8 posts and columns on Windows Live Messenger

Microsoft Comms Head Smacks Back by the Numbers (Plus a "Rocky"-Inspired Internal Email!)

in News on June 25, 2010 at 1:33 pm PT

After what he considered weeks of unfair press coverage and running down of Microsoft, the software giant’s Corporate VP of Corporate Communications, Frank Shaw, posted a pugnacious corporate blog today that trotted out some impressive numbers about Microsoft’s business. Of course, he also took the opportunity to put up some not-so-much figures about competitors such as Apple, Netflix, Salesforce.com and, of course, Google. And this comes after a fists-swinging email to staff!

New BlackBerry Offers Versatility in Flip Form

in The Digital Solution on October 14, 2008 at 5:18 pm PT

Smartphones are masters of multitasking. They email, browse the Web, instant message, take pictures, run applications or play videos and music. So it’s easy to forget how uncomfortable they are to use as phones.

Social-Networking Software Becomes Neighborly

in The Digital Solution on August 5, 2008 at 2:32 pm PT

We tested Meebo, Adium and Digsby, free instant-messaging programs that work by being a one-stop shop for online communication. All three are straightforward and work without much effort or instruction.

Embrace. Extend …. What Comes Next, Again?

in Social on March 25, 2008 at 12:09 am PT

In February, Microsoft surprised industry watchers and embraced the idea of data portability, throwing its support behind OpenID, a decentralized digital-identity protocol. This morning came the inevitable extension of that idea, the announcement of a partnership with five social networks on a new data-portability strategy.

And Trust Me, We Know All About Press Releases. Vista Was a Press Release for 6 Years.

in News on November 8, 2007 at 5:02 am PT

When Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told a departing Microsoft employee that he would “f*****g kill Google,” he forgot to mention that he planned to take his sweet time doing it. Because here we are three years later, a few days after Google announced Android–an open mobile platform that could mean trouble for Windows Mobile, Google’s [...]

The Tech 10: Wal-Mart Goes DRM-Free, MTV and RealNetworks Confront iTunes and a 'Moviestar' Is Born

in News on August 21, 2007 at 10:00 am PT

Note: John Paczkowski is on vacation and won’t be writing or posting videos until he returns Monday. To keep you abreast of tech news while he’s away, we’re compiling a daily digest of 10 must-read tech stories. We’re calling it the Tech 10 and it appears here.
  1. Retailing behemoth Wal-Mart will sell digital-music downloads on its Web site without copy protection, Reuters reports. The so-called digital-rights management software insisted on by some record labels can stymie where the average user plays the songs.
  2. Taking on the juggernaut of iTunes, MTV and RealNetworks are forming an online digital music venture. According to The Wall Street Journal, Verizon Wireless has signed on as mobile distributor of the joint content.

The Tech 10: Wal-Mart Goes DRM-Free, MTV and RealNetworks Confront iTunes and a ‘Moviestar’ Is Born

in News on August 21, 2007 at 10:00 am PT

Note: John Paczkowski is on vacation and won’t be writing or posting videos until he returns Monday. To keep you abreast of tech news while he’s away, we’re compiling a daily digest of 10 must-read tech stories. We’re calling it the Tech 10 and it appears here.
  1. Retailing behemoth Wal-Mart will sell digital-music downloads on its Web site without copy protection, Reuters reports. The so-called digital-rights management software insisted on by some record labels can stymie where the average user plays the songs.
  2. Taking on the juggernaut of iTunes, MTV and RealNetworks are forming an online digital music venture. According to The Wall Street Journal, Verizon Wireless has signed on as mobile distributor of the joint content.