Microsoft News Tracker

Microsoft was on the sidelines today as Apple launched their iPhone 3G around the world and the associated iPhone 2.0 software update, but Microsoft’s Adam Glick reminded everyone where the iPhone will be calling for numerous business users:

If you’ve not heard; Apple released iPhone 2.0 today which includes a software update to the existing iPhones in the market (yes, we mentioned it when it was announced as well).  We’re thrilled to add them to the family of Exchange ActiveSync licensees that enable all sorts of devices to connect to Exchange Server.  For those of you that manage Exchange Servers this means you may see some new devices connecting and we wanted to give you a few notes about what to expect.

Follow the link for details, but it is no surprise as it was announced back in March and it is still good business for both parties.

OK, it’s in Australia where the Zune isn’t available, but it still seems a little awkward to Use Microsoft to Win Apple Products:

Microsoft is dangling prizes made by arch-nemesis Apple to entice Australian web surfers to give its online search products a second chance.

Through its local joint venture with the Nine Network, ninemsn, Microsoft recently completed a full revamp of Live Search to improve results and integrate video, images, news and maps into search queries.

But in what is perhaps a sign of desperation given Google’s growing market share dominance, ninemsn is running a new Live Search promotion - Secret Search - offering surfers the chance to win prizes including the iPod Nano, Shuffle and Touch just for conducting searches.

Maybe Microsoft ought to try that in the USA too? No wacky Live Search Club games, no complicated Live Search cashback from retail purchases, just random prizes of good quality for searchers. Hit the rest of the article for an update on Live Search in Australia where Microsoft is ahead of Yahoo.

Today Apple announced the iPhone 2.0 software beta with a variety of business-use features including support for Microsoft Exchange email users. Terry Myerson, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for Exchange explains:

We’re happy that Apple is adding the iPhone to the growing number of mobile devices that connect with Exchange Server. As part of a business agreement with Microsoft, Apple will build Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync into the iPhone – making it possible for iPhone owners to access Exchange and take advantage of its secure mobile communications features.
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The Apple iPhone is one of those popular devices that now join the long list of smartphones able to connect to Exchange. This is one of those win-win propositions in that it helps us serve iPhone users, and it helps Apple serve the needs of the enterprise.

Myerson takes pains to explain how Apple and Microsoft can both cooperate on Exchange access and compete in other areas simultaneously, but it isn’t a surprise - both are big enough with enough breadth of product that it is inevitable.

Nancy Gohring reports that Apple’s iPhone has pulled ahead on Windows Mobile in US smartphone sales:

Even after being on the market for less than half a year, more iPhones sold in the fourth quarter than Windows Mobile phones in the United States, according to research from Canalys.

Canalys researchers estimate that the iPhone had 28 percent of the U.S. converged-device market in the fourth quarter of 2007. Research in Motion, with 41 percent, had the largest share of the market. Windows Mobile phones had a 21 percent share of devices sold in the quarter, falling into third place behind Apple.

(more…)

Microsoft’s second generation Zune media players became generally available yesterday and the good news is that while the reviewers are not ecstatic or predicting the imminent demise of Apple’s iPod, they are crediting Microsoft this time around with solid if somewhat stolid entries in the flash and disk-based media player markets (cf. this compilation and Walter Mossberg’s review).

Perhaps even better for Microsoft is that they have a new Zune ad agency who reportedly is de-emphasizing the “Social” although I am hard pressed to say that the new TV ads are that much of an improvement despite actually showing the product. That, of course, is an innovation compared to prior Zune ads. Still, no one seems to have told the crew at Microsoft’s new and improved Zune Arts that the Social is out and they are merrily generating more bizarre sharing videos.

This looks to be another building year for Microsoft’s Zune and I would suggest that we will know that they are really ready to rumble when we see the Zune available outside the USA.