Tech World

"We have completed the steps necessary to finalize Microsoft’s acquisition of the Nokia Devices and Services business. The transaction will be completed this Friday, April 25, when we’ll officially welcome the Nokia Devices and Services business as part of the Microsoft family,” Microsoft said in a statement. Microsoft also stated that the purchase would allow the company to speed up innovation. “The completion of this acquisition follows several months of planning and will mark a key step on the journey towards integration. This acquisition will help Microsoft accelerate innovation and market adoption for Windows Phones. In addition, we look forward to introducing the next billion customers to Microsoft services via Nokia mobile phones.” As with any multinational agreement of this size, scale and complexity, the two companies have made adjustments to the original deal throughout the close preparation process. “We’ve entered into numerous agreements to address ...

Microsoft acquired Nokia earlier this year to bolster the Windows Phone platform, but it's thus far refused to snuff out Nokia's flirtation with Android, the Nokia X series. In fact Microsoft's devices group announced the latest addition to the Nokia X series of Android phones on Tuesday, the Nokia X2—the fourth entry in the Nokia X line, but the first announced under Microsoft's watch. Like the three previous Android handsets bearing the Nokia name, the X2 is really more of a "gateway device" to the hardcore Windows Phone experience than a full-fledged Android handset. The device runs the Android Opens Source Project (AOSP) version of Android that doesn't include any Google services or apps, re-skinned with a Windows Phone-like feel. The main screen is also loaded with Microsoft services including OneDrive, OneNote, Outlook.com, and Skype. Nokia services like HERE Maps are also present in place of their Google counterparts. But un...

The most obvious reasoning for Microsoft's establishment of a .Net foundation and further opening up the technology is the continued presence and prominence of open source software -- and openness in general -- in key, fast-moving enterprise IT trends including cloud computing, Big Data and devops. Today, Microsoft continues to reshape its approach to open source. Microsoft recently established a .Net foundation and open sourced substantial parts of the popular programming language, continuing to spread its newfound love for open source software. However, it's another movement -- devops -- that may be more of a driving factor in Microsoft's .Net move. In establishing the independent .Net Foundation and making more key pieces of .Net open source, Microsoft was promoting collaboration and community, it said. Many open source technologies exist for .Net, including the recently released .Net compiler platform codenamed "Roslyn." Microsoft also high...

Microsoft is showcasing a new virtual assistant as part of an upcoming update for Windows phones. The assistant, named Cortana, tries to be chatty like Siri on Apple’s iPhones and iPads, while anticipating information you might want, like Google Now on Android devices. Cortana will warn you of conflicts when you add items to your calendar, and it will remind you to ask about the new dog your sister just got the next time you communicate with her, whether that’s by phone, chat or email. It will offer to remind you of upcoming travel by scanning your email. Microsoft says the feature is in a “beta” test mode as the company tries to improve its voice recognition capabilities. In fact, during Wednesday’s announcement, Cortana made numerous mistakes, including offering weather in Celsius when the request was for the Kelvin temperature scale. Cortana is among the new features coming to a Windows Phone update called 8.1. The company says it will be available on new phones in about a...