Postmodern wriggle: Economist

To save Microsoft, Bill Gates adjusts his shorts

THE self-appointed marketing experts of the blogosphere immediately pounced on the opening shot of what will probably be this year’s most discussed advertising campaign. Microsoft, the huge but boring software company that has been pummelled by the advertisements of its smaller and cooler rival, Apple, is fighting back. How? By having Bill Gates, its co-founder, chairman and arguably its personification, buy shoes with Jerry Seinfeld, a comedian, as his adviser. Just look, the bloggers are screaming: further proof, if any were needed, that Microsoft just doesn’t get it.

Admittedly, the first television spot of the campaign is bizarre. All that Messrs Gates and Seinfeld seem to talk about is, well, shoes. How they “run tight”. How best to stretch them. Windows and Office, Microsoft’s ubiquitous flagship products, are not mentioned at all. The word “Microsoft” is mentioned exactly once. Computers come up only insofar as Mr Seinfeld wonders whether they might someday become “moist and chewy”. Mr Gates replies with a subliminal hint, a subtle wriggle of his boxer shorts. What does any of this, the critics ask, have to do with the purpose of the ad campaign, which is to salvage the reputation of Vista, the latest version of Windows?

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Microsoft demos 'touch Windows': BBC

By Maggie Shiels
Technology reporter, BBC News, in Silicon Valley

Microsoft's next operating system (OS) will come with multi-touch features as an alternative to the mouse.

It is hoped the successor will have a better reception than the much-maligned Vista OS, released last year.

Scheduled for release in 2009 the new fingertip interface lets users enlarge and shrink photos, trace routes on maps, paint pictures or play the piano.

"The way you interact with the system will change dramatically," said Microsoft chairman Bill Gates.

Speaking at the All Things Digital conference in San Diego, the Microsoft Chairman said Windows 7 would incorporate new forms of communication and interaction.

"Today almost all the interaction is keyboard-mouse. Over years to come, the role of speech, vision, ink - all of those things - will be huge."

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Apple lines up iPhone Asia deals: BBC

Apple has signed deals with four mobile phone networks in the Asia-Pacific region, and the firms will offer the iPhone in their respective markets.

SingTel will sell the gadget in Singapore, while Bharti Airtel will introduce it in India.

Globe Telecom has the rights to the iPhone in the Philippines, and Optus will offer it in Australia.

The iPhone was launched in the US and Europe last year. Apple chose a single network provider in each country.

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AT&T to cut iPhone price by $200, says report: Computerworld

Apple won't object, adds analyst

By Gregg Keizer

"April 30, 2008 (Computerworld) AT&T Inc. will subsidize $200 of the purchase price for new iPhones this summer, according to a story posted by Fortune today, reducing consumers' out-of-pocket expense for the popular device to as low as $199.

Apple Inc. may not publicly say "thanks" to its wireless partner, a researcher said, but it could hardly object. "Apple will be saying 'Okay with us if you want to increase our sales' to AT&T if they do this," said Ezra Gottheil, an analyst at Technology Business Research Inc."

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AT&T to cut iPhone price by $200