Whether it’s because they want to keep the branding unified (highly unlikely) or they simply didn’t want to pursue a row with German retailer Metro AG (nearly certain though still a rumor), Microsoft is officially dropping the moniker of “Metro” from all forms of communication, marketing, and product naming. Now, it’s simply going to be “Windows 8″. Just when we thought Microsoft was getting creative… According to ZDnet: Here’s the official guidance, my sources say: Anything currently/formerly known as a “Metro-Style application” (with or without a hyphen) will now be known officially…

It is being reported by numerous sources that Microsoft has acquired Yammer, the social networking service that exclusively caters to business users. While there is still a lot of speculation at this point, it is believed that the software giant acquired the company behind the service for more than $1 billion. Microsoft has not announced what it plans to do with Yammer, but here’s what the acquisition could mean for users.   Seamless social connection Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn may have made it look relatively easy, but succeeding in the social media space is hard work. This is something…

While everyone else seems focused on new media technology such as social networks and mobile sharing, Microsoft is mastering what they’ve always done well: email. Their latest push towards perfect email management and distribution comes in the form of Outlook.com which they are billing as “modern email designed for the next billion mailboxes.” Judging by the video below, they’re definitely heading in the right direction. Despite the rise of new media, email still remains one of the most common and important online activities. Here’s what they’re saying about it on their latest blog: Webmail…

There are many who are holding off on buying a tablet until the Microsoft Surface is released. If Microsoft doesn’t clear the air about the pricing of the mobile devices, they may see some of those who are waiting for it go out and buy an iPad, Kindle Fire, Google Nexus 7, or any of the other already-available tablets because the ludicrous pricing that is circulating now is too high to keep their attention. If the pricing is correct, they are already in trouble. Swedish website Webhallen is displaying pricing for the Microsoft Surface starting at 6,990kr for the basic 32GB RT version. 1 Swedish krona…

The competition has been getting stronger. Despite continued domination by Apple in the tablet market with their single-size offering, rumors are spreading that they are considering a smaller version of the iPad to compete with the Amazon, Google, and Microsoft amongst others going after the cheaper tablet marketing. This would be a mistake. Instead of taking on the Google Nexus 7 (which started shipping last week), the Amazon Kindle Fire (with a new version expected in the 4th quarter this year), and other offerings with Android and Microsoft software, an “iPad mini” would do more to cannibalize…

They can’t seem to catch a break. News has been bad for the former leader in handset sales worldwide and it’s only gotten worse recently. They announced today that the Lumia 900 Windows phone, their flagship, will be sold at 50% off only three months after its launch. With a 2-year AT&T agreement, the phone costs $49.99. This was expected to some extent after Microsoft announced that the current phones would not be able to run their upcoming Windows 8 software. It has consumers believing that there’s no reason to get any of the current Windows phones and they would be correct. This news comes on…

Microsoft is using its considerable influence to show off the capabilities of the Windows phone in new and innovative ways. The latest showcase is with a new progressive campaign revolving around baseball. Steve Gebhardt and John Tramutolo – editors from The Roosevelts – have put together a Windows Phone Baseball Bucket List. The editors have compiled a list of must-see and must-do adventures that true MLB fans would have, including taking a picture with Mr. Met at Citi Field, walking out of the corn at the Field Of Dreams field, eat Shake Shack at Citi Field, participate in “Roll Call” at…

There is buzz in both directions surrounding the Microsoft Surface. On one hand, it has some nice functionality reported that will make it appealing to many. On the other hand, it’s just a small laptop with a touchscreen. Some say that they got in too late. Other say they got in when they were ready to make a difference. Regardless of which side of the buzz you’re on, there’s one major mistake that they are rumored to be making. Bloomberg reports that the first release of the device will be WiFi-only. If that rumor turns out to be a reality, then Microsoft will be missing a huge opportunity to actually…

“A tablet that’s a great PC. A PC that’s a great tablet.” The jury is still waiting to hear all of the evidence. The reviewers are dying to get their hands all over the device. The bloggers have opinions that are, to some extent, biased based upon their opinion of Microsoft. Love it or hate it, Microsoft has generated the type of buzz that they were once able to enjoy and that Apple has taken in recent years. The Windows 8 device has many unique features. While you wait to see what the device will actually do, here’s the full launch video from yesterday’s press event. One thing that should be noted is that…

Few businessmen are pushing the boundaries of technology further than that of Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page. Where Steve Jobs was able to streamline and successfully market, Page innovates. After meeting fellow co-founder Sergey Brin whilst earning his doctorate degree (at Stanford!) in 1996, Page helped create an algorithm that would launch the most successful search engine on the web and turn it into an empire of innovation, trailblazing technology in almost every field. But having recently faced lawsuits from Apple, Microsoft and Oracle, and with Facebook beginning to take aim…