Microsoft Buys Nokia

Nokia have sold it's handset unit to the Software giant Microsoft for $7.2 billion 

This occurrence is of course inevitable seeing how software companies are increasingly moving into the hardware market so as to have total control on the hardware to uses its software, something Apple did long time ago and paying off.

Google and Microsoft who just in recent times totally picked up on the school of thought of Apple have seen that controlling both the hardware that runs its software is the way to go now.

Well,  Microsoft have totally demonstrated that school of though again by acquiring Nokia's handset division for $7.2 billion. 

Also,  Nokia would license some of its patents to Microsoft to allow for freely usage of these technologies.

Nokia directors and shareholders had these to say in a statement made by Risto Siilastmaa, chairman, Nokia board of directors .

"We believe this transaction is the best way forward for Nokia and its shareholders"

What matters most to the consumer is how this acquisition will benefit the consumer in terms of phone design and overall user experience. 

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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Tenders His Retirement Letter

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer who has during his time  made great achievements towards to growth of Microsoft and also to an almost same degree made some wrong turns is set to retire 12 months from now.

 Although some may and may not like some of his decisions over the past years till now, but the truth is that since he took mantle as CEO of the company, he has according to  him increase the worth of Microsoft from $7.5 million with 30m employees to $75 billion with almost 100,000 employees. That is a great achievement and should be applauded as he bows out in a good way.

Ballmer on Friday released his retirement letter and it read as shown below.

I am writing to let you know that I will retire as CEO of Microsoft within the next 12 months, after a successor is chosen. There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our transformation to a devices and services company focused on empowering customers in the activities they value most. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction. You can read the press release on Microsoft News Center.
This is a time of important transformation for Microsoft. Our new Senior Leadership team is amazing. The strategy we have generated is first class. Our new organization, which is centered on functions and engineering areas, is right for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Microsoft is an amazing place. I love this company. I love the way we helped invent and popularize computing and the PC. I love the bigness and boldness of our bets. I love our people and their talent and our willingness to accept and embrace their range of capabilities, including their quirks. I love the way we embrace and work with other companies to change the world and succeed together. I love the breadth and diversity of our customers, from consumer to enterprise, across industries, countries, and people of all backgrounds and age groups.
I am proud of what we have achieved. We have grown from $7.5 million to nearly $78 billion since I joined Microsoft, and we have grown from employing just over 30 people to almost 100,000. I feel good about playing a role in that success and having committed 100 percent emotionally all the way. We have more than 1 billion users and earn a great profit for our shareholders. We have delivered more profit and cash return to shareholders than virtually any other company in history.
I am excited by our mission of empowering the world and believe in our future success. I cherish my Microsoft ownership, and look forward to continuing as one of Microsoft’s largest owners.
This is an emotional and difficult thing for me to do. I take this step in the best interests of the company I love; it is the thing outside of my family and closest friends that matters to me most.
Microsoft has all its best days ahead. Know you are part of the best team in the industry and have the right technology assets. We cannot and will not miss a beat in these transitions. I am focused and driving hard and know I can count on all of you to do the same. Let’s do ourselves proud.
Steve

No doubt, a new CEO should be ready to not only strive to surpass Steve's achievement but most be ready to strive hard in this boisterous tech industry of this century.

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image source: BGR

Apple's New iOS 7 Would Reduce iPhone Theft

Sequel to the last meeting held between smartphone makers and some government agencies including security experts concerning the rate at which smartphone theft are becoming more prevalent in the society especially the iPhone which as been stolen more than any other smartphone. 

Apple have made up a new way to deter thieves from stealing iOS devices.

This new feature which would be present in iOS 7 would help curb the rate at which iPhone, iPad  and iPod are stolen.

To achieve this, whenever one of these devices is stolen, it would become impossible to erase. Before one can erase any of these devices running iOS 7, one would need to input both the Apple ID and password of the owner.

Without these parameters inputted, the device won't allow the anyone to erase and restore the device.

This will definitely serve as a deterrent to iDevice theft. 

Although, it's a good way to reduce smartphone theft for iDevices yet it far from complete. 

Also,  other smartphone  manufacturers, Google and Microsoft, haven't revealed a concrete way to stop thieves from going after their devices or render it useless even when stolen.

LoJack would be the app of choice to achieve this feat as it's currently being tested for the possibility of being security app for reducing smartphone theft. 

Apple's method have been given a thumbs up by security experts and seems very promising. 

Of course, like any human initiatives, there would be flaws and that suggests that Apple's method won't cut it in the near future when a work around is implemented to bypass to security feature. 

Mouse Designed for Windows 8 devices

Windows 8 is a great Operating System as some would argue, however, others would argue otherwise chiefly because of the removal of some core features like the Start button which has been in all Windows Operating System before Windows 8.
In fact, some have described this removal as a below to the face and ripped off of their strength when using the computer.

While the Redmond company is releasing an update (Windows 8.1) that would include the important Start button, the company also debut new kind  of mouse.

This mouse would have a Start button embedded in it either by the side of the Mouse or located on top as depicted in the images below. Therefore uses are no longer essentially required to click the Start button on the screen when using such Mouse.

Below are images of the new kind of Mouse.
This is a welcomed development and still wondering why it took this long for such an innovative idea to be implemented.

Well, it is now implemented and it will make navigation of the Windows OS even easier.

What is your take on this hardware? Drop your comments