Microsoft has reached an explicit agreement to acquire StorSimple, a leader in Cloud-integrated Storage (CiS) solutions.
According to a statement from the Redmond-based firm, the addition of CiS will improve Microsoft’s Cloud OS vision and serve customers more efficiently in hybrid cloud computing.
“Customers faced with explosive growth in data are looking to the cloud to help them store, manage and archive that data. But, to be effective, cloud storage needs to integrate with IT’s …

Preorders for smartphones running on the latest Windows Phone mobile operating system, Windows Phone 8, will start on Sunday, October 21, a report notes.
Citing unnamed sources “familiar with AT&T and Microsoft’s plans,” The Verge reports that AT&T will start taking preorders for Windows Phone 8 devices on the date mentioned above.
According to the publication, AT&T will start taking preorders for smartphones, including the HTC 8X and the Nokia Lumia 920, running on the latest …

Microsoft announced a new initiative for Xbox Live called MyAchievements. It will reward you with Microsoft points and small customer service discounts, depending on the points you gathered unlocking achievements in various games.
These bonuses are only available to those who participate in the Xbox Live Rewards program has three different levels. Those who have raised at least 3000 points will receive in the month that celebrates their birthday, will receive a surprise gift and a …

Microsoft on Thursday unveiled its newest philanthropic program, Microsoft YouthSpark, which aims to give 300 million youth in more than 100 countries opportunities that would otherwise be elusive to them without help.
According to the software giant, the Microsoft YouthSpark program will include giving youth opportunities in education, employment and entrepreneurship.
To fund the initiative, Microsoft will be spending about $500 million in three years time for the project.

Steve Ballmer, …

Microsoft Studios has announced a new development studio in London to generate a stream of entertainment applications for tablets with Windows 8.
Through a press release, Microsoft has just announced the creation of a studio specializing in developing applications and games for Windows 8 tablets.
It was created as a solution for any platform that does not last too long without a solid ecosystem of games and applications.

In Windows’ case the number of developers responsible for this …

Microsoft is acting against the growing Nitol botnet that it claims has been activated by malware sneaked thru PC suppliers.
Richard Boscovich, assistant general counsel in Microsoft’s Digital Crimes Unit, said the Nitol botnet originates and spreads from vulnerable supply chains where cybercriminals inserted fake software diffused with malware.
The software giant said it is trying hard to figure out how to cut off the malware strains used and has had rough success in disinfesting the Nitol …

If Windows 8 is an x86 operating system hidden behind a Modern UI interface, the ARM version is a completely new software platform for the Windows world, suffering from a number of limitations and whose success depends on the Office 2013 suite of applications.
A rival for platforms like Android, iOS or BlackBerry Tablet OS, Windows RT will provide a working desktop but not in its ability to run applications written by third parties, who will have to settle with a Windows RT development for the …

Forced to give up under pressure from the Europe Union, Microsoft Windows 7 gives offers the chance to choose their favorite web browser and even helps to download and install it with minimal effort.
This change came in the form of an update package for the operating system,consists in a window titled “Select your web browser(s)”, where users can find a list of the most popular alternative web browsers, each with a short description and button to start the installation …

Microsoft will cooperate with the European Commission to open Windows 8 for consumers who prefer using an Internet Explorer web browser rival.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has assured Joaquin Almunia, head of the European Competition Commission, the software giant will work with the committee and other web browser makers to keep its latest operating system open to competition.
According to Reuters, Almunia said during an economic conference in Northern Italy, “In my personal talks with …

Microsoft loves boxes, but it now prefers straight ones instead of the wavy boxes it used in the old Microsoft logo to brand its products with.
This week, Microsoft unveiled a new Microsoft logo foregoing the wavy four-member colorful window it used in the past.
What happened to the window, however, is that it got a straightening out as the four boxes are now squares with the same color scheme as before.
Take a look at it below:

The new logo came out first in an August 23 blog post on The …