

Microsoft unveiled a new smart thermostat on Wednesday in partnership with Johnson Controls, the inventor of the first thermostat. As spotted by The Verge, the new device called GLAS runs… Read More

Modeling agency sues Microsoft, alleging unpaid bills and sexual harassment while working HoloLens account

by Nat Levy on July 18, 2017July 18, 2017 at 9:48 amComment

A Seattle modeling company filed a federal lawsuit against Microsoft last week, claiming that it “incurred hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses that were never reimbursed” for work promoting… Read More

Microsoft begins rolling out LinkedIn app for Windows 10 following $26.2B acquisition

by Nat Levy on July 17, 2017July 17, 2017 at 10:22 amComment

Microsoft today is beginning to roll out the new LinkedIn app for Windows 10, displaying some of the integration promised when the Redmond technology giant completed its $26.2 billion purchase… Read More

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A love letter to my Windows Phone, which I still miss 5 years later

by Nat Levy on July 14, 2017July 14, 2017 at 12:08 pmComment

This week, Microsoft ended support for Windows 8.1, or the final operating system tied to the glorious failure that was the Windows Phone. Microsoft’s quest to best Apple’s iOS, Google’s… Read More

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Testing Microsoft’s new AI for iPhone: Can this app really detect our ages and sense our moods?

by Todd Bishop on July 13, 2017July 13, 2017 at 4:44 pmComment

Microsoft released a new app called Seeing AI for the iPhone this week. It’s billed as a “talking camera for the blind,” but it’s also a showcase for the company’s… Read More

Microsoft and Puget Sound Energy get OK for clean-energy deal to help power software giant’s campus

by Kurt Schlosser on July 13, 2017July 13, 2017 at 2:28 pmComment

A deal allowing Microsoft to directly purchase clean energy to power its Redmond, Wash., headquarters campus has been approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). Microsoft and Puget Sound… Read More

What’s ahead for the historic UW-China tech school in the Seattle region as it prepares for 1st students

by Nat Levy on July 12, 2017July 12, 2017 at 3:16 pmComment

This fall, the Global Innovation Exchange will welcome its first student cohort, representing the culmination of close to five years of planning, and a first-of-its kind alliance between the University… Read More

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Microsoft’s new AI app describes the world for the visually impaired — now available on iPhone

by Todd Bishop on July 12, 2017July 12, 2017 at 11:22 amComment

Microsoft released a new artificial intelligence app for iPhone this morning that can read text from signs and documents aloud, describe people and their emotions, identify currency values, and narrate… Read More

Microsoft is closing its Surface Hub manufacturing plant outside Portland and laying off 124 workers

by Tom Krazit on July 11, 2017July 11, 2017 at 1:43 pmComment

Starting in September, Microsoft plans to shut down a manufacturing facility outside of Portland where it built the Surface Hub. The Oregonian reported that Microsoft sent a letter to the… Read More

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Microsoft outlines plan to help bring broadband internet to 2M rural Americans within 5 years

by Taylor Soper on July 10, 2017July 11, 2017 at 11:23 amComment

Microsoft wants to work with the government to help connect rural Americans to broadband internet. The tech giant on Monday revealed its new “Rural Airband Initiative,” a three-pronged plan that… Read More

Microsoft expands HoloLens partner program to develop better mixed reality experiences

by Nat Levy on July 10, 2017July 10, 2017 at 7:56 amComment

Microsoft is expanding the network of companies eligible to build mixed reality applications for HoloLens. The new Mixed Reality Partner Program grandfathers in existing HoloLens Agency Readiness partners and also… Read More

New ‘Microsoft 365’ package bundles Windows and Office for businesses

by Tom Krazit on July 10, 2017July 10, 2017 at 6:54 amComment

Microsoft is giving its partners a new package of some of its most popular PC software to sell, rather than having them piece together all the software needed to run… Read More

Microsoft CIO Jim DuBois departs amid layoffs; Kurt DelBene named chief digital officer

by Nat Levy on July 7, 2017July 7, 2017 at 9:42 amComment

Microsoft’s Chief Information Officer Jim DuBois has left his post, the company confirmed Friday. DuBois was on sabbatical and decided to leave Microsoft as part of the reorganization of its… Read More

Microsoft confirms layoffs impacting thousands of positions globally, mostly in sales

by Nat Levy on July 6, 2017July 7, 2017 at 10:25 amComment

RELATED: Microsoft CIO Jim DuBois departs amid layoffs; Kurt DelBene named chief digital officer Microsoft confirmed a series of rumored job cuts Thursday, mostly in sales, as part of a… Read More

New Microsoft tool aims to make teams more efficient by learning how they spend their days

by Nat Levy on July 5, 2017July 5, 2017 at 2:45 pmComment

Microsoft today released a new tool that lets company leaders track how teams spend their time. The new program, Microsoft Workplace Analytics, is now generally available to purchase as an add-on… Read More

Microsoft delays Timeline, a Windows 10 feature that will sync between Android and iOS devices

by Tom Krazit on July 3, 2017July 3, 2017 at 11:40 amComment

It seemed like Microsoft had taken another step toward its pledge to be device-agnostic earlier this year, when it announced a feature that would let Windows 10 users pick up… Read More

Internal memo details big Microsoft reorganization, no mention of layoffs

by Nat Levy on July 3, 2017July 3, 2017 at 12:17 pmComment

As Microsoft’s new fiscal year begins, the company this morning sent out an internal memo to employees detailing a shift in its consumer and commercial businesses. The memo, obtained by… Read More

Microsoft reportedly set to lay off thousands as part of massive sales reorganization

by John Cook on July 2, 2017July 4, 2017 at 9:41 amComment

Thousands of layoffs are planned to hit Microsoft’s global workforce this week, part of a shakeup of the company’s sales organization, according to a report Sunday in TechCrunch. As part… Read More

