Recent News

April 8, 2014
Judges announced for Microsoft YouthSpark Challenge for Change

Judges include Romanus Berg, chief information officer, Ashoka; Adam Braun, founder, Pencils of Promise; Jennifer Corriero, executive director, TakingITGlobal; and Ben Goldhirsh, co-founder and CEO, GOOD. The judges will select 20 finalists, to be announced April 15, with the most promising ideas moving to the next phase of the Microsoft YouthSpark Challenge for Change competition.

April 8, 2014
Why you will love Windows 8.1 Update, rolling out now

Windows 8.1 Update, which starts rolling out to users worldwide Tuesday, is tailored to whatever device you’re using – desktop PC, laptop or tablet – and also makes it convenient and easy for you to use your mouse, keyboard and touch in the ways you want.

April 8, 2014
Smart elevator, robot and virtual admin will help guide you at Microsoft Research

At a first-floor bank of elevators at Microsoft Research, a “smart elevator” opens its doors, sensing that you need a ride. When you reach the third floor, a humanoid robot is ready to guide you where you need to go. And if it happens to be Eric Horvitz’s office his virtual admin named Monica, an onscreen avatar with a British accent, greets you. “I was expecting you,” she says. “The robot told me you were coming.”

April 8, 2014
Microsoft acquisition of Nokia Devices and Services approved by Chinese Ministry of Commerce

“MOFCOM’s decision effectively adopts Microsoft’s current patent licensing practices. In reaching its decision, MOFCOM concluded after its investigation that Microsoft holds approximately 200 patent families that are necessary to build an Android smartphone,” wrote David Howard, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel, litigation and antitrust, Microsoft.