Microsoft to Offer Windows Touch Screen

Could be released as early as this holiday season

(NEWSER) - It seems like only yesterday that Microsoft released Windows 7—and indeed, most of us haven't gotten around to upgrading to that version—but already, Windows 8 is nearly upon us. Web forums were filled with news and rumors last week after PC manufacturers and equipment makers got "early beta" test versions of Microsoft's latest PC operating system. Why so soon—just 17 months—after Windows 7 hit shelves? Tablets, CNNMoney reports. More»

Passes Symbian; iPhone at No. 3

(NEWSER) - Google’s Android is now the world’s most popular smartphone platform, having edged past Nokia’s Symbian in the fourth quarter of 2010. Vendors shipped 33.3 million Android-based phones that quarter, beating Symbian’s 31 million, a report out today finds. That’s good news for Android phone vendors LG and Acer, who saw sales volume boosts of 4,127% and 709% from Q4 of 2009—and for Samsung and HTC, who together shipped nearly 45% of all Android phones in the period, reports CNET . More»

Ubiquitous OS seen as security risk

(NEWSER) - Google has had it with Windows. Ever since the company's Chinese operations were hacked in January, it's been trying to tighten up security, and the Microsoft OS is the first casualty, workers tell the Financial Times . “We're not doing any more Windows,” said one, “It's a security effort.” New recruits can choose to work on a Mac or a PC running Linux, and the CIO must give special permission before employees can get a new Windows machine. More»

Heir to the 'sidekick' throne misses the mark

(NEWSER) - If you're a Facebook-addicted, text-loving teenage girl, you might, maybe, like this phone. If not, look elsewhere. Microsoft's Kin isn't a smartphone, but a cell designed for social media. Is it any good?

• Gizmodo calls it "the most seamlessly connected phone on the planet," but doesn't love the look, function or feel. Kin is "the gawky teenage offspring of Windows Phone 7 and the Sidekick," concludes Matt Buchanan.

It's best not to let the boss know (unless he's got one, too)

(NEWSER) - If Microsoft executives want a reminder of how they've been trumped by Apple in the mobile business, they need only look around at their own employees. Chances are, they'll see quite a few iPhones in use, reports the Wall Street Journal . Insiders say 10,000 Microsoft workers used their iPhones to access the company's email system, a figure that represents about 10% of the total workforce. More»