Windows Phone 7, Smartphones/Tablets


7 Killer Windows Devices at Computex

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Microsoft showed off some slick, new hardware in Taiwan, including touchscreen desktop PCs and innovative tablet computers from Acer, HP, Dell and more. The takeaway: The new breed of Windows devices is more than a pretty face.

Microsoft Gives Hardware Partners the Limelight at Computex

Microsoft's opening keynote presentation on Wednesday at the Computex show in Taipei gave a decidedly rosy picture for its hardware partners.

Windows Phone 7 vs. iPhone: Microsoft Closes the Quality Gap

WEB EXCLUSIVE: In the battle between Microsoft's underdog smartphone and the Apple juggernaut, the result is far from a knockout. Even iPhone lovers have to agree.

Microsoft Previews New Windows Phone 'Mango' Features

In a launch event on Tuesday, Microsoft executives confirmed an earlier announcement that Windows Phone "Mango," which will include 500 new features, will be released in the fall.

Ballmer Says 'Windows 8' Coming in 2012

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talked about the company's next-generation operating system on Monday in Japan, even going so far as to call it "Windows 8."

Microsoft in Last Place for Mobile Sales; Google Android No. 1

Devices based on Google's Android were the highest-selling mobile devices in the first quarter of 2011, according to figures released by Gartner on Thursday.

Microsoft Details Windows Phone 7's Tracking Methods to Congress

In response to a Congressional investigation into device manufacturers' location data storage policies, Microsoft issued a letter explaining how Windows Phone 7-based mobile phones store users' location data.

Ballmer: 'A Big Day' for Microsoft, Skype

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today described the company's pending $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype as a major milestone in Redmond's effort to extend cross-platform communications across mobile devices, PCs and home entertainment systems.

Blog Bytes: When 'Tracking' Isn't Really 'Tracking' (According to Apple)

Tech watchers and armchair legal eagles raked Apple over the coals this week over reports that the company keeps track of customers' locations through its iPhone.

Gartner: Tablets To Blame for PCs' Poor Q1 Numbers

Confirming earlier predictions, a new preliminary report released this week by market research firm Gartner indicates that tablet computers such as Apple's iPad and other alternative computing devices have cut into PC sales.

iPad Apps for Microsoft Partners, Editor's Cut: Here Are 24 More

Once again, RCP slogged through the App Store to spotlight the most interesting iPad apps. Last time, we brought you 23. This time, we more than doubled that number, bringing the total to 47. Some are free, others are expensive, but all have potential for integration into Microsoft partner-provided solutions.

Windows Tablet Outlook: Next-Gen Arriving Fall 2012?

Unnamed sources cited by Bloomberg push back the potential release Redmond's mass-market-focused tablet offerings. 

Microsoft Releases Beta 2 of SCCM 2012, Adds Mobile and Tablet Support

The second beta of System Center Configuration Manager 2012 (SCCM 2012) is now available, Microsoft announced on Wednesday at its Microsoft Management Summit in Las Vegas.

Microsoft Sues Barnes & Noble over Android-Based Nook

Microsoft has fired another salvo against Google's Android open source mobile OS, this time by filing a lawsuit against the creators of the Nook e-reader and the Nook Color Tablet device.

Microsoft, RIM Ink BlackBerry Cloud E-Mail Deal

Citing information from Research In Motion senior executives, a Bloomberg article published on Wednesday reports that Microsoft has struck a cloud computing deal with the smartphone developer.

Blog Bytes: Microsoft Trails in Tablet Game

A lot of ink has been spilled, figuratively speaking, over Microsoft's lack of presence in the tablet market.

23 Intriguing iPad Apps for Microsoft Partners

WEB EXCLUSIVE: We slogged through the App Store to bring the most interesting iPad apps to the surface. Some are free, others are expensive but all have potential for integration into Microsoft partner solutions.

Windows 7 Notebooks Taking Aim at Tablets

A new crop of Windows 7-based notebooks are retaining the utility of the form factor while drawing inspiration from the upstart tablet category.

Rumor: Next-Gen Windows Tablets Coming Fall 2012

Microsoft is planning to roll out a version of Windows for tablets during the 2012 school season, according to unnamed sources cited by Bloomberg media.

Gartner: Tablets To Cut into PC Growth

For the second quarter in a row, research firm Gartner Inc. has slashed its forecast for worldwide PC shipments.