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Sizing up the cloud wars: Three Seattle VCs break down the competition between Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Google

by Tom Krazit on July 1, 2017July 1, 2017 at 10:39 amComment

When it comes to the public cloud, there are three companies at the forefront of everyone’s mind: Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Google. How do they stack up against each… Read More

Report: Microsoft reorganizing its sales organization around cloud strategy

by Tom Krazit on June 30, 2017June 30, 2017 at 1:13 pmComment

Microsoft has reinvented itself over the past few years as a cloud-focused software company, and looks like it is applying that strategy to more and more parts of its huge… Read More

Microsoft acquires Cloudyn for reported $50M, continuing Azure buying spree

by Tom Krazit on June 29, 2017June 30, 2017 at 12:59 pmComment

Microsoft made another Azure acquisition Thursday, adding Israel’s Cloudyn and its cloud monitoring and analytics tools to the Azure team. Cloudyn’s tools help customers understand how much they are spending… Read More

News Brief

Global ransomware attack spreads through Europe

Video

Microsoft debuts ‘Sports Performance Platform’ to help teams make data-driven decisions

by Taylor Soper on June 27, 2017June 27, 2017 at 10:21 amComment

Microsoft is making more moves in the sports arena. The tech giant today debuted its “Sports Performance Platform,” a new product born out of Microsoft Garage, the company’s internal incubator.… Read More

Microsoft starts offering 4 weeks paid leave for employees caring for sick family members

by Monica Nickelsburg on June 27, 2017June 27, 2017 at 8:24 amComment

Microsoft is rolling out a new paid family leave benefit to employees around the world. The Family Caregiver Leave policy allows employees to take up to four weeks of paid leave… Read More

Microsoft and Box strike another partnership deal, this time for Box on Azure and AI

by Tom Krazit on June 27, 2017June 27, 2017 at 8:03 amComment

Microsoft and Box will be working together a little more closely after signing a partnership agreement to promote each other’s cloud services. The deal will see Box customers having the… Read More

Microsoft calls DOJ’s Supreme Court appeal in email case ‘backward’ given progress on new law

by Todd Bishop on June 24, 2017June 24, 2017 at 6:59 amComment

The U.S. Justice Department petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court late Friday to overturn a ruling that blocked its warrant to obtain email from a Microsoft customer stored in the company’s… Read More

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Transcript: Here’s what Microsoft, Amazon and Apple CEOs told Trump about tech this week

by Kurt Schlosser on June 21, 2017June 26, 2017 at 7:25 pmComment

President Trump said that he was joined by “an incredible group of leaders” as he kicked off a meeting of the American Technology Council earlier this week. With Microsoft CEO… Read More

Leaders of top tech companies land on Glassdoor’s list of the 100 highest-rated CEOs

by Monica Nickelsburg on June 20, 2017June 20, 2017 at 3:42 pmComment

CEOs of some of the world’s top tech companies are feeling the love today, thanks to a new list from employer database and employment review site Glassdoor. The list ranks… Read More

Microsoft

Microsoft’s cloud business is still on a tear, hitting a $18.9 billion run rate during Q4

Microsoft beats earnings expectations with $24.7B in revenue as stock reaches all-time high

Microsoft debuts new smart thermostat powered by Cortana, Windows 10, and Azure

Modeling agency sues Microsoft, alleging unpaid bills and sexual harassment while working HoloLens account

Microsoft begins rolling out LinkedIn app for Windows 10 following $26.2B acquisition

A love letter to my Windows Phone, which I still miss 5 years later

Testing Microsoft’s new AI for iPhone: Can this app really detect our ages and sense our moods?

Microsoft and Puget Sound Energy get OK for clean-energy deal to help power software giant’s campus

What’s ahead for the historic UW-China tech school in the Seattle region as it prepares for 1st students

Microsoft’s new AI app describes the world for the visually impaired — now available on iPhone

Microsoft is closing its Surface Hub manufacturing plant outside Portland and laying off 124 workers

Microsoft outlines plan to help bring broadband internet to 2M rural Americans within 5 years

Microsoft expands HoloLens partner program to develop better mixed reality experiences

New ‘Microsoft 365’ package bundles Windows and Office for businesses

Microsoft CIO Jim DuBois departs amid layoffs; Kurt DelBene named chief digital officer

Microsoft confirms layoffs impacting thousands of positions globally, mostly in sales

New Microsoft tool aims to make teams more efficient by learning how they spend their days

Microsoft delays Timeline, a Windows 10 feature that will sync between Android and iOS devices

Internal memo details big Microsoft reorganization, no mention of layoffs

Microsoft reportedly set to lay off thousands as part of massive sales reorganization

Sizing up the cloud wars: Three Seattle VCs break down the competition between Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Google

Report: Microsoft reorganizing its sales organization around cloud strategy

Microsoft acquires Cloudyn for reported $50M, continuing Azure buying spree

Global ransomware attack spreads through Europe

Microsoft debuts ‘Sports Performance Platform’ to help teams make data-driven decisions

Microsoft starts offering 4 weeks paid leave for employees caring for sick family members

Microsoft and Box strike another partnership deal, this time for Box on Azure and AI

Microsoft calls DOJ’s Supreme Court appeal in email case ‘backward’ given progress on new law

Transcript: Here’s what Microsoft, Amazon and Apple CEOs told Trump about tech this week

Leaders of top tech companies land on Glassdoor’s list of the 100 highest-rated CEOs

Application Deadline for Seattle Angel Conference SAC XII

App Camp for Girls – Seattle

Rain RFID Alliance Meeting