Microsoft to acquire aQuantive

Microsoft is allset to acquire online advertising company aQuantive for $6 billion in cash, a move that will help the software giant carve out some serious territory in the online advertising battleground.

It’s the company’s biggest acquisition bid ever. Microsoft offered $66.50 per share for the company for an 85 percent premium over aQuantive’s Thursday closing price of $35.87. The offer highlights Microsoft’s willingness to open its wallet further in order to catch Google, Yahoo and AOL.

According to Microsoft, “Microsoft’s advertising assets and aQuantive’s complementary expertise in advertising tools, sales, support and syndication are assets that together will deliver safer solutions and increased value to agencies, advertisers and publishers”.

aQuantive has seen significant growth in the decade since its inception, evolving to include three main brands: Atlas, which makes the Media Console advertising platform; DRIVEpm, which provides ad services that match advertiser campaigns with publisher inventory; and Avenue A | Razorfish, which, as one of the largest online ad agencies in the world, provides advertisers digital marketing consultation along with media planning and buying.

Microsoft said it will use the aQuantive assets to create next-generation advertising systems, including cross media planning, video-on-demand and IPTV.

Microsoft expects to close the deal in the first half of its fiscal year 2008. aQuantive, a long-time customer and supplier of Microsoft, will continue to operate from its Seattle headquarters as part of Microsoft’s Online Services Business.

Should the deal go through without a hitch, Microsoft will have a powerful weapon to wield in conjunction with its AdCenter platform.

With the company, Microsoft will assume a leadership role in what Microsoft CFO Chris Liddell said is a $40 billion online ad market expected to grow 20 percent each year through 2010.

Still, Microsoft officials insisted acquiring aQuantive for its three big brands and 2,600 employees is kosher because it’s complementary.

Microsoft Senior Vice President and General Counsel Brad Smith, who has publicly complained that a Google-DoubleClick merger would reduce competition by giving Google 80 percent of the market for serving ads to third-party Web publishers, addressed the competitive ramifications on the call.

Source: internetnews.com

8 July 2007 in News | Comments (0)

Microsoft pranks with oFone

Seeing as the Zune was such a hit, Microsoft decided to repeat the success and tackle the iPhone before it even gets out the gate; friends, we give you the Microsoft oFone. Not to be outdone by Apple’s multi-touch keyless interface, the oFone features not one or two, but three keyboards that can all pivot about the small central screen. Need to bag some wild game for dinner? No worries, oFone can do that too, simply extend the three arms (like in the pic above) and it apparently makes a decent boomerang. We’re loving where they’re going with this idea — cool and unusable, just how we like our fake phones.

View the video on YouTube

10 May 2007 in News | Comments (0)

Microsoft to offer $3 software for students

Microsoft Corp.’s local office is looking to make available a low-cost software bundle designed for students, according to a recent announcement by company chairman Bill Gates.

In a Microsoft-sponsored government leaders forum in Beijing, Gates announced the Student Innovation Suite, which costs $3 and will be offered for government purchase especially in developing countries.

The package includes Windows XP Starter Edition. Microsoft Office Home Edition and other software designed for students.

The product, however, will not be available commercially. Rather, it will be sold directly to government intended for projects aimed at providing PCs to schools for student use

21 April 2007 in News | Comments (0)

Microsoft Silverlight

On ^16thApril Microsoft officially unveiled the name for what was previously known as the “WPF/e” at the 2007 National Association of Broadcasters Conference. WPF/e is now Microsoft Silverlight.Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications (RIAs) for the Web.It’s a new cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in that allows users a new and richer multimedia experience when using a Web browser (for example, it supports 720p HD media playback). Web developers targeting IE, Firefox and even Apple’s Safari browser can all make use of Silverlight for a consistently amazing experience. It’s also a client- and server-agnostic platform; this means that the runtimes are the same on any platform, allowing you to deliver the Silverlight experience from an Apache web server, if you like — without requiring any MS software on the server. Learn more about Microsoft Silverlight,

18 April 2007 in Developer Tools & News | Comments (0)

Microsoft to integrate Windows Live Messenger with Xbox 360

Microsoft has confirmed the imminent launch of Windows Live Messenger on Xbox 360 as part of the Xbox 360 Spring Update, allowing Windows, Xbox 360, and mobile users to communicate with each other, also confirming a mini-keyboard controller for X360 and many other Xbox 360 OS additions.

The Xbox 360 Spring Update, available from May 7, 2007, will include Windows Live Messenger, allowing users to text chat with up to six people on their contact list at one time while playing games, listening to music or watching movies.

Text chat using Windows Live Messenger is possible using the virtual keyboard accessible on Xbox 360, or by connecting a USB keyboard to the console. In addition, this summer Microsoft will launch a QWERTY text-input device, a new accessory that will connect directly into the Xbox 360 controller to support text and instant messaging.

Beyond Windows Live Messenger, the Spring Update for Xbox 360 includes many new features and enhancements including the following:

• A richer Achievement notification pop-up will showcase the name of the unlocked Achievement and the gamerscore value without needing to leave the game to check the Achievements list.
• Enhanced family settings features for Xbox Live communications enable different defaults for video chat and voice chat.
• A new Xbox Live Marketplace blade lets Xbox Live members access their game, TV show, and movie content from one place on Xbox Live.
• Updates to Xbox Live Arcade allow owners to quickly see which Xbox Live Arcade games their friends are playing and join in the fun. Xbox Live members can also compare progress of leaderboard scores and Achievements directly with all friends on their friends list.
• New progressive download controls provide easy access to optimal viewing options by letting people fast-forward, rewind, pause and resume as their video is downloaded from Xbox Live Marketplace.
• Extension of the background download functionality will allow owners to set their Xbox 360 console to turn off automatically after downloads are complete.

