Microsoft News Tracker

Google’s announcement of a less than scintillating free web site service this week has a number of folks scratching their heads as to whether Google can ever branch out beyond the web search and Internet advertising space. Mark Evans makes the case that their attempts to do so are scattered and unfocused. Conclusion:

As much as investors love Google, let’s be clear here: it’s a one trick-pony, although the trick is extremely lucrative. For all the talk about Larry Page and Sergey Brin becoming strategic visionaries, it’s hard to see a vision unless it’s about creating new real estate for AdSense - regardless of whether these new services are any good. Maybe there’s a master plan happening that the rest of us can’t grasp yet but it would be nice for Google to commit itself to doing something really well when it introduces a new service - rather than coming out with something that disappoints and doesn’t move a market forward.

Google certainly wouldn’t be the first company that did one thing very well, but despite repeated attempts, couldn’t manage to add anything else to its repertoire. It’s too early to judge, but they really aren’t showing us much so far outside their core business despite all the distracting hoopla. On the other hand, as Dare Obasanjo succinctly explains, the distraction for competitors like Microsoft is very real whether intentional or not. Maybe that’s enough as Google continues to build their main business.

Microsoft donates staff time to charity in Asia

Microsoft will give every employee in Asia three-days paid leave this year to pursue community service projects aimed at narrowing the digital divide in the continent, the company said Friday.

With 6,000 employees in the region, that adds up to 18,000 days of charity work, an amount of time Microsoft will set aside each year to pursue service projects in Asia.

The goal is to give 150 million more people in Asia access to technology and the Internet so they can learn how to use the information and communication tools online to help reduce poverty, improve quality of life, and tackle other issues.
…
At the heart of the campaign, dubbed Unlimited Potential (UP), is a program designed to build computer centers around the region and train locals how to use technology. Microsoft has already established 2,200 centers in Asia in conjunction with governments and partners, donating money, software and its employees to do the training.

Over the past three years, Microsoft has also donated $30 million in software and cash in Asia alone to build and maintain the centers, to pay for employee volunteer trips to remote locations, and finance other philanthropy projects. This year, the company has already approved a grant for $8.2 million in Asia, out of worldwide grants totaling $25.5 million. And that’s probably not all the money Microsoft will give this year, considering it went through two rounds of grants last year.

And concerning the grants, Microsoft Commits US$8.2M Grants In Asia

February 24, 2006 - Microsoft today announced it has strengthened its commitment to community outreach in Asia through an estimated US$8.2 million in grants to fund basic technology and job training to empower underserved people with new skills for enhanced employability.

The US$8.2 million in cash and software allocated for Asia is part of Microsoft’s US$25.5 million additional funding for the company’s on-going Unlimited Potential (UP) program which is now running in 95 countries worldwide. Microsoft UP is a global program that focuses on improving lifelong learning for underserved young people and adults by providing technology skills through community-based organizations around the world.

The company made the announcement in Hong Kong this week at Ethical Corporation’s regional Corporate Social Responsibility conference.

Microsoft Research Awards $1.7 Million in Academic Funding to Advance Research in Health, Education and Digital Inclusion (see also the Q&A)

Feb. 23, 2006 — Microsoft Research today announced the recipients of $1.2 million (U.S.) in funding for academic research that focuses on how technology can unlock the potential of people in underserved communities by making computing affordable, accessible and relevant.

Microsoft Earmarks $41 Million in Software, Cash for Disaster Relief (see also the Q&A)

Feb. 22, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it is donating $41 million in software and cash to NetHope and the Interagency Working Group on Emergency Capacity Building Project (ECB). This grant is intended to enable efficient and rapid communication among nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) during times of crisis, when speed, collaboration and efficiency can make a true difference in people’s lives.

Completing the formalities surrounding its December antitrust ruling, the Korean Fair Trade Commission is formally notifying Microsoft of the ruling and the imposed penalties:

South Korea’s antitrust watchdog said Thursday that it plans to send software giant Microsoft a formal notice of its violation of the nation’s fair trade rules by early next week at the latest.

On Dec. 7, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) fined Microsoft 33 billion won ($33.8 million) for bundling its Media Player program and MSN instant messenger into its near-ubiquitous personal computer operating system Windows.

“We plan to deliver the notice to Microsoft as early as this weekend or by early next week at the latest,” the watchdog said.

After receiving the notice, Microsoft has 180 days to start shipping Windows in two new versions in Korea:

The commission ordered Microsoft to provide two separate versions of Windows: one stripped of the Windows Media Player and Windows Messenger, and the other carrying links to Web pages that allow consumers to download competing versions of such software from Aug. 24, 2006.

Microsoft’s response:

The Korea Fair Trade Commission report released today is one step in a long legal process, and we believe the facts will show that Microsoft’s actions have respected Korean law. It is important to note that this is not a new decision; this is simply the written report of the decision announced by the KFTC last December.

We continue to believe that the integration of media player and instant messaging capabilities in the Windows® operating system is legal and has benefited millions of Korean consumers.
…
The restrictions proposed by the KFTC are different and even more than those required by the European Commission. Under the KFTC restrictions, Microsoft would need to develop and distribute two new versions of Windows for Korea, including a version that has significant features removed. It remains difficult to understand how Korean consumers would benefit from such a product.

We will appeal this decision within 30 days and may request a stay.

I suppose they have to fight this to try to head off every jurisdiction that wants to mandate its own version of Windows, but surely there must be a temptation to create two new SKUS and let them sit on the shelves like Windows XP N.