RESTON, VA, November 18, 2010 – comScore, Inc., a leader in measuring the digital world, today released its monthly comScore qSearchanalysis of the U.S. search marketplace. Google Sites led the explicit core search market in October with 66.3 percent of searches conducted, an increase of 0.2 share points from September 2010.
The October 2010 qSearch figures represent the second month of results including the impact of Google Instant Search, a Google search feature that delivers results in real-time while users type their query. To learn more about how comScore is measuring search activity as users engage with Google Instant Search, please read our blog post on the subject: https://blog.comscore.com/2010/10/comscore_september_qsearch.html(more…)
*Microsoft Lync puts people at the center of communications, connecting in new ways, across the PC, phone and browser.*
REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 17, 2010 — Three years ago, the introduction of Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) changed the way people stay connected. An individual’s identity and presence became the center of business communication, thanks to the integration of unified communications across e-mail, voice, instant messaging, audio- and videoconference tasks — and even desktop sharing. People could choose how to manage their conversations, redirect calls, set their level of availability, and decide how and when they could be reached.(more…)
*Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync popularity on smartphones continues to grow.*
Adam Glick, senior technical product manager for Microsoft Exchange Server, navigates his phone using Exchange ActiveSync. Image credit: Microsoft
REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 16, 2010 — On any given day, millions of people around the world will take a few minutes to check their Outlook Mobile Inbox on a smartphone, especially while in transit or away from the office.
There may be something urgent that requires their immediate response, a meeting room location change, or a new calendar appointment waiting for attention. In any instance, the ability to check in via a smartphone helps them manage tasks and get on with the day while on the go.
For many, the convenience of accessing e-mail, calendar and contacts on a smartphone is integral to their business’ success, and they cannot imagine working without this capability.
The protocols that allow this mobile messaging to take place on smartphones reside in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync (EAS), which has become the de-facto industry standard for mobile messaging synchronization.
EAS is an XML-based protocol that communicates over HTTP (or HTTPS) to synchronize e-mail, contacts, calendar, tasks and notes from a messaging server to a mobile device. The protocol also provides mobile device management and policy controls.(more…)
*The company today rolled out the Microsoft Game Hub, which helps fans of casual games like Bejeweled play and interact socially across MSN Games, Bing Games and Windows Live Messenger.*
REDMOND, Wash. – Nov. 15, 2010 – Solitaire doesn’t have to be so solitary anymore.
Microsoft today introduces a new gaming hub that connects its three major social gaming portals, blurring the line between casual and social gameplay, said Michael Wolf, senior marketing manager for Xbox Product Marketing.
Surrounding Zuma’s Revenge in the image above is the Microsoft Game Hub, where players can see information from their social networks, challenge friends, and track their favorite games, game history and scores — no matter what platform they’re on. Image credit: Microsoft (more…)
*Today, Microsoft sponsors an afternoon of workshops to mark World Usability Day, the annual event for usability professionals to raise awareness for their field and discuss research, best practices and products.*
REDMOND, Wash. – Nov. 11, 2010 – Making the world work better, helping people communicate better, enhancing communication between people and computers – these are all things that interest Steve Seow and other usability experts around the world.
As part of World Usability Day today, members of the Usability Professionals’ Association (UPA) worldwide will host events to discuss usability and to share research and best practices.(more…)
*Microsoft today awarded grants to six organizations that help veterans and their spouses find jobs. The grants were part of the company’s Elevate America Veterans Initiative, a series of training and placement programs.*
REDMOND, Wash. – Nov. 10, 2010 – Microsoft is providing millions of dollars in cash and software to help returning veterans find employment in technology jobs.
The company announced today the grant recipients of its Elevate America Veterans Initiative, a series of training and placement programs to help give veterans and their families the skills and resources they need to succeed in today’s work force. Six nonprofits that work with veterans and their spouses will share $2 million in cash and up to $6 million in software and information technology skills training curriculum.(more…)
*Microsoft dramatically expands access to one of its most elite certification programs.*
REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 9, 2010 — Microsoft is making it more feasible for some of the world’s most talented technology consultants, architects, database engineers and administrators to earn credentials and recognition for their skills. Starting today, the Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) Exam — which certifies professionals’ expertise in the data management platform — will be available in testing centers in nine countries.(more…)
*Windows Phone 7 goes on sale today at AT&T and T-Mobile stores throughout the United States. The phone takes a new approach to smartphone design, hopefully addressing some of the “Bad Mobile Phone Behavior” called out in a new survey released today.*
REDMOND, Wash. – Nov. 8, 2010 – The mobile phone, like the craftiest of invasive species, knows no boundaries. It has crept into every inch of our lives, and spotting one in the bathroom or the bedroom can only elicit a weary response: “Really?”
According to a new surveyreleased today, the answer across the country is a resounding – if resigned – “Yes.”(more…)
comScore qSearch analysis of the U.S. search marketplace. Google Sites led the explicit core search market in October with 66.3 percent of searches conducted, an increase of 0.2 share points from September 2010. 
