Cloud storage service SkyDrive has doubled its usage over the last six months, reveals Microsoft.
“We’re both humbled and excited by this pace of growth. While many of you have told us that you love being able to have everything in one place and access it from anywhere, you’ve also said that sometimes you want to be more selective with the files you sync to each device,” says Mike Torres, group manager, SkyDrive Apps, Microsoft.
“So today, we’re releasing …

Skype immediately dealt with a security issue that rendered its users vulnerable to an unsophisticated attack that takes over accounts.
On Wednesday, Reddit user turisto submitted a post on the social news site that included an English-translated Russian security alert about a working procedure to take over a Skype account with the victim’s email address.
The vulnerability bore on for several months but went into mainstream media after the post on Reddit. All it involved is a couple of simple …

Microsoft has unveiled its Windows Embedded 8 road map for intelligent systems and made the Windows Embedded 8 Standard release preview available for download.
The Windows Embedded 8 family of device operating systems (OS) includes Windows Embedded 8 Standard, Windows Embedded 8 Pro and Windows Embedded 8 Industry.
The software giant said in a statement that each version comes with distinct features that include intelligent system units throughout hardware, software and services: device and …

Microsoft will push the first Windows 8 patches on Tuesday, November 12, as part of its monthly security update.
November’s Patch Tuesday will include critical vulnerability fixes for Windows, Internet Explorer (IE), Office and the .NET framework.
Microsoft posted a note in advance that said its Windows XP to Windows 8 operating systems as well as supported versions of Windows Server and IE 9 will receive fixes. All four critical fixes will repair vulnerabilities related to remote code …

Google has updated Chrome to allow accelerated video decoding through the graphics processing unit (GPU) for users running its web browser on Microsoft Windows operating systems.
For a while now, Google has been experimenting and testing GPU video acceleration on its Chrome web browser. Chrome 23, the latest version, is the first one to bring accelerated H.264 video decoding among its stable releases.
Google said Chrome 23 (my Windows 7 laptop shows Version 23.0.1271.64 m) will provide longer …

Skype launched today a new online platform that promotes the products and services of small businesses to new networks and connections worldwide, including potential customers, partners and suppliers.
Dubbed as Skype in the workspace (SITW), the complimentary tool takes advantage of the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and chat service’s huge network. For small businesses, it improves existing connections and creates new ones through instant messages (IMs) and talking to or meeting …

Angry Birds Star Wars, the new blockbuster game from Rovio Entertainment and Lucasfilm, is now available on iOS, Android, Amazon Kindle Fire, Mac, PC, Windows Phone, and Windows 8. The entertainment franchise collaboration also debuted in a new cinematic trailer released yesterday, and in merchandise already available in select retailers worldwide.
“It’s a banner day for us,” said Peter Vesterbacka, CMO of Rovio Entertainment. “This is our best Angry Birds game yet, and we’re excited …

Following the release of Xbox SmartGlass on its own Windows Phone 8 and Google’s Android platforms, Microsoft has finally extended its reach to Apple’s iOS operating system.
Xbox Smartglass is an app that turns smartphones and tablets into companion devices or remote controllers. It pulls statistics and game information directly from Xbox 360 servers to keep players of the console updated.
The Xbox SmartGlass for iOS allows iPhone and iPad owners to monitor their Xbox games, remotely swipe …

The rumors have come true after Microsoft announced on Tuesday, November 6, the impending retirement of Windows Live Messenger early next year. Skype, the company’s Voice over IP (VoIP) and chat service, will replace it.
The software giant is advising all users of Windows Live Messenger to start migrating to Skype, which recently released version 6.0 with the abilities to log in using a Microsoft account and to import automatically user contacts from Windows Live Messenger.
“We want to …

The first clues about the launch of Microsoft Office Mobile Suite for Android and iOS platforms dating back more than a year and a half period since being littered with rumors, allegations latterly denied and several hardly conclusive images.
According to The Verge, however, the Office mobile suite for the two dominant mobile platforms is under development and will see the light of day in the first half of next year. This information was provided by internal sources within the company, it …