News & Reviews:   Microsoft

Microsoft Malaysia today unveiled findings from its first Asia Data Culture study 2016, which showed that 85% of Business Decision Makers (BDMs) in Malaysia felt that it was important to drive an agile business that is data driven, yet only 44% are starting to embark or have a limited digital strategy in place.

Some time last year, Lenovo was suppose to launch a phones with Windows 10 OS in it but nothing happen and they went quiet about it. We aren't sure what really happen but with the leaked picture above, it seems that they haven't give up on the development.

Today, Microsoft Corporation has announced a new next-generation cloud ERP solution, the Microsoft Dynamics AX, to further enhance power, speed and intelligence of cloud computing for enterprise-class business and organization to be more efficient in their work. Built on and for Microsoft Azure, it is now available in 137 markets in 40 languages. 

“Customers from around the world are using the cloud in incredible ways to accelerate and transform their business,” said Scott Guthrie, executive vice president, Microsoft Cloud and Enterprise. “Today’s release is an exciting milestone extending Microsoft’s business cloud offerings. It’s now possible for organizations to run their entire business in the cloud with Microsoft — from productivity with Office 365, to business analytics with Power BI and Cortana Analytics Suite, customer engagement with Dynamics CRM and business operations with Dynamics AX.”

As part of Microsoft's new three-part initiative  plan, Microsoft Corp CEO Satya Nadella have announced that the recently formed Microsoft Philanthropies will be donating $1 billion of Microsoft Cloud Services. The purpose is to give back to the public, and also to serve nonprofits and university researchers over the next three years.

“Microsoft is empowering mission-driven organizations around the planet with a donation of cloud computing services — the most transformative technologies of our generation,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who on Wednesday will speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “Now more than 70,000 organizations will have access to technology that will help them solve our greatest societal challenges and ultimately improve the human condition and drive new growth equally.”

Microsoft Corp. and Code.org have held a campaign in Malaysia to launch the third-annual Hour of Code in Asia Pacific, in effort to to broaden global participation in computer science. Using the theme “Code4Good”, Microsoft Malaysia hosted the Hour of Code campaign spanning 247 locations across Malaysia. Over 25000 children and youth from nonprofit and international schools participated the campaign.

Microsoft has just unveiled the company's most affordable Internet phone in the market called the Nokia 215. Yes, Nokia name makes a comeback, probably to take advantage of the legacy and reputation of the Finnish company, once the world's largest smartphone maker. The Nokia 215 will cost just $29 (RM103) before taxes and subsidies and will offer essential connectivity as well as an impressive battery life. The phone features a 2.4-inch QVGA display (320 x 240 pixels). There will be Bluetooth connectivity options as well along with SLAM for easy file sharing. Like earlier feature phones from Nokia, this particular device too will come with Opera Mini for web browsing. Apps like Facebook, Facebook Messenger and Twitter will be built-in for a smooth social networking experience. Given the price tag, the phone does not support Wi-Fi but the user can access the web via 2G and dual band EDGE networks. As for the battery, the Nokia 215 comes with a 1100 mAh capacity one which provides up to 20 hours of talk time and 29 days of standby time. At the back, there is a very small 0.3MP camera sensor. The LED is located on top of the phone and can be used as a flashlight. The Nokia 215 will also have a dual-SIM version. Both models will be sold in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia in the coming months. Expect more details like Malaysia release dates and pricing soon.

While initially Microsoft was rumoured to have approached HTC about loading Windows Phone on Android, it appears that HTC wasn't the only one Microsoft talked to. According to reports, Microsoft have also approached Samsung and Huawei with Windows Phone OS for smartphones and Windows RT for tablet for free as an incentive. They have also supposedly added on compensation for the required adaptation costs. While none of the above parties have really confirmed anything, a rumoured 12.1-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab which can dual-boot between Windows RT and Android is supposedly on the way. Tech specs for this device include very high pixel resolutions, a super thin plastic chassis made to look like metal (probably a chrome finish) and is supposedly very fast. Most of this info comes from Russion blogger Eldar Murtazin, who has mostly been accurate when it comes to Nokia - Microsoft related rumours. However, he was wrong about Tizen so take this rumour again with a pinch of salt. No Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet though.

We said it would happen and it has as Microsoft recently acquired Nokia for $7.17 billion (RM23.6 billion). The deal covers Nokia's Devices and Services along with the right to license Nokia's various phone patents. According to Microsoft, they will get the cash from overseas resources and close the deal by Q1 of 2014. Nokia are getting something out of it as well as Stephan Elop, Nokia CEO will get to lead the Microsoft Devices team where the rest of Nokia's employees will join him. The current head, Julie Larson-Green will focus instead on the Xbox and Surface devices. While this could result in a Microsoft Nokia Lumia Windows Phone, Microsoft have said that they will be keeping things short, so you can probably expect Microsoft Lumias and Ashas to hit the shelves soon. With Steve Balmer's impending retirement on the horizon, Stephan Elop looks like the most promising candidate for next head of Microsoft but it also means that he needs to step up Microsoft's new phone business, which looks more and more difficult with Nokia's resulting drop in share price. So far no news on when we'll all be using Microsoft Asha or Lumia phones but expect things to start shaking up here in Malaysia as these two gigantic companies shift gears. Microsoft will still support other Windows Phone partners like HTC and Samsung.