Mary Jo

In early August, Microsoft told its adCenter user base to expect a fall pilot of its contextual ad system, ContentAds. Low and behold, the invitations for the ContentAds test-run are now going out. ContentAds will compete with both Google AdSense and Yahoo Publisher Network.

For those keeping tabs on all things Microsoft-Live-related, the LiveSide folks have a few interesting updates. Microsoft launched on August 29 an official (U.S.-only) beta version of its Live QnA service. QnA allows users to ask questions, obtain answers and vote on the results. MSN Alerts have been rebranded “Windows Live Alerts.” A beta version […]

Following Amazon.com’s publication of Vista and Office 2007 prices and availability dates, Microsoft officials are doing some damage control. Amazon is claiming it got its Vista pricing info from the latest Microsoft price sheet. “I’d love to be able to tell you that that is in fact the (Vista release) date, but there’s nothing we […]

From the “You Be the Judge” files: A source allegedly working for Electronic Arts says 30 to 50 percent of Xbox 360 consoles received by the game maker have failed. Microsoft says the actual <“>failure rate for Xbox consoles is 3 percent to 5 percent, and denies claims that the Capcom game “Dead Rising” is […]

Despite Engadget’s best attempts to convince Microsoft that the FairUse4WM app that stripped Windows Media’s DRM was a good thing, Microsoft isn’t buying the argument. Microsoft notified its Play4Sure licensees on August 28 that some kind of patch that will shore up Windows Media’s DRM scheme was in the making.

It’s not just Windows Vista prices and release dates that are revealed for all to see on Amazon.com. Amazon also tells us that Office 2007 will be available the same day as Vista – January 30, 2007. Microsoft previously released months ago its Office 2007 price list. But the company has been cagey in refusing […]

We thought the leaked price of Windows Vista Ultimate ($400 for a new copy; $259 for an upgrade) would raise more hackles than it has. But as LonghornBlogs’ Robert McLaws notes, the real Vista gotcha might be in the additional license pricing. McLaws, usually quite the Vista fan boy (as he himself admits), had some […]

Thanks, Amazon.com (and Longhornblogs, for pointing this out). Microsoft is set to launch Windows Vista on January 30, 2007. No word on the final location (yet). We’re assuming – until we hear otherwise – that this also will be the official launch date for Office 2007.

Microsoft.com Canada posted a Windows Vista price list, according to Neowin. (The list has now vanished, not surprisingly, from the Microsoft site.) In U.S. dollars, Vista Home Premium is listed at $270. Home Premium Upgrade (from a current version of Windows) is $180. But Vista Ultimate is where the prices get interesting. A brand-new copy […]

Microsoft revealed late on August 27 the new and improved Windows Marketplace site. The new site includes Digital Locker, a secure software download mechanism for Microsoft- and third-party-developed software products. It doesn’t look like the updated Marketplace is doing much to feature Windows Live services, so we’re betting there’s still a Windows Live Marketplace (code-named […]