Microsoft Support & Discussions

By Paul Thurrott Microsoft is back with a nice upgrade called Windows Phone 7.5 and, soon, a new generation of phones, many of which feature improved hardware--like better cameras--and new features that take advantage of advances in the new software. Microsoft will no doubt unleash a new round of ads aimed at promoting Windows Phone 7.5. But this time, the software giant doesn’t intend to go it alone. Source: Win Super Site

Internet Explorer 10 in the Windows Developer Preview introduces two new CSS features designed to make it easier for developers to create rich text-centric Web pages and apps. CSS3 Regions provides a lightweight mechanism to flow content through multiple non-contiguous areas. IE10

By Paul Thurrott The Windows 8 Start screen is widely considered a "Start menu replacement." But it is, of course, much more than that. It provides access to available applications (legacy Windows applications), apps (modern, Metro-style apps), control panels and other elements, as well as notifications. Source: Win Super Site

By Paul Thurrott After receiving yet another round of complaints from customers, Netflix this week announced that it will no longer use the Quickster brand for the DVD portion of its business. Instead, it will continue to offer both DVD- and streaming-based movie services through the central Netflix site and brand. Source: Win Super Site

By Paul Thurrott Microsoft president Andy Lees is talking up Windows Phone this week, but he’s not limiting his revelations to the recently released Windows Phone 7.5: He says that dual core CPUs and 4G LTE support are coming to the platform, too, probably in 2012. Source: Win Super Site

By Paul Thurrott Microsoft describes how it works to reduce memory usage even further in Windows 8, undermining those out-of-date complaints from haters who think Windows is too big for iPad-like tablet devices. Source: Win Super Site

By Paul Thurrott Antitrust regulators in the European Union have signed off on Microsoft’s planned $8.5 billion purchase of Internet communications firm Skype. The European Commission (EC) signaled Friday that it would give the OK to the sale of Skype, Microsoft’s biggest-ever corporate deal. Source: Win Super Site

By Paul Thurrott In the latest episode of the Windows Weekly podcast, Leo, Mary Jo and I discuss the passing of Steve Jobs, Xbox Live TV, Microsoft/Yahoo rumors, the Metro UI on PCs, and more. Source: Win Super Site

Dell isn’t commenting about its future plans for supporting Windows Phone beyond its commitment to roll out Mango on existing Dell Venue Pro handsets. Source: All About Microsoft

The European antitrust authorities have given the nod to Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype. Source: All About Microsoft

By Paul Thurrott An often irreverent look at some of this week’s other news, including a Windows Phone rebound of sorts, a pending EU OK of the Microsoft/Skype deal, Microsoft’s possible bid for Yahoo, the death of the Zune HD, supposed Amazon Kindle Fire pre-order numbers, IE usage share figures in perspective, the biased mainstream media, Sprint’s iPhone 4/S deal, and an early arrival for Steve Jobs’ official biography. Source: Win Super Site

Users of Office 2007 can expect a third service pack (SP) for the product before the end of this calendar year. Mainstream, free support for Office 2007 ends next April. Source: All About Microsoft

According to a new survey, users seem very interested in Microsoft Winpad tablets, but what are their options for the next year or so? Source: All About Microsoft

Microsoft is working on increasing the performance and reliability of its Bing search engine via its Tiger, Cosmos and Scope work in its Online Services datacenters. Source: All About Microsoft

By Paul Thurrott With Windows Phone 7.5, Microsoft is finally adding custom ringtone support to its mobile OS. However, the software giant isn’t providing a ringtone store on Zune Marketplace or a seamless way to create your own ringtones. I do expect numerous third party ringtone apps and ringtones to appear in the weeks ahead, but in the meantime you can make your own. You just need to know how. Source: Win Super Site

By Paul Thurrott Tech visionary and marketer extraordinaire Steve Jobs has passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. Jobs was the co-founder of Apple Computer and the single most influential individual in technology for the past 30 years, upending the markets for personal computing, digital music, and mobile computing. Source: Win Super Site

By Paul Thurrott I spent much of today writing a 4000 word analysis of yesterday’s Apple iPhone 4S event. But I’m not going to publish it: There’s just too much to complain about. Instead, let me just recap the highlights. Source: Win Super Site

Microsoft is taking the wraps off its Xbox Live TV service. What’s powering it? I believe it’s a combination of Silverlight, Mediaroom IPTV and other elements connected to the company’s “Project Orapa.” Source: All About Microsoft

There are reports circulating that Microsoft might be considering buying all or parts of Yahoo. Is there any way this move could make sense? Source: All About Microsoft

By Paul Thurrott Microsoft on Wednesday unveiled its plans to bring live television services from 40 world-leading TV and entertainment providers to the Xbox 360 video game console in over 20 countries this holiday season. The service will offer live and on-demand TV, movies, games, sports, music, and more. Source: Win Super Site