The Spring Update is free beginning the week of May 7 and is easily accessible to every Xbox 360 owner through Xbox Live or on Xbox.com.

Source: Gamasutra

11 April 2007 in News | Comments (0)

Microsoft to launch Halo 3 Demo

The Fans of the Halo video game series will get a taste of the third instalment of the Xbox 360 title when Microsoft launches an online multi-player demo next month.

From 10pm (AEST) on May 16 to 4.59pm on June 7, gamers worldwide will be able to download the beta version of Halo 3 through Microsoft’s online gaming network, Xbox LIVE.

Halo 3 is the third part of Bungie Studios’ hit science fiction action series, which follows the Master Chief - a biologically enhanced super soldier - in his quest to stop an alien race known as the Covenant and save the human race.

The multiplayer beta showcases three action-oriented levels called Snowbound, High Ground and Valhalla and will allow users to provide feedback on the game.

Gamers will be able to experience vehicles new to the series such as the mongoose all-terrain vehicle and new weapons including the assault rifle, brute spiker, spartan laser and spike grenades.

The full commercial version of Halo 3 is expected to hit shelves later this year.

“The Halo 3 multi-player beta is a rare opportunity for Xbox LIVE gamers to participate in the development of one of this year’s most significant releases,†Xbox Australia group marketing manager Nick Segger said.

“We’re proud to be able to offer fans the chance to sample some of the new content to appear in the next instalment of their favourite series and we’ll use their feedback to fine-tune the final game to perfection.â€

The science fiction first person shooter will be available to members of LIVE’s premium Gold service through online registration or by purchasing a specially marked copy of Crackdown for Xbox 360, which hit shelves last February.

Source: News.co.au

11 April 2007 in Games & News | Comments (0)

Microsoft updates antipiracy software for Windows XP

Microsoft Corp. has updated its antipiracy software for Windows XP for English speakers, and begun rolling out the optional tools to users in 21 additional countries, including some the company has tagged as centers of counterfeiting.

The Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications software — which verifies that the copy of Windows XP is legitimate, offers up options to users running phony software, and duns those who won’t pony up — has been “tweaked,” a company spokesperson said today.

Read More…

23 February 2007 in News | Comments (0)

Microsoft launched Casual Games Website

Microsoft Casual Games develops, publishes, and distributes web-based and download games in every major casual game genre (puzzle, word, card and arcade). On a monthly basis, Microsoft Casual Games reaches more than 120 million global players; that’s more than a third of the US population!

Microsoft Casual Games offers more than 400 games via MSN® Games, Windows Live Messenger, Windows® OS Games, and Xbox Live® Arcade, providing the ultimate playing experience for millions of casual gamers around the world to compete, collaborate and socialize anytime, anywhere.

http://www.microsoftcasualgames.com/

23 February 2007 in Games & News & Websites | Comments (0)

Microsoft Kicks Off “Good Luck India” Campaign

Microsoft Xbox 360 will roll out its signature campaign “Good Luck India” to wish luck to the Indian cricket team for the biggest extravaganza in cricket- World Cup 2007. Under this campaign, a larger than life Xbox 360 console will be taken across the country for cricket fans and enthusiasts to sign their good luck messages. This campaign is a critical element of run-up to the soon-to-be launched Xbox 360 exclusive gaming title for India, “Yuvraj Singh International Cricket 2007″. The campaign is all set to roll out from 23 February, 2007 to 02 March, 2007 covering New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Pune.

Elated about the campaign, Ashim Mathur, Marketing Head, Entertainment and Devices Division, Microsoft India said, For a country like India which is so passionate about cricket, the “Good Luck India” campaign will serve as an ideal opportunity for cricket lovers to wish the Indian team for the world cup. These signed Xbox 360 consoles will be handed over to the Indian cricket team in West Indies before the start of the tournament.

The exclusive gaming title “Yuvraj Singh International Cricket 2007″ is the most awaited game on Xbox 360 and to extend the euphoria around the same, this mega console would cover historical landmarks like Victoria Memorial in Kolkatta, Necklace in Hyderabad, Palace Grounds in Bangalore, Marina Beach in Chennai, India gate in Delhi, Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gateway of India in Mumbai and Shanivar Peth in Pune.

Source: http://www.xboxaddict.com/news/view.php?News_ID=7848

23 February 2007 in News | Comments (0)

Microsoft after YouTube Rival, Revver

Sony bought video-sharing Web site Grouper in August. Google picked up YouTube, the king of video sites, in October. Now comes a report that Microsoft has taken a look at Revver, yet another venture-backed video-sharing startup. CNET News.com reports that executives from Microsoft toured Revver’s Los Angeles headquarters last month to determine whether that company’s service could enhance Soapbox, Microsoft’s own, newly launched service.

An employee of Microsoft’s MSN unit confirmed to News.com that there was a meeting but would not discuss specifics.

One source, however, told News.com that Microsoft doesn’t appear to be interested at this point. And Revver’s chief Steven Starr issued a statement that Revver is not for sale. We believe we are in the right place at the right time with the right technology, and we continue to focus on enhancing the Revver service and forging new distribution deals.â€

Sale or not, the meeting does suggest that Microsoft is interested in enhancing Soapbox to make it more competitive.

Revver’s specialty is embedding advertisements in video files and tracking how and when the ads are watched. Its venture backers include Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Bessemer Venture Partners, Comcast Interactive Capital and Turner New Media Investments.

Source: http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/youtube-rival-catches-microsofts-eye/

23 February 2007 in News | Comments (0)