WRAL Tech Wire

It's live! Microsoft rolls out new XBox One console

Microsoft, the top seller in U.S. consoles for more than two years, will face fresh competition from Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 4, scheduled for release near year-end, and Nintendo Co.'s Wii-U, introduced last November. It also must fend off a larger threat: companies including Apple, Facebook, Google Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. offering an array of entertainment services, software and products.

Photographers crowd for close-up of new Xbox

Tech truce: Microsoft embraces a Google service for a change

In a rare bit of cooperation, Microsoft's Outlook.com is giving users of its free email service the option of logging into Google Chat to exchange instant messages and engage in audio or video conversations.

For common Windows 8 gripes, some possible soultions

Part of the problem is that Windows 8 tries to be all things to all people. It's designed to respond to touch-screen controls, but it also works with traditional mouse and keyboard commands. It offers a new layout that resembles tablet computers, but it also has a desktop mode that looks like previous versions of Windows. What results is confusion.

Microsoft is tuning up Windows 8 after user gripes

Microsoft is retooling the latest version of its Windows operating system to address complaints and confusion that have been blamed for deepening a slump in personal computer sales.

Microsoft unveiling new Xbox May 21?; game sales slide; Zynga slips

Microsoft Corp. plans a "special unveiling" related to the Xbox, suggesting that the world's biggest software maker use the event to introduce the latest version of its game console. Meanwhile, game industry sales fell in March, according to NPD.

 Don't panic, Microsoft shareholders - Product integration will sustain its growth

Analysis: The continued decline of the overall PC market and increasing trends of cloud and mobility in both the enterprise and consumer spaces has negatively impacted the consistency of Microsoft's core Business and Windows Divisions in recent quarters. But unifying its capabilities should deliver growth.

 Microsoft's strong earnings are no thanks to Windows 8

Microsoft's revenue and profit gains came from sales recognized before the launch of Windows 8.

 Stock in Microsoft, others linked to PCs drop as computer sales plunge

If fewer people are interested in buying a new personal computer, then fewer investors want to own stakes in companies whose fortunes are tied to the sales of laptop and desktop machines.

 PC sales plunge; IDC says consumers 'shun Windows 8'

The last time worldwide PC shipments experienced a double- digit percentage decline was in the third quarter of 2001, when the market was roiled by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the impact of a decline in technology stocks

Screen shot of new Windows 8 start screen

 Microsoft rebuts China criticism on 'Surface' warranty

Microsoft says its Surface Pro tablet and all other products meet or exceed warranty laws in China, denying a report in state media that its coverage of the device falls short of local requirements.

 Microsoft likely to be next target of Chinese state-backed criticism

The criticism by China National Radio may be the opening shot against the world's largest software maker, similar to what Apple faced in the past month, says Doug Young, author of the book "The Party Line: How the Media Dictates Public Opinion in Modern China." A

 IBM, Red Hat, Cisco, Citrix, others former software-defined network group

Some of the biggest names in networking technology are joining forces with Red Hat and the open source world to form a coalition designed to help drive adoption of the emerging technology known as software-defined networking.

OpenDaylight

 Ericsson to buy Microsoft's Internet TV software group

The deal will make Ericsson the largest provider of Internet Protocol-based TV services.

 Red Hat hires Microsoft exec to lead 'cloud' efforts

Red Hat is stepping up its efforts to capitalize on growing opportunities in "cloud computing" and virtualization by hiring a Microsoft exec who was deeply involved in the tech giant's own cloud efforts.

Red Hat touts the "cloud"

 Facebook news: 'New home' on Android; Microsoft deal OK'd

Facebook plans a media event next Thursday to announce an Android project. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission approves Facebook's purchase of a Microsoft ad business.

 Microsoft investigated in federal bribery probe

Microsoft is entangled in a U.S. government investigation into whether the software maker and some of its business partners resorted to bribery to close deals in China, Romania and Italy, according to a report published Tuesday.

 European Union fines Microsoft $731M for breaking browser pact

Microsoft is hit with a $731 million fine by European Union regulators for violating the terms of a settlement to give users a choice of web browsers aside from its Internet Explorer.

 Groupon CEO out; Facebook buys Microsoft ad biz; Google keeps cash; iTune U downloads top 1B

Bulldog Blog: Struggling Groupon ousts its CEO; Microsoft parts with ad business Atlas; Google keeps cash for acquisitions; Apple says iTune U downloads top billion.

 Microsoft storage system hit by outage; giant also is hacked

The Azure system outage is triggered by Microsoft's failure to renew a security certificate which expired. Meanwhile, Microsoft is hacked in ways similar to recent attacks on Facebook and Apple.

 Google launches touchscreen, high-resolution laptop

Google is launching a direct attack at high-end laptops made by Apple and Microsoft with the new Chromebook Pixel which packs a touch screen and has a better resolution than a high-definition television. It costs $1,299.

Closeup of new Chromebook Pixel