Microsoft has tried it everyone else's way, and Windows Phone still hasn't made much headway. That could still change, but two separate reports, from WPCentral and BGR, are claiming that Microsoft's taking the next step and making a phone on its own. Read More >

Skype, or Microsoft, depending on how you look at it, is looking to seriously expand its free Wi-Fi service and is gearing up to roll it out, nationwide, across the UK. Normally the domain of airports, Skype's pushing free routers into the hands of coffee shops and businesses everywhere, so you can grab even more free Wi-Fi while you’re out and about. Read More >

One big provider of internet porn took the imminent arrival of Internet Explorer on Microsoft's Xbox 360 to issue a press release, claiming the console was about to become every child's favourite way of getting their favourite niche of porn beamed into their living rooms. Read More >

Microsoft is already facing an uphill battle when it comes to fighting the likes of Apple, Samsung, Google and Amazon in the tablet wars. But with news that its certification of tablets based around Intel's Clover Trail platform is being delayed because Intel can't supply proper power management firmware for devices, Microsoft's looming holiday war just became a bit more precipitous. Read More >

Intel's CEO Paul Otellini has created a bit of worry for Microsoft, claiming that the version of Windows 8 it's set to launch next month won't quite be the finished article. Read More >

The New York Times Bits Blog is reporting that Microsoft has hired former CBS executive Nancy Tellem to head up production of "original video content" for the Xbox. Read More >

We're well into tablet season with the release of the new Kindles and the almost certain release of the iPad Mini next month, but Microsoft's Surface is in the game too, though we know quite little about it. In an interview with the Seattle Times, CEO Steve Ballmer was kind enough to mention the "sweet spot" for Surface pricing. Unfortunately it's 500 dollars-wide. Read More >

Malware and viruses are bad, but so long as you're careful, your PC will stay squeaky clean, right? Maybe not. Microsoft has found that many PCs from China are coming with malware pre-installed, as many as a fifth. Read More >

There are plenty of high-tech phone features to yearn for, but Microsoft is applying for the patent on one so simple, primitive, and awesome you'll be amazed you didn't think of it yourself: the ability to smack your phone and have it shut up. Read More >

Ritter Sport makes fine German chocolate in a variety of flavours. Microsoft makes electronics and software of all sorts. Ritter is found in stores the world over. Microsoft is found in pockets and PCs and places of business all across the land. Both good companies. Both successful companies. But neither one as much in common with the other...EXCEPT FOR A LOGO. Read More >

This sure is awesome, well, if you're a Microsoft employee anyway. It looks like, if you're the proud owner of a Microsoft employee ID card, you'll be getting a free Surface RT tablet for use at work and home, courtesy of your crazy CEO, Steve Ballmer, himself. Read More >

Microsoft's reeling from what's probably the worst branding disasters in recent memory. It's still trying run a mile from "Metro" and is currently trying to get you to use the super-clunky "Windows Store" apps instead. Mind you, it's also musing over "Modern" as a replacement for Metro, which is both horrendous, and not confusing in the slightest. [The Register] Read More >

This sounds a bit far-fetched, but Microsoft's just won a patent for a device that creates an "environmental display" by projecting a 360-degree game world around you on the walls. It then tracks your movements in 3D space, moving the game world with you just like a holodeck. Could this be the next, incredible, evolution of the Xbox 720 and Kinect? Read More >

Nexus 7, Kindle Fire, (almost certainly) iPad Mini; it seems like you might need to add Nook to the bunch.  A source at Digital Trends says there's a new Nook getting announced this month, and it might be a Windows 8 tab. Read More >

Apparently, AMD has been given the nod for Microsoft's next gen Xbox, but it's having difficulty spitting out the Durango's chips. According to "sources," AMD's spitting out the "Oban" chip like nobody's business, but most of the chips coming off the production line are duff. Not good for Microsoft, and serious egg-on-face for AMD if true. Read More >