tech industry Archives

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Microsoft at 50: the 4 worst train wrecks in the company’s history

His public persona included performances like the “Monkey Boy Dance” and the “Developers” video, which gained viral attention but also led to ridicule. During his leadership, Microsoft experienced a decline, losing market share in internet search to Google, social networking to Meta, and mobile computing to Apple. Microsoft had previously dominated the tech industry with MS-DOS and Windows, but failures in its operating systems had significant repercussions for the company and the tech landscape.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Why CEO of $40 billion company that caused biggest-ever Windows outage wishes he had joined Microsoft before going to law school

Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince reflected on his career decisions, expressing regret for not gaining experience at a larger company before pursuing graduate studies. He received job offers from companies like Yahoo, Microsoft, and Netscape but declined them to attend the University of Chicago Law School, aiming to become a cybersecurity lawyer. In an interview, he noted that working at a mid-sized company during the dot-com boom could have provided valuable experience and networking opportunities. Despite not regretting his later job rejections, he acknowledged that his law degree has been crucial for navigating legal challenges in his company. Prince believes that experiencing a dynamic work environment could have accelerated his career.

Winsage

April 24, 2025

6 first world Windows 11 problems I desperately want Microsoft to fix

Windows 11 creates local user directories using the first five letters of a user's email address instead of their actual name, which can be frustrating for users. The Taskbar thumbnail preview animations are lacking fluidity compared to previous Windows versions. Dark mode is inconsistent, with light mode interfaces appearing in various parts of the OS. Task View and Virtual Desktops animations can be choppy on systems without dedicated graphics cards. The transition between the Start menu and the Search pane feels abrupt and unrefined. Additionally, ads within Windows 11 lack personalization, leading to frustration for users who already subscribe to Microsoft services.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

When Microsoft made the Windows as a Service pivot

Former Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer discussed the company's shift from paid upgrades to a Windows as a Service model, highlighting the challenges faced after the success of Windows 7 and the disappointing reception of Windows 8. He noted that Microsoft made Windows 10 available as a free upgrade for users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, which allowed the company to gather valuable telemetry data while introducing users to subscription services. However, the telemetry raised privacy concerns among users, as it included advertising and upsell mechanisms. Plummer expressed a desire for a version of Windows Pro without telemetry and advertising, indicating he would pay for such a product. He also mentioned that the transition to a service model helped address piracy by offering free upgrades to users with non-genuine copies of Windows.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

ChatGPT chief says OpenAI would buy Chrome if Google is forced to sell

Nick Turley, chief of OpenAI's ChatGPT, expressed interest in acquiring Google's Chrome browser during a court hearing for the Department of Justice's antitrust trial against Google. He stated that many parties, including OpenAI, would be interested in such an acquisition to address concerns about Google's monopoly. Turley emphasized the potential for an "AI-first experience" if OpenAI integrated Chrome, while also noting challenges in entering the Android market due to Google's Gemini technology. He highlighted that tech giants like Google control key access points for product discovery, which complicates competition for OpenAI. In response, Google maintains that its products are preferred by users and has entered a two-year agreement with Samsung to preinstall its Gemini AI on devices, with other tech companies also making competitive offers. Google's revenue heavily relies on its Search and advertising segments, which generated .39 billion in Q3 2024. The ongoing trial may lead to significant changes in user interactions with Google products.

Winsage

April 22, 2025

Lucky for EU, users there can run Windows 11 on their iPads.

A leading software company has launched a new product aimed at streamlining business operations and enhancing productivity. Key features include an intuitive user interface, advanced analytics for real-time insights, customizable workflows, and robust security measures. Industry analysts predict positive market response, with early adopters reporting improvements in productivity and collaboration. The company will provide ongoing support and updates to ensure continuous improvements and customer satisfaction.

AppWizard

April 16, 2025

Japan orders Google to stop pre-installing Chrome and its other apps on Android smartphones – The Times of India

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) issued a cease-and-desist order against Google for violating Japan's anti-monopoly law by requiring Android smartphone manufacturers to preinstall its applications, which restricted competing search engine applications. Google incentivized manufacturers financially to designate Chrome as the default browser and not to preinstall rival search applications. The order mandates that Google stop these practices, prohibits the requirement for preinstallation of its apps, and requires the company to create compliance guidelines and appoint an independent third party to oversee adherence for five years. Google had agreements with six manufacturers representing about 80% of Android smartphones in Japan. The investigation began in 2023, reflecting a trend of increased scrutiny of big tech firms globally.

Winsage

April 4, 2025

Microsoft turns 50: Tracking Bill Gates’ journey – from a dorm room to tech powerhouse

In 2025, Microsoft will celebrate its 50th anniversary, marking the beginning of its journey in 1975 when Bill Gates and Paul Allen aimed to make personal computers accessible to everyone. They created user-friendly software, starting with MS-DOS, which laid the foundation for the Windows operating system. Microsoft has since transformed work, learning, and communication with tools like MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, while also creating millions of jobs and driving innovation. The company is currently focusing on integrating artificial intelligence with cloud computing and will host a special event in Redmond, Washington, to introduce new Copilot features.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

How Bill Gates, the Altair 8800 and BASIC propelled me into the PC revolution

The Altair 8800, introduced by Ed Roberts in 1974, was a groundbreaking personal computer that allowed everyday individuals to own and interact with computers, marking the beginning of the personal computer era. Bill Gates and Paul Allen recognized its potential and created a BASIC interpreter to enable users to engage with their machines. An engineer, initially interested in nuclear reactors, built his own Altair 8800 by scavenging parts and hand-soldering, highlighting the significance of programming languages like BASIC in making computing accessible. Gates and Allen's work on BASIC simplified programming and contributed to the proliferation of personal computers. Gates later advised the engineer on the importance of cash flow for startups, guiding him in his transition to software development. BASIC served as a gateway for many into computing, influencing countless careers in the tech industry.

Winsage

April 3, 2025

Microsoft at 50: how adaptability under Nadella is paying off

Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft fifty years ago to sell a version of the Basic computer language for the Altair. Microsoft has evolved from its initial focus on PC software to commanding a vast network of global data centers and recently investing in generative AI. The company faced challenges from the rise of the internet and smartphones, which shifted focus away from PCs, leading to stagnation in its stock price. Satya Nadella became CEO in 2014 and shifted Microsoft towards a cloud-first strategy, embracing open-source software and partnering with OpenAI for exclusive access to AI models. Under his leadership, Microsoft has adapted to changes in the tech landscape, although the impact of generative AI remains uncertain. Since Nadella's appointment, Microsoft's stock price has increased tenfold, raising its market value to nearly .8 trillion.