Category Archives: Technology

Microsoft and LEGO Education demonstrate development possibilities on Windows 8.1 with SentryBot

Through a shared commitment to STEM education, Microsoft and LEGO Education team up to create hands-on opportunities for the next generation to be inspired by and engage with technology in new ways.

SAN FRANCISCO — Ever wonder what it takes to inspire and prepare the next generation to fill the pipeline of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs of the future? For Microsoft and LEGO, the answer is simple: Make STEM fun, accessible and engaging. At Microsoft’s recent developer conference, BUILD, Microsoft revealed the SentryBot — a small, yet powerful, robot featuring unique interactive scenarios only possible on the Windows platform. SentryBot demonstrates just how fun STEM can be regardless of your technical background. (more…)

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Partner opportunity: Small and mid-size companies seeking an edge

Flexibility of Microsoft Dynamics platform allows for a spectrum of custom solutions across a range of industries.

HOUSTON — July 9, 2013 — In the information-age economy, technology can be a huge competitive advantage — particularly for smaller companies. As small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) gain a foothold in today’s markets, Microsoft continues to invest in ways to help them compete.

“Today, the Microsoft Dynamics platform can provide the flexibility and power to serve a multitude of business needs,” says Neil Holloway, corporate vice president of Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) Sales and Operations. “Windows Azure and cloud services are increasingly making it possible for smaller companies to have the same computing muscle as their larger competitors.” (more…)

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Microsoft study reveals channel partners selling cloud solutions experience nearly double gross profits and faster growth

New study conducted by research firm highlights hybrid cloud profitability opportunities for partners

HOUSTON — July 8, 2013 — Partners with more than 50 percent of their revenue related to the cloud have been benefiting from higher gross profit, more new customers, increased revenue per employee and faster overall business growth, according to a new IDC study, sponsored by Microsoft Corp., released today at the company’s annual partner conference. (more…)

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Teaching a Computer to Play ‘Concentration’ Advances Security, Understanding of the Human Mind

Computer science researchers have programmed a computer to play the game Concentration (also known as Memory). The work could help improve computer security – and improve our understanding of how the human mind works.

The researchers developed a program to get the software system called ACT-R, a computer simulation that attempts to replicate human thought processes, to play Concentration. In the game, multiple matching pairs of cards are placed face down in a random order, and players are asked to flip over two cards, one at a time, to find the matching pairs. If a player flips over two cards that do not match, the cards are placed back face down. The player succeeds by remembering where the matching cards are located. (more…)

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Step into an anechoic chamber where sounds go to die

Microsoft’s new film series “On the Whiteboard” explores topics at the intersection of technology and culture, and introduces people, places and things behind the products.

REDMOND, WASH. – June 24, 2013 – In the second episode of Microsoft’s new film series “On the Whiteboard,” Editor Pamela Woon exposes an anechoic chamber of secrets. It’s an isolated space where you can actually hear blood pumping through your veins – because in here, there’s no echo. In this heavily padded room built on top of springs, sounds don’t bounce back, they’re absorbed. (But your body might, since you’re walking on springs.)

Researchers study the sounds of silence here, including testing and analyzing Surface to make sure that click you hear when you snap the kickstand shut is pleasing and robust to the average ear. (more…)

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Microsoft updates enterprise social road map, highlights momentum on Yammer acquisition anniversary

Microsoft delivers on its enterprise social vision with accelerating user, customer and engagement growth.

REDMOND, Wash. — June 25, 2013 — Today marks one year since Microsoft Corp. announced its acquisition of Yammer, the leading provider of enterprise social networks. Since the acquisition, Microsoft’s enterprise social momentum has accelerated in all areas, including new users, paid customers, user engagement, innovation, and the ecosystem of partners selling and connecting to the Yammer platform.

Twelve-month growth highlights include the following:

  • Registered users have grown by more than 55 percent to nearly 8 million.
  • Paid networks increased more than 200 percent year over year.
  • Yammer user activity (i.e., messages, groups and files) has approximately doubled year over year. (more…)

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Using IBM’s Crowdsourced Supercomputer, Harvard Rates Solar Energy Potential of 2.3 Million New Compounds

White House Applauds Citizen Science, Big Data Initiative

CAMBRIDGE, MA – 24 Jun 2013: The search for more versatile and less expensive materials for solar energy received a boost today as Harvard launched a free database that catalogues the suitability of 2.3 million organic, carbon compounds for converting sunlight into electricity.

Harvard’s Clean Energy project — which screened the molecules using World Community Grid, an IBM-managed virtual supercomputer that harnesses the surplus computer power donated by volunteers — is believed to be the most extensive investigation of quantum chemicals ever performed. (more…)

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