Business

Microsoft is planning to release boxed copies of Windows 8.1, thereby saving new buyers from having to download the first big update to the Windows 8 operating system (OS). However, the boxed version's pricing and installation process may make it ... both confusing and unattractive for many consumers. The boxed edition of Windows 8.1 is being aimed at people who don't already own Windows 8 or any previous version of Windows. If you do have Windows 8 installed, you'll be able to download the update free of charge from the online Windows Store on October 18, 2013. The boxed version is seen as a ... (view more)

Google says it's planning to become a major investor in a healthcare firm that aims to help people live longer. The firm will be called 'Calico' and its mandate is to extend the human lifespan rather than simply find cures for life-threatening ... diseases. Its partnership with the world's most prominent Internet firm has led TIME magazine to pose the question: "Can Google Solve Death?" For its part, Google isn't sure that's possible. Google chief executive officer Larry Page describes such ambitious plans as "moon shots", and acknowledges it could be a couple of decades before they see results. ... (view more)

The National Geographic Channel has unearthed a time capsule buried by late Apple chairman and co-founder Steve Jobs thirty years ago. The time capsule was buried in Aspen, Colorado, in 1983, shortly after Jobs attended the International Design ... Conference being held in that city. Organizers called the device the Aspen Time Tube and contributed items like Rubik's cubes and some iconic music, including a Moody Blues recording. Steve Jobs' Own 'Lisa' Mouse Buried for Thirty Years Jobs added his own items to the capsule, including the 'Lisa' (also known as an 'Apple') mouse he used for his ... (view more)

Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer recently appeared before Wall Street investors to outline the four things his firm must do right if it wants to stay in business. Previously, Microsoft executives have outlined several key areas in ... which Microsoft needs to grow. Those areas include cloud storage, social media, mobile hardware and software, and "Big Data". But Ballmer went into greater detail during this most recent investors meeting. First, Ballmer says Microsoft must ensure that consumer cloud services like Office 365 -- the version of Office that is closely integrated with ... (view more)

Microsoft has issued an emergency software fix for a critical flaw in its Internet Explorer web browser. According to reports, hackers have already exploited the vulnerability. Microsoft released the "Fix It" software in an attempt to prevent what ... it calls "targeted attacks" on a vulnerability in its Internet Explorer browser. Microsoft is calling this a "zero day" vulnerability, meaning software developers were unaware of the issue before it was exploited by hackers. Hackers Launch Remote Code Execution Attacks Reports indicate that hackers have used the flaw to carry out remote code ... (view more)

Microsoft says it will pay you $200 for your used iPad. Clearly, the firm hopes you will put the money towards buying its own tablet computer, the Surface. The payment comes in the form of a gift card for Microsoft's retail locations, both online ... and off. Although Microsoft suggests you use the money to purchase a Surface, those who take the firm up on its offer could also spend the credit on Windows software or its forthcoming Xbox One video game console. While you can spend the gift card on Microsoft's online store, you'll have to take your old iPad to an actual Microsoft store to get the ... (view more)

A US federal court has ruled that Google can face charges that it unlawfully collected data through WiFi networks. Google had unsuccessfully argued that what it did was no different than picking up a radio broadcast. The ruling sets a precedent for ... the way WiFi networks are treated under the law. Experts believe it may also make it easier for the authorities to take court action against hackers who intentionally set out to steal data. The case centers on Google's Street View program, which involved taking photos for the company's Google Maps service. Google Mistakenly Collected Personal Data ... (view more)

A new report from CBS Money Watch questions the viability of Microsoft's recent acquisition of Nokia's phone business. The problem: both firms have fallen on tough times of late, meaning consumer confidence in their products is at an all-time low. ... At the same time, there just aren't enough apps available for Windows Phone devices. The devices division of 150-year-old Finnish communications firm Nokia was recently acquired by Microsoft for $7.2 billion. Many experts see the acquisition as an extension of an existing relationship between the two firms. It's a relationship that has involved ... (view more)

Another monthly Patch Tuesday security update has arrived and this time Microsoft is providing fixes for 'critical' flaws in its Internet Explorer web browser and its Outlook email manager. In total, Microsoft's Patch Tuesday offering includes 13 ... bulletins, four of which have been marked critical -- Microsoft's highest security rating. Many security experts are pointing to the critical bulletin affecting Outlook as the most important security issue this month. Code Execution Flaw Affects Outlook Wolfgang Kandek, chief technology officer at IT security firm Qualys, says it's imperative that ... (view more)

Microsoft will be hoping the second time's the charm for the firm's Surface line of tablet computers. New reports say the Redmond, Washington-based company will unveil the Surface 2 at a September 23, 2013 media event in New York City. It's not yet ... clear what Microsoft has planned for its second version of the Surface. However, early reports suggest the device will, like its predecessor, come in two different versions. New Surface, New Hardware Specifications That means a Surface 2 Pro will come equipped with Intel's new 'Haswell' Core processor, while a cheaper and less powerful version will ... (view more)