Mary Jo Foley

Microsoft Disputes Report of Office for iPad

John Paczkowski in Media on February 21 at 12:29 pm PT

“The Daily story is based on inaccurate rumors and speculation. We have no further comment.”

Microsoft's "Ventura" Focuses On "Discovery" – Just Like Every Other Digital Media Service

Peter Kafka in Media on March 9, 2011 at 5:14 am PT

Yes, Microsoft’s mysterious new media project sounds a bit like Pandora. But then again it sounds a bit like every other digital media service that’s not iTunes.

Microsoft Loses a Top Kinect Researcher to Google

Tricia Duryee in Commerce on January 18, 2011 at 11:59 am PT

Microsoft Research’s Johnny Chung Lee, a core contributor to Microsoft’s Kinect, the highly successful gaming sensor, has joined Google to work on a special project.

Technologizer's "The Future of Windows": Scoobs, Foley, Baig, Windex Wisecracks From BoomTown and More!

Kara Swisher in News on March 9, 2010 at 11:15 am PT

Check out the interesting observations made by a range of folks in a post by Technologizer titled, “The Future of Windows: 28 Perspectives and Proposals” on the 25th anniversary of the 1.0 version of the groundbreaking operating system. The simple question being asked: How can Microsoft keep Windows relevant? My wisecracking first answer: “Well, a more liberal policy on Windex, I suppose. Wait, you mean the software?”

Microsoft Loses Another Windows Veteran

John Paczkowski in News on February 3, 2010 at 3:49 pm PT

High-level Microsoft departures are becoming a regular event. Last month, Windows senior VP Bill Veghte said he was leaving the company after 20 years. This month, it’s Mike Nash, corporate VP for Windows Platform Strategy, who has tendered his resignation.

Bing 2.0: "Super Imressive!”

John Paczkowski in News on September 11, 2009 at 2:08 pm PT

Twitter has already had repercussions in the courtroom. Now it has had them at Microsoft’s annual company meeting as well. Employee tweets from the gathering Thursday revealed that we may see a major update to the company’s Bing search engine as early as next week.

Bing 2.0: “Super Imressive!”

John Paczkowski in News on September 11, 2009 at 2:08 pm PT

Twitter has already had repercussions in the courtroom. Now it has had them at Microsoft’s annual company meeting as well. Employee tweets from the gathering Thursday revealed that we may see a major update to the company’s Bing search engine as early as next week.

My Bing-a-Ling

John Paczkowski in News on May 26, 2009 at 11:51 am PT

What’s in a name? Apparently, the answer to Microsoft’s many search problems. As we previously reported, the software behemoth plans to debut its new search service at our D: All Things Digital conference later this week, and when it does it may have a new name. Reports claim that Microsoft Live Search, once known as Windows Live Search, and prior to that as MSN Search, will henceforth be known as… Bing.

Would Microsoft's New Search Name Smell as Sweet if It Were Named After a Cherry or a Soprano?

Kara Swisher in News on April 21, 2009 at 11:03 am PT

What’s in a name? Well, a lot, actually, and BoomTown supposes it would be just like those Pacific Northwest types at Microsoft to name the new version of its search service “Bing,” presumably after the cherry that is a big product in the company’s home state. That moniker is one of many being bandied about in a group the software giant could be considering for the big relaunch of its search service, which it has been prepping. But Microsoft should forget the fruity metaphor, also rename its MSN online service “Bada” and use this motto: “Bada Bing, Bada Boom, Notta Bada Algorithm!”