Microsoft Corp. today released new details about its highly anticipated Microsoft Surface, a tablet PC designed to be the ultimate stage for Windows. In addition to pricing and market availability, the company announced a special limited-quantity pre-order for Surface with Windows RT available 9 a.m. PDT. Those who want to learn more or pre-order can visit www.Surface.com.
Surface delivers the power of amazing software and the feel of premium hardware in one exciting experience. …

Microsoft introduces Xbox Music, a service that allows users to access a global list of around 30 million songs. This new service will be free for tablets and personal computers running Windows 8, and it will also run on the Xbox gaming console.
By integrating two of Microsoft’s biggest brands, Xbox and Windows, Microsoft hopes that this new service will be more successful than the now phased out Zune, which was rated only second to the more popular Apple

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 …

Motorola notched a win against Microsoft in a court in Germany on Friday after repeatedly being battered by the Windows OS maker in the country.
In a decision handed down on Friday, the court said that Motorola Mobility “did not infringe a Microsoft patent which enables applications to work on different handsets,” a report from Reuters says.
Motorola has lost three other patents infringement cases against Microsoft in Germany resulting in the ban of Motorola devices found to have technology …

Microsoft and Barnes & Noble have unveiled the result of a strategic partnership which will be called Nook Media, LLC.
Nook Media is a newly-formed Barnes & Noble subsidiary and will include the digital and College businesses of Barnes & Noble, the companies said.
Microsoft has also invested $300 million in the new venture giving the Redmond, Washington-based giant a 17.6 percent stake of the subsidiary while Barnes & Noble retains all remaining shares.
The new subsidiary will …

On October 26, the launch of Windows 8 is not enough and neither the release of multiple compatible notebooks and tablets announced so far. For this reason, Microsoft prepares something else for us – Xbox Music.
According to The Verge, the new streaming service Xbox Music has already been confirmed by several sources close to Microsoft, occasion through which has also been leaked the date of October 26 as the official release date of the streaming service.

From what it seems, it is not about …

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 …

Intel has released a statement after all the fuzz caused by comments reportedly made by its CEO Paul Otellini saying Microsoft will launch Windows 8 before it is fully ready.
In a statement posted on its site, Intel said the comments are “unsubstantiated”.
The issue started when Bloomberg reported that sources have told them that Otellini reportedly said in a private company event that Microsoft will release Windows 8 before it is ready.
The sources reportedly told Bloomberg that Otellini …

HP and Microsoft will undergo an investigation spearheaded by the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations for claims that they practice tax evasion.
Senator Carl Levin, chair of the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, has contended that both HP and Microsoft evaded billions in taxes by stashing away profits abroad.
The tech giants used “loopholes and gimmicks” to circumvent paying large amounts of US corporate income taxes, stated the US …

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, …