CRN: Cisco, Microsoft join forces for new cloud platform

Cisco Systems and Microsoft have announced the rollout of an integrated technology solution that has major implications for their respective partners. The introduction of Cisco Cloud Architecture for the Microsoft Cloud Platform integrates Cisco’s Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) with Microsoft’s Windows Azure Pack to help cloud providers deliver hybrid cloud services more quickly, while simplifying operations and cutting costs.

Gaming Bolt: Xbox One March update available now

Microsoft continues with its charge to continue to update and evolve the Xbox One experience. The newest update to the Xbox One is finally here, and it brings with it a long-requested and long-lacking feature – the ability to take screenshots at an OS level.

Deccan Chronicle: Microsoft offers to exchange ASHA smartphone with a Lumia

With the aim of always offering the latest OS experience to its consumers, Microsoft has announced the Smart Exchange offer for existing Asha consumers. The offer will enable existing Asha consumers to upgrade to a brand new Lumia 435. Through this offer, Microsoft is giving Asha consumers access to the latest and always upgradable software on high quality Lumia devices.

Communications Today: Reliance, Microsoft to launch 11 start-ups

Reliance Industries-backed venture capital firm, GenNext Innovation Hub, and Microsoft Ventures will launch 11 start-ups this week. The start-ups, selected from a wide range of applicants in October 2014, have already successfully won businesses with major public and private sector companies in India.

Business Standard: Microsoft launches new cloud adoption programme for SMBs in India

Microsoft has rolled out a new cloud adoption programme for small and medium businesses (SMBs) in India. “Cloud adoption in India is growing in triple digit percentage year-on-year. The new Microsoft Cloud Solution Providers will make SMBs more competitive with enterprise-grade technology and value-added services from Microsoft cloud,” Karan Bajwa, Managing Director, Microsoft India, said.

NDTV: Xbox One Price in India slashed to lowest since launch

According to the official Xbox One India Facebook page, Rs. 29,990 nets you an Xbox One with a download code for FIFA 15 on Amazon India, the exclusive retailer of the console. What’s more, you have an entire month to make your purchase of the Xbox One. The deal ends on March 31.

CIO: Microsoft unwraps Mac Office 2016 preview

Microsoft released a preview of Office 2016 for Mac, the successor to the four-year-old Office 2011.The preview was made available to any Mac owner running OS X Yosemite. Officially dubbed “Office 2016 for Mac” the preview contains Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word.

Times of India: Microsoft Office 365 is giving tough competition to Google Apps

Office 365 is quickly becoming the most used cloud app at works. “Microsoft is telling customers to move their email to Microsoft’s cloud instead of buying another Exchange server and hosting email in their own data centers. Over the last six to nine months, Office 365 usage has skyrocketed,” says Todd McKinnon, co-founder and CEO of Okta.