Thursday, May 17, 2012 4:08 AM HKT

Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKEX: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products for computing devices. Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, its most profitable products are the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office suite of productivity software.

The company was founded in 1975, to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800. Microsoft rose to dominate the home computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s, followed by the Windows line of operating systems. Many of its products have achieved near-ubiquity in the desktop computer market. One commentator notes that Microsoft's original mission was "a computer on every desk and in every home, running Microsoft software." Microsoft possesses footholds in other markets, with assets such as the MSNBC cable television network, the MSN Internet portal, and the Microsoft Encarta multimedia encyclopedia. The company also markets both computer hardware products such as the Microsoft mouse and the Microsoft Natural keyboard, as well as home entertainment products such as the Xbox, Xbox 360, Zune and MSN TV. The company's initial public stock offering (IPO) was in 1986; the ensuing rise of the company's stock price has made four billionaires and an estimated 12,000 millionaires from Microsoft employees. Read More

Articles About Microsoft

‘Halo 4’ Release Includes New Spartan Ops And Special Edition Unveiled, ‘Halo 5’ Details Emerge
‘Halo 4’ Release Includes New Spartan Ops And Special Edition Unveiled, ‘Halo 5’ Details Emerge

By IBTimes

“Halo 4” is slated for a release date of Nov. 6th, and multiplayer information is beginning to emerge. Known collectively as “Infinity Multiplayer,” the game will introduce a brand new mode called “Spartan Ops. (3:29 am)

MORE TOPICS: RETAIL

Facebook
Facebook IPO: Why Did Underwriters Boost Its Value?

By IBTimes

A day before Facebook (Nasdaq: FB), the No. 1 social network holds its initial public offering, its 33 underwriters boosted the number of shares for sale by 25 percent, potentially valuing the deal as high as $19 billion. (3:24 am)

MORE TOPICS: GOLDMAN SACHS, JPMORGAN CHASE, MORGAN STANLEY, NYSE, MARK ZUCKERBERG, FACEBOOK

The Android Plan: Why Google Will Mimic Microsoft To Conquer Apple
The Android Plan: Why Google Will Mimic Microsoft To Conquer Apple

By IBTimes

Google will reportedly work with up to five different manufacturers at once to offer a wide variety of Android devices, including both smartphones and tablets. The move is a big power play from Google in its efforts to surpass Apple, and it could abs... (12:18 am)

MORE TOPICS: IPHONE, IBM, BILL GATES, STEVE JOBS, SAMSUNG, IPAD

Lightbox Photos
Facebook Acquiring Lightbox.com Staff, Technology

By IBTimes

Facebook (Nasdaq: FB), the No. 1 social network, said it’s acquiring the staff and technology of startup Lightbox.com, developer of a photo app for mobile surfaces. (11:39 pm)

MORE TOPICS: NYSE, FACEBOOK, ANDROID

Halo 4 Release Date Pre-order
Halo 4 Limited Edition Available for Pre-Order Today

By IBTimes UK

Microsoft has announced Halo Infinity Multiplayer as well as a limited edition of Halo 4 which goes on pre-order today. (11:38 pm)

Max Payne 3 Tears Soundtrack Single now Available On iTunes
Max Payne 3: Tears Soundtrack Single by Health now Available On iTunes [VIDEO]

By IBTimes UK

Max Payne 3 single Tears by composers Health is available now to buy as a download on iTunes. (7:05 pm)

MORE TOPICS: ITUNES, NEW YORK, SONY

Intel's Ultrabook-Tablet Hybrid
Retail Stores to sell Intel’s Windows 8 Tablets and Hybrids in November

By IBTimes AU

Intel’s Windows 8 tablets will be available in retail stores in November. (10:20 am)

MORE TOPICS: RETAIL, INDIA, INTEL

GM to drop Facebook ads due to low consumer impact

By Reuters

General Motors Co said on Tuesday it will stop advertising on Facebook, even as the social networking website prepares to go public. (6:35 am)

MORE TOPICS: GENERAL MOTORS, MARK ZUCKERBERG, FACEBOOK, ADVERTISING

Facebook, the world's biggest social network with 900 million-plus users, is finally ready to make its Wall Street debut on Friday, May 18, 2012. Facebook is clearly dominant in its industry, but buying stock so quickly might be unwise. Here are five reas
Facebook IPO Date Approaches: 5 Reasons You Shouldn't Buy Stock

By IBTimes

Facebook, the world's biggest social network with 900 million-plus users, is finally ready to make its Wall Street debut on Friday, May 18, 2012. Facebook is clearly dominant in its industry, but buying stock so quickly might be unwise. (May 16)

MORE TOPICS: IPHONE, SEC, MARK ZUCKERBERG, STEVE JOBS, TWITTER, SOCIAL NETWORKS

Google Self-Driving Car
Google Gets Serious About Self-Driving Car Technology; Autonomous Vehicle Spotted In Washington

By IBTimes

Google is getting serious about its self-driving car technology campaign. In an effort to make the driverless car legal on U.S. roads, the Mountain View, Calif. based company was spotted showing off the robo-prius on the streets of Washington, D.C. (May 16)

MORE TOPICS: TOYOTA, CALIFORNIA, FACEBOOK, AUSTRALIA, ERIC CANTOR, FLORIDA