GameInformer.com: At the end of March, Bungie will no longer handle player data for Halo games. The studio issued a statement today saying the transition process between it and 343 Industries, Microsoft’s new internal Halo studio, will be completed March … Continued
Microsoft
Samsung ships Microsoft Surface 2.0 table
Engadget: Samsung’s SUR40 has been a long time coming. The 40-inch next-gen Surface was unveiled at CES 2011, but it’s only just now starting to ship, following the 2012 edition of that gadget show. If you’ve never had a chance … Continued
And by ‘Google’ I actually mean ‘Microsoft’
MG Siegler:
Holy shit, over 70% of the Android phones sold in the U.S. are now contributing money to Microsoft’s pockets. Microsoft, not Google.
Amazing how much money Microsoft is making from Android.
Microsoft and Nokia look at buying RIM
Networkworld:
The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that Microsoft and Nokia have toyed with the idea of making a bid for RIM, whose stock has plummeted (from about $59 to start the year to about $14 in mid-December) and whose management team has been under fire from investors. The Journal reports that the status of any talks between Microsoft, Nokia and RIM are unclear. Other scuttlebutt is that RIM executives have hit up Samsung and HTC about possible licensing deals.
I may buy RIM with the spare change in my car.
Microsoft offers SkyDrive cloud storage for iOS
In addition to an Xbox Live application and its Kinectimals game, Microsoft also recently began offering another software app for iOS – SkyDrive for iOS. The free app provides access to Microsoft’s SkyDrive cloud-based storage system. SkyDrive requires you to … Continued
Microsoft: A platform company
When Google released its iOS Gmail app, I argued that it was a woefully missed opportunity for the software giant. With Gmail for iOS, Google had a unique chance to impress iOS users with a well-designed app for a widely used service. Instead, as we all know, Google released a pathetic implementation reliant on UIWebView, and squandered a phenomenal Trojan Horse moment.
In stark contrast to Google’s well-publicized folly, Microsoft is doing everything it can to impress iOS users.
Microsoft’s Kinectimals game comes to iOS
Kinectimals was a launch title for Microsoft’s Kinect motion-sensing peripheral for the Xbox 360, involving playful virtual pets you could interact with. Now it’s come to iOS, and it’s available for $2.99. Released as a universal app that runs natively … Continued
Xbox Live app comes to iOS
M.H. Williams, for IndustryGamers: In an interesting move, Microsoft has released its My Xbox Live app on Apple’s App Store for iOS devices. The free app will allow players to access their Xbox Live profile on-the-go, much like the Xbox … Continued
∞ Louis C.K.: 'The next Steve Jobs will totally be a chick'
Louis C.K. offers his analysis of what Apple and women have in common.
∞ Analyst predicts disappointing Windows Phone 7 sales for Nokia
A prominent mobile analyst suggests that Nokia’s initial Windows Phone 7 sales have been vastly underwhelming.
∞ Six-story Windows Phone in NY
Engadget: Microsoft has constructed a monstrous six-story “Windows Phone” just a few feet away from the world’s largest Macy’s store, right in the middle of one of the city’s more popular outdoor picnic areas. Nothing says success like a giant … Continued
∞ Microsoft accuses Google of having no vision or roadmap
Microsoft’s Tom Rizzo:
In cancelling this group of social media-like services, it is clear that Google is not in tune with the market needs and does not have a product roadmap and clear vision for productivity for their business customers. The Microsoft Office team does. Our vision demonstrates a clear focus on what business customers are looking for, such as intuitive interfaces across a wide range of devices.
Google releases experimental products and tracks adoption to determine whether to continue providing them. Its products are like spaghetti, Google throws them up against the wall to see if they stick.
Michael Gartenberg’s take on Twitter is classic. “pot to kettle, you’re black.”
∞ Futuristic concept videos
John Gruber responding to criticism about how Microsoft wasted time publishing concept videos: Putting this “Future Visions” video in public squanders attention that Microsoft could otherwise have focused on its current and imminent new products — like Windows Phone. Take … Continued
∞ EU okays Microsoft Skype buyout
Reuters: Microsoft secured EU approval on Friday to purchase internet voice and video service Skype for $8.5 billion, its biggest ever acquisition. The commission noted that Microsoft and Skype overlap, but doesn’t think there are concerns about monopoly since other … Continued
∞ Microsoft considering Yahoo bid
Reuters: Microsoft Corp is considering a bid for Yahoo Inc, resurfacing as a potential buyer after a bitter and unsuccessful fight to take over the Internet company in 2008, sources close to the situation said on Wednesday. Microsoft is the … Continued
∞ Facebook founder Zuckerberg worth $17.5 billion
Forbes’ “Richest People in America” list is out and it contains a lot of familiar names including Bill Gates ($59 billion) and Steve Jobs ($7 billion). One of the surprises this year is Mark Zuckerberg who is now worth $17.5 … Continued
∞ Apple bloggers 'flustered' by Windows 8?
Boy Genius Report has a glowing piece on Windows 8 that they say ushers in the “post-post-PC era.” In the story, “Sorry Apple, Windows 8 ushers in the post-post-PC era,” BGR makes some pretty amazing claims. As you can guess, … Continued
∞ Google says Apple, Microsoft trying to 'strangle' Android
David Drummond, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer: But Android’s success has yielded something else: a hostile, organized campaign against Android by Microsoft, Oracle, Apple and other companies, waged through bogus patents. They’re doing this by banding together to … Continued
∞ Microsoft releases OneNote Mobile for iPhone 1.2
Microsoft on Tuesday updated its OneNote Mobile app for iPhone, adding new features and expanding the number of countries where the app is available.
∞ Eight Skype execs leave after Microsoft purchase
Skype, Microsoft or the employees themselves have decided to make some changes to the management structure of Skype. While Skype has confirmed the departures, a spokesperson would not say whether they had been laid off or if they resigned. The … Continued
∞ RIM and Microsoft sitting in a tree…

I imagine as the world changed millions of years ago, Dinosaurs gathered together for comfort — yesterday proved the tech industry isn’t much different.
Not knowing how to deal with their changing world, two tech dinosaurs — Microsoft and RIM — joined forces on Tuesday to fight for their survival. So what is it these two monoliths came up with to fight off Apple and Google?
From the Bing blog:
∞ Microsoft's Datacenter GM goes to Apple

Any doubts that Apple is getting serious about its datacenters can be put to rest. The company has apparently lured Microsoft’s General Manager of Datacenter Services away from his job in Redmond. His position at Apple hasn’t been announced, but AllThingsD’s John Paczkowski has it on good authority that it’s a done deal.
Timmons left Microsoft this week and the company has confirmed his departure, though it declined to say why he left or where he was headed. But sources in position to know confirm he’s hired on with Apple.
Apple Poaches Microsoft’s Datacenter GM [AllThingsD]
∞ Microsoft files antitrust complaint against Google
The world truly is on its head these days. Microsoft senior vice president and general counsel Brad Smith said in a blog post that his company is filing a “formal complaint with the European commission” against Google, alleging Google has … Continued
∞ And this is why Microsoft is doomed
If you don’t lead, you follow. If you don’t follow, you’re doomed. Hello Microsoft.
∞ Microsoft claims credit for disabling huge spam network
Microsoft claims it has helped disable a “botnet” network purportedly responsible for sending billions of spam e-mails daily – at its peak, nearly half the spam afflicting computers worldwide. Microsoft worked with law enforcement officials to disable the computers responsible … Continued
∞ Microsoft kills the Zune
The major competitor to the iPod — or at least what they hoped would be a major competitor — Microsoft’s Zune, is dead.
∞ Microsoft asks: 'If you had to give up one technology, what would it be?'
It’s like shooting fish in a barrel around here some days.
∞ Microsoft won't have an iPad OS competitor until 2012
Things really aren’t looking good Microsoft as the company tries to compete in the tablet market. A new report says they won’t have a tablet operating system ready until mid-2012.
∞ Apple tops list of world's most admired companies
Apple has taken the top spot in Fortune’s most admired companies for the fourth straight year.
∞ Nintendo CEO attacks Apple, Google smartphone games
Nintendo is one of the most recognizable gaming companies in the world, but as the smartphone industry matures, pressure on the traditional companies has increased dramatically.