Stories by Elizabeth Montalbano

Microsoft to add 'Ping' to Bing to share search results

Microsoft is testing a new feature called Bing & Ping for its Bing search engine that allows people to share search results on social networks Facebook and Twitter.

Microsoft wants people to throw Windows 7 launch parties

A new version of Windows is not typically a reason to throw a party, but Microsoft is hoping people will do just that to celebrate Windows 7, and has teamed with House Party to help them do so.

Microsoft to drop all Zunes except for HD model

Microsoft plans to drop all of its Zune models except for a new high-definition (HD) version that is due out in two weeks, the company confirmed Wednesday.

Microsoft tests Windows 7-based embedded OS

Microsoft on Tuesday released a test preview of its Windows 7-based OS for embedded devices.

Microsoft: Making purchases not Bing's online focus

Microsoft on Monday refuted a post by a prominent blogger that said the company designed the first iteration of Bing specifically to help people find items to purchase online.

Microsoft misses target date for Office Web Apps preview

Microsoft will miss its target date for releasing a technical preview of Office Web Apps, the Web-based versions of software in its Office productivity suite.

Analysts: Windows 7 could spur enterprise PC sales

Windows 7 could inspire businesses to begin spending money on PC upgrades again because it repairs major problems enterprise users had with Vista when it was released nearly three years ago, analysts said this week.

Windows 7 Family Pack available for pre-order early online

A special Windows 7 upgrade package for households with more than one PC is now available for pre-order online ahead of schedule and at a discount from Microsoft's previously announced price.

Forrester: Social networking grows up

Companies can begin to target people over the age of 34 with media campaigns that leverage social networks as that age group has become the largest segment using Facebook, Twitter and other social media, a new study from Forrester Research claims.

Microsoft extends Windows 7 Family Pack to Europe

Microsoft on Monday stepped up plans to push Windows 7 upgrades to European users. The company said its decision to keep Internet Explorer 8 in the OS in Europe has enabled it to make a family-pack option available to customers there in October.

Microsoft to backport Windows 7 'ribbon' interface to Vista

Microsoft plans to backport a "ribbon" user interface feature it introduced in Windows 7 to Windows Vista, according to the company's developer Web site.

As Exchange grows up, it plays more strategic role

Long an important product for Microsoft, Exchange Server going forward will play even more of a key role in the company's plan to extend its collaboration applications to mobile devices and other software platforms.

Red Hat expands partner program to juice reseller business

Red Hat has expanded its partner program to give companies more options for how they can work with the Linux vendor, more ways to demonstrate their areas of product expertise to customers and more discounts on product pricing, the company said Monday...

Report: Andreessen invests in browser startup RockMelt

Netscape founder Marc Andreessen, perhaps still stinging after losing to Microsoft in the browser wars in the mid-1990s, may be looking to get back into the browser game.

Microsoft: Outlook will replace Entourage in Office for Mac

Microsoft on Thursday said that starting next year it will include Outlook in its version of the Office for the Mac platform, replacing Entourage, the e-mail and groupware application for Mac users the suite has now.