PC vs. Mac

(Newser) - Many Windows Vista users have struggled to make the operating system work with their hardware, and emails released this week reveal that even Microsoft bosses had a tough time, PC World reports. The emails have been made public as part of a lawsuit that claims Microsoft deliberately misled consumers by slapping "Vista Capable" stickers on machines that weren't capable of running many of the system's important features. More »

(Newser) - Accessing encrypted data can be as simple as chilling a computer memory chip, according to a Princeton research group. The researchers were able to break through encryption in Windows, Macintosh, and Linux operating systems, reports the New York Times , calling into question the security methods that companies, government agencies, and individuals use to protect data. More »

(Newser) - Vista’s first major service pack may do more harm than good. Microsoft is warning that its upcoming update may disable various third party programs, particularly virus protection and security software, which accounted for half of the dozen programs Microsoft listed as victims. Microsoft said that list wasn’t comprehensive, and told users to contact the software developers, not Microsoft, with any problems. More »

(Newser) - Under pressure from strong competition, especially in the cellphone business, Microsoft revealed a major executive shakeup yesterday, reports the New York Times . Mobile communications operations senior VP Pieter Knook is heading off to help Vodafone get into mobile Internet services, according to the Wall Street Journal. Another big departure is Steve Berkowitz, online services senior VP. More »

(Newser) - Microsoft is poised to buy Danger, the maker of the T-Mobile Sidekick, in a move that follows on the heels of Yahoo's rebuff of the software behemoth's $44 billion buyout offer. Microsoft hasn't said how much it's forking over, but called Danger the "perfect complement to our existing software and services," CNET reports. Danger's founder now runs the Android mobile project for Microsoft competitor Google. More »

(Newser) - Sony Ericsson will join most of the world’s other top cell phone makers in offering a smartphone based on the Windows Mobile operating system, leaving only industry leader Nokia without a Windows Mobile version. The first of the company’s new phones, called the “Xperia X1,” will be on sale by the end of the year, reports Reuters. More »

(Newser) - Microsoft is facing vocal opposition to its decision to stop selling the Windows XP operating system June 30, 13 months after the launch of Windows Vista, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Vista has sold well, aided by its default inclusion with new PCs, but users have complained of compatibility troubles. Some have returned to XP or are holding out for Microsoft’s next OS. More »

(Newser) - Apple's Mac OS X operating system grabbed a record 7.57% of market share in January, up 21.7% from the year before, Fortune 's Apple 2.0 blog reports. The computer company’s share grew 3.56% over the course of December, while